Sixteen Candles

Watch Sixteen Candles

"Turning sixteen isn't easy, when you've fallen in love... for the first time."
  • PG
  • 1984
  • 1 hr 33 min
  • 7.0  (125,411)
  • 61

Sixteen Candles is a classic 1980s teen comedy directed by John Hughes, who is known for other iconic movies such as The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The film stars Molly Ringwald as Samantha, a teenage girl who is about to turn sixteen and is navigating through the ups and downs of high school and adolescent relationships.

The film takes place over the course of a single day, which just so happens to be the day of Samantha's sixteenth birthday. Unfortunately for Samantha, her family is so preoccupied with her older sister's impending wedding that they completely forget about her birthday. To top it off, her strained relationship with her parents only adds to her frustration and disappointment about her special day being overlooked.

At school, Samantha is pining over her crush, Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling), who she believes barely even knows she exists. Meanwhile, a dorky freshman named Ted (Anthony Michael Hall) is infatuated with Samantha and is constantly trying to get her attention, despite her lack of interest in him.

The film is full of hilarious and relatable moments that any teenager can relate to. From the pressure to fit in and impress peers, to the stresses of family dynamics, to the anxiety-inducing first date jitters, Sixteen Candles covers a wide range of topics that are all too familiar to anyone who has ever been a teenager.

One of the standout scenes in the movie involves Samantha's awkward encounter with her grandmother, who is deaf and often misinterprets what people are saying to her. This scene showcases Ringwald's natural comedic timing and is a testament to Hughes' ability to inject humor into seemingly mundane situations.

Throughout the film, Samantha and Ted's paths cross multiple times, leading to some entertaining interactions between the two characters. Despite the fact that Samantha is clearly uninterested in Ted, he persists in his pursuit of her, resulting in some cringe-worthy moments that are hard not to laugh at.

As the day progresses, Samantha's hopes for a perfect sixteenth birthday start to fade. But just when she thinks things couldn't get worse, she receives a surprise from the last person she expected, leading to a heartwarming ending that will leave viewers feeling satisfied.

In addition to Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall delivers a standout performance as Ted, perfectly capturing the awkwardness and insecurities that come with being a teenager. Justin Henry is also a standout as Samantha's little brother, who often steals scenes with his natural charm and comedic timing.

Overall, Sixteen Candles is a charming and funny coming-of-age movie that has stood the test of time. It perfectly encapsulates the trials and tribulations of growing up, and its relatable characters and universal themes continue to resonate with audiences today.

Sixteen Candles is a 1984 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 61.

Sixteen Candles
Description
Where to Watch Sixteen Candles
Sixteen Candles is available to watch free on Tubi TV. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Philo, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Sixteen Candles for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1984
  • MPAA Rating
    PG
  • Runtime
    1 hr 33 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.0  (125,411)
  • Metascore
    61