Sixteen Candles | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | John Hughes |
Written by | John Hughes |
Produced by | |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Bobby Byrne |
Edited by | Edward Warschillka |
Music by | Ira Newborn |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 93 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $6.5 million[2] |
Box office | $23.6 million[3] |
Sixteen Candles is a 1984 American coming-of-age teen comedy film starring Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall. Written and directed by John Hughes in his directorial debut, it was the first in a string of films Hughes would direct, centering on teenage life. The film follows newly 16-year-old Samantha Baker (Ringwald), who deals with a seemingly unrequited crush on high school senior Jake Ryan (Schoeffling) while also being pursued by freshman Farmer Ted (Hall).
Hughes began development on Sixteen Candles in 1982, and after signing a three-picture deal with Universal Pictures, he chose the cast of the film and began filming in July 1983. Initially receiving an R rating from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Hughes successfully lobbied for the film to be released with a PG rating.
Sixteen Candles was theatrically released by Universal in the United States on May 4, 1984. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who particularly praised Ringwald's performance, and was a box office success, earning $23.6 million against a $6.5 million budget.
Retrospectively considered to be one of Hughes' best films, Sixteen Candles helped launch the careers of Ringwald, Schoeffling, and Hall. A television series from Peacock based on the film entered development in 2022.
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