Although it’s one of the most iconic movies of the 1980s,The Breakfast Clubdoesn’t seem quite as untouchable 40 years later. The John Hughes movie has become synonymous with the 1980s, representing a specific era of youth culture and filmmaking styles, but younger generations have started to question its status as a classic.
The Breakfast Clubis famous for being the most iconicBrat Pack movie, with the entire main cast comprised of members of the group who frequently worked together throughout the 1980s. This detail adds to the nostalgic quality of the movie, since thecast ofThe Breakfast Clubwere all emblems of ’80s culture in America.
The Breakfast Clubtakes place over the course of one Saturday, as five completely different high school students start to bond over the course of one long detention. Although they initially seem to have little in common, the students gradually open up to one another and become friends.
The Breakfast Club’s Reputation Is A Little Confusing In 2025
It Has Its Moments, But The Breakfast Club Is No Longer An Unblemished Classic
The Breakfast Clubtells a rather simplistic story about a group of characters learning that there’s more to each other than the shallow stereotypes which they are assigned from the beginning. This isn’t exactly a revolutionary message, andThe Breakfast Clubdoesn’t do enough to justify its predictable narrative.
It always seems inevitable that the group will reveal their secrets and come together as one, united by their dissatisfaction with their home lives and the authority figures they encounter at school.The Breakfast Clubmeanders along its path to this destination, with a loose structure that feels aimless.
The Breakfast Club’s close-quarters setting and loose plot are supposed to mirror the feeling of the group’s grating detention. While it does a good job of connecting the characters with the audience in this way, it means thatThe Breakfast Club’s endingdoesn’t feel earned or logical, especially not the romantic side.
For a movie that focuses so much on its dialogue and performances,The Breakfast Clubdoesn’t excel in either area to a degree that makes up for its faults.There are some touching moments, funny jokes and interesting ideas, but far too few to suggestThe Breakfast Clubshould be treated as a classic.
Some Scenes From The Breakfast Club Have Aged Terribly
The Movie Looks Different 40 Years Later
One of the big problems withrewatchingThe Breakfast Clubis that it has some problematic content that undermines its inclusive message.It’s harsh to judge a 40-year-old movie by today’s social standards, but this doesn’t make it any easier to accept and enjoy it.
The makeover scene at the end ofThe Breakfast Clubis probably its most notorious moment, since it’s presented as a triumph for Allison. The deeper meaning behind this moment has been hotly debated for years. Some argue that it shows Allison coming out of her shell, but it also looks like she’s ditching her unique style to conform to society’s standards.
The Breakfast Clubgoes too far in establishing Bender’s bad boy credentials.
Andrew only seems attracted to Allison after her makeover, andThe Breakfast Clubseems to suggest that his validation is ample reward for her sudden change of style.Unfortunately, this is just one part of the movie that has aged poorly, but Bender’s character is even more questionable.
Bender is the tough guy in the group, referred to in the parting note as “the criminal”.The Breakfast Clubgoes too far in establishing his bad boy credentials, however, as he makes sexually aggressive remarks about Claire and puts his head under her skirt. This makes their eventual romance extremely confusing at best, but damaging and misogynistic at worst.
The Breakfast Club Is Rooted In The ’80s, And It Appeals More To A Certain Generation
Like many of the most famous teen movies,The Breakfast Clubonly tries to speak to a specific generation of young people. Naturally, this means that it loses some of its appeal as society shifts and younger people see it through a different lens. While people who grew up withThe Breakfast Clubwill still adore it, it’s more divisive in 2025.
In the same way that people who grew up withThe Breakfast Clubmight not appreciate newer teen movie classics likeAmerican PieorSuperbad,the 1985 movie means more to the generation that it was created for. However,embracing the style and attitudes of the era means that it’s less universally beloved now.
Aside from a few scenes that have taken on a new meaning as societal standards have shifted,The Breakfast Clubalso appeals less to modern audiences because of its focus on era-specific issues. Its anti-authoritarian bent and its broad stereotypes don’t seem as relevant today as they were back then.
The Breakfast Clubwill always have its admirers, and there are still parts of it that will appeal to audiences of any age. Even among younger people,The Breakfast Clubhas maintained enough relevance over the past 40 years to still be talked about today, even if its previously flawless reputation now has some doubters.
