IMDb > Sixteen Candles (1984)
Sixteen Candles
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Sixteen Candles (1984) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 22 | slideshow) Videos (see all 6)
Sixteen Candles (1984) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
Sixteen Candles (1984) -- The Chinese exchange student is found drunk on the front lawn of the Baker home.
Sixteen Candles (1984) -- Long Duk Dong tells Jake that Samantha is getting married.
Sixteen Candles (1984) -- The Geek has two of his buddies document a historic moment for him by having them take a picture.
Sixteen Candles (1984) -- The Geek tries his moves on Samantha while on there bus ride home.

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   22,158 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

John Hughes

Writer:

John Hughes (written by)

Contact:

View company contact information for Sixteen Candles on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

4 May 1984 (USA) more

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance more

Tagline:

This is Samantha Baker and today is her 16th birthday. The problem is, nobody remembers. more

Plot:

A young girl's "sweet sixteenth" birthday becomes anything but special as she suffers from every embarrassment possible. full summary | add synopsis

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination more

User Comments:

Left me with a bad taste in my mouth more (129 total)


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:

16 Candles (International: English title) (alternative spelling)
more

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:12 (re-rating) (2005) | UK:15 (original rating) (1984-2005) | Singapore:NC-16 | Iceland:L | Australia:PG | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M (TV rating) | Finland:K-12 | Norway:11 | Norway:12 (original rating) | Spain:13 | Sweden:Btl | USA:PG (re-rating on appeal) | USA:R (original rating) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) (original rating) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) (re-rating) (2003) | Canada:PA (Manitoba)


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

In late 2003, USA network announced that a made-for-TV sequel called "32 Candles" was being planned, showcasing the original characters 16 years after the original film. It was unknown at the time of the announcement whether any of the original cast would be involved with the project. more

Goofs:

Continuity: When Sam is lying on the couch, talking to her father, her blanket changes positions. more

Quotes:

Samantha: You know everyone in this family has gone total outer limits. more

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Gilmore Girls: Welcome to the Dollhouse (#6.6)" (2005) more

Soundtrack:

Farmer John more


FAQ

What was the first song heard at the dance? It sounded like Our House by Madness.
Will there be a Direct-to-TV sequel airing on "USA" Channel?
more
8 out of 14 people found the following comment useful.
Left me with a bad taste in my mouth, 2 April 2000
1/10
Author: cmatherl from Ann Arbor

I love the movies of the 80s... I really like a lot of brat pack flicks.... John Hughs' other film made around this time, Breakfast Club? It's great, Four Stars! But 16 candles is not very good. Initially, I liked the humor; it was more shocking and contemporary than I expected, with an ironic twist. But the film's premise degenerates quickly into a huge nonsensical mess... NOT good old 80's fun mess, but stupid, racist, sexist drivel. At times, the attempts at humor made my jaw drop, they were so inappropriate and extremely unfunny. Breakfast Club similarly toyed with audience expectations and broke rules concerning the handling of subject matters like sex, drugs and society in high-school; it ended up being a very honest, poignant film that made you laugh your ass off.... it's no Citizen Kane, but Breakfast Club = good flick. If you are in the mood for a night with the brat pack, my suggestion is to skip 16 Candles, a film I found offensive and devoid of anything entertaining, in favor of the far superior Breakfast Club. :)

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What have we learned from Sixteen Candles dani_godwin
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I saw Jake Ryan! PhilDizzy
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Rape?!?!?! pinkpavement
Alternate cuts/edits? revengine
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