John Hughes (article)

Published by Mason Oldridge, 16 August 2026

Filmmaker John Hughes is the king of 80s comedy films, producing a string of classics throughout the decade. With many going on to become cult classics, here we take a look at those movies that defined a generation. Note that we are excluding Ferris Bueller’s Day Off as it has its own article, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation as it appears in the Christmas article and any of his 90s films.

National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) decides to take his wife Ellen (Beverley D’Angelo) and children Audrey and Rusty to Walley World amusement park. He insists on a cross-country road trip, which birthed the famous scene featuring The Girl in the Red Ferrari. The film also introduces unemployed layabout Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid). A comedy highlight is when Clark accidentally kills Aunt Edna’s dog Dinky by forgetting to untie him from the car before driving off, for which a police officer chastises him. After a series of disastrous mishaps, Clark is tipped over the edge to discover that the park is closed, resulting in him holding the security guard (John Candy) at gunpoint as a SWAT team descends on the madness. The film features the song Holiday Road.

Sixteen Candles (1984)

Excited for her 16th birthday, Sam Baker (Molly Ringwald) is devastated to find that her family have forgotten the occasion, which is overshadowed by her older sister’s wedding the day after. She is infatuated with older classmate Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling) and fights off advances from the younger geeky Ted (Anthony Michael Hall). The film has garnered retrospective controversy, particularly for the Chinese foreign exchange student Long Duk Dong, who is said to be an Asian stereotype and a gong sounds when he appears on screen. Further criticism has arisen from the scenes in which Ted takes Sam’s underwear and Jake states how he could take advantage of his drunken girlfriend Caroline and lets Ted drive her home, but it still remains a true classic.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Five high school students with different personalities - jock Andrew, princess Claire, geeky Brian, loner Allison and rebellious Bender - attend an all-day Saturday detention overseen by their vice principal Vernon, where they are tasked with writing an essay on who they think they are. As the day goes on, they open up about their anxieties and insecurities and share why they are in detention. They agree their bond will likely not continue but they will view their peers in a different light. This coming-of-age drama is less entertaining and more philosophical. The film ends with the song Don’t You (Forget About Me).

National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985)

Clark Griswold and his family are back, this time heading on a trip to Europe following a gameshow win. As per usual, chaos ensues. In London, Clark drives on the wrong side of the road and finds the British to be very polite, even after crashing into them, before destroying Stonehenge. In Paris, the family have their camcorder stolen, Clark is mocked for his poor French speaking and a dog is accidentally thrown from the Eiffel Tower. In West Germany, after dining with elderly mistaken relatives, Clark joins in a Bavarian folk dance performance, leading to a massive brawl. Finally, in Rome, the family become embroiled in criminal activity when they rent a car from thieves, unaware that the captive manager is in the boot.

Weird Science (1985)

Geeky high schoolers Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith) create a computer-generated woman called Lisa (Kelly LeBrock) in a bid to gain popularity and win their crushes. However, Lisa, wanting to help the boys, goes too far with her magical powers, resulting in mutant bikers wreaking havoc at an out-of-control party at Wyatt’s house and Wyatt’s mean older brother Chet turning into a frog. Another teen comedy, this entry adopts sci-fi elements, which results in a chaotic and messy resolution, though still maintains a cult status.

Pretty in Pink (1986)

Poor high schooler Andie (Molly Ringwald) is best friends with the geeky Duckie (Jon Cryer), but their friendship is strained when the rich Blane (Andrew McCarthy) falls for her. Andie also has a tricky relationship with her father Jack and seeks advice from record shop manager Iona. The film draws comparison to Sixteen Candles as both are teen romcoms which follow a love triangle in which protagonist Ringwald is the love interest of both a geeky student and a popular student, though the tweaks make for a nice separate story as it tackles the subject of class division and the sweet ending sees Andie reconcile with Duckie, who has stuck up for her throughout the film, before the moment in which they walk into prom hand-in-hand together, prior to Duckie encouraging Andie to go after Blane.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Uptight businessman Neal (Steve Martin) and jovial salesman Del (John Candy) are polar opposites forced to travel together to get home in time for Thanksgiving. The film takes the form of a road comedy from New York City to Chicago when a blizzard causes travel disruption. A series of comic mishaps ensues alongside Neal’s recurring frustration at Del, with notable moments being the two sharing a hotel room, Neal’s sweary rant at the car rental woman and Del driving on the wrong side of the road before setting the car on fire, to which a state trooper subsequently pulls over the burnt-out vehicle. The film delivers a heartwarming ending as Neal invites Del, revealed to have been living on the road since the death of his wife, to meet his family for Thanksgiving.

Uncle Buck (1989)

Bob and Cindy reluctantly enlist Bob’s slacker brother Buck (John Candy) to look after their children - teenage daughter Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly) and younger kids Miles (Macaulay Culkin) and Maizy - when they go out of town for a family emergency. Although irresponsible, Buck shows that he genuinely cares for the children as he protects Tia from her arrogant boyfriend Bug (which sees Buck hilariously capture him), throws an impromptu birthday party for Miles (which includes the hilarious scene with the drunk clown) and defends Maizy at school against her strict teacher (in which he hilariously insults the large mole on her face). The film co-stars Buck’s frustrated girlfriend Chanice (Amy Madigan) and the Russells’ flirty neighbour Marcy (Laurie Metcalf). Uncle Buck succeeds with the late great John Candy as the lead and future child superstar Macaulay Culkin in his breakout role.

RIP to the legendary John Hughes.