Questions
Who wrote and directed The Breakfast Club?
John Hughes both wrote and directed the film. It was released in 1985 as a coming-of-age comedy-drama.
When did it come out?
It premiered in Los Angeles on February 7, 1985, and was released theatrically by Universal Pictures on February 15, 1985.
What is the movie actually about?
Five high school students spend a Saturday in detention together in the library and slowly bond over their shared struggles with parents, peer pressure, and stereotypes. Each one represents a different clique: a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal.
Who are the five main teenagers?
Emilio Estevez plays jock Andrew Clark, Anthony Michael Hall plays brain Brian Johnson, Molly Ringwald plays princess Claire Standish, Judd Nelson plays criminal John Bender, and Ally Sheedy plays basket case Allison Reynolds. Paul Gleason plays Vice Principal Richard Vernon.
Where is it set?
It takes place at the fictional Shermer High School in Shermer, Illinois, during a Saturday detention on March 24, 1984.
Where was it filmed?
It was shot at the closed Maine North High School in Des Plaines, Illinois. The famous library set was reportedly built inside the school’s gymnasium because the real library was too small.
Is it true Judd Nelson stayed in character to torment Molly Ringwald?
Reportedly Nelson stayed in his rebellious character off camera and harassed Ringwald so intensely that Hughes nearly fired him, until the other actors intervened on his behalf.
Was Judd Nelson the first choice for Bender?
No. John Cusack was originally considered, but Hughes reportedly felt he did not look intimidating enough, and Nicolas Cage was also in the mix before Nelson landed the role.
Did Emilio Estevez almost play a different part?
Reportedly Estevez was originally attached to play Bender, but was recast as the jock Andrew Clark when a suitable actor for that role could not be found.
What is the song everyone remembers from this movie?
"Don’t You (Forget About Me)" by the Scottish band Simple Minds. The single was released on February 23, 1985, and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
What does Bender do in the famous ending?
He walks across the football field and thrusts his fist into the air in triumph, one of the most iconic final shots of any 1980s film.
What does the closing essay say?
Brian reads a note written for the whole group, ending with the line that each of them is "a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal," signed "Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club."
What did the cast get lumped in with?
The five young stars became known as members of the "Brat Pack," a media nickname for the popular young actors of 1980s Hollywood.
Has the film been officially preserved?
Yes. In 2016 it was selected for the Library of Congress National Film Registry as culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.
Did the cast ever reunite?
Reportedly in April 2025 all five principal actors reunited in Chicago for a panel discussion, their first time together in 40 years.
