The 1980s were full of sweet, relatable romance movies set in high school, and many of them have held up over the years, making it easy to revisit their compelling love stories. John Hughes is an undeniable force in ’80s coming-of-age films, approaching them as a writer and director with care and understanding of his themes. Other directors joined Hughes in creating beloved ’80s teen romance films that could be enjoyed years later, including Cameron Crowe and Martha Coolidge.
The best Romance films set in high school utilize social cues and teenage feelings to provide obstacles for their main characters. The pressure to fit in with others, feelings of insecurity associated with unrequited love, and social groups that seem impossible to diffuse are fundamental concepts for teen romance films. No matter the age, such emotions and circumstances can be understood by a wide range of audiences, which helps these films remain relevant and enjoyable to watch decades later.
10
Secret Admirer (1985)
Anonymous love letters are sent back and forth
David Greenwalt, who would eventually become best known for his work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angeldirected Secret Admirer at the height of the sex comedy genre in the mid-80s. Secret Admirer begins with a simple plot: Before entering his senior year of high school, Michael Ryan (C. Thomas Howell) receives an anonymous love letter that he assumes is from his crush, Deborah (Kelly Preston). In fact, the letter was written by her friend Toni Williams (Lori Loughlin), who has a secret crush on Michael.
Despite its predictability, Secret Admirer is consistently funny throughout, and the characters are a little more nuanced than those typically included in a teen romantic comedy. Unlike most high school romance films, a significant portion Secret Admirer is dedicated to parental characters, but they are used wisely and don’t stray away from the central story involving the teenagers. Their plot involves mistaken assumptions about their spouses, which culminate in a humorous and over-the-top fight during a bridge party.
9
Just One of the Guys (1985)
An 80s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
Just one of the guys is one of the earliest examples of a teen comedy film adapted from the work of William Shakespeare. Twelfth Night acts freely as inspiration for Just one of the guys‘Premise, which sees a struggling teenage journalist, Terri Griffith (Joyce Hyser), transfer to a rival school in hopes of getting a better response to her articles. At the new school, Terri changes her name to “Terry” and enrolls as a boy.
As She is the mananother popular teen comedy adaptation of Twelfth Night, the joy of Just one of the guys comes from watching Terri navigate interactions with other students, especially those for whom she develops romantic feelings. The film’s premise is fun in itself, but it only really works if the lead actor is convincing in his role and, fortunately, Hyser is. Hyser takes charge of the film with her comedic timing and charm and presents herself as a likable protagonist who the audience wants to see succeed.
8
Can’t Buy Me Love (1987)
A deal is made between a nerd and a school cheerleader
The consensus among critics states that Can’t buy me love It would have worked better if your comment about wanting to be popular was expanded upon and explored further. However, the film still works well as a teen comedy with an obvious but important message. Can’t buy me love follows Ronald Miller (Patrick Dempsey), an unnoticed high school student who makes a deal with popular cheerleader Cindy Mancini (Amanda Peterson). The deal is that Cindy will pretend to be Ronald’s girlfriend for a month, and Ronald will pay for an expensive outfit that Cindy destroyed.
However, Ronald quickly learns that being popular isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. With the rise of social media and the ability to gain instant virality, the message of Can’t buy me love has become increasingly relevant. Dempsey is compelling as the astronomy-obsessed nerd turned into an off-putting popular jerk and is perfectly paired with Peterson, who proves there’s more to her cheerleader character that could easily have been one-dimensional.
7
Valley Girl (1983)
Teenagers from different worlds fall in love
Without the rival families and the tragic ending, Valley Girl bears a slight resemblance to that of William Shakespeare Cheese and guava. The young opposing lovers at the center of Valley Girl are the popular Julie (Deborah Foreman) and the urban punk Randy (Nicolas Cage). Despite their mutual attraction, the two are surrounded by people who advise them not to be together. Just like others Cheese and guavainspired films, Valley Girl explores the dilemma that arises when we want to meet the expectations of others, while at the same time yearning for a life outside the social bubble.
As it is inspired by Shakespeare’s work, the story of Valley Girl is predictable, but is kept fresh with a comedic script, a solid new wave soundtrack, and strong performances. It’s easy for Valley female characters in films to be portrayed without depth, but Foreman’s performance prevents that from happening, and Cage’s on-screen charisma makes it perfectly clear how Julie could fall for a guy like Randy.
6
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
An effective reworked version of Pretty In Pink
After their previous collaboration in Beautiful in pinkHoward Deutch and John Hughes collaborated once again to Some kind of wonderfulwhich they did in response to the ending of the previous film. The film has a similar premise, following outcast Keith Nelson (Eric Stoltz) as he pursues popular student Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson). Meanwhile, while helping Keith, her best friend Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) realizes she has feelings for him.
The gender-reversed aspect Some kind of wonderfulwith Stoltz acting in place of Molly Ringwald’s character, it works well, and the script has some unique comedic moments that occur. While Some kind of wonderful would have greatly benefited from a narrative that wasn’t so similar to Beautiful in pinkthe film still has brilliant moments that deserve frequent revisits. The lead actors, Stoltz, Thompson and Masterson, are lively in their roles and epitomize what Hughes has become known for – writing tangible characters, specifically teenagers, trying to find their way in the world.
5
Sixteen Candles (1984)
A mediocre birthday is made worse by an unrequited crush
John Hughes’ directorial debut, Sixteen candleswas a hugely influential film that changed Hollywood’s perception of teenage stories on the big screen. Sixteen candles stars Molly Ringwald as Sam Baker, a 16-year-old in love with a classmate, Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling). Attending Sixteen candles years later is fascinating, as it started a whole trend of films centered on teenage lifewhich has become an extremely popular film genre today. Yet, Sixteen candles it is not without unpleasant aspects “of its time”.
There are unavoidable harsh realities about Sixteen candles that harm the experience of a new observation. Still, the film’s legacy has endured all these years because of the aforementioned influence in Hollywood, as well as its memorable performances. Ringwald, Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall portray their teenage characters as easily identifiable figures that the audience can identify with, setting Hughes’ film apart from others. Sixteen candles was refreshing at the time of its release because Hughes’ script felt like a more accurate representation of ’80s teenagers in the way they spoke and viewed life.
4
Gregory’s Girl (1980)
A football player falls in love with the new girl on his team
From the United Kingdom, Gregory’s girl is a beloved coming-of-age romance story that can be enjoyed by audiences around the world. The film revolves around the titular teenager, played by John Gordon Sinclair, being replaced in his position on the school football team by a classmate, Dorothy (Dee Hepburn). Dorothy’s beauty and athletic abilities impress Gregory, and he works up the courage to ask her out on a date. Gregory’s girl It’s not full of clichés typically included in teen romance films.
Instead of, the film is a little quieter and highlights the awkward parts of young love and growing up. Sinclair plays Gregory’s awkwardness in a way that audiences are likely to identify with rather than openly cringe at, and he’s supported by a host of actors who make up the film’s comedic characters. Gregory’s girl captures the dull moments of adolescence with a sweet, nostalgic approach that often makes the film more enjoyable years later.
3
Say Anything… (1989)
A high school graduate falls in love with an unlikely girl
Cameron Crowe, who was in many memorable films of the 80s and 90s, such as Fast times at Ridgemont High and Jerry Maguiremade his directorial debut with Say anything…starring John Cusack and Ione Skye. Unlike other mentioned high school romance films, Say anything… takes place shortly after his high school students graduate, with the underachieving but optimistic Lloyd Dobler (Cusack) working up the courage to ask the valedictorian, Diane Court (Skye). However, their love story is not without complications, as Diane’s father does not approve of Lloyd.
Say anything…partly because set after graduation, it places its characters in a more mature struggle compared to other teen romance films of the time. The characters are transitioning into adulthood and gradually begin to take control of their livesdeciding who they want to be (and with whom). Both Skye and Cusack deliver captivating performances, with the latter’s desperate and determined boombox gesture being the scene widely associated with the film for years later.
2
Pretty in Pink (1986)
The love story of two teenagers complicated by social classifications
Starring Brat Pack members Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy Beautiful in pink brings a standard romance story to life with a witty script and memorable performances. Beautiful in pink follows teenager Andie Walsh (Ringwald) as she prepares to go to prom with a rich and popular boy, Blane McDonnagh (McCarthy). Like most films set in high school, Beautiful in pink exposes opposing social groups throughout the school, which results in incidents of bullying and feelings of insecurity that the public can connect with.
However, an additional aspect of class division among the student body adds a bit more depth to the film and makes it easier to watch decades later. Because of their different positions in the high school social environment, certain expectations are placed on Andie and Blane, both by the audience and the characters in the film. Since its launch, Beautiful in pink continued to be a beloved film, in part because of its soundtrack. Like many Brat Pack films, Beautiful in pinkThe soundtrack was filled with new wave music, representing the genre’s increased popularity in the United States.
1
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
Transported to her past, a girl reevaluates her love life
Francis Ford Coppola The strangers was a box office success, but the films that came after would be less successful with the public – until Peggy Sue got married in 1986. The love story of Coppola’s fantasy comedy film captivated audiences. Unlike other high school romance films of the decade, Peggy Sue got married begins by introducing its characters as adults attending their high school reunion. When the titular character (played by Kathleen Turner) is crowned reunion queen, she passes out and wakes up during her senior year of high school.
Peggy Sue got married isn’t groundbreaking in the romance genre, but it touches on mature themes about love, regret, and living in the momentwhich is part of the reason it still holds up so well years later. The biggest complaint critics had about Peggy Sue got married it was the performance of Nicolas Cage, who plays Peggy’s recently divorced husband, whom she married while still in high school. Yet, Peggy Sue got married is one of Coppola’s best films and is a charming, nostalgic watch.