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Sixteen Candles

  • 19841984
  • PGPG
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
114K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
578
104
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, and Michael Schoeffling in Sixteen Candles (1984)
A girl's sweet sixteenth birthday becomes anything but special as she suffers from every embarrassment possible.
Play trailer2:49
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Romance

A girl's "sweet" sixteenth birthday becomes anything but special, as she suffers from every embarrassment possible.A girl's "sweet" sixteenth birthday becomes anything but special, as she suffers from every embarrassment possible.A girl's "sweet" sixteenth birthday becomes anything but special, as she suffers from every embarrassment possible.

IMDb RATING
7.0/10
114K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
578
104
  • Director
    • John Hughes
  • Writer
    • John Hughes
  • Stars
    • Molly Ringwald
    • Anthony Michael Hall
    • Justin Henry
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Hughes
  • Writer
    • John Hughes
  • Stars
    • Molly Ringwald
    • Anthony Michael Hall
    • Justin Henry
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 231User reviews
    • 102Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Theatrical Trailer
    Trailer 2:49
    Theatrical Trailer

    Photos136

    Molly Ringwald in Sixteen Candles (1984)
    Molly Ringwald and Michael Schoeffling in Sixteen Candles (1984)
    John Cusack, Anthony Michael Hall, and Darren Harris in Sixteen Candles (1984)
    Blanche Baker, Carlin Glynn, and Zelda Rubinstein in Sixteen Candles (1984)
    "Sixteen Candles" Molly Ringwald, director John Hughes
    "Sixteen Candles" Director John Hughes
    "Sixteen Candles" Molly Ringwald, director John Hughes, Michael Schoeffling
    Sixteen Candles (1984)
    Sixteen Candles (1984)
    Molly Ringwald and Kelly LeBrock in Sixteen Candles (1984)
    Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Justin Henry in Sixteen Candles (1984)
    Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Justin Henry in Sixteen Candles (1984)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Molly Ringwald
    Molly Ringwald
    • Samanthaas Samantha
    Anthony Michael Hall
    Anthony Michael Hall
    • Geekas Geek
    Justin Henry
    Justin Henry
    • Mike Bakeras Mike Baker
    Michael Schoeffling
    Michael Schoeffling
    • Jakeas Jake
    Haviland Morris
    Haviland Morris
    • Carolineas Caroline
    Gedde Watanabe
    Gedde Watanabe
    • Long Duk Dongas Long Duk Dong
    Paul Dooley
    Paul Dooley
    • Jim Bakeras Jim Baker
    Carlin Glynn
    Carlin Glynn
    • Brenda Bakeras Brenda Baker
    Blanche Baker
    Blanche Baker
    • Ginnyas Ginny
    Edward Andrews
    Edward Andrews
    • Howardas Howard
    Billie Bird
    Billie Bird
    • Dorothyas Dorothy
    Carole Cook
    Carole Cook
    • Helenas Helen
    Max Showalter
    Max Showalter
    • Fredas Fred
    Liane Curtis
    Liane Curtis
    • Randyas Randy
    John Cusack
    John Cusack
    • Bryceas Bryce
    Darren Harris
    • Cliffas Cliff
    Debbie Pollack
    Debbie Pollack
    • Lumberjackas Lumberjack
    • (as Deborah Pollack)
    Ross Berkson
    • Ray Gun Geek #1as Ray Gun Geek #1
    • Director
      • John Hughes
    • Writer
      • John Hughes
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Samantha's life is going downhill fast. The sixteen-year-old has a crush on the most popular boy in school, and the geekiest boy in school has a crush on her. Her sister's getting married, and with all the excitement the rest of her family forgets her birthday! Add all this to a pair of horrendously embarrassing grandparents, a foreign exchange student named Long Duk Dong, and we have the makings of a hilarious journey into young womanhood. —Rick Munoz <rick.munoz@his.com>
    • high school
    • exchange student
    • dental braces
    • shower
    • high school dance
    • 111 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • This is Samantha Baker and today is her 16th birthday. The problem is, nobody remembers.
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Anthony Michael Hall and Molly Ringwald initially disliked each other, so John Hughes took them to a record store and they bonded after they found out they like the same music. One of the groups they liked was The Rave-Ups which Molly scribbled on Samantha's notebook.
    • Goofs
      When the family is leaving for the wedding, the grandparents all pile into the car, but it was not large enough to accommodate the group. Grandma Baker squats near the passenger door to create the impression that she is sitting in the car. However, when the car is backing out of the driveway, you briefly see her curved back remain stationary while the car moves away from her.
    • Quotes

      The Geek: [to Samantha] Can I borrow your underpants for 10 minutes?

    • Alternate versions
      VHS releases, cable TV broadcasts, and the initial DVD release change the majority of the soundtrack. The 2003 DVD and Blu-ray release restore the original theatrical soundtrack.
    • Connections
      Edited into Weird Science (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      Snowballed
      Written by Angus Young (uncredited), Malcolm Young (uncredited) and Brian Johnson (uncredited)
      Performed by AC/DC
      Courtesy of Leidseplein Presse B.V. / J. Albert Ltd.
      By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

    User reviews231

    Review
    Top review
    You own a church?
    This movie is one of the most quotable I've ever seen. Everyone who has ever seen it knows this is true. Along with "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "The Breakfast Club", this is the best of the John Hughes 1980's movies. The acting is perfection, down to the smallest parts, too. Standouts are Blanche Baker as the bride-to-be on too many painkillers, Justin Henry as the pain-in-the-neck little brother, Michael Schoeffling as hunk-deluxe Jake Ryan and last but never least, Anthony Michael Hall as Farmer Fred....I mean Ted.
    helpful•63
    20
    • Boyo-2
    • Apr 10, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 4, 1984 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 16 Candles
    • Filming locations
      • 3022 Payne Street, Evanston, Illinois, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Channel Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $23,686,027
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,461,520
      • May 6, 1984
    • Gross worldwide
      • $23,686,027
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Why Gedde Watanabe Thinks His Breakout Sixteen Candles' Role Is Bittersweet
    Why Gedde Watanabe Thinks His Breakout Sixteen Candles' Role Is Bittersweet
    May 13Slash Film
    Why Ally Sheedy Is Surprised The Breakfast Club Is Still Such A Beloved Movie
    Why Ally Sheedy Is Surprised The Breakfast Club Is Still Such A Beloved Movie
    May 3Slash Film

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