Warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault.
Most high school movies from the 1980s might’ve been the go-to for teen comedy back in the day, but a lot of them don’t hold up today. Even though some of these flicks are still tossed around asthe best high school movies of all timeand eventhe best movies of the ’80s, they’ve got some serious issues when viewed through a modern lens. This includes casual sexism, misogyny, and even jokes about sexual harassment,
Unfortunately,the films in question tend to glorify the idea that boys can do whatever they want without consequences while objectifying and disrespecting women at every turn. The inappropriate pranks, reckless behavior, and creepy crushes might have been used as comic relief decades ago, but now they just come off as red flags.
The Breakfast Club
Cast
After receiving detention, a group of five high-school students bonds as they realize they have quite a bit in common despite being from different friend groups. Despite being over 35 years old, The Breakfast Club still stands as one of the quintessential movies of the ‘80s and one of director John Hughes standout films.
The Breakfast Clubremains one of the most influential movies from the 1980s, but, despite its cult classic status, the John Hughes title doesn’t quite hold up today. While it’s a film that tries to show how teens are all the same, no matter their social status, when watched today, its problems are more than obvious.
From enforcing gender and social stereotypes to the dated humor and language,severalthings aboutThe Breakfast Clubhaven’t aged well. The lack of diversity throughout is painfully clear, while the existing characters throw around insults that we’d now recognize as bullying. Sure, they’re supposed to be “teenagers being teenagers,” but when seeing it today, it feels tone-deaf and uncomfortable.The Breakfast Clubwill always be a cultural touchstone, no doubt, butit might be an awkward watch for first-time viewers.
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.
At first glance,Sixteen Candlesseems like a sweet, quirky ’80s teen movie about growing up, crushes, and family chaos. But upon closer inspection, one starts to realize that a lot of the ideas, humor, and characters are pretty problematic in the world we know today. Granted, the 1984 title is a product of its time to the full extent and should be observed as such, butsome moments were arguably too much, even for the 1980s.
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Most notably, one of the characters, Caroline (played by Haviland Morris), gets sexually assaulted when drunk and unconscious. Ted (Anthony Michael Hall), the geeky perpetrator, is somehow made out to be charming, and the whole thing is brushed off without any real consequences. WhileSixteen Candlesmade quite an impact when it came out, it’s far from sending out a positive message by today’s standards.
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 to elevate his social status. As the facade continues, their relationship and Ronald’s newfound popularity bring unexpected complications.
Can’t Buy Me Loveis arguably a great nostalgic watch with an innocent-feeling premise, but the movie has its fair share of problems. The 1987 title follows a nerdy guy, Ronald (Patrick Dempsey), who pays a popular girl, Cindy (Amanda Peterson), to pretend to be his girlfriend so he can fit in.
It’s obvious that filmmakers were interested in the concept of buying love at the time, as just a few years afterCan’t Buy Me Lovedebuted,Pretty Womancame out.
It’s obvious that filmmakers were interested in the concept of buying love at the time, as just a few years afterCan’t Buy Me Lovedebuted,Pretty Womancame out. However, the former is set in a high school environment, making it quite questionable in today’s day and age. In addition to its problematic core,the movie promotes the idea that the “nerd” can only get the girl when he basically undergoes a complete transformation. So, in that context, perhaps it’s better thatCan’t Buy Me Loveis one of those1980s comedies barely anyone remembers.
Fast Times At Ridgemont High
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a 1982 comedy based on the book Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story by Cameron Crowe. The film stars Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Judge Reinhold. Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a simple story detailing the escapades of teenagers in Southern California who center their lives around sex, drugs, and rock music.
While it’s part ofthe weirdly funny teen movies perfect for a movie marathonclub,Fast Times at Ridgemont Highis objectively not a title that holds up well today. As a classic 1980s teen film, full of awkward high school moments, romance, and a lot of sex and partying, it’s no surprise that it features a lot of behaviors and attitudes that can come across as rather outdated.
One of the most glaring issues inFast Timesis how it treats its female characters. The movie is full of passing instances where women are either sexualized or reduced to stereotypes, as well as judged by their looks and sexual experiences. Despite being ahead of its time in terms of tackling coming-of-age moments and teen sexuality,the film’s casual sexism and archaic take on consent and relationships make it hard to digest in a more modern time.
For many,License to Drivestands out as one of the best teen movies of the 1980s, and for good reason. It’s a goofy comedy that brings a wave of nostalgia when watched today, but with a fresh set of eyes, the story feels somewhat out of touch with a lot of modern sensibilities.
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The plot centers around Les (played by Corey Haim), who lies about getting his driver’s license and ends up getting into a wild night of trouble. No lasting consequences aside (because it is a teen flick after all),the gender stereotypes and the “nice guy” mentality are enough to make anybody questionLicense to Drive’srelevance in today’s world. Even though consent and genuine connection are oftentimes not at the forefront even today, it’s hard to get behind a movie that pushes such values, especially when aimed at teens.
