A Glean movie guide
Totally 80s: The Ultimate Teen Guide
The Brat Pack and beyond.
Relive the high school drama, neon fashion, and iconic soundtracks of the 1980s.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
The Breakfast Club
Five students from different social cliques find common ground during a transformative Saturday in detention.
Five high school students from different walks of life endure a Saturday detention under a power-hungry principal. The disparate group includes rebel John, princess Claire, outcast Allison, brainy Brian and Andrew, 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.
- 02
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
A charismatic high schooler leads his friends on a legendary, rule-breaking day through the streets of Chicago.
After high school slacker Ferris Bueller successfully fakes an illness in order to skip school for the day, he goes on a series of adventures throughout Chicago with his girlfriend Sloane and best friend Cameron, all the while trying to outwit his wily school principal and fed-up sister.
- 03
Sixteen Candles
A girl navigates the ultimate social nightmare when her entire family forgets her milestone sixteenth birthday.
With the occasion all but overshadowed by her sister's upcoming wedding, angst-ridden Samantha faces her 16th birthday with typical adolescent dread. Samantha pines for studly older boy Jake, but worries that her chastity will be a turnoff for the popular senior. Meanwhile, she must constantly rebuff the affections of nerdy Ted, who is unfortunately the only boy in school who seems to take an interest in her.
- 04
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
A raw and funny look at the interconnected lives, loves, and part-time jobs of Southern California teenagers.
Based on the real-life adventures chronicled by Cameron Crowe, Fast Times follows a group of high school students growing up in Southern California. Stacy Hamilton and Mark Ratner are looking for love, and are helped along by their older classmates, Linda Barrett and Mike Damone. Jeff Spicoli, a perpetually stoned surfer faces-off with the resolute teacher, Mr. Hand. Hilarity and heartbreak ensue.
- 05
Pretty in Pink
A working-class girl navigates high school social divides while caught in a classic 80s love triangle.
Andie is an outcast, hanging out either with her older boss, who owns the record store where she works, or her quirky high school classmate Duckie, who has a crush on her. When one of the rich and popular kids at school, Blane, asks Andie out, it seems too good to be true. As Andie starts falling for Blane, she begins to realize that dating someone from a different social sphere is not easy.
- 06
Say Anything...
An optimistic underachiever tries to win over the class valedictorian in the summer before they head to college.
Average student and eternal optimist Lloyd Dobler seeks to capture the heart of Diane Court, a beautiful but unattainable valedictorian classmate. He surprises just about everyone - including himself - when she returns the sentiment. However, Diane's divorced, over-possessive father disapproves of the match, and Lloyd realises that it's going to take more than just the power of love to conquer all.
- 07
Heathers
A dark, satirical take on high school popularity where a new student disrupts a powerful and cruel clique.
A girl who halfheartedly tries to be part of the "in crowd" of her school meets a rebel who teaches her a more devious way to play social politics: by killing the popular kids.
- 08
The Karate Kid
An underdog teenager learns life lessons and martial arts to face down his high school bullies in a tournament.
New Jersey teen Daniel LaRusso moves to Los Angeles with his mother, and soon strikes up a relationship with Ali. He quickly finds himself the target of bullying by a group of thugs, led by Ali's ex-boyfriend Johnny, who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo under ruthless sensei John Kreese. Fortunately, Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi, an unassuming repairman who just happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing, training him in a more compassionate form of karate for self-defense and, later, preparing him to compete against the brutal Cobra Kai.
- 09
Footloose
A rebellious teen moves to a small town where he fights a strict ban on dancing and rock music.
When teenager Ren and his family move from big-city Chicago to a small town in the West, he's in for a real case of culture shock after discovering he's living in a place where music and dancing are illegal.
- 10
Risky Business
A suburban teen’s life spirals out of control when he turns his family home into a business for a weekend.
Meet Joel Goodson, an industrious, college-bound 17-year-old and a responsible, trustworthy son. However, when his parents go away and leave him home alone in the wealthy Chicago suburbs with the Porsche at his disposal he quickly decides he has been good for too long and it is time to enjoy himself. After an unfortunate incident with the Porsche Joel must raise some cash, in a risky way.
- 11
The Outsiders
A gritty coming-of-age story about the intense rivalry between two teenage gangs in rural Oklahoma.
In 1960s Tulsa, class divisions ignite a violent rivalry between the working-class Greasers and the privileged Socs. When a deadly encounter forces two Greasers, Ponyboy and Johnny, to flee, their struggle for survival and redemption exposes the fragile innocence and enduring bonds of youth on the wrong side of town.
- 12
The Lost Boys
A stylish blend of teen angst and supernatural horror as two brothers encounter a gang of vampires.
When an unsuspecting town newcomer is drawn to local blood fiends, the Frog brothers and other unlikely heroes gear up to rescue him.