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Sixteen Candles

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Racy, drunken, hilarious '80s high school comedy.

Themes in this movie include:   dating/crushes, family relationships, growing up
updated 10.09.09

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–16

The good stuff

  • Role models:

    Mixed messages. The Chinese exchange student is reduced to a grossly offensive stereotype, and Sam's elderly grandparents don't fare much better. But at the film's center is a plucky teenage heroine with whom girls can identify.

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    There's not much to take away from this movie other than the difficulty of the high school years. It doesn't raise profound issues.
  • Violence:

    Mild slapstick violence. One boy talks about violating a girl who has passed out.
  • Sex:

    Teens and sex are central, with lots of talk about body parts, much of it vulgar. A shower scene shows a girl's naked torso.  A high school kid coaxes a girl into giving him her panties and shows them to bathroom full of freshman for a dollar.
  • Language:

    Some use of the words "f--k" and "s--t."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Teens drink to the point of passing out.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Sixteen Candles was written by Randy White

Parents need to know that this is a hilarious high school comedy with sharply observed moments. The early '80s score will sound dated to some, but for others, it will be a walk down memory lane. But bear in mind that this is also an adult comedy with teen characters. The teens drink, have sex, and talk about birth control. Parents may want to exercise caution with more impressionable kids, and especially preteens or younger. But this smart exploration of adolescent life will be fun for teens and adults.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about Sam's insecurity about her body. How could her family have eased some of the anxiety of adolescence?
  • Discuss the stereotype of Long Duk Dong, and how that stereotype has changed today.
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More on Sixteen Candles

What’s the Story?

Sam (Molly Ringwald) is turning 16, but her family has forgotten her birthday because of her sister's impending wedding. At school, Sam has a crush on a senior, Jake, who might not know she's alive. Fortunately for Sam, Jake is tiring of his prom-queen girlfriend. With help from a freshman super-geek (Anthony Michael Hall), Jake sets his sights on Sam, but will he find her amidst her sister's wedding chaos to fulfill her birthday wish?

Is It Any Good?

SIXTEEN CANDLES is a hair-raising tour of adolescence. Sam is a girl in the throes of her first crush, and she's desperately insecure about her body. A sublimely awkward dork dogs her heels, alternately yearning for approval and crassly propositioning her. She's infatuated with a senior god and intimidated by his goddess girlfriend.

The movie doesn't raise profound issues or craft scenes of special beauty. However, this is John Hughes at his best; he captures the nuances of adolescent slang and recreates the little humiliations that can make teen life a living hell. It's all in the details: When Sam's grandmother checks out Sam's "perky boobies" with a squeeze, you'll wonder how anyone gets through high school.

Movie Details

Studio: Universal Pictures, Director: John Hughes
Run time: 93 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/1/1984, DVD release: 1/19/1999
MPAA Rating: R for sexual and mature themes

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    perfect for everyone

    Okay, I watched this with my 4 year old sister and my little cousin who is 7 both girls. It's fine. It shows what girls have or gonna get. and swearing thats part of growing up. LET IT GO!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    perfect for teens, not for kids AT ALL!

    This is basically a classic coming-of-age story, but really hillarious. There is some nidity, and swearing, so I would probably suggest 13+. Long Duck Dong is HILLARIOUS!

  4. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Love this movie, it's great! You do see a teenage girls naked chest, and they do say f--k sometimes, but anyone over the age of 13 should be fine to watch this movie. It is a must watch!

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    one of my favorite movies!

  6. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 3.0

    it should be r

    smart stuff it is rated pg

  7. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Washington
    Kids ages: 12
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Sixteen Candles

    Super funny. You just gotta love that cast.

  8. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    Kids ages: 10
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    I watched it with my 10 year old daughter and had to cover her eyes and discuss the swearing and drunkedness throughout the movie. She said she hears the 13 year olds in her school talk like that all the time, so I would rate it PG13. The positive message will resonate far better with teens than with tweens.

  9. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 8, 12, 14, 16
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    A great movie, but save it for older teens.

    I saw this movie as a kid and loved it. I watched it the other day on a movie channel and it had nudity! It shows a girl in the shower, the top half of her body fully exposed. I had to check the rating and couldn't believe it was rated PG. For a movie to have frontal nudity and the F-word, it should have an R rating. I didn't remember it having nudity when I watched it years ago.

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

  11. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 6, 9, 11, 11
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    I LOOOVE this movie! Long Duk Dong is hilarious and so is the geek! This is a perfect movie for a teen girl's sleepover or party!

  12. I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Whoa, whoa, WHOA.

    When I was in Greece, I turned on the movie channel and saw that this movie was on. I wanted to watch it, so I called my little brother into the room with me. Within five minutes the f-bomb was already dropped, and within 20 a naked girl's chest was shown. I turned it off immediately.

  13. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    i first thought it would be great. then afterwards I wished the Geek had been more of a character and that Sam had appreciated him more. I thought jake and caroline were just plain bad characters. It starts off just fine, but quickly heads downhill.

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Another amazing John Hughes film

    This is my 2nd favorite movie and is amazing!!!!

  15. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    I loved this movie. Truly a great teen movie classic.

  16. I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    basically if you don't have a problem with a less than 30 second scene that shows boobs, then this movie is totally fine haha

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    this movie is great for any teenager

    i love this movie its a classic :)

  18. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    funny, romance, chick flick

    very cute and funny. this is a chick flick that gather people of all generations. i know my i, my mom and my sisters enjoy sitting down and watching this movie.

  19. I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    It's Rated PG but should be PG-13, maybe even R. The f-word is used a few times and there is one nude scene. It's a great teen film however and I really enjoyed it.

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 3.0

    awesome movie. but not as good a ferris buelers day off

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