Sixteen Candles

Turning sixteen isn't easy, when you've fallen in love... for the first time.

1984 • 93 min • Comedy · Romance

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Synopsis

With the occasion all but overshadowed by her sister's upcoming wedding, angst-ridden Samantha faces her 16th birthday with typical adolescent dread. Samantha pines for studly older boy Jake, but worries that her chastity will be a turnoff for the popular senior. Meanwhile, she must constantly rebuff the affections of nerdy Ted, who is unfortunately the only boy in school who seems to take an interest in her.

Our family guide

Best from age 13

Movie Knight Score

2241 reviews

100 Reviewers · 2 · 51%
68 Audience · 2239 · 49%

Samantha's 16th birthday is overshadowed by her sister's wedding, leading to a day of humorous teen angst. She navigates a crush on an older boy and fends off an unwelcome admirer, all while longing for attention on her special day.

Violence & peril: 1/10
Language: 3/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 3/10
Romance & sensuality: 3/10
Scary moments: 0/10

Heads up

Teen partying and drinking
Some crude humor and stereotypes
Brief sexual references and mild sexual innuendo

What it models well

Self-acceptance and confidence
Honesty in relationships
Empathy for others

Talk about it after

Navigating crushes and first relationships
The importance of clear communication
Respecting personal boundaries

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Sixteen Candles. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

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Top billed cast

Director: John Hughes • Crew: John Hughes

Trailers & clips

Reviewer notes

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
Really fun, and funny, romantic-comedy that is to me akin to Ferris Bueller's Day Off style of humor from John Hughes (vs. something like The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink with a more serious tone or themes). Anyway, this was my first time seeing this and while I still place TBC and FBDO over this, still another great film from Hughes to come out of the 80s and, like those, still works so well today. **4.0/5**
JPV852, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
I've never bagged a babe. I'm not a stud. It's Samantha Baker's 16th birthday and her family are so wrapped up in her sisters impending wedding, they have completely forgotten Sam's big day. Not only that but she has the hots for school hunk Jake Ryan who, apparently doesn't know she even exists. Her existence, however, is noted by freshman Ted "The Geek" who lusts after her at every opportunity.…
John Chard, TMDB Community