Top 10 Movies That Defined an 80s Teenager

Ah the 80s... Was there ever a better decade? Big hair, baggy clothes, new wave music, floppy disks, convertible VW Cabriolets, dot matrix printers, mix tapes, and monochrome screens.

Yeah I was an 80s kid. And recently the topic came up of the movies that define being a teenager in the 80s. This is the definitive top 10 list according to...well...me. Sure most of the time these movies exaggerated the reality of that period (though not nearly as much as movies today try to stereotype 80s culture.) I always wondered how those who grew up in the 50s or 60s thought about how my generation would stereotype those decades with poodle skirts and tie-dyes. I'm sure that was only a small part of what it was like. I will admit the 80s DID have some pretty bad stereotypes. Although I'd argue some are still around in different forms...

To high school students today, you'll probably notice (like I do) that some things in these films are very different than they are today, but much is still the same. (See the classroom scenes of the #1 film.) Just, please, don't try to talk like you know about the 80s, unless you've at least seen all ten of these films!

DISCLAIMER: Now that I'm a dad and a teacher, the inappropriate language, sexual themes, rebellion, and glorified substance use from these movies make me wince.  I can say that now, as an adult, these films did influence the way I looked at life back then...and not for the best. I probably won't let my daughters watch these until they are at least 17. Just sayin'.

Without further ado...my TOP 10 FILMS THAT DEFINED THE 80s TEENAGER!
The films that are availible on Netflix Streaming I notated with *.

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Number 10 - Better Off Dead (1985)

"I want my two dollars!" If you've ever heard that catchphrase before, this film is it's origin. John Cusack is a iconic 80s movie face and plays Lane Myer, the typical movie teen who's world has gone crazy around him when all he wants is to win back his ex-girlfriend (who is also kinda crazy.) 

Iconic Scenes

• Japanese Drag Racers impersonating Howard Cosell
• Crazy paper boy
• Mom's cooking

Number 9 - Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

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Probably the least memorable of the many John Hughes-directed 80s teen films but still captures the familiar theme of poor guy asks out rich, popular girl. No where near the comedy elements like many of the films on this list, but still portrays 80s teen romanticism and angst well.

Number 8 - Breakin' (1984)

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Street dancing is all the rage...yeah. You mean AGAIN! Poppin', lockin', moon walkin'. Pish posh. I was there when it first became popular , whipping out the cardboard to spin on our backs and heads. Yes, this movie is cheeeesy, but I loved the dance sequences. The plot is pretty predictable, street dancers Ozone and Turbo help white girl bring new dance style to the masses. It's still good fun! Enough so that they quickly came out with a "bigger, better" sequel only six months later called *Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.


Iconic Scenes

• The breakdancing! The cheesy 80s choreography in all it's glory!
• Turbo's broom dance!
• For more cheesy 80s dancing, see *Girls Just Want To Have Fun (1985)

Number 7 - Say Anything (1989)

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The directorial debut of Cameron Crowe (Jerry McGuire, Almost Famous) closes out the decade with another teen portrayal by John Cusack.   Released in '89, it's somewhat ironic that the story takes place immediately after Cusack's character graduates from high school, signifying the end of an era. Those that saw Cusack in Better Off Dead see similar themes now portrayed in a more mature, coming-of-age fashion as we say goodbye to the 80s.

Iconic Scenes

• Kickboxing. The sport of the future.
• In front of the convenience store.
• And of course...boom box over the head playing "In Your Eyes".

Number 6 - *Footloose (1984)

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"Let's DANCE!!!" Kevin Bacon, in arguably his most recognized role, plays Ren, a big city boy who  reluctantly moves in with his small town extended family and brings a world of dance to the community. I LOVED this movie as a kid and it's funny how I'm living out a version of this story now as an adult! But I digress. The dance scenes in this film seem pretty remedial by today's "Step Up" standards, but they are still great. In addition, the soundtrack is probably the best of the films on this list!

Oh, and sorry, but the 2011 remake does NOT hold a candle to the original. Period.


Iconic Scenes

• Tractor Chicken
• Ren's speech before the town council.
• Ren teaching country boy Willard to dance.

Number 5 - The Karate Kid (1984)

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"Sweep the leg." If I didn't consider the masses, I would say The Karate Kid was my personal #1, because it echoed many things going on in my life at the time. Ralph Macchio plays Daniel La Russo, the new kid in school who comes from poorer side of town, and falls for, you guessed it, the popular rich girl. I always liked Elizabeth Shue's character, Ali. Sweet but tough and down to earth. The "kicker" for me, being half Japanese, was the character of Mr. Miyagi, played perfectly by Pat Morita. He reminded me so much of my relatives in Hawaii, and I love how he mentored "Daniel-san." Of course this movie has one of the best Rocky-esque underdog stories of all time. This movie is so very 80s, yet timeless at the same time.

Oh, and sorry again, but the 2010 remake does NOT hold a candle to the original. Double period! Don't even waste your time. You'd much more enjoy the 1986 sequel, The Karate Kid II.

Iconic Scenes

• Crane technique on the post.
• "Get him a body bag!"
• "Wax on, wax off."

