“The Breakfast Club” Cast Reunites for the First Time in 40 Years to Celebrate Milestone Anniversary
For the first time in four decades, and just shy of the 40th anniversary of “The Breakfast Club”, the iconic cast of John Hughes’ seminal coming-of-age film reunited, and it was an emotional experience for both them and the fans.
“The Breakfast Club” Cast Reunites
Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, and Anthony Michael Hall gathered at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), where they came together to reflect on the lasting impact of the movie, share behind-the-scenes memories, and celebrate their shared legacy. It was a reunion many thought they’d never see, especially with Estevez’s long absence from previous cast get-togethers. His return to the fold was particularly meaningful as he shared, “I skipped all of my high school reunions, so this just felt like something I finally needed to do for myself.”
“The Breakfast Club” Cast Reflect on Legendary Movie
The reunion, marked by the unforgettable tune “Colonel Bogey March” — the song the five high school misfits whistle together in detention — served as the perfect nostalgic touch to the event. The cast walked out to that very tune, greeting the audience in a way only “The Breakfast Club” could. Estevez, who played the jock Andrew Clark, commented on the significance of the Chicago location, where the film was shot, and how it made the event even more special.
Ringwald, who portrayed Claire Standish, couldn’t help but express her overwhelming emotions. “I feel really, very emotional and moved to have us all together,” she said. “This is the first time that Emilio has joined us. We don’t have to use the cardboard cut-out anymore.”
The cast also reflected on their experiences working with the legendary director John Hughes, who was responsible for capturing the adolescent angst and complexity of high school. The late Hughes’ influence on the film still looms large. As Nelson, who played the rebellious John Bender, put it, “Hughes explained to us the differences between the young and old, so now is the time for him to show us where we meet in the end, cause we’re all older now.”
The actors fondly reminisced about their time on set, with Sheedy, who portrayed the quirky Allison Reynolds, noting the camaraderie that developed during production. “I was really happy when we were making this movie, we all really… I don’t know if you can tell, but we all really do love each other. It was a dream,” she said, a sentiment that resonated throughout the reunion.
One of the more humorous anecdotes came from Estevez, who recalled passing out during the cast’s first meeting after having his wisdom teeth removed. “I don’t think I made it through the opening credits, and I passed out. I woke up at the end credits and I looked at Judd and Judd says, ‘I think you’re getting fired.’”
Watching “The Breakfast Club” Now
For Ringwald, revisiting “The Breakfast Club” years later has proven to be more than just a trip down memory lane. When watching the film with her children, Ringwald shared how it reshaped her approach to parenting. “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 would change the way that I parent… I mean, it’s just mind-blowing,” she said. She added that watching it with her 15-year-olds recently felt like a breakthrough moment, as they were so engaged that they didn’t even pick up their phones. “That was a win.”
For many fans, the reunion was a poignant reminder of the enduring relevance of “The Breakfast Club”. The film captured the essence of teenage struggles — identity, belonging, and growing pains — in a way that still resonates with audiences today. After four decades, the bond between these five stars is as strong as ever, and their reunion reminds us why we can never truly forget about them.
More On:Movies