The 1980s were full of sweet and relatable romance films set in high school, and many of them have held up over the years, making it easy to revisit their compelling tales of love. John Hughes is an undeniable force in'80s coming-of-age films, approaching them as a writer and director with a care and understanding for their subjects. Other directors joined Hughes in creatingbeloved ’80s teen romance filmsthat could be thoroughly enjoyed years later, including Cameron Crowe and Martha Coolidge.
The best romancefilms set in high schoolutilize social cues and adolescent feelings to provide obstacles for their main characters. The pressure to fit in with others, the insecure feelings associated with unrequited love, and social cliques that seem impossible to diffuse are all foundational concepts for teen romance films. No matter one’s age, such emotions and circumstances can be understood by a wide range of audiences, which helpsthese films remain relevant and pleasant to watch decades later.
Secret Admirer
Cast
Secret Admirer is a romantic comedy film released in 1985, following the story of Michael Ryan, whose life becomes chaotic after finding an anonymous love letter in his locker. The film explores the humorous and tumultuous impact on him and those around him as they seek the letter’s origin.
David Greenwalt, who’d eventually become best known for his work onBuffy the Vampire SlayerandAngel, directedSecret Admirerat the height of the sex comedy genre in the mid-80s.Secret Admirerstarts with a simple plot: before entering his senior year of high school,Michael Ryan (C. Thomas Howell) receives an anonymous love letterhe assumes is from his crush, Deborah (Kelly Preston).
In reality, the letter was penned by his friend Toni Williams (Lori Loughlin), who harbors a secret crush on Michael. Despite its predictability,Secret Admireris consistently funny all the way through, and the characters are slightly more nuanced than those typically included in a teen rom-com.
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Unlike most high school romance films,a significant portion ofSecret Admireris dedicated to the parental characters, but they’re used wisely and don’t take away from the central story involving the teens. Their storyline involves misguided assumptions about their spouses that culminate in a humorously over-the-top brawl during a bridge party.
Just One of the Guys
Terri misses out on a summer internship and is convinced that she has been the victim of sexism. So she decides to infiltrate another school disguised as a boy, where she finds an admiring girl and falls in love with another boy.
Just One of the Guysis one of the earliest examples of ateen comedy film adapted from William Shakespeare’s work.Twelfth Nightacts loosely as the inspiration forJust One of the Guys' premise, which sees a struggling teenage journalist, Terri Griffith (Joyce Hyser), transfer to a rival school in hopes of getting a better response to her articles.
Just One of the Guysis one of the earliest examples of a teen comedy film adapted from William Shakespeare’s work.
At the new school, Terri modifies her name to “Terry” and enrolls as a boy. LikeShe’s the Man, another popular teen comedy adaptation ofTwelfth Night,the joy ofJust One of the Guyscomes from seeing Terri navigate interactions with other students, especially those she develops romantic feelings towards.
The film’s premise is entertaining on its own, but it only truly works if the leading actor is convincing in their role, and, thankfully, Hyser is. Hyser takes command of the film with her comedic timing and charm and comes off as a likable protagonist audiences want to see succeed.
Can’t Buy Me Love
Can’t Buy Me Love is a teen romantic comedy directed by Steve Rash. The movie follows high school student Ronald Miller, played by Patrick Dempsey, as he pays popular cheerleader Cindy Mancini, portrayed by Amanda Peterson, to pretend to be his girlfriend in order to elevate his social status. As the facade continues, their relationship and Ronald’s newfound popularity bring unexpected complications.
The consensus among critics states thatCan’t Buy Me Lovewould have worked better if its commentary on the desire to be popular was amped up and further explored. However,the film still works well as a teen comedy with an obvious but important message.
Can’t Buy Me Lovefollows Ronald Miller (Patrick Dempsey), an unnoticed high school student who makes a deal with popular cheerleader Cindy Mancini (Amanda Peterson). The deal is that Cindy will pretend to be Ronald’s girlfriend for a month, and Ronald will pay for an expensive outfit Cindy destroyed. However, Ronald quickly learns that being popular is not all that it’s cracked up to be.
With the rise of social media and the ability to gain instant virality, the message ofCan’t Buy Me Lovehas become increasingly more relevant. Dempsey is compelling as the astronomy-obsessed nerd turned off-putting popular jerk and is paired nicely with Peterson, who proves there is more to her cheerleading character that could have easily been one-dimensional.