Revenge of the Nerds
Revenge of the Nerds is a comedy about a group of social outcasts who band together to form a fraternity to fight against the jocks who bully them. The 1984 film, starring Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, and Timothy Busfield, spawned a four-movie franchise.
Revenge of the Nerdsmay have been celebrated for its rebellious spirit and underdog charm back in the day, but now, it’s one of thosecult classic movies from the ’80s that have aged poorly, to put it mildly. It’s about a group of socially awkward misfits (the “nerds”) who stand up to the cool guys. While the stereotypical teen setup has its flaws, the bigger problem is the film’s outdated take on consent, privacy, and gender roles.
The movie’s use of sexual assault as humor, spying on and harassing women, and mocking the LGBTQ+ community are just a few of its glaring problems. The behaviorsRevenge of the Nerdsglorifies aren’t just inappropriate but are flat-out harmful. While it holds a special place in ’80s nostalgia,Revengeserves as a reminder of how far we’ve come in understanding respect, boundaries, and representation.
4The Last American Virgin (1982)
Directed by Boaz Davidson
Boys chasing girls, crude humor, and lots of over-the-top antics about losing virginity; on the surface,The Last American Virginis clearly a typical ’80s teen comedy. While the 1982 title tries to be both a racy comedy and a heartbreaking romance, its outdated tropes and toxic relationship dynamics, unfortunately, overshadow any emotional depth.
Diane Franklin nearly missed out on seeingThe Last American Virginin theaters. The ticket clerk assumed she was too young, and the actress had to point out that she was actually in the movie to get her tickets.
The story follows Gary (Lawrence Monoson), an awkward teen hopelessly in love with Karen (Diane Franklin). Even after standing by her through serious drama and trauma, Gary doesn’t win her heart. Unlike most films of its kind,The Last American Virgintakes an unexpected turn, earning its rightful place amongcomedy movies with final scenes that totally ruin the mood. Still,being a nice person does not mean the one you’re interested in owes you anything, and that’s precisely what this relic of its time got wrong.
porky’s
Porky’s, released in 1981, follows a group of high school students in 1954 Florida as they attempt to lose their virginity. Their adventures lead to a quest for revenge against a sleazy nightclub owner and his sheriff brother, who harass them, making for a comedic exploration of teenage antics.
Porky’sis a raunchy ’80s comedy about a group of high school boys trying to lose their virginity while running into a number of questionable situations. It’s filled with over-the-top pranks, sexual humor, and the kind of outrageous antics you’d expect from a teen comedy of this particular time. However, it’s also those elements that make this early 1980s title so unacceptable by today’s standards.
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One of the most blatant issues withPorky’sis how it treats sexual harassment. In one scene, the boys pull a prank that involves spying on the girls in the locker room and secretly recording them. While nowadays, we don’t even have to explain why that’s wrong, back then, it was framed as a harmless joke. The “boys will be boys” mentality is so out of touch today thatit’s difficult to takePorky’sseriously, especially if one has never seen it before.
Zapped!
Zapped! is a 1982 comedy film starring Scott Baio as a high school science student who accidentally gains telekinetic powers. Using his newfound abilities, he navigates typical teenage challenges and attempts to win over his love interest, played by Felice Schachter. The film also features Willie Aames as his best friend, who enthusiastically encourages the mischievous use of these powers for personal gain.
As yet another quintessential teen comedy from the 1980s,Zapped!features the nerdy guy, the high school crush, and some outrageous hijinks. Even though the movie’s premise, which is about a high school student who gains telekinetic powers, could still make an impact even today, the 1982 story quickly veered into uncomfortable territory.
From the invasion of privacy to the casual objectification of women, this male-driven story is arguably too reliant on toxic masculinity and the “nice guy” entitlement.
As the main character, Scott (Barney Springboro), starts using his new abilities for his personal benefit, particularly to spy on and manipulate women,a lot of the laughs inZapped!feel more like red flags than awkward humor. From the invasion of privacy to the casual objectification of women, this male-driven story is arguably too reliant on toxic masculinity and the “nice guy” entitlement. While some may still enjoy it for its ’80s nostalgia,Zapped!has become uncomfortable rather than amusing for most.
Private School
Private School is a 1983 film centered on the romantic dynamics between students Christine and Jim, complicated by classmate Jordan’s interference. Meanwhile, Jim’s friend Bubba engages in comedic escapades, including disguising himself as a woman. The film explores themes of young love amidst humorous misadventures.
Even the trailer forPrivate Schoolcould raise some serious red flags today, let alone the entire movie. While it may have appealed to audiences in the early 1980s,many of the jokes in the film were questionable even then. The film has a lot of the elements of a classic ’80s teen flick, including laughs, pranks, and coming-of-age moments, yet they have been delivered in a way that’s oddly inappropriate for its targeted audience.
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Like most of its kind,Private Schoolunfortunately treats women as objects and has no shame while doing so. For example, a key running gag involves the boys trying to spy on the girls in the locker room to grab their attention. Additionally, the entire plot centers around the boys' perceptions of women, which is arguably a harmful message to send out in any era, making it no surprisePrivate Schooldoesn’t hold up today.
