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Sixteen Candles

Sixteen Candles

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

19846.81h 33m

Overview

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.

Directed by John Hughes
Written by John Hughes
Produced by Hilton A. Green
Box OfficeBudget: $6.5MRevenue: $23.7M

Top Cast

Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald

Samantha Baker

Michael Schoeffling

Michael Schoeffling

Jake Ryan

Haviland Morris

Haviland Morris

Caroline Mulford

Gedde Watanabe

Gedde Watanabe

Long Duk Dong

Anthony Michael Hall

Anthony Michael Hall

Geek (Ted)

Justin Henry

Justin Henry

Mike Baker

Paul Dooley

Paul Dooley

Jim Baker

Carlin Glynn

Carlin Glynn

Brenda Baker

Blanche Baker

Blanche Baker

Ginny Baker

Edward Andrews

Edward Andrews

Howard Baker

Themes & Keywords

high schoolbirthdaynerdconvertiblecrushteenage crushexchange studentnight vision gogglessweet sixteenchastityteenage angstplayfulhigh school romanceirreverentlightheartedpopular boywhimsicalhigh school promcliché

About Sixteen Candles

Sixteen Candles is a comedy, romance film released in 1984 exploring themes of high school, birthday, nerd, convertible, crush, teenage crush. Directed by John Hughes, it stars Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, Haviland Morris. 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.

Movies Similar to Sixteen Candles

Discover titles like Sixteen Candles — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to Sixteen Candles

If you enjoyed Sixteen Candles, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of Sixteen Candles.

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10 Things I Hate About You
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Grease
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Clueless(1995)

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Better Off Dead...
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Say Anything...
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Average student and eternal optimist Lloyd Dobler seeks to capture the heart of Diane Court, a beautiful but unattainable valedictorian classmate. He surprises just about everyone - including himself - when she returns the sentiment. However, Diane's divorced, over-protective father soon begins to disapprove of the match, and Lloyd realises that it's going to take more than just the power of love to conquer all.

10
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A Hollywood songwriter goes through a mid-life crisis and becomes infatuated with a sexy blonde newlywed.

Pretty in Pink
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At a high-school party, four friends find that losing their collective virginity isn't as easy as they had thought. But they still believe that they need to do so before college. To motivate themselves, they enter a pact to all "score" by their senior prom.

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Charlie Bartlett
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Awkward teenager Charlie Bartlett has trouble fitting in at a new high school. Charlie needs some friends fast, and decides that the best way to find them is to appoint himself the resident psychiatrist. He becomes one of the most popular guys in school by doling out advice and, occasionally, medication, to the student body.