What Do You Remember About These John Hughes Classics?

By: Lauren Lubas
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
What Do You Remember About These John Hughes Classics?
Image: Paramount Pictures

About This Quiz

John Hughes is one of the most prominent screenwriters and producers of the 1980s and '90s. Known for writing characters based on actors he knew, Hughes made a name for himself with the '80s teen movie formula and went on to produce and write for dozens of movies that were outside that genre. With popular films like "Sixteen Candles," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" under his belt, it is hard to deny his genius and expertise in the film world.

His films were so popular that you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who has never seen at least one of them (even if they don't know who John Hughes actually is). While he has 51 writer credits and 23 producer credits on IMDB, people mostly remember him for his ability to generate a story and his loyalty to the actors who brought his characters to life. If you are a John Hughes fan (or even an '80s-movie fan), you have probably seen his movies over and over again. However, we want to see just what you remember about those movies. Take this quiz to see how much you recall about his iconic characters and plots.

Can You Identify the Teen Movie From a Screenshot? 3
Paramount Pictures
What song does Ferris Bueller perform to get the parade crowd dancing?
"Sweet Caroline"
"Good Vibrations"
"I'm A Believer"
"Twist and Shout"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After lip-syncing to Wayne Newton's "Danke Schoen," Ferris Bueller gets the crowd dancing with The Beatles' "Twist and Shout." The parade sequence is one of the most iconic '80s movie scenes.

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Uncle Buck
Hughes Entertainment
John Candy was an actor John Hughes wrote a lot of characters for. Which character had to babysit his nieces and nephew?
Dutch
Uncle Buck
Clark Griswold
Del Griffith
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Uncle Buck" is the story about a man who is put into an odd situation. Buck Russel is a bachelor who likes to live a fun city life. However, when his brother asks him to babysit for a few days, he has to head to the suburbs to take care of children.

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Walley World
Warner Bros.
Where is the Griswold family headed on their road trip in the film "National Lampoon's Vacation"?
Walley World
Wal-Mart
Disneyland
Cousin Eddie's
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

SPOILER ALERT: While the Griswolds have a tough time getting across the country, things go even more awry when they arrive at Walley World only to learn that it is closed for renovations — at which point Clark Griswold loses his mind.

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101 Dalmatians
Walt Disney Pictures / Great Oaks Entertainment
Which live-action Disney movie did John Hughes work on?
"Beauty and the Beast"
"Pinocchio"
"101 Dalmatians"
"Lady and the Tramp"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The 1996 remake of "101 Dalmatians" starring Glenn Close as Cruella de Vil was one of Disney's first attempts at bringing their animated characters to life. Hughes worked on the screenplay of this film.

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Molly Ringwald
A&M Films / Channel Productions
Can you name the actress who starred in both "Sixteen Candles" and "The Breakfast Club"?
Molly Ringwald
Ally Sheedy
Demi Moore
Elizabeth Shue
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Molly Ringwald was a major player in quite a few John Hughes films. It is said that after meeting the actress, he was so inspired by her persona that he went home and wrote "Sixteen Candles" in a single weekend.

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Station wagon
Warner Bros.
What kind of vehicle do the Griswold's take on their vacation in "National Lampoon's Vacation"?
SUV
Minivan
Station wagon
Cargo van
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

John Hughes wrote "National Lampoon's Vacation" based on an idea of what it was like to go on road trips with your parents in the '60s. It translated well to the decade and became a cult classic.

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Weird Science
Silver Pictures / Hughes Entertainment
Can you name the John Hughes film in which two teenage boys make the perfect woman?
"Sixteen Candles"
"Class Reunion"
"Weird Science"
"Some Kind Of Wonderful"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Some call "Weird Science" a weird movie. It shows what happens when two incredibly intelligent teens attempt to work their way up the teenage social ladder by creating a beautiful girl to date.

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The Breakfast Club
A&M Films / Channel Productions
Which John Hughes film includes the characters Brian, Allison and Claire?
"Savage Islands"
"The Great Outdoors"
"Sixteen Candles"
"The Breakfast Club"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you say the name John Hughes, most people will immediately think of "The Breakfast Club." It's a movie about five students from different cliques serving detention and realizing that they have more in common than they thought.

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Cameron and Sloane
Paramount Pictures
Who are Ferris Beuller's friends in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"?
Ed and Jeanie
Cameron and Sloane
Jeanie and Cameron
Jack and Joey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ferris Beuller (played by Matthew Broderick) is a kid that just wants to have fun. He skips school, but instead of just hanging out at home, he convinces his friends to go to the city with him and have a little fun.

