The Best Movie From Every Member Of The Brat Pack

Summary

• The Brat Pack defined 1980s cinema with mature coming-of-age themes in their iconic films.
• Some Brat Pack members struggled to maintain stardom post-1980s due to the pack’s label.
• Estevez shines in “St. Elmo’s Fire,” Hall impresses in “Sixteen Candles,” and McCarthy stands out in “Pretty in Pink.”

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The Brats documentary was recently released and delved into the lives of the Brat Pack, who were defined by the best movies of their careers, which mostly occurred in the 1980s. While not every member of the Brat Pack reached peak stardom in the 1980s, and some later went on to make a comeback in other projects, many faded into obscurity after the boom of their iconic films. These movies often dealt with themes of coming-of-age, maturity, and the disaffected nature of youth during the 1980s and into the early 1990s.

There’s a significant overlap between their best films, as the Brat Pack earned their name for starring alongside each other in so many projects.

In some ways, being labeled The Brat Pack derailed the careers of the actors who gained so much fame from their first projects. Few of them have maintained the level of stardom they achieved in the 1980s, and many of their best-received films are among the Brat Pack movies. There’s a significant overlap between their best films, as the Brat Pack earned their name for starring alongside each other in so many projects. However, particular members of the group shined in different films and rode the wave of their fame with varying degrees of success.

8 Emilio Estevez – St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)

As Kirby Keager

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Kirby’s defining characteristic is his romantic infatuation with Dale (Andie MacDowell) and the lengths he goes to express his feelings for her.

Emilio Estevez is a familiar figure in the Brat Pack and plays one of the more likable characters in St. Elmo’s Fire. The movie is one of the more mature films featuring the Brat Pack, as it deals with a group of friends from college into their early adult years. Estevez’s character, Kirby, is one of the main roles in the ensemble cast that features people of different classes, backgrounds, and ambitions. Kirby’s defining characteristic is his romantic infatuation with Dale (Andie MacDowell) and the lengths he goes to express his feelings for her.

One of the biggest critiques of St. Elmo’s Fire is that the characters are old enough to know better and avoid the pitfalls of their juvenile mistakes. However, immaturity lasting into adulthood and extended adolescence is frequently featured in Brat Pack movies, making the film no exception. Estevez is well suited to his role, as he thrives in the stoic suffering of Kirby, traits he explores in other Brat Pack movies that are similarly well-remembered.

St. Elmo’s Fire
Drama

Director Joel Schumacher Release Date June 28, 1985 Cast Rob Lowe , Demi Moore , Emilio Estevez , Ally Sheedy , Judd Nelson , Mare Winningham , Andrew McCarthy , Martin Balsam , Andie MacDowell Runtime 108 Minutes

7 Anthony Michael Hall – Sixteen Candles (1984)

As The Geek

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Sixteen Candles is easily the most problematic of all the Brat Pack movies directed by John Hughes, as it depicts problematic racial stereotypes and treats assault casually. Unfortunately, Anthony Michael Hall’s character, merely referred to as Farmer Ted or The Geek, is a key part of one of the worst scenes in the film, even though he’s supposed to be viewed as sympathetic by the audience throughout the film. Hughes would stray away from these one-dimensional takes on class in his later work, but it’s on full display in Sixteen Candles.

Despite these issues, Sixteen Candles is still familiar to many audience members today, and Hall’s performance is indicative of an actor giving his all to a role. Sixteen Candles remains relevant because of Sam’s (Molly Ringwald) development and her journey to feel recognized and seen by her peers. Hall’s character is viewed through a lens of empathy for so much of the movie because he’s enamored with Sam and is one of the few people to see that she’s special. He’s also aspirational for young people who could relate to feeling like a social outcast during their teenage years.

Sixteen Candles
PG
Romance
Comedy

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In John Hughes’s directorial debut, Molly Ringwald stars as Samantha Baker, a high school student in suburban Chicago whose sixteenth birthday is marred when her whole family forgets to celebrate the occasion due to her older sister’s wedding. Navigating a school dance and a seemingly unrequited crush on an older boy, Sam’s sweet sixteen becomes a day to remember. Anthony Michael Hall, Michael Schoeffling, and Gedde Watanabe also star. 

Director John Hughes Release Date May 4, 1984 Cast Molly Ringwald , Gedde Watanabe , Anthony Michael Hall , Haviland Morris , Michael Schoeffling Runtime 93 minutes

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6 Rob Lowe – The Outsiders (1983)

As Sodapop “Soda” Curtis

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Watching The Outsiders today is a reminder of how masculinity can be found in sensitivity and interpersonal relationships instead of violence and ostracization.

