A Glean movie guide
Totally 80s: The Ultimate Teen Movie Guide
The Brat Pack and beyond.
From detention halls to neon-soaked nights, relive the decade that defined coming-of-age.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
The Breakfast Club
The definitive portrait of high school social hierarchies and the universal search for identity.
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 joyful, rebellious celebration of teenage independence and the art of living in the moment.
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
Say Anything...
A sincere and grounded romance capturing the bittersweet transition from high school to the real world.
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-protective father soon begins to disapprove of the match, and Lloyd realises that it's going to take more than just the power of love to conquer all.
- 04
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
An authentic, ensemble-driven look at the messy and hilarious reality of early 80s youth culture.
A group of Southern-California high school students ignore their studies in favor of indulging in their teenage distractions.
- 05
Heathers
A razor-sharp, dark satire that deconstructs the cruelty of high school popularity with biting wit.
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.
- 06
Back to the Future
A high-energy adventure that perfectly blends sci-fi thrills with classic teenage growing pains.
Eighties teenager Marty McFly is accidentally sent back in time to 1955, inadvertently disrupting his parents' first meeting and attracting his mother's romantic interest. Marty must repair the damage to history by rekindling his parents' romance and - with the help of his eccentric inventor friend Doc Brown - return to 1985.
- 07
The Karate Kid
The ultimate underdog story about finding confidence and mentorship in the face of high school bullying.
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.
- 08
Sixteen Candles
A quintessential comedy about the relatable chaos of a forgotten milestone birthday and unrequited love.
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.
- 09
The Outsiders
A gritty, star-studded drama exploring the emotional weight of brotherhood and social rivalry.
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.
- 10
Pretty in Pink
A stylish exploration of class differences and the complicated nature of high school romance.
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.
- 11
The Lost Boys
A stylish horror-comedy that reimagines teenage rebellion through a cool, supernatural lens.
When an unsuspecting town newcomer is drawn to local blood fiends, the Frog brothers and other unlikely heroes gear up to rescue him.
- 12
Footloose
A high-spirited drama where music and dance become the ultimate tools for teenage defiance.
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.