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Mr. Mom
Sherwood Productions
Why does Jack Butler take on the role of house husband in "Mr. Mom"?
He quits his job.
He is laid off.
He can't find a job.
He gets injured and cannot work.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lay-offs were not uncommon in the 1980s, and showing the resourcefulness of a family dealing with tough economic times was a good way to give the audience something to relate to in this movie.

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Miracle on 34th Street
Hughes Entertainment
Which remake did John Hughes write the screenplay for?
"Mission Impossible"
"Charlie's Angels"
"Miracle on 34th Street"
"It's a Wonderful Life"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Richard Attenborough and Mara Wilson star in the remake of "Miracle on 34th Street," which was released in 1994. The remake received mixed reviews, but children loved the updated look of the old classic.

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European Vacation
Warner Bros.
How do the Griswolds get to go on a European vacation?
They win it.
Clark has to go their for work.
They saved up.
The did a family vote.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The success of the first "Vacation" movie spawned many sequels, one of which was "National Lampoon's European Vacation." Though Griswolds have fun in Europe, they don't seem to understand how a roundabout works.

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Jake
Universal Pictures / Channel Productions
What is the name of Sam's love interest in "Sixteen Candles"?
Ryan
Jake
Randall
Jared
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When everyone forgets Sam's birthday, she goes through some dramatic moments and angry times. Of course, things all turn out for the best in the end, as the boy she's crushing on shows up and makes everything better.

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Sparky - Vacation
Warner Bros.
What does Ellen call Clark as a pet name in the National Lampoon's "Vacation" movies?
Clarky
Marky
Sparky
Sharky
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Giving characters nicknames helps the audience feel as though they are a part of the family. Ellen Griswold calling Clark "Sparky" as a pet name gives audiences another layer of their relationship, showing their love for each other.

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Ferris Bueller's computer
Paramount Pictures
What did Ferris Bueller get for his birthday instead of a car?
A truck
A bus pass
A suitcase
A computer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There was no doubt that Ferris Bueller was a bit of a genius. He hacked into this school computers and changed the amount of absences he had had and even used sound equipment to pretend he was sleeping.

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Flubber
Walt Disney Pictures / Great Oaks
What John Hughes film follows Professor Philip Brainard as he comes to a breakthrough about an uncontrollable substance?
"Jack"
"The Nutty Professor"
"Flubber"
"Kids These Days"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Flubber" was about a professor who wasn't necessarily good at focusing or keeping track of things, but when he invents the bounciest substance on the planet, things get a little crazy as he loses control.

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Home Alone 2
Hughes Entertainment
Where does Kevin get lost in the second "Home Alone" movie?
New York
Chicago
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" (1992) was quickly put together after the success of the first movie in the franchise. The movie brings Kevin to New York, where he begins to understand the spirit of Christmas.

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Bender
A&M Films / Channel Productions
Which character in "The Breakfast Club" asks "Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?"
Brian
Bender
Andrew
Carl
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the memorable scene where Vernon gives Bender two months' worth of detention, Bender makes fun of him and doesn't necessarily care if he gets into trouble. Later, we learn that he'd probably be in detention rather than home anyway.

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Chicago
Paramount Pictures
What city do the characters in "Ferris Beuller's Day Off" visit when they skip school?
Chicago
New York
Milwaukee
Los Angeles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The group goes to a museum, a baseball game and a fancy restaurant during their time off. They also happen by a parade that is going on in the city, where Ferris does his memorable performance.

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Illinois
A&M Films / Channel Productions
Do you know which state the majority of Hughes' movies are set?
New York
Illinois
Wisconsin
California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most of Hughes's films are set in Illinois, and several of them are in a fictional town called Shermer. Hughes actually lived in Northern Illinois until his death at the age of 59. He maintained a working farm there.

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Jack Butler
Sherwood Productions
Do you know the dad's name in "Mr. Mom"?
Joe Houston
Michael James
Fred Beckly
Jack Butler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Back in the 1980s, it was almost unheard of that a man would take care of the children while the woman of the household worked. However, in this gender role reversal movie, Hughes highlights just how difficult running a household actually is.

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George Newton - Beethoven
Northern Lights Entertainment
Which character doesn't like the dog in the beginning of "Beethoven"?
George Newton
Christopher Castile
Stanley Tucci
Chris Andres
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The plot to "Beethoven" is pretty straightforward. A family wants a giant dog that brings a mess wherever he goes, and the father figure (Charles Grodin) doesn't want this to happen. Of course, by the end, