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Sixteen Candles

Name: Sixteen Candles
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Released: May 4, 1984
Duration: 93 min
Rating: 61
Cast: Anthony Michael Hall, Molly Ringwald

1984

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 49 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 49 Ratings

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Sixteen Candles

Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: May 4, 1984 | PG

Starring: Anthony Michael Hall, Molly Ringwald

Summary: Nothing seems to be going right for Samantha (Ringwald) on her sixteenth birthday. Her family forgets her birthday, she's in love with the school jock who doesn't seem to know she exists and the school nerd won't leave her alone.

Director: John Hughes

Genre(s): Comedy, Romance

Rating: PG

Runtime: 93 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Critic Reviews

Gene Siskel

The best teenage comedy since last year's "Risky Business." Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Molly Ringwald is radiant here as the eternal teen looking for love. Read full review

Roger Ebert

This is a fresh and cheerful movie with a goofy sense of humor and a good ear for how teenagers talk. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Ringwald is engaging and credible. For the boys, there's a bright, funny performance by Anthony Michael Hall. Read full review

Jay Carr

Screenwriter John Hughes, making his directing debut, is at his best when he empathizes with the sensitivity in the ugly-duckling Ringwald and Hall characters. [04 May 1984]

Jay Scott

There are individual sequences alternately amusing and touching. [08 May 1984]

Dave Kehr

Hughes invokes the classical unities of time, place, and plot symmetry, yet he trashes his careful structure every time he needs a gag - destroying the integrity of his characters, shattering the plausibility of his situations. Read full review

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User Reviews

StannyCartvski

Oct 29, 2016

This was one of the best movies that John Hughes has made. I lost it at the part when Jake's drunk "girl friend" gives Tim a birth control pill. I laughed at the parts with Long Duk Dong because he doesn't know that it's not cool to get drunk and he thinks Jake is a girl and grabs his privates.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MasterRiley

Sep 13, 2016

Sixteen Candles was really enjoyable for me. I know a lot of people have different opinions but I think its overall a good movie and personally really entertaining to me. I like the comedy style in it and the casting choices and performances.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Compi24

Apr 1, 2018

Of what many consider the "God-tier" John Hughes films -- "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "The Breakfast Club," "Sixteen Candles," "Planes, Trains, And Automobiles" -- this one is easily my second favorite (after "Planes, Trains, And Automobiles," of course). It's one of the only ones with aOf what many consider the "God-tier" John Hughes films -- "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "The Breakfast Club," "Sixteen Candles," "Planes, Trains, And Automobiles" -- this one is easily my second favorite (after "Planes, Trains, And Automobiles," of course). It's one of the only ones with a clear, through-line of tension, irony, stakes, and world, capitalizing on well drawn out characters and some mostly effective humor. Like a lot of other Hughes films, however, this doesn't age very well in certain respects, particularly in scenes featuring Gedde Watanabe's infamous Long Duk Dong. But the heart of this film is relatively pure, and the whole of it is as entertaining, well-acted, and as memorable/quotable all hell.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

filmtrashreview

Sep 1, 2011

You can see that a lot of teen comedy tradition is created in this film. The nerdy hero, the young and misunderstood girl, the hunk thats going to steal her heart, even the cheesy and overused soundtrack; a lot has been taken from Sixteen Candles. I cannot believe that saying **** andYou can see that a lot of teen comedy tradition is created in this film. The nerdy hero, the young and misunderstood girl, the hunk thats going to steal her heart, even the cheesy and overused soundtrack; a lot has been taken from Sixteen Candles. I cannot believe that saying **** and showing completely nude women was considered PG back in 84, the film simply deserves an R rating. With all this said its still just a basic plot and nothing really special to offer.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

EpicLadySponge

Jun 21, 2016

Sadly, this, the entire movie of what you're seeing here, will never happen to you. If so, then you should be crowned lucky. Still, I should be crowned lucky that I managed to live my life the way I wanted it to be and giving Sixteen Candles an okay rating would be an insult to 1980's fans,Sadly, this, the entire movie of what you're seeing here, will never happen to you. If so, then you should be crowned lucky. Still, I should be crowned lucky that I managed to live my life the way I wanted it to be and giving Sixteen Candles an okay rating would be an insult to 1980's fans, but in general, it's just plain cheesy. Back in the 1980's, movies were considered cheap and that's where Sixteen Candles become literally cheap. Not the best from John Hughes. Look for a different movie.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

Spangle

May 21, 2016

As funny as all of John Hughes' other 1980s classics, Sixteen Candles is at times truly hysterical and is equally a great commentary on growing up and turning 16. That said, the film is held back by two major issues. One, it is deeply racist with numerous Asian stereotypes and making fun ofAs funny as all of John Hughes' other 1980s classics, Sixteen Candles is at times truly hysterical and is equally a great commentary on growing up and turning 16. That said, the film is held back by two major issues. One, it is deeply racist with numerous Asian stereotypes and making fun of its Asian character as much as possible. Additionally, it is mind numbingly sexist. Including trivialization of date rape and caricature female characters, Sixteen Candles feels more like an ode to the days when a man could have a woman whether she wanted him or not. This really odd sequence ruins the film at large and turns it into a cringeworthy and truly dated exercise that leaves one feeling disgusted by the characters in the film more so than entertained. Sixteen Candles may provide laughs, but is morally troublesome.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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