Entertainment Tonight - 80s Coming of Age Flicks

Take Me Out Tonight tie-in It’s 1988, and Take Me Home Tonight stars Topher Grace as Matt Franklin, a dead beat college grad who has one night to get the girl of his dreams at a long-weekend party. To celebrate the release of the flick, which co-stars Anna Faris, Dan Fogler and Teresa Palmer, we look back at the 10 Essential 80s Coming of Age Movies…

Jessica Meisels-contributor Risky Business (1983) This 1980s classic centers on Joel Goodsen, a teenager whose party gets out of control whilst his parents are away on vacation. The film features then-teen heart throb Tom Cruise in one of his most famous scenes, the iconic dance to ‘Old Time Rock and Roll’ in nothing but socks, underwear, sunglasses and a suit shirt, prompting countless copies still decades later.

The Breakfast Club (1985) Consistently rated on greatest teen movie polls, the film that resonated with a generation focuses on five high school students who break through their stereotypes in a Saturday detention class.

Starring many member of the original 1980s Brat Pack, including Molly Ringwald and Emilio Estevez, the film is considered an iconic staple of the decade.

Pretty in Pink (1986) Continuing the 1980s love affair with Molly Ringwald is the classic teen film, Pretty In Pink. After being cast as the popular girl in the aforementioned The Breakfast Club, she stars as poor student Andie Walsh, who falls for the rich playboy of the school, Blane McDonough (Andrew McCarthy). However, her best friend Duckie (Jon Cryer) is not-so-secretly in love with her, and she ultimately must choose where her heart lies. This 80s classic was the highest grossing film of 1986.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) The classic coming-of-age film stars everyone’s favorite teen, Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick), and the wild and crazy adventures that ensue when he takes a day off school.

Featuring such classic moments as The ‘Twist and Shout’ parade and altercations with principal Mr. Rooney, the film is constantly referenced as a significant piece of pop culture and is well worth the look. As Ferris says, 'Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!’

Say Anything (1989) The movie that made every girl dream John Cusack was standing outside her window with a boombox in tow. Frequently dubbed one of the greatest modern romances, Say Anything stars Cusack alongside Ione Skype as an average student who begins a relationship with the high school valedictorian.

The Karate Kid (1984) Spawning three sequels and a 2010 remake, this is the film that got kids across the globe into karate! The story centers on Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) a bullied boy who learns the secrets to martial arts from a handyman only to realize there is much more to karate than meets the eye.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) Starring a young Sean Penn and Jennifer Jason Leigh, Fast Times at Ridgmont High is adapted from director Cameron Crowe’s (Say Anything) biographical novel of the same name. It chronicles a group of high school students growing up in the San Fernando Valley, and has since become a source of pride for the local residents of Southern California due to it’s cult status in 80s pop culture.

Porky’s (1982) One of the highest-grossing Canadian movies to maker it’s way into the US mainstream, Porky’s is centered on a group of teenagers in the 1950s who seek to lose their virginity. Featuring highly explicit language and scenes, the name ‘Porky’s’ is after the striptease bar that the teens hang around in. There is current talk of a 21st century remake.

Heathers (1988) Featuring a young crew of celebs including Winona Ryder, Christian Slater and Shannen Doherty, this black comedy is the story of a high-school girl who, after years of ruling the school with her nasty clique, meets the dark and disturbed J.D (Slater). He makes her realize that there are other ways to get rid of people on the social ladder, and the two are soon involved situations much darker than school politics.

The Goonies (1985) Steven Spielberg’s cute adventure comedy involves a group of kids who find themselves embarking on one last ‘Goonie’ adventure after finding a pirate treasure map that may be the key to saving their homes from demolition. It was one of the Top 10 grossing films of 1995 in the US.