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Trailer

Sixteen Candles

1984Movie1 h 33 minPG

Comedy
71
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.0Metacritic616.3Rotten Tomatoes81%85%

A nostalgic, romantic comedy movie about everyday modern life and growing up.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

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Not for scares or brutality.

Movies with

Story

Turning sixteen isn't easy, when you've fallen in love... for the first time.

With the occasion all but overshadowed by her sister's upcoming wedding, angst-ridden Samantha faces her 16th birthday with typical adolescent dread. Samantha pines for studly older boy Jake, but worries that her chastity will be a turnoff for the popular senior. Meanwhile, she must constantly rebuff the affections of nerdy Ted, who is unfortunately the only boy in school who seems to take an interest in her.

Feels like

  • 80s Teen Comedy
  • Coming-of-Age
  • High School Romance
  • Situational Humor
  • Pop Culture
  • Nostalgic
  • Family Dynamics
  • John Hughes Film

Cast

24 of 30

Crew

Directed by
John Hughes
Written by
John Hughes
Produced by
Hilton A. Green
Music by
Ira Newborn

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

May 4, 1984 · 1 h 33 min · PG

Released
May 4, 1984
Runtime
1 h 33 min
Age rating
PG
Content
Sexual Content, Strong Language
Genres
Comedy
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$7 million
Box office
$24 million
Available in
76 countries

Tropes

Funny Background Event, I Can't Believe a Guy Like You Would Notice Me, Lovable Alpha Bitch +9

  • Funny Background Event
  • I Can't Believe a Guy Like You Would Notice Me
  • Lovable Alpha Bitch
  • Bringing Back Proof
  • What Did I Do Last Night?
  • Alcohol-Induced Idiocy
  • No Antagonist
  • Asian Drivers
  • Dogged Nice Guy
  • Asian and Nerdy
  • From the Mouths of Babes
  • Sealed with a Kiss

12 of 60 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Sixteen Candles?"

Questions about Sixteen Candles

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Sixteen Candles?

HuluYouTube TV

In the United States, Sixteen Candles streams on Hulu and YouTube TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 13 other countries.

Is Sixteen Candles worth watching?

71
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 71 (IMDb 7, Rotten Tomatoes 81%, and Metacritic 61).

Is Sixteen Candles okay for kids?

PGSexual contentStrong language

Yes: it's rated PG in the United States for sexual content and strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

Will Sixteen Candles make me laugh?

Funny

Yes: the humor is mostly situational comedy (8 of 10) and cringe comedy (7 of 10).

Can I half-watch Sixteen Candles?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with complexity at only 4 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it good for background watching.

Was Sixteen Candles a box office hit?

Budget$7 million
Box office$24 million

Yes: it cost about $7 million to make and earned $24 million worldwide, 3.6 times its budget.

What tropes does Sixteen Candles use?

Funny Background EventI Can't Believe a Guy Like You Would Notice MeLovable Alpha BitchBringing Back ProofWhat Did I Do Last Night?Alcohol-Induced IdiocyNo AntagonistAsian DriversDogged Nice GuyAsian and NerdyFrom the Mouths of BabesSealed with a Kissand 48 more

TV Tropes lists 60 tropes for it, including Funny Background Event, I Can't Believe a Guy Like You Would Notice Me, and Lovable Alpha Bitch.