In 2025, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Breakfast Club, one of the most iconic teen films ever made. Released in the USA on February 15, 1985 and in the UK on June 14, 1985, and directed by the late John Hughes, the film has become a cultural touchstone, revered for its honest portrayal of adolescence, social pressure, and the struggle for identity. Four decades later, it continues to resonate across generations, securing its place in both cinematic history and popular culture.
I first saw The Breakfast Club when it was released and have watched it many times since. Seeing Simple Minds live in concert, especially when they performed Don’t You (Forget About Me), brought back a wave of nostalgia that never fades. It was also a real treat to see the cast reunite for the film’s 40th anniversary—a moment that reminded fans just how enduring its impact has been (scroll to the end of this article to watch the reunion). To mark the The Breakfast Club 40th Anniversary, we take a fond look at some of the posters, memorabilia, and collectibles that continue to celebrate this timeless classic.
Set over the course of a single Saturday detention, The Breakfast Club brings together five high school students from different social cliques—“a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal”—who, through conversation and confrontation, break down the stereotypes that define them. Starring a young cast of soon-to-be 1980s stars—Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez, and Anthony Michael Hall—the film thrives on character-driven dialogue and raw emotional depth. It’s simple in structure but profound in its message: “we’re all pretty bizarre—some of us are just better at hiding it.”
The film was part of a string of teen classics created by Hughes during the 1980s, including Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Pretty in Pink. But The Breakfast Club stood apart for its stripped-down format and near-universal setting: detention in a high school library. It spoke directly to teens who felt misunderstood, pigeonholed, or ignored—creating a loyal fan base that’s only grown over time.
Equally unforgettable is the film’s soundtrack, anchored by Simple Minds’ hit song Don’t You (Forget About Me). That anthem, coupled with the film’s freeze-frame final shot of Judd Nelson punching the air, became one of the most enduring images of the 1980s. The song became an unofficial theme for teen rebellion and recognition, and today still features in countless retro playlists and throwback montages.
As the film turns 40, it’s more than just nostalgia that draws fans back—The Breakfast Club has achieved near-mythical status. It’s studied in film classes, quoted endlessly online, and referenced in everything from Stranger Things to Riverdale. Its influence can be seen in the way modern teen dramas explore identity, mental health, and social hierarchies. While fashions and slang may have changed, the themes remain timeless.
The anniversary is also a moment for celebration among collectors. From original VHS tapes and 1985 promotional posters to modern reissues of the film’s soundtrack on vinyl, memorabilia from The Breakfast Club continues to be in demand. The minimalist poster design—featuring the five teens slouched together against a white background—is now a collector’s favourite. Limited-edition steelbooks, enamel pins, Funko Pop! figurines, and signed scripts have helped cement the film’s presence in pop culture merch history.
Forty years on, The Breakfast Club still speaks to the outsider in all of us. Whether you first watched it in a cinema in 1985 or discovered it on streaming last week, its honesty, humour, and heart remain just as powerful. In a world that continues to label people by type, the film’s central message endures: we are more than just the sum of our stereotypes.
The Breakfast Club 40th Anniversary Reunion
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