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(NEXSTAR) \u2014 John Hughes\u2019 coming-of-age classic \u201cThe Breakfast Club\u201d<\/a> may be forever young but the so-very-eighties movie actually turned 40 this year. In celebration, Universal Pictures is releasing the iconic \u201cBrat Pack\u201d<\/a> film back on the big screen.<\/p>\n Although the film was a huge hit when it was released in February 1985, the teen comedy-drama has gone on to become only more beloved in the ensuing decades. The Hughes-written and directed film followed five students from different backgrounds (and different cliques) who come together during one Saturday detention \u2014 and the rest was history.<\/p>\n Quite literally.<\/p>\n Leonardo DiCaprio reveals biggest movie regret <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe Breakfast Club\u201d has often been cited in \u201cBest of\u201d lists, including Empire\u2019s 2014 list of \u201cThe 301 Greatest Movies of All-Time\u201d<\/a> (where it placed 38th) and the New York Times\u2019 2004 list of \u201cThe Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made\u201d<\/a>. The movie ranked no. 1 in Entertainment Weekly\u2019s 2006 list of the \u201c50 Best High School Movies,\u201d<\/a> too.<\/p>\n <\/a> Theatrical poster for John Hughes\u2019 1985 film \u201cThe Breakfast Club (Universal Pictures)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The film also helped change the way movies were made for teens, as Hughes\u2019 script was lauded for displaying teenagers talking to each other and dealing with real issues.<\/p>\n The film is viewed as such a landmark in coming-of-age movies, film scholar Bj\u00f6rn Sonnenberg-Schrank described the film as \u201cthe \u2018Citizen Kane\u2019<\/a> of the teen film genre,\u201d in his 2020 book \u201cReassembling the Contemporary American Teen Film with Latour.\u201d <\/a><\/p>\n Outside of the film itself, its cast equally were propelled to stardom, with the young Hollywood crew of Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy becoming part of the mythologized \u201cBrat Pack.\u201d<\/a> The moniker was given to these actors and others, who were popular at the time and starred in a string of popular teen films through the \u201980s.<\/p>\n Longtime \u2018General Hospital\u2019 star Tristan Rogers dies at 79 <\/a><\/p>\n Adding to the film\u2019s place in Hollywood history is its soundtrack and theatrical poster \u2014 both of which are as well-known as the film itself. The soundtrack featured the hit \u201cDon\u2019t You (Forget About Me)\u201d<\/a> by Scottish band Simple Minds, which plays during the film\u2019s legendary (and often-imitated) final scene<\/a>. The song was a smash hit, hitting no. 1 on multiple major charts worldwide (including U.S. Billboard Hot 100) and it continues to receive airplay today.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the film\u2019s poster, which shows the cast in a close but intricate positioning may be one of cinema\u2019s most recognizable. The photo, taken by world-famous photographer Annie Leibovitz, has been widely referenced and replicated<\/a> in a variety of forms.<\/p>\n Now, 40 years later, it\u2019s time to return to detention (or your nearest participating theater) to reunite with the Breakfast Club on the silver screen.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Breakfast Club: 40th Anniversary\u201d<\/a> theatrical run will begin Sept. 7 and conclude Sept. 10. For information and showtimes, visit Fandango<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\n