I think the disrespectfulness to the authority figures wasnt all that bad, since the authority figures didn't show a bit of respect to the students. In my opinion, respect shouldn't be automatic, it should be earned. Period. Great movie, 5 stars.
The Breakfast Club
(1985, Rated R, Drama, Starring Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Socially relevant '80s teen flick.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14–18
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of The Breakfast Club was written by Marjorie Kase
Parents need to know that this film deals with themes that may be inappropriate for younger teens. Topics such as suicide, depression, social alienation, materialism, sex, and parental physical and emotional abuse are discussed openly. Main characters use very strong language, smoke pot on screen in the school library, and mock authority figures. One smokes cigarettes, draws a switchblade, and makes lewd gestures. He reveals cigar burns on his body as evidence of his father's abuse. The film does positively encourage the breakdown of social barriers as a means of identification and improved communication.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about how relevant and realistic they feel it is. Do teens feel that their high school has a similar clique structure? Allison describes Bender's question about Claire's virginity as a "double-edged sword…a trap," stating, "Well, if you say you haven't...you're a prude. If you say you have...you're a slut." Her argument is nothing new, but it does present a good opportunity for families to talk about society's views on sex and gender. Do teens still feel this double standard is in effect?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on The Breakfast Club
What’s the Story?
THE BREAKFAST CLUB is the story of five high school students, who rank high and low in popularity, that are forced to spend nine hours together in Saturday detention. Without the whole school watching, Brian "The Brain" (Anthony Michael Hall), Claire "The Princess" (Molly Ringwald), Andy "The Jock" (Emilio Estevez), Allison "The Basket Case" (Ally Sheedy), and Bender "The Misfit" (Judd Nelson) eventually discard their differences, discussing the events that brought them to detention. Gradually they come to realize that underneath the trappings of the high school social scene, the problems they face are more similar than they think. Brian suffers extreme pressure by his parents to maintain a perfect grade point average. Claire insists that being rich and the most popular girl at school has its downfalls. Andy wants only to please his father, even if it means acting against his own moral code. Allison seeks attention from her father through aberrant behavior. And Bender reacts to physical and verbal abuse at home by defying authority, committing petty theft, and damaging school property.
Is It Any Good?
Despite its occasional heavy-handedness, writer/director John Hughes' film is an earnest, engaging attempt at portraying teens and their problems in a realistic light. The film deals with very mature issues regarding family and school that both teens and parents can relate to. On the outside, the five may seem like clichhd stereotypes, yet as the film progresses, their confessions as to why they're in detention reveal a greater depth to their personas.
Ringwald, Nelson, Hall, Estevez, and Sheedy owe their careers to this film, and for good reason. The "Brat Pack's" solid performances coupled with Hughes' witty dialogue, choice direction, and his ability to balance drama and humor made it one of the most enduring, quotable teen films of all time. A great choice for older teens.
Movie Details
Studio: Universal Studios, Director: John Hughes
Run time: 97 minutes
Theatrical release: 2/15/1985, DVD release: 4/28/1998
MPAA Rating: R for Strong language, drug use
Run time: 97 minutes
Theatrical release: 2/15/1985, DVD release: 4/28/1998
MPAA Rating: R for Strong language, drug use
Our Members Say
See all 29 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
The Breafast Club
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
Great movie, a true classic. A lot of foul mouth language, and sex references keep popping up, but otherwise if you let your young teens (eg. 13-15) see it, they'll love it.
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
This movie is an absolute classic. I saw it when I was 12 and it was nothing I hadn't heard or seen before. Definitely let your kids watch it but not before 12...
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I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
talk talk talk & no action
CLASSIC!! I think it's best to let your kids watch this movie when they're in middle school. That's the first time I ever watched it & I fell in love with it ^_^ They basically talk about sexual things, but they don't do anything. On the dvd they don't show them smoking pot, but i think on tv they do...or is it the other way around? it's one of those movies (like every other teen movie) that has bad messages in the beginning & good messages at the end.
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
classic teen movie
lots of strong language,some drugs, messages arent that positive, kids play around in detention when they are supposed to be sitting there. otherwise classic teen movie
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I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
Great movie. But very intense for children. One of john hughes greatests.
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I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
amazing classic movie!!! It may be a little iffy, but I think a 13 year old should still see it becuase it is so good.
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Great but not for younger kids
Well, it's a great movie...but there's some issues. First off it's R so I wouldn't let that slip you by. the language is very bad but kids hear it in everyday life...the sex is just a little frank talk it's a little uncomfortable at some points...the drugs are horrible there is smoking in a school, and they also smoke marijuna...they make it seem like when you smoke marijuna you get happy which isn't true but overall the movie is great and all kids should see it. IT'S A CLASSIC!!!! On for 15-16 Pause 14-13 and Off 12-under
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I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Great teen film, there is swearing and drug use. I saw it when I was about 9 and enjoyed it. You will probably need to be a teen to fully appreciate it, but it's fairly appropriate
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
based on your child its a must see
it tells the truth about what goes on and is the greatest tale of 5 completly diffrent people with nothing in common except eachother. i highly recomend it for ages 12 and up maybe higher depending on what your child has already been exposed to
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
based on your child its a must see
it tells the truth about what goes on and is the greatest tale of 5 completly diffrent people with nothing in common except eachother. i highly recomend it for ages 12 and up maybe higher depending on what your child has already been exposed to
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Lives in FloridaI rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
Good lessons
This movie contains students from very different groups. I feel this is a good movie for teens to watch. Yes there is some bad language, but most kids have heard these words by the teen years. This movie teaches that you can't just judge somebody before you know who they really are, and why they act the way they do. With the way middle and high schoolers act and treat each other this is a very good movie for them to watch. It might even make more people think before they judge people or make fun of others.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
It's a good movie.
It's a good movie, besides,the drugs,and a little violence. But, But you have to be really mature to see it, you know? I mean you can't just watch the movie and say Eww or That's gross, you have to be mature. And the movie tells you that some grown-ups don't know much about their children. Bottom Line: This movie rocks! :)
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
An amazing piece of film
I fell in love with movie the second I saw it. Everyone can find a character in this movie that they know (or knew) in school. Some of the best preformances ever are in this movie. Judd Nelson did an excellent job as Bender. You could feel what he was going through. You really get to meet and go deep into the characters. It halarious at times but also get very serious. It's not like other John Hughes film rating wise. You have Ferris, Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink which and good for ten and up but TBC is more of 13 and up. Mainly because of the scene where they get high and the mild language.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Not as bad as you make it out to be...
Personally, i think that most people make this movie out to be much more of a threat than it really is. This isn't because of the content- which most parents would consider inappropriate for young children but because said content is in reality mostly things children have been exposed plenty by the age of twelve. There is a moderate amount of sexual innuendo (for lack of a better word), teenage girl is relentlessly teased for her virginity, a character that is portrayed as the 'bad boy' shows another character a cigarette burn on his arm. It depends on the child really. Most kids would either have been exposed to any objectionable content in the movie before, or alternately not understand it. Just my two cents. I would say- this movie is appropriate for todays 12+
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 50% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
| 50% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
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