Number 4 - *Pretty In Pink (1986)

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Oh, Queen Molly. You stole our hearts again and again in the 80s. Your bright red hair and girl-next-door cuteness combined with writer John Hughes' knack for defining the 80s teen makes you two 80s film royalty. I loved this film. Probably because I identified with Jon Cryer's (Two and a Half Men) character, Ducky, a lot. I suspect he even misses the great hair he had back in the 80s just like I do!

Pretty In Pink has basically the same plot as many of the John Cusack films on this list, but with gender reversal. Molly Ringwald's character, Andie, is the poor girl who falls for the rich popular dude.

You'll also get a peek at James Spader before way before his twisted film career took off. I was never a fan. Same goes with Andrew McCarthy. That dude has freaky eyes.


Iconic Scenes

• Ducky lip-syncing Otis Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness."
• An early look at comedian Andrew "Dice" Clay
• Tender moment with Andie's dad played by Harry Dean Stanton, who had a excellent cameo with the Hulk in last year's The Avengers blockbuster.

Number 3 - Sixteen Candles (1984)

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Queen Molly's break through role with director John Hughes. This film also launched Anthony Michael Hall as the 80s staple geek. Those wanting to kick off an 80s movie marathon should start with this film (followed by the number two and one films on my list).

Sixteen Candles, Ringwald again plays the sweet underdog girl who longs for the popular senior and on top of all that, has her 16th birthday forgotten by her family.

Iconic Scenes

• Any scene with Asian stereotype transfer student Long Duck Dong! "Mah-deed!"
• Wallflower geeks at the school dance (look for John Cusack and sister Joan before they made it into the spotlight!)
• This film features an AWESOME soundtrack! It totally got me into the Thompson Twins after seeing that "If you Were Here" last scene. Awww...

Number 2 - *The Breakfast Club (1985)

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The Breakfast Club is quite literally a Who's Who parade of 80s teen stars. It had the grittiest portrayal of stereotypical high school cliques back then and plays the "What happens with a jock, a geek, a rebel, a prom queen, and a basket case all have to spend Saturday detention together?" plot line perfectly. Despite being a teen flick this movie was rated R, and I remember having to beg my mom to take me to see it because I wasn't old enough. Her response? "Well...okay but don't tell your dad." I retrospect, I bet is was pretty uncomfortable for her to sit through many of the scenes with me. I remember feeling a bit awkward with mom sitting next to me. I tease her a lot about it now that she made a bad parenting choice that day! As a teacher, I seriously DON'T endorse this film for kids under 17 because of the behavior it glamorizes, even though sadly many parents today probably wouldn't even bat an eye about it. Despite some truly funny moments, there are some pretty tough scenes in this film.


Iconic Scenes

• The dance montage
• The "What's your talent?" scene.
• Closing scene with "Don't You" by Simple Minds playing in the background. Haven't we all tried that final pose when walking alone across a football field?

AND NOW... "THE SAUSAGE KING OF CHICAGO!"

Number 1 - *Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

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Yes, yes. I know many may argue with my choice of #1 here, but NO ONE would argue that it's at least Top 3 material! (If they do, then I question their 80s purity). Personally, I feel that FBDO encapsulates everything that makes an 80s teen film great! Ditching school. Outsmarting the principal and your parents. Great 80s pop culture references. Random dance number. Sweet car. Excellent soundtrack. And directed by...you guessed it...John Hughes! All these things contributed to FBDO becoming one of the highest grossing films that year. The only thing it was missing to make it a pure 80s teen film was a certain red head...

FBDO made every teen crave the freedom of the world and a chance to play in the grown-up lifestyle for a day instead of going to school. This film made such an impact, Matthew Broderick, who played Ferris, spoofed the film for a 2012 Honda Super Bowl commercial. It Also inspired a short lived TV series in 1990 starring a pre-Friends Jennifer Anniston and a 90s ska band called, yep, Save Ferris.

Personally, I had a few Ferris Bueller moments in my high school life (and perhaps even as an adult) that were probably influenced by this film. I love this movie and if I ever need an 80s fix, this is my pick!

Iconic Scenes

• Abe Froman?
• Charlie Sheen's cameo with Pre-"Dirty Dancing" star Jennifer Grey. Has Charlie every really changed?
• Danke Schoen/Twist & Shout medley, baby! 

But That's Not All, Folks...Behold the Godfather of 80s teen films, John Hughes ~ (1950-2009)

Check out this rare interview of the master director who crafted half of the films on this list, (after which Hughes went on to write and produce some huge comedies such as Uncle Buck and the Home Alone trilogy.) Sadly he died of a heart attack way too young, but he left behind a treasure trove of 80s film nostalgia for us to enjoy for many years to come!

John Hughes Interview cir. 1986  Part 1 and Part 2.



Now, I know what your saying. ARE YOU CRAZY?!? HOW COULD YOU NOT MENTION [Insert iconic 80s film title here]!?!

Look, I probably might sorta agree with you, but I really was going for a certain type of 80s film here. There will be another kind of 80s Top 10 film list that I will make for a different genre, I promise!

So, did I miss your favorite 80s film? Make your case in the Comments section below!