These 13 Behind-the-Scenes Photos From John Hughes Movies Will Take You Back to the ’80s
See rare shots from the making of 'Sixteen Candles,' 'The Breakfast Club,' 'Pretty in Pink' and more
John Hughes’ teen movies defined the ’80s thanks to their relatable stars, stylish costumes and spot-on soundtracks, and four decades after they ruled the screen, their impact can still be felt, and they have an enduring appeal for multiple generations of viewers.
Hughes, who died at 59 in 2009, was known for the humor and heart he brought to the teen genre, and describing the guiding philosophy of his films, he said, “Kids are smart enough to know that most teenage movies are just exploiting them. They’ll respond to a film about teenagers as people. [My] movies are about the beauty of just growing up. I think teenage girls are especially ready for this kind of movie, after being grossed out by all the sex and violence in most teenage movies. People forget that when you’re 16, you’re probably more serious than you’ll ever be again. You think seriously about the big questions.”
Read on to see 13 rare photos from the making of the best-loved John Hughes movies—all of which capture just how expertly he brought “the beauty of just growing up” to life.
1. Hughes’ debut
Hughes made his directorial debut with Sixteen Candles in 1984. Here, the director poses with the film’s leading lady, Molly Ringwald, who would, of course, go on to star in Hughes’ The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink, and forever be associated with those ’80s teen classics, and her onscreen love interest, Michael Schoeffling, who left the film industry in 1991.
2. Hangin’ with the Brat Pack
Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall, Emilio Estevez and Ally Sheedy were all considered members of the Brat Pack—the young, charismatic group of stars who defined the ’80s.
While most of The Breakfast Club stars didn’t like the Brat Pack label, there’s no denying that the 1985 film remains one of the most influential and beloved teen movies of all time, thanks in large part to its dynamic cast, seen posing here with their writer-director.
3. Study break
Much of the authenticity of Hughes’ films came from the real-life teens who starred in them. Ringwald and Hall were both just 16 years old during filming and as such, they were required to get their high school education on set. In this shot, taken during the making of The Breakfast Club, they study with Irene Brafstein, a studio teacher who also worked on Pretty in Pink.
4. Puppy love
In this adorable snapshot, Ringwald and Hall play with a puppy during a break in shooting The Breakfast Club. If only that dog was allowed to hang out with them in the Shermer High School library!
5. Checking out the tunes
Hughes was a big music buff, and movies are known for their fabulous soundtracks (who could forget those ’80s gems like “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” “If You Leave” and “Pretty in Pink”?). In this charming photo, Ringwald and Hall have some fun going record shopping during the making of The Breakfast Club. We can’t help but wonder which albums they ended up buying!
It wasn’t their first time record shopping together: Legend has it that Ringwald and Hall, who met on the set of Sixteen Candles, didn’t initially like each other, so Hughes took them to a record store and the rising stars bonded upon realizing they liked the same music.
6. Hughes in action
Here, Hughes is spotted while directing his 1985 teen sci-fi comedy Weird Science. Gotta love those sneakers!
7. Screenwriter on duty
Hughes wrote Pretty in Pink but didn’t actually direct it (the film was helmed by Howard Deutch, who also directed the 1987 Hughes teen movie Some Kind of Wonderful). Even if Hughes wasn’t calling the shots, he did still visit the set, and here he poses (and shows off his ’80s hairdo) during filming, along with a partially visible Molly Ringwald and Annie Potts.
8. Posing in costume
In this portrait by celebrity photographer Bonnie Schiffman, Ringwald and her costars, Jon Cryer and Andrew McCarthy, pose in costume while on the set of Pretty in Pink. We still want all of her outfits from the movie!
9. The many faces of Duckie
Ah, the good old days of film photography. In this contact sheet from Bonnie Schiffman, Cryer shows off his dynamic personality while dressed as Ringwald’s Pretty in Pink bestie, Duckie.
10. Peak preppy
It doesn’t get more perfectly ’80s preppy than this photo of pretty boy James Spader during the filming of Pretty in Pink!
11. Ferrari fun
In this shot from the making of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Hughes talks to the movie’s star, Matthew Broderick, while Mia Sara and Alan Ruck look on from the seat of the film’s signature red Ferrari. They better be careful with that fancy car!
12. Preparing the parade
Here, Hughes gives Broderick some direction as he prepares to film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off‘s famous parade scene. We can’t help but wonder what wisdom he had to share.
13. A wonderful group
This portrait of the stars of Hughes’ final ’80s teen movie, Some Kind of Wonderful, feels straight out of a high school yearbook!
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