Molly Ringwald Opposes Remaking 'The Breakfast Club'

The actress says remaking John Hughes' classics would betray the director's vision.

Feb. 2, 2026 at 6:55am

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Molly Ringwald, who starred in several John Hughes films including The Breakfast Club, has spoken out against remaking the classic 1980s movie. Ringwald says Hughes did not want his films to be remade, and she believes that should be respected. However, the actress is open to fresh reimaginings of the core concepts that capture Hughes' spirit, similar to how 10 Things I Hate About You remixed The Taming of the Shrew.

Why it matters

Ringwald's comments highlight the delicate balance between honoring the legacy of beloved films and adapting them for modern audiences. As Hollywood continues to mine intellectual property for remakes and reboots, her perspective provides insight into the wishes of the original creators and the challenges of recapturing the essence of a classic work.

The details

In an interview with People, Ringwald stated that a direct remake of The Breakfast Club should not happen, as John Hughes, the film's writer and director, did not want his movies to be remade. Ringwald acknowledged that getting Hughes' permission is now impossible, as he passed away in 2009. While Ringwald is opposed to a straight remake, she is open to a modern reimagining that borrows the core concept of The Breakfast Club, such as teenagers from different social cliques being forced to interact, and updates it for contemporary times, much like how 10 Things I Hate About You reinterpreted The Taming of the Shrew.

  • John Hughes, the writer and director of The Breakfast Club, passed away in 2009.

The players

Molly Ringwald

An actress who starred in several John Hughes films, including The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and Pretty in Pink.

John Hughes

The writer and director of The Breakfast Club, who passed away in 2009 and did not want his films to be remade.

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What they’re saying

“They can't be remade without the permission of John Hughes, and he didn't want the films to be remade. And I don't think that they should be really.”

— Molly Ringwald, Actress

The takeaway

Molly Ringwald's stance on remaking The Breakfast Club highlights the importance of respecting the wishes of the original creators, even as Hollywood continues to seek out opportunities for reboots and remakes. While she is open to fresh reimaginings that capture the spirit of John Hughes' work, Ringwald believes a direct remake would betray the director's vision and legacy.