The Breakfast Club

Released Feb 15, 1985

1h 32m

Comedy

Drama

TRAILER

for The Breakfast Club: Trailer 1

List

89%

Tomatometer

64 Reviews

92%

Audience Score

250,000+ Ratings

Five high school students from different walks of life endure a Saturday detention under a power-hungry principal (Paul Gleason). The disparate group includes rebel John (Judd Nelson), princess Claire (Molly Ringwald), outcast Allison (Ally Sheedy), brainy Brian (Anthony Michael Hall) and Andrew (Emilio Estevez), the jock. Each has a chance to tell his or her story, making the others see them a little differently -- and when the day ends, they question whether school will ever be the same.

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Critics Consensus

The Breakfast Club is a warm, insightful, and very funny look into the inner lives of teenagers.

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David Denby

New York Magazine/Vulture

[Hughes] understands adolescents as well as anyone who has ever made movies about them, and he has a fluent way with young actors. In this picture, his dramatic ideas may be cheesy, but Hughes still manages to create some excitement and laughs.

Jan 2, 2020

Full Review

Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

Taking place almost entirely in one room, "The Breakfast Club" is the kind of movie -- and the kind of play -- that's hardly seen anymore. And good riddance.

Jan 4, 2018

Full Review

Kathleen Carroll

New York Daily News

Hughes has a wonderful knack for communicating the feelings of teenagers, as well as an obvious rapport with his exceptional cast - who deserve top grades.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 13, 2016

Full Review

Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

Through the character's stereotypes, John Hughes makes us look at how similar we are in our differences. [Full review in Spanish]

Jun 22, 2023

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The late John Hughes' finest hour (he didn't have many, despite a prolific output), The Breakfast Club was the best of the so-called "Brat Pack" features as well as a seminal film for many who came of age in the 1980s.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 18, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Hughes once again sensationally captures the feel of adolescent rebellion and nonconformity with both timeless severity and laugh-out-loud dialogue.

Rated: 9/10

Aug 31, 2020

Full Review

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Jo S

Best movie of ALL time!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/22/21

Full Review

Wayne H

Soooooooo good!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/15/24

Full Review

Catherine R

So as nostalgic as this film is for a lot of people, there are a few parts where it's a bit gross and cringy. And I didn't really like how mean John is to Claire for the majority of the film. Like just because someone's rich, doesn't mean you should constantly pull their chain. Plus, she mentions that her home life ain't that great either. But her dad's not putting out cigarettes on his kid's arm the way Benders is.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/19/24

Full Review

Jace E

Here goes the "Brat Pack". There are reasons why "The Breakfast Club" is iconic. The cast is packed with 80's teen stars, the director is legendary and there are memorable moments scattered throughout the film. I hate to be this guy, but I was a little disappointed in the finale, mostly because of the character arcs. For the most part, all the characters are exactly the same at the end, and those that change (like Allison) are too abrupt. The film is building to the right place, but then it's all wrapped up. I would have liked to see another 20 minutes of real character development and (more importantly) redemption. The whole movie feels like a bottle episode of a sitcom, which is a good thing. The dancing scene is legendary, the lunch scene is hilarious and there are some moments that truly have heart. I just would have liked a little more unity between the group. Best Character: Allison (except for what they do to her at the end) Best Quote: "We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all." - Andy Best Scene: The Dancing Scene Best Song: "Don't You Forget about me" Best Piece of Score: "Love Theme" Note: The "So I can vote" line is so good!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/13/24

Full Review

Molly A

An all time classic teenage movie. The Breakfast Club touches on social clicks, peer pressure, and stereotypes. It follows five kids on a Saturday detention. All there for different reasons and all leaving with a different perspective. The Breakfast Club is a perfect example of a seemingly boring setting turned into a comedy classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Definitive 1980's "rebellious teen" comedy from the master, John Hughes. Effectively captures the ridiculous authoritarianism that crops up too often in bureaucratic institutions, like High School, and the frustration and animosity it creates amongst its students. Also addresses the disconnect that develops between many children and their parents during the teenage years, while also examining the social class system of adolescence. Top notch performances by its young "Brat Pack" cast, particularly Judd Nelson as the iconic rebel, John Bender. Also, a great ‘80's soundtrack.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/11/24

Full Review

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John Hughes

Director

Emilio Estevez

Andrew "Andy" Clark

Molly Ringwald

Claire Standish

Judd Nelson

John Bender

Paul Gleason

Principal Richard Vernon

Anthony Michael Hall

Brian Ralph Johnson

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The Breakfast Club: Official Clip - Bender Mocks Claire