Top 10 80s High School Movies

Ah, the 80s: the decade that brought us leg warmers, acid-wash jeans and the mullet. While others may thank the heavens that those days of glam metal and big hair are now long gone, some of us still look back on the 80s with feelings of nostalgia. And what better way is their to reminisce than to watch some classic 80s high school films?

Granted, no two people will agree on the top 10 best 80s high school movies from the era, but there are some films that, for most of us, still stand the test of time.

#10 Teen Witch

It's ridiculously cheesy, it has no real plot to speak of, and numerous times throughout the film, people break out into song. In other words, it's the classic 80s film.

Created with the intent of being the female version of the 1985 comedy "Teen Wolf", "Teen Witch" tells the story of Louise Miller (Robyn Elaine Lively) -- a social outcast, ignored by her peers -- who on her 16th birthday is granted with magical powers. Using her newly acquired ability to transform herself into the most popular girl in school, she gains the affection of her crush, a football player who just happens to be the most popular guy in school. But as their relationship begins to progress, Louise can't help but wonder if his affections are genuine.

#9 Just One of the Guys

Could there be a high school movie collection from any post-70's era that's not complete without the inclusion of a gender-bender comedy? I certainly don't think so.

An adaption of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Just One of the Guys follows Terri Griffith (Joyce Hyser), a young, aspiring journalist who loses out on an internship at a news publication. Convinced that the reason is because she's a girl, she decides to dress up as a boy and attend a neighboring high school. Despite a few awkward situations, Terri manages to blend in fairly well with the rest of her classmates, but problems surface when Terri begins to fall for Rick, a fashion-illiterate nerd.

#8 Some Kind of Wonderful

A classic John Hughes Film, Some Kind of Wonderful is a bit like Pretty in Pink, but in a parallel universe, where Molly Ringwald is Eric Stoltz, and Duckie & Blane are women.

Written in 1987, Some Kind of Wonderful is about Keith Nelson (Eric Stoltz), a hard-working high schooler who comes from a working class family. Keith falls in love with the popular and sought-after Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson). While Amanda comes from a poor family, she runs with the rich crowd, thus elevating her to what Keith perceives to be an almost unreachable status. As Keith yearns for Amanda, trouble brews behind the scene when his close friend, the tomboy, Watts, realizes she has feelings for him.

#7 Hiding Out

A movie which I believe to be tragically passed over, Hiding Out -- while taking place in a high school setting -- also contains a more serious, mature plot.

Hiding Out is a 1987 movie which follows the story of Andrew Morenski (Jon Cryer), a stockbroker on the run. Andrew, disguising his identity, moves in with his cousin (Keith Coogan) and masquerades as a high school student. As an adult with experience in the professional world, Morenski struggles to fit in with his peers.

#6 Can't Buy Me Love

It's not an example of great, cinematic art and it doesn't leave you pondering the meaning of life, but it's cute, it's fun, and it's entertaining.

Can't Buy Me Love is a teen comedy starring Patrick Dempsey, who plays the role of the nerdy outcast, Ronald Miller. When Ronald comes to the rescue of popular, beautiful Cindy Mancini (Amanda Peterson), he requires from her some certain conditions in repayment for his assistance: specifically, that she pretends she's going out with him. But things inevitably go downhill for Ronald when his popularity goes to his head.

#5 Ferris Bueller's Day Off

As long as kids are mandatorily required to attend school, this movie will always be relevant.

Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick), girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) and best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) decide on a whim to skip school. Their perhaps mentally unsound Dean of Students, Mr. Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), possesses a deep loathing for Ferris, and spends the movie doing everything in his power to catch Bueller and put a stop to his adolescent antics.

#4 The Breakfast Club

A classic coming-of-age film, no 80s collection is complete without this movie.

The Breakfast Club tells the story of 5 high school students -- each whom represents different cliques within their school, respectively -- who are forced to spend Saturday detention together. What starts as a contentious afternoon becomes a whirwind of comedy and drama, as stereotypes are broken and new relationships are formed.

#3 Lucas

It's kind of a drama, kind of a romance, and also kind of a sports movie. Lucas paints a very real picture of what was like to be a teen in the 80s.

Lucas is the story of a 14 year-old nerd, named Lucas Bly (Corey Haim) who becomes infatuated with the new girl in town, Maggie (Kerri Green). While they quickly become fast friends, a wrench is thrown into their relationship when Maggie begins to fall for Lucas' friend, Cappie. Desperate to gain the love and attention of Maggie, Lucas, despite his frail stature, joins his high school's football team in an effort to prove his worth.

#2 Pretty in Pink

Molly Ringwald rates this as her favourite of the John Hughes films she's starred in, and I agree. Pretty in Pink also features what is probably the coolest antagonist in high school movie history.

Andie Walsh (Molly Ringwald) is a poor but thrifty fashion designer who lives with her less than ambitious father (Harry Dean Stanton). A love triangle is formed when Andie, with whom her best friend, Duckie Dale (Jon Cryer) is infatuated, falls for a "richie", wealthy student Blane McDonough (Andrew McCarthy). The situation is further complicated when Steff (James Spader) enters the mix and begins to play mind tricks with Blane, causing him to doubt his new relationship with Andie.

#1 Sixteen Candles

Sixteen Candles really needs no introduction: it is the iconic high school movie, and is practically synonymous with the 80s.

Sixteen Candles is about Samantha Baker (Molly Ringwald), a not-so-popular high school student who's just reached her 16th birthday. Unfortunately, no one in her family seems to remember it. Infatuated with attractive senior Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling), Samantha agonizes over her undeveloped body and her lack of popularity. Despite undergoing a variety of unfortunate and embarrassing situations, Samantha eventually gets her birthday wish.