Based on the hit novel by S.E. Hinton, the 1983 screen adaptation of The Outsiders is the definitive take on the book and is considered a faithful retelling. The novel is still taught in schools all over the U.S. and does a great job of dealing with the complex social issues of its time. Additionally, Rob Lowe is an important aspect of the film as Sodapop, Ponyboy’s older brother. The Outsiders is arguably one of the most important movies of the 1980s as it kickstarted the careers of several incredible stars, including Lowe, Tome Cruise, and many more.

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As one of the best Brat Pack movies of the 1980s, The Outsiders earns this title thanks to the strength of the source material as well as the work of the young actors. Lowe and his costars were intensely believable as a group of struggling young boys forced onto the fringes of society because of their lack of adult and community support. Watching The Outsiders today is a reminder of how masculinity can be found in sensitivity and interpersonal relationships instead of violence and ostracization.

The Outsiders
PG
Crime
Drama

The Outsiders is Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s coming-of-age drama novel. Two teen gangs, the Socials and the Greasers find themselves at irreconcilable odds when one of the Social’s boys is killed in a brawl. Following the event, the Greasers head into hiding while some of them seek redemption for their past crimes.

Director Francis Ford Coppola Release Date March 25, 1983 Cast Diane Lane , Ralph Macchio , Rob Lowe , Emilio Estevez , Matt Dillon , Patrick swayze , C. Thomas Howell , Tom Cruise Runtime 91 minutes

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5 Andrew McCarthy – Pretty In Pink (1986)

As Blane McDonnagh

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Andrew McCarthy plays the complicated love interest, Blane, in Pretty in Pink, a collaboration between him, Molly Ringwald, and John Hughes. At times, it’s difficult to empathize with Blane, as he represents the kids in school who give Andie (Ringwald) a hard time, and he is easily convinced to leave her behind due to her lower social class. Pretty in Pink is one of Hughes’ most political movies, as Andie’s socioeconomic situation is discussed at length, and Blane and his friends aren’t let off easily for their behavior towards Andie.

However, McCarthy plays the nuanced heartthrob with ease, and it’s not impossible to see why Andie would be smitten and decide to forgive him in the end. Overall, Pretty in Pink is more Ringwald’s movies than McCarthy’s. However, none of his other projects reached the popularity of Pretty in Pink, which remains a hit to this day. While Weekend at Bernie’s became something of a cult hit for comedy fans and viewers following McCarthy’s career, it doesn’t have the cultural hold or influence that Pretty in Pink does on mass media.

Pretty in Pink (1986)
PG-13
Romance
Drama
Comedy

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Pretty in Pink is a 1986 romantic comedy-drama directed by Howard Deutch and written by John Hughes. The film stars Molly Ringwald as Andie, a high school student navigating social divisions and romantic entanglements. With a prominent supporting cast including Jon Cryer and Andrew McCarthy, the story explores themes of class disparity and youthful aspirations in the context of 1980s suburban America.

Director Howard Deutch Cast Molly Ringwald , Harry Dean Stanton , Jon Cryer , Annie Potts , James Spader Runtime 97 Minutes

4 Demi Moore – Ghost (1990)

As Molly Jensen

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The success of Ghost led to Moore being cast in even more movies that explored her sexuality and put her in high-intensity situations, like Striptease and A Few Good Men.

Ghost isn’t just well-known for the chemistry between Demi Moore and her costar, Patrick Swayze, but also because it showed audiences a side of these actors that they had never seen before. Also starring Whoopi Goldberg, Ghost is much more sinister than viewers remember, as the love story between Sam (Swayze) and Molly (Moore) is told in conjunction with a terrifying conspiracy and religious overtones concerning the afterlife. However, it allowed Moore to transition to a new phase of her career.

Though Moore rose to prominence with the rest of the Brat Pack, her fame, thanks to Ghost, has far exceeded her early work. Ghost was a breakout hit for Moore because it painted her in a more adult light than any of her previous roles in Brat Pack movies. The success of Ghost led to Moore being cast in even more movies that explored her sexuality and put her in high-intensity situations, like Striptease and A Few Good Men. Moore might have been able to achieve this longevity because she wasn’t as high-profile a star in the Brat Pack.

Ghost
PG-13
Drama
Fantasy
Mystery
Romance
Thriller

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Ghost focuses on Sam Wheat (Swayze), a murdered banker, whose ghost sets out to save his girlfriend, Molly Jensen (Moore), from the person who killed him – through the help of the psychic Oda Mae Brown (Goldberg).

Director Jerry Zucker Release Date July 13, 1990 Cast Patrick swayze , Demi Moore , Tony Goldwyn , Stanley Lawrence , Christopher J. Keene , Susan Breslau Runtime 127 minutes

3 Judd Nelson – The Breakfast Club (1985)

As John Bender

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Though Judd Nelson is also in St. Elmo’s Fire, and his role is similar to that in The Breakfast Club, it’s inarguable that his work in The Breakfast Club is more iconic and recognizable. Later in his career, Nelson found some success in guest spots on TV and in the voice acting field. However, The Breakfast Club was and is his biggest project. When audiences think of The Breakfast Club, they might remember the famous closing shot of Nelson’s character, John Bender, holding his fist in the air as the song “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds plays.

Of all the members of the Brat Pack, Nelson wasn’t in most films with the other stars and found himself recognized for The Breakfast Club more than anything. While some critics have argued that The Breakfast Club embraced stereotypes about cliques in high school, it also broke down barriers and demonstrated that young people were much more than the categories assigned to them in adolescence. Bender is characterized as “The Criminal,” but as his home life and reason for acting out are revealed, he’s shown to be full of depth and emotion.

The Breakfast Club
Comedy
Drama

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After receiving detention, a group of five high-school students bonds as they realize they have quite a bit in common despite being from different friend groups. Despite being over 35 years old, The Breakfast Club still stands as one of the quintessential movies of the ‘80s and one of director John Hughes standout films.

Director John Hughes Release Date February 15, 1985 Cast Molly Ringwald , Ally Sheedy , Anthony Michael Hall , Judd Nelson , Emilio Estevez Runtime 97 minutes

2 Molly Ringwald – The Breakfast Club (1985)

As Claire Standish

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Molly Ringwald’s best movies and TV shows demonstrate what a strong actress she is and how she was much more than the Brat Pack. However, it’s impossible to talk about Ringwald without bringing up The Breakfast Club. Her collaborations with Hughes were some of the most definitive works of her career, and Hughes’ best project is The Breakfast Club. While it’s more of an ensemble piece than the movies Ringwald leads, like Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink, it’s her most complex performance and gives her a layered character to work with.

Today, Ringwald might be the best-known member of the Brat Pack.

The Breakfast Club resonated with teens and adults alike, as the coming-of-age genre needed an update, and the movie was the perfect provider. It’s one of the most iconic Brat Pack movies, with performances from some of the biggest names in the circle. Today, Ringwald might be the best-known member of the Brat Pack. Part of this can be attributed to her role in The Breakfast Club. Even if audiences haven’t seen the film yet, it’s likely they’ve encountered it as part of a larger cultural conversation. Additionally, it is referenced in many pieces of media.

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1 Ally Sheedy – WarGames (1983)

As Jennifer Mack

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Ally Sheedy stars alongside Matthew Broderick in WarGames, and while Broderick was the lead character in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, a Brats adjacent movie, he wasn’t technically part of the group. However, he and Sheedy work together as if they were meant to and have excellent chemistry that drives forward the plot of the movie. WarGames was two years before Sheedy’s major role as Allison in The Breakfast Club. In this way, WarGames was just as instrumental in forwarding Sheedy’s stardom.

Most recently, Sheedy was featured in the short-lived comedy series Single Drunk Female, and her career has had a greater longevity than many other members of the Brat Pack. In WarGames, she plays Jennifer, a young high school student who gets caught up in the thrilling events of the film. At the time of its release, WarGames was praised for its strong plot and realistic conflict that played on the contemporary fears of technological innovation and the Cold War in the 1980s. It was one of the first movies that introduced the concept of computer hacking into the mainstream.

Wargames
PG
Sci-Fi
Thriller
Drama
Adventure
Action

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Starring Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy, Wargames tells the story of a teenage computer whiz who hacks into a military supercomputer and inadvertently starts a countdown to a new World War. The 1983 thriller is directed by Saturday Night Fever director John Badham.

Director John Badham Release Date June 3, 1983 Cast John Wood , Matthew Broderick , Dabney Coleman , Ally Sheedy , Barry Corbin Runtime 114 minutes Budget $12 million

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