The Breakfast Club (1985)
Kernel Score: 87% · 8,427 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Released: 1985-02-15
Runtime: 98 minutes
Is The Breakfast Club worth watching?
Must-watch. Five teenagers in Saturday detention find out they're less different than they thought. It's talky and a little dated, but the performances and honesty about being a teenager still hold up.
Watch it if you
- want the classic teen movie
- like character-driven films set in one place
- enjoy 1980s nostalgia
Skip it if you
- dislike dialogue-heavy films
- want a modern take on teenage life
Best for: Friends' movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Breakfast Club
- Stream: Hulu, YouTube TV
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Five high school students from different walks of life endure a Saturday detention under a power-hungry principal. The disparate group includes rebel John, princess Claire, outcast Allison, brainy Brian and Andrew, the jock. Each has a chance to tell his or her story, making the others see them a little differently -- and when the day ends, they question whether school will ever be the same.
The Breakfast Club parents' guide: ages 14+
Parents need to know that The Breakfast Club is a classic 1980s teen drama about five students in detention confronting stereotypes, featuring some profanity and mature teen themes.
- Language: Moderate — Contains period-typical teen profanity throughout.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Some — Includes a scene of teens smoking marijuana.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Breakfast Club
If you liked The Breakfast Club, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) — 86%: Another John Hughes teen classic, lighter and funnier.
- Dazed and Confused (1993) — 83%: Laid-back story of teen life and friendship.
- Heathers (1989) — 83%: Darker, sharper take on high-school cliques.
- The Edge of Seventeen (2016) — 82%: Modern teen movie that's honest about awkwardness.
- Eighth Grade (2018) — 80%: A very honest look at teenage anxiety.
- Lady Bird (2017) — 82%: Tender, funny coming-of-age story.
Director
Cast
- Emilio Estevez as Andrew Clark
- Judd Nelson as John Bender
- Molly Ringwald as Claire Standish
- Anthony Michael Hall as Brian Johnson
- Ally Sheedy as Allison Reynolds
- Paul Gleason as Richard Vernon
- John Kapelos as Carl
- Perry Crawford as Allison's Father
- Mary Christian as Brian's Sister
- Ron Dean as Andy's Father
The Breakfast Club FAQ
Is The Breakfast Club worth watching?
Must-watch. Five teenagers in Saturday detention find out they're less different than they thought. It's talky and a little dated, but the performances and honesty about being a teenager still hold up.
Where can I watch The Breakfast Club?
In the US you can stream The Breakfast Club on Hulu and YouTube TV and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Breakfast Club OK for kids?
The Breakfast Club is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 14+. Parents need to know that The Breakfast Club is a classic 1980s teen drama about five students in detention confronting stereotypes, featuring some profanity and mature teen themes.
What movies are like The Breakfast Club?
If you liked The Breakfast Club, try Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Dazed and Confused, Heathers and The Edge of Seventeen.