Fans of the beloved teen drama The Breakfast Club may have fantasized about a modern remake, but Molly Ringwald, one of the film’s stars, is firmly against the idea. During a heartfelt reunion panel at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, Ringwald shared her thoughts on why she doesn’t think a reboot of the 1985 John Hughes classic is the right move. Instead, she called for new stories that better reflect the world we live in today.
Ringwald, who played the iconic role of Claire Standish, the prim-and-proper “princess” of the group, spoke openly about the film’s cultural limitations. She said, “I personally don’t believe in remaking that movie. Because I think this movie is very much of its time.” She pointed out that The Breakfast Club is “very white” and doesn’t address issues like ethnic diversity or gender—topics that are increasingly important and relevant in today’s society. “We don’t talk about gender, none of that, and I feel like that really doesn’t represent our world today,” she added.
Rather than rehashing the original, Ringwald expressed her desire to see new films inspired by The Breakfast Club—ones that build on its core concept but evolve to include more modern themes. She believes in the idea of creating films that take inspiration from the past but push storytelling forward to reflect the world as it is now.
Her comments came during a special panel celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Breakfast Club. Ringwald was joined by her fellow cast members—Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, and Ally Sheedy—where they reminisced about filming the movie at Maine North High School in Des Plaines, Illinois. The panel also included heartfelt personal stories about working with the late, legendary director John Hughes. If you’re a fan of the film, you can even watch the full panel online.
As The Breakfast Club continues to resonate with new generations, Ringwald’s reflections are a timely reminder of how far storytelling has evolved—and how much further it has to go. While a direct remake of the film may not be in the cards, its impact and the conversations it continues to spark remain a powerful part of its legacy.
