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Then detention, now iconic -

The iconic 1985 film 'The Breakfast Club' follows five teens from different worlds who bond during Saturday detention. Through laughter, conflict, and confession, they form a surprising connection. Keep clicking to see what the stars look like then vs. now!

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Anthony Michael Hall -

After 'The Breakfast Club,' Anthony Michael Hall pursued varied roles to avoid typecasting. He joined SNL at 17, starred in 'Edward Scissorhands' (1990), 'Six Degrees of Separation' (1993), and TV's 'The Dead Zone.' 

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Anthony Michael Hall -

Hall later appeared in 'Halloween Kills' (2021). He married actress Lucia Oskerova in 2020 and they welcomed their first child in 2023. In 2016, he faced legal trouble for assaulting a neighbor.

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Emilio Estevez -

Following his breakout roles in 'The Outsiders' (1983) and 'The Breakfast Club,' Emilio Estevez starred in 'St. Elmo's Fire' (1985), 'Young Guns' (1988), and 'The Mighty Ducks' (1992). He also directed 'Wisdom' (1986), 'Men at Work' (1990), and 'Bobby' (2006).

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Emilio Estevez -

Estevez was married to Paula Abdul from 1992 to 1994 and shares son Taylor and daughter Paloma with ex-girlfriend Carey Salley. He values privacy and now leads a quieter life outside of Hollywood.

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Ally Sheedy -

Ally Sheedy reunited with her Breakfast Club co-stars in 'St. Elmo's Fire' (1985) and 'The Dead Zone' (2003). She also appeared in 'Short Circuit' (1986), 'High Art' (1998), and the off-Broadway musical 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' (1999).

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Ally Sheedy -

She later guest-starred on 'CSI,' 'Kyle XY,' and 'Psych,' and returned to TV in 'Single Drunk Female' in 2022. Sheedy shares son Beckett with ex-husband David Lansbury.

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Molly Ringwald -

Molly Ringwald rose to fame in 'The Facts of Life' and John Hughes films like 'Sixteen Candles' (1984) and 'Pretty in Pink' (1986).

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Molly Ringwald -

After a break, she returned with roles in 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager,' 'Riverdale,' and 'Dahmer' (2022). She shares three children with husband Panio Gianopoulos and was previously married to Valery Lameignère.

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Judd Nelson -

Judd Nelson followed 'The Breakfast Club' with 'St. Elmo's Fire' (1985), reuniting with co-stars Estevez and Sheedy. He teamed up with Sheedy again in 'Blue City' (1986) and led 'Billionaire Boys Club' (1987).

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Judd Nelson -

In the 2000s, Nelson appeared in numerous hit TV shows, including 'Suddenly Susan,' 'CSI,' 'Psych,' and 'Empire,' showcasing his versatility across genres and decades.

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Paul Gleason -

Paul Gleason, famously known as Principal Vernon in 'The Breakfast Club,' also starred in 'Die Hard' (1988), 'Trading Places' (1993), and TV hits like 'Boy Meets World' and 'Dawson's Creek.' He died in 2006 from mesothelioma at age 67.

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Forty years later -

The cast reunited on April 12, 2025, at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo to celebrate the film's 40th anniversary. This marked the first time all five original stars appeared together since the movie's release. The emotional panel included reflections on filming, memories of director John Hughes, and discussions about the movie’s enduring legacy. 

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One of the key scenes was improvised -

The film's most emotional scene, where the five teens open up about their deepest secrets, wasn't scripted. It was spontaneously ad-libbed, adding raw authenticity to their heartfelt confessions.

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It was supposed to be the first movie in a franchise -

The film was originally intended to launch a franchise, with future installments planned to "check in" on the characters over the years.

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It originally included a dream sequence -

A deleted dream sequence featured Allison imagining each character in quirky roles: Andrew as a gluttonous Viking, Bender as a prisoner, Claire as a bride, Brian as an astronaut, and herself as a vampire. It was ultimately cut from the film.

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Emilio Estevez was originally supposed to play the bully -

Emilio Estevez was first cast as Bender, but when John Hughes couldn't find the right actor for Andrew, Estevez switched roles. Judd Nelson was then brought in to play the rebellious Bender instead.

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Molly Ringwald was originally asked to play Ally Sheedy's role -

Molly Ringwald was initially offered the role of Allison, but she preferred playing Claire (originally named Cathy). After some consideration, writer-director John Hughes agreed to let her switch roles.

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Not all cast members were high school-aged -

The cast had a wide age range during filming in 1984. Anthony Michael Hall and Molly Ringwald were both 16, while Emilio Estevez was 22, Ally Sheedy was 23, and Judd Nelson was 26 years old.

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A lot of now-A-listers auditioned -

Several stars auditioned for Claire, including Robin Wright, Jodie Foster, and Laura Dern. John Cusack and Nicolas Cage were also considered for Bender before the role went to Judd Nelson.

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John Hughes made a cameo -

Director John Hughes made a cameo at the film’s end, appearing briefly as Brian's father picking him up after Saturday detention.

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Welcome to Shermer -

'The Breakfast Club,' like many John Hughes classics, including 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (1986), 'Weird Science' (1985), 'Sixteen Candles' (1984), 'Pretty in Pink' (1986), and 'National Lampoon's Vacation' (1983), takes place in the fictional Chicago suburb of Shermer, Illinois—a favorite Hughes setting.

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Allison's "snow" trick -

Allison's dandruff, which she sprinkles to create "snow," was actually made of Parmesan cheese for the famous scene.

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A piece of the library -

As a wrap gift, John Hughes gave each cast member a piece of the library's banister, serving as a memorable memento from the iconic film set.

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A silent star -

Ally Sheedy remained silent for the first 33 minutes of 'The Breakfast Club,' despite the film's 97-minute runtime, adding to her character's mystery. 

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Herb substitute -

In 'The Breakfast Club,' the "marijuana" the characters smoke was actually oregano, serving as a stand-in for the substance during that iconic scene.

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Hughes' original directorial vision -

John Hughes originally planned 'The Breakfast Club' to be his directorial debut, but the studio chose 'Sixteen Candles' (1984) first, which came out a year before 'The Breakfast Club.'

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Double feature film -

In 1985, Brat Pack stars Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, and Ally Sheedy portrayed high schoolers in 'The Breakfast Club' and college grads in 'St. Elmo's Fire,' both iconic same-year releases.

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An iconic legacy -

'The Breakfast Club' became an iconic '80s film by exploring teenage struggles and showcasing deep emotional connections. Its honest portrayal of high school cliques and relatable characters continues to resonate, making it a timeless classic.

Sources: (Us Weekly) (Mental Floss) (Business Insider) 

See also: Iconic films from the '80s that are worth rewatching

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