Do They Hold Up?: 80s Teen Movies

Do these teen “classics” still hit home almost 40 years later?

By LUKE WALSH

Big hair, denim on denim, Michael Jackson and Madonna – the 80s are famous for a lot of things, but also a ton of legendary movies. I sat down with three of them to see if these 40-year-old “classics” still hold up in 2023.

Teen Wolf (★★☆☆☆)

A hilariously cheesy 1980s classic, Teen Wolf (1985) is riddled with predictable tropes and often lousy performances. While it is occasionally redeemed by Michael J. Fox’s charismatic on-screen presence, the movie falls short as it strings together a poorly written plot and a glaringly underwhelming  supporting cast. 

Scott Howard (Fox) is a timid high school student, struggling to curry favor with the prettiest girl in school, and playing starting point guard for an abysmal basketball team. Amidst his ordinary teenage problems, Scott slowly begins to notice some peculiar changes in his body. His nails grow sharper and he develops an acute sense of smell. Then one night, in front of his bathroom mirror, he transforms into a werewolf.  

With his newfound powers he quickly captures the hearts of every student in the school. Scott rises to popularity, gaining the attention of the girl of his dreams, and is launched into basketball stardom. His infatuation with his abilities begins to grow, as does his unchecked ego. However, as his small town fame expands, Scott begins to question whether he is beloved for who he really is, or simply the half man/half wolf persona everyone has grown so fond of. 

Teen Wolf may still provide some with a few decent laughs as there is plenty of comedy, though often unintentional, throughout the movie. The premise is geared on the idea that a high school student would not only be accepted, but treasured by his peers as soon as he takes the shape of a werewolf. This obviously results in an inherently silly film, but that's not the reason it doesn't hold up. 

The cheesy special effects, second-rate editing, and awful musical score all make this movie incredibly dated. As you watch Teen Wolf, it is blatantly obvious that it was created during a different era. Even compared to its high school movie contemporaries at the time it heavily disappoints as it leaves no real message and its effectiveness is greatly dependent on how much fun you find it. 

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (★★★★☆)

Amongst director John Hughes’ bevy of teen classics, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) is fast-paced fun that is sure to have viewers chuckling at every other scene. With his wild antics and smooth talking charisma, Matthew Broderick (Ferris Bueller) has a charming grip on the audience from start to finish. 

A smart-alecky high school student, Ferris knows every trick in the book when it comes to cutting classes. After faking an illness fools his parents but not his fed-up assistant principal Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) or his irate older sister (Jennifer Grey), he calls upon his pessimistic best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) and his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) to embark on a day-long journey through Chicago. 

The group attends a baseball game, visits a museum, and sneaks into a classy restaurant. Meanwhile, Principal Rooney is also out and about, hell-bent on catching Ferris in the act. 

With his clever tricks constantly outsmarting adults, rebellious attitude, and wise-cracking humor, Ferris embodies every quality a high school student wishes they possessed. He is the epitome of charm with seemingly zero flaws, while Cameron, a fearful cynic, is the polar opposite. He is tentative and maintains a defeatist attitude, with Ferris constantly egging him on. The dynamic between the two friends is relatable to all viewers as they could probably point out a similar relationship in their own lives.

The movie as a whole remains effective in its comedic ability and shines in its originality and character development. It is safe to say that Ferris Bueller’s Day Off  is a classic that will resonate with audiences for years to come.

Stand by Me (★★★★★)

Based on the Stephen King short story “The Body,” Stand by Me (1986) is an absolutely timeless coming of age story that beautifully displays the importance of friendship. Filled with heart-tugging emotion and a sense of adventure, the movie transcends generations of viewers. 

Set in the summer of 1959 in a small town in Oregon called Castlerock, four twelve-year-old best friends, Gordie Lachance (Will Wheaton), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix), Vern Tessio (Jerry O’Donnell), and Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman) learn that a boy their age was killed by a train nearby. The tight-knit group sets out on a journey to find the body. 

Along the way they undergo harrowing experiences, learning more about themselves, their challenging home lives, and what it means to be an adolescent dealing with angst and the uncertainty of their futures. They also run up against Ace (Kiefer Sutherland) and his gang, the Cobras, as they race to find the body.

The poignant themes of friendship, not being able to escape your upbringing, and feeling trapped by your surroundings will resonate with viewers of all ages. The young cast has tremendous chemistry and the relationship between the narrator, Gordie, and his best friend Chris, is particularly touching. Even with the film being over thirty years old, River Phoenix delivers one of the best performances by a child actor to this date. 

The premise of a group of friends embarking on a quest to find something mythical, in this case a dead body, while also uncovering things about themselves, will always be powerful. This period piece delivers in every area, making it an untouchable, indelible film.