Believe it or not, you and your old folks have a lot in common. They too struggled to find their footing in this world. Like you, they seemed at a loss at their true identity that represented who they really are. 

Since anything vintage seems to be the trend nowadays, we thought of recommending some of your parents’ favorite 80s movies as reference. You may find the narratives quite linear or less complex unlike outstanding shows nowadays. But the messages are still clear as day and are still relevant even to your generation.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

“Spend a little more time trying to make something of yourself and a little less time trying to impress people.” – Principal Vernon

The last thing you want to hear as a kid growing up are sermons from authority figures, but this particular line from the principal holds true. Most especially now, the struggle to belong and find your footing as a teenager has become a lot worse due to social media. 

The movie is about five kids from different backgrounds forced to spend a Saturday in detention in school. What happened in those hours of tomfoolery, mischief, misdirected angst against each other turned into moments of self discovery and friendships.

The lasting effects of the movie didn’t end at the credits. Not only did the movie pioneer the teen movie genre and introduced the “brat pack” —- Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy and Molly Ringwald–  to the world, its message remained relevant for kids until this day. 

Apart from the theme song Don’t You Forget About Me from Simple Minds, Judd Nelson with his first in the air still is the coolest ending to a movie ever. 

Some Kind Of Wonderful (1987)

“I hate feeling ashamed. I hate where I’m from. I hate watching my friends get everything their hearts desire.” – Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones, played by Leah Thompson, is the most beautiful girl on campus and is dating the richest and most popular guy. But she also lives by the rail tracks in a poor neighborhood. 

Sounds like your typical high school wannabe, only now the popular kids flaunt their stuff on Instagram. There is so much emphasis now more than ever on the material stuff and GenZees are still trying to keep up with the Joneses. 

Mary Stewart Masterson’s “cool chick” character Watts stole the show and ended up with the boy, Keith (Eric Stoltz). 

Don’t be afraid to march to the beat of your own drum, as they say. These words to live by are better to remember while listening to Flesh For Lulu’s I Go Crazy. 

Pretty In Pink (1986)

“You said you couldn’t be with someone who didn’t believe in you. Well I believed in you. I just didn’t believe in me. I love you… always.” – Blane

This is the line that finally won over the girl, Andie (Molly Rinwald), who was ditched by Blane because of peer pressure, but tried to win her back. Duckie (Jon Cryer), her best friend who was in love with her this whole time, had to give way in the end.

If Shakespeare were alive in the 80s and made movies, he’d probably make this one. Nothing like another tale about unrequited love to break some hearts. 

This movie solidified Molly Ringwald as the teen queen and Andrew McArthy as one of the top young leading men in Hollywood in the 80s.

Because of this movie’s prom scene, nothing will ever be as good or as romantically cinematic without a great song playing in the background while the main characters profess their love. 

If You Leave from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark will always be the greatest prom song ever.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

“If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller.

Ditching school, persuading your sick best friend to join you while sneaking out his dad’s rare Ferrari to go out to the city, and setting in motion a ruse to trick the parents and an obnoxious principal. 

That pretty much covers everything about this gem of a movie except for the fact that there are some valuable takeaways. Seize the day. Enjoy every moment and if you can have half the “joie de vivre” of Ferris; you won’t be as miserable.

The best scene that exemplifies this is the “Twist and Shout” performance of Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) in a parade. 

16 Candles (1984)

“I want a serious girlfriend. Somebody I can love, that’s gonna love me back. Is that psycho?” – Jake

Young people will always go through an initial phase of figuring out their feelings. It can be the most awkward stage once they start getting attracted to someone. 

The scene where the characters dance to Spandau Ballet’s True is one of the highlights. We can’t leave out the blowing of the birthday cake in the end; that’s the shot people will always remember this movie by.

And to a certain extent, the Geek (Anthony Michael Hall) showing the other freshmen Samantha Baker’s (Molly Ringwald) panties is also kinda memorable for its teen humor. 

You and your parent’s common ground

These movies did not only become an inspiration for the teen-based movies that came after. Themes and messages about finding your identity, friendships and personal growth have also become timeless.

It is in these motion pictures, you will find a treasure trove of wisdom and a lot of feel good moments that you will begin to realize that you and your parents were not any different after all. 

You were young and stupid once but you’ll be just fine.