Many of John Hughes’s movies from the 1980s are regarded as masterpieces, but how do they compare?
Beginning with National Lampoon’s Class Reunion in 1982, the decade saw the adaptation of numerous of Hughes’ scripts, some directed by him and others by others.
Hughes quickly established himself as a reliable screenwriter with a distinct voice that was recognized, approachable, compassionate, and amusing.
He directed some of the most well-known films of the 1980s.
Furthermore, Hughes dropped out of college and began peddling jokes to celebrities such as Joan Rivers and Rodney Dangerfield.
He found work as an advertising copywriter, and National Lampoon magazine took notice of his campaigns.
Hughes was hired as a regular contributor to the satire magazine, and, as P.J. O’Rourke told The Daily Beast in an interview, “it was hard for a monthly magazine to keep up with him.”
Hughes devised a scenario based on family vacations that inspired National Lampoon’s Vacation, and the rest is history.
Additionally, When he wrote his first feature-length screenplay, he was still on staff at the magazine, and his legacy lives on even after he died in 2009.
Through the body of work of this great writer and director, the 1980s were graced with films that told of youthful drama, family dynamics, the oddness of human conduct, and the absurdity of existence.
Well, let’s look at some of the best John Hughes Movies.
1. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
These John Hughes movies were directed and written by him. An adolescent named Ferris decides to take a day off just weeks before his high school graduation, and he flies to Chicago with his closest buddy and girlfriend for a full day of fun.
However, it’s the fun he’s looking for, but the three discover a lot more. The cast includes Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones, and Jennifer Grey.
2. Baby Day Out (1994)
Baby is one of the best John Hughes movies. Bink couldn’t ask for more: he has adoring (though sickly, sweet) parents.
He lives in a massive home and will make the front pages of the newspaper.
Unfortunately, not everyone is as wonderful as Baby Bink’s parents, particularly the three shrewd kidnappers who pose as newspaper photographers.
Furthermore, after successfully stealing Baby Bink, they struggle to maintain hold of the rogue, who not only stays one step ahead of them.
But also appears to be a little wiser than the three bumbling crooks.
It was directed by Patrick Read Johnson and written by John Hughes. Top cast members include Adam Robert Worton, Lara Flynn Boyle, Joe Mantegna, and Brian Haley.
3. The Breakfast Club (1985)
The Breakfast Club is one of the best John Hughes movies ever. Hughes’ drama, about five teenagers in Saturday’s detention, is one of the rare films that nails an idea with such force and directness.
Additionally, the firm employs the easy dramatic device of grouping divergent kinds in a limited space and letting them have it out.
But it does so with such wit and candor that the execution is far from typical.
John Hughes also wrote and directed The Breakfast Club. The top cast includes Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy.
4. Uncle Buck (1989)
Buck Russell, a lazy, good-natured bachelor, is the last person you’d expect to look after his brother Bob’s three children.
However, he is unexpectedly left in charge of them amid a family crisis.
Besides, despite his lack of experience with suburban life, he quickly attracts Miles and Maizy with his hearty cooking and novel laundry method.
Furthermore, his easygoing attitude does not go down well with everyone, particularly his rebellious adolescent niece Tia and impatient girlfriend Chanice.
In this heartwarming family comedy, John Hudges directed and wrote it. He surprises everyone with a little luck and a lot of love.
In addition, the top cast includes John Candy, Macaulay Culkin, Jean Loisa Kelly, and Gaby Hoffmann.
5. Planes, Trains And Automobile (1987)
Planes, trains, and automobiles are also one of John Hudgens’s movies. Neal Page’s only desire is to return home for Thanksgiving.
He had to find alternative transportation because his flight was canceled due to terrible weather.
In addition to poor luck, Neal has the company of Del Griffith, a shower curtain ring salesman and all-around blabbermouth who never fails to provide advice, discussion, horrible jokes, or companionship.
And when he decides to follow Neal’s path, he isn’t alone. Directed by John Hedges. The top cast includes Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, and Michael McLean.
6. Sixteen Candles (1984)
Samantha’s life is rapidly deteriorating. The sixteen-year-old has crushes on both the most popular boy and the geekiest lad in school.
Additionally, her sister is getting married, and the rest of her family has completely forgotten about her birthday!
All of this, combined with a pair of horribly awkward grandparents.
Long Duk Dong, a foreign exchange student, makes for an amusing voyage into young womanhood. Sixteen Candles is directed and written by John Hughes.
Molly Ringwald, Justin Henry, Haviland Morris, and Carolyn Glynn are the top cast.
7. Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone is one of the best John Hughes movies of all time. It’s Christmastime, and the McCallisters are preparing for a trip to Paris, France.
Kevin, the family’s youngest member, got into a fight with his older brother Buzz and was sent to his room on the third story of his house.
Furthermore, the following morning, when the rest of the family was rushing to the airport on time, they forgot about Kevin, who now has the entire house to himself.
Additionally, Kevin enjoyed being home alone, having his pizza, jumping on his parents’ bed, and making a mess.
Top cast members include Macaulay Culkin, Devin Ratray, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and John Heard.
8. National Lampoon’s Vacation ( 1983)
Clark Griswold, an American paterfamilias, and his supportive wife, Ellen, take their two teenage children, Rusty and Audrey, on a cross-country trip.
From the suburbs of Chicago to sunny California’s Walley World amusement park, having meticulously prepared everything down to the minute detail.
However, anything that can go wrong will go wrong, and Clark is on the edge of blowing a gasket when Ellen’s cousin Catherine and her husband Eddie enter the picture.
The movie was written by John Hughes and directed by Harold Ramis. The cast includes Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Imogene Coca, and Randy Quaid.
9. Mr. Mom (1983)
Mr Mom is one of the best John Hughes movies of all time. Jack Butler is happily married and lives in a Detroit suburb with his adored wife, Caroline Butler, and their children, Alex, Kenny, and Megan.
In addition, Jack is an engineer who works in an automobile plant with his friends Stan and Larry, and they commute to work in the same car as their boss Jinx.
Additionally, when Jack loses his job, Caroline looks for a job and finds one at Ron Richardson’s advertising agency.
Caroline also quickly rises through the agency ranks, holding a key account and increasing her responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Jack discovers how difficult domestic tasks and kid care can be. The top cast includes Michael Keaton, Teri Garr, Frederick Koehler, and Taliesin Jaffe.
10. Pretty in Pink (1986)
Andie is a teen who is one of the less popular girls at her high school. She spends most of her time with her buddies, Iona and Duckie.
Additionally, Duckie has always had a thing for her, but she’s recently met Blane, a new boy at school.
He’s one of the wealthy and well-known, but can the two worlds coexist? Pretty in Pink is one of the best John Hughes movies ever.
It was directed by Howard Deutch and written by John Hughes. The top cast included Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, Annie Potts, and James Spader.
11. Curly Sue (1991)
Curly Sue is also one of the best John Hughes movies ever. Bill Dancer and his young buddy Curly Sue are the quintessential characters without big hearts.
Their deceptions aren’t focused at making money, but at protecting that they have enough to eat.
However, they’re merely hoping for a free lunch when they dupe the wealthy and gorgeous Grey Ellison into believing she backed her Mercedes into Bill.
Additionally, Grey, on the other hand, is moved and insists on putting the two up for the night over her snobbish fiance’s protests.
Bill becomes sure that this is where Curly Sue belongs – in a home, cared for by someone who can provide her with the benefits his homeless, mobile existence lacks.
Additionally, Curly Sue was written and directed by John Hughes. The top cast members include Jim Belushi, Kelly Lynch, Alisan Porter, and John Getz.
12. Weird Science (1985)
Gary Wallace and Wyatt Donnelly, two unpopular kids, fail miserably in their attempts to be accepted by their peers.
In their quest to be accepted, they use their computer to “make” a woman.
Their live, breathing creation is Lisa, a stunning woman whose mission is to instill confidence in Gary and Wyatt by placing them in situations that demand them to act like men.
However, they face numerous humorous difficulties on their way to acceptance, which gives the film a sense of humour. John Hughes directed and wrote the movie.
The top cast includes Anthony Michael, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Kelly Lebrock, and Bill Paxton.
13. Career Opportunities (1991)
Career Opportunities is one of the best John Hughes movies of all time.
Jim is the nerdy son of a local cement contractor who lives at home and has no idea what he wants to accomplish with his life.
Josie is the beautiful daughter of a successful businessperson who wishes to leave town.
Furthermore, on his first night as an overnight janitor at Target, Jim discovers Josie, who has fallen asleep while contemplating shoplifting.
Now that they’re trapped together, they discover much in common. However, they had no idea that two petty criminals were on the run and looking for a haven.
John Hughes wrote the movie. The top cast members include Frank Whaley, Jennifer Connelly, Dermot Mulroney, and Kieran Mulroney.
14. Beethoven (1992)
Beethoven is one of the best John Hughes movies of all time. The Newtons live in a comfortable home, but something appears to be missing.
However, a little puppy wanders into their home, and life fills this “void.” Beethoven, as he is known, develops into a massive dog, a St Bernard.
Additionally, Doctor Varnick, the town veterinarian, has a dark secret that requires using several dogs in experiments.
Furthermore, Beethoven is on the list of lousy doctors. It was written by John Hughes and Amy Holden and directed by Brian Levant.
Top cast members include Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, Dean Jones, and Nicholle Tom.
15. Some Kind Of Wonderful (1987)
Watts, a teenage tomboy, discovers that her affection for her best friend, Keith, goes beyond friendship when he dates the most popular girl in school.
Unfortunately, the girl’s ex-boyfriend, who comes from a wealthy neighborhood, is unwilling to let go of her and intends to retaliate against Keith.
A Wonderful was directed by Howard Deutch and written by John Hughes. Top cast members include Eric Stoltz, Mary Stuart, Lea Thompson, and Craig Sheffer.