Valley Girl
Valley Girl is a 1983 teen romantic comedy directed by Martha Coolidge. The film follows Julie, a popular high school girl from the San Fernando Valley, who falls in love with Randy, a rebellious punk from Hollywood, defying the expectations of her social circle. Starring Nicolas Cage and Deborah Foreman, Valley Girl explores themes of young love, peer pressure, and the cultural divide between social classes.
Minus the feuding families and tragic ending,Valley Girlbears a slight resemblance to William Shakespeare’sRomeo and Juliet. The opposing young lovers at the center ofValley Girlare the popular Julie (Deborah Foreman) and city punk Randy (Nicolas Cage). Despite their mutual attraction towards one another, the two are surrounded by people who advise them not to be together.
Just like otherRomeo and Juliet-inspired films,Valley Girlexplores the dilemma that comes with wanting to adhere to others' expectations, whilst also yearning for a life outside of one’s social bubble.
Because of its inspiration from Shakespeare’s work, the story ofValley Girlis predictable but is kept fresh with a comedic script, a solid new wave soundtrack, and strong performances. It is easy for valley girl characters in movies to be portrayed without depth, but Foreman’s performance prevents this from being the case, and Cage’s on-screen charisma makes it perfectly clear how Julie could fall for a guy like Randy.
Some Kind of Wonderful
Some Kind of Wonderful, directed by Howard Deutch, follows high school outsider Keith Nelson as he lands a date with Amanda Jones, the popular girl at school, while his tomboy best friend, Watts, discovers her feelings for him go beyond friendship amidst the social challenges of teenage life.
Following their previous collaboration onPretty in Pink,Howard Deutch and John Hughes collaborated once moreforSome Kind of Wonderful, which they made in response to the former film’s ending. The film has a similar premise, following outcast Keith Nelson (Eric Stoltz) as he pursues popular student Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson).
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Meanwhile, while helping out Keith, his best friend Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) realizes she has feelings for him. Thegender-flipped aspect ofSome Kind of Wonderful, with Stoltz acting in place of Molly Ringwald’s character, works well, and the script has some uniquely comedic moments that land.
WhileSome Kind of Wonderfulwould have greatly benefited from a narrative that wasn’t as similar toPretty in Pink, the film still has its shining moments that warrant frequent revisiting. The lead actors, Stoltz, Thompson, and Masterson, are lively in their roles and encapsulate what Hughes has become known for — writing tangible characters, specifically teens, trying to find their way in the world.
Sixteen Candles
In John Hughes’s directorial debut, Molly Ringwald stars as Samantha Baker, a high school student in suburban Chicago whose sixteenth birthday is marred when her whole family forgets to celebrate the occasion due to her older sister’s wedding. Navigating a school dance and a seemingly unrequited crush on an older boy, Sam’s sweet sixteen becomes a day to remember. Anthony Michael Hall, Michael Schoeffling, and Gedde Watanabe also star.
John Hughes' directorial debut,Sixteen Candles, was a massively influentialfilm that changed Hollywood’s perception of teenage storieson the big screen.Sixteen Candlesstars Molly Ringwald as Sam Baker, a 16-year-old with a crush on a senior classmate, Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling).WatchingSixteen Candlesyears later is fascinating, as it kickstarted a whole trend of films being centered around teenage life, which has grown to be a massively popular genre of film today.
Still,Sixteen Candlesis not without unpleasant “of its time” aspects. There are unavoidableharsh realities aboutSixteen Candlesthat dampen the experience of a rewatch. Yet, the film’s legacy has endured all these years because of the aforementioned influence on Hollywood, in addition to its memorable leading performances.
Ringwald, Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall portray their teenage characters as easily identifiable figures audiences can relate to, separating Hughes' film from others.Sixteen Candleswas refreshing at the time of its releasebecause Hughes' script felt like a more accurate representation of ’80s teenagers in the way they spoke and viewed life.
Gregory’s Girl
Gregory’s Girl is a 1981 coming-of-age comedy directed by Bill Forsyth. The film follows a teenager named Gregory, who becomes infatuated with a female soccer player that replaces him on the team, navigating the complexities of young love and adolescence in a Scottish high school setting.
From the UK,Gregory’s Girlis a beloved coming-of-age romance story that can be enjoyed by audiences worldwide. The film centers around the titular teenager, played by John Gordon Sinclair, getting replaced in his position on the school’s soccer team by a classmate, Dorothy (Dee Hepburn).
Dorothy’s beauty and athletic skills impress Gregory, and he works up the courage to ask her out on a date.Gregory’s Girlisn’t full of clichés typically included in films about teenage romance. Instead,the film is a bit quieter and highlights the awkward parts of young love and growing up.
Sinclair plays Gregory’s awkwardness in a way that audiences are likely to relate to, rather than outright cringe at, and he’s supported by a range of actors that make up the film’s comical characters.Gregory’s Girlcaptures the graceless moments of adolescence with a sweet and nostalgic approach that often makes the film more enjoyable years later.
Say Anything (1989)
Cameron Crowe, who had a hand in many memorable ’80s and ’90s films likeFast Times at Ridgemont HighandJerry Maguire, made his directorial debut withSay Anything…, starring John Cusack and Ione Skye. Unlike other high school romance films mentioned,Say Anything…takes place right after its high school students have graduated, with the underachieving but optimistic Lloyd Dobler (Cusack) working up the courage to ask out the valedictorian, Diane Court (Skye).
However, their love story is not without complications, as Diane’s father does not approve of Lloyd.Say Anything…, partially because it takes place after graduation, puts its characters through a more mature struggle compared to other teen romance movies at the time.
Say Anything…has a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score.
The characters are transitioning into adulthoodand gradually come to take control of their lives, deciding who they want to be (and be with). Both Skye and Cusack deliver endearing performances, with the latter’s desperate and determined boombox gesture being the scene largely associated with the film years later.
Pretty in Pink
Pretty in Pink is a 1986 romantic comedy-drama directed by Howard Deutch and written by John Hughes. The film stars Molly Ringwald as Andie, a high school student navigating social divisions and romantic entanglements. With a prominent supporting cast including Jon Cryer and Andrew McCarthy, the story explores themes of class disparity and youthful aspirations in the context of 1980s suburban America.
StarringBrat Pack membersMolly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy,Pretty in Pinkbrings a standard romance story to life with a witty script and memorable performances.Pretty in Pinkfollowsteenager Andie Walsh (Ringwald) as she’s preparing to attend her senior promwith a rich, popular boy, Blane McDonnagh (McCarthy).
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Like mostmovies set in high school,Pretty in Pinklays out the opposing social cliques throughout school, which results in bullying incidents and feelings of insecurity audiences can connect with. However, an added aspect of class division among the student body adds a bit more depth to the film and makes it easier to watch decades later.
Because of their differing positions within the high school social setting, certain expectations are put on Andie and Blane, both by audiences and characters within the film.Since its release,Pretty in Pinkhas continued to be a beloved film, and that’s partially because of its soundtrack. Like many Brat Pack films,Pretty in Pink’s soundtrack was filled with new wave music, representing the genre’s rise in popularity within the United States.
Peggy Sue Got Married
Peggy Sue Got Married follows Peggy Sue, who, after fainting at her high school reunion, awakens to find herself in her past, just before she completed high school. This 1986 film explores themes of nostalgia and second chances.
Francis Ford Coppola’sThe Outsiderswas a hit at the box office, but the films that came after would prove to be less successful with audiences — untilPeggy Sue Got Marriedin 1986. The love story in Coppola’s fantasy comedy film captivated audiences. Differing from the decade’s other high school romance movies,Peggy Sue Got Marriedbegins by introducing its characters as adults attending their high school reunion.
Francis Ford Coppola’sThe Outsiderswas a hit at the box office, but the films that came after would prove to be less successful with audiences — untilPeggy Sue Got Marriedin 1986.
When the titular character (played by Kathleen Turner) is crowned the reunion’s queen, she passes out and wakes up during her senior year of high school.Peggy Sue Got Marriedisn’t groundbreaking in the romance genre,but it does entertain mature themes about love, regret, and living in the moment, which is part of why it still holds up so well years later.
The biggest gripe critics had aboutPeggy Sue Got Marriedwas the performance by Nicolas Cage, who plays Peggy’s recently divorced husband she married out of high school. Still,Peggy Sue Got Marriedis one ofCoppola’s best filmsand is a delightful, nostalgic watch.
