In a nostalgic gathering that tugged at the heartstrings of fans, the entire cast of the iconic 1985 film The Breakfast Club reunited at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) on April 12, 2025, marking the film's 40th anniversary. This was a particularly special occasion as it was the first time since the film's release that all five stars—Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall, and Ally Sheedy—shared the stage together. Estevez's presence was especially poignant, as he had not participated in any reunions since 1985, a fact that Ringwald humorously acknowledged by saying, "We don’t have to use the cardboard cutout anymore because he’s here."
As the panel commenced, moderated by Josh Horowitz, the atmosphere was charged with a mix of joy and reflection. Ringwald expressed her emotions, saying, "I feel really very emotional and moved to have us all together." Estevez, who played Andrew Clark in the film, revealed that attending the reunion was something he felt he needed to do for himself. He shared, "This one felt special, it’s here in Chicago where we made the film. It’s obviously the 40th anniversary, and it just felt like it was time." Estevez also touched on the emotional impact of the reunion by recalling a conversation he had heard, stating, "Somebody told me that Molly said, ‘Well, does Emilio just not like us?’ And that broke my heart. And I thought, ‘No, of course I love all of them.’ And that just made sense, so here I am."
The reunion not only celebrated the film's legacy but also served as a tribute to its late director, John Hughes, who passed away in 2009. Nelson reflected on Hughes's influence, noting, "He was the first writer who could write someone young without them being less." The film, which follows five high school students from different social backgrounds who find common ground while stuck in detention, has been hailed as a generation-defining classic, with its themes still resonating with audiences today.
As the panel progressed, the stars reminisced about their experiences during the film's production. Estevez humorously recounted a moment from their first read-through of the script, revealing, "I passed out when the cast first met, having had my wisdom teeth taken out the day before." His anecdote drew laughter from the audience, illustrating the camaraderie among the cast members.
Ringwald, who portrayed the affluent Claire Standish, shared a personal experience of watching The Breakfast Club with her children. "If you would’ve told me when I was 16 years old that one day I would be watching that movie with my 10-year-old and it’d change the way that I parent, I mean it’s just mind-blowing," she said. She noted that when she viewed the film with her 15-year-olds, they didn’t pick up their phones once, which she considered a significant win.
One of the more controversial aspects of the film, the makeover scene of Sheedy's character, Allison Reynolds, sparked discussion during the reunion. Ringwald made it clear that she did not want to be blamed for the makeover, stating, "I thought that it would've been better just to strip off all of the makeup and just have Ally's face fresh-scrubbed because it's so beautiful. I didn't like the way that they did her hair at the end...I was not responsible." Sheedy echoed these sentiments, having previously expressed her dissatisfaction with the makeover, saying, "I don't know if John [Hughes] wrote that or it was a studio thing that they wanted Allison to go from being very plain to being suddenly very glamorous. I didn't like that."
As the panel concluded, the conversation turned to whether The Breakfast Club could be made today. Estevez pointed out the differences in modern filmmaking, stating, "Movies today are concept-driven, they’re not character-driven... The studio executives would march you right out the door and say, ‘Where are the monsters? Where’s the car chases? Where are the big effects?’" He emphasized that the film was made for a mere $1 million, a small budget by today’s standards, making it a significant risk for Universal at the time.
Reflecting on the film's enduring legacy, Nelson remarked, "The film is about the fact that everyone has to make that decision for themselves – what happens on Monday?" This question was posed in the film, encapsulating the uncertainty of youth and the bonds formed during that pivotal moment in their lives. The reunion not only celebrated the film's past but also sparked conversations about its relevance in today’s society, proving that The Breakfast Club remains a timeless exploration of adolescence.
In a world where teen films often focus on high-concept ideas, the heartfelt reunion of the cast of The Breakfast Club serves as a reminder of the importance of character-driven storytelling. As fans continue to cherish the film, the cast's reflections on their experiences and the impact of Hughes's work ensure that the legacy of The Breakfast Club will endure for generations to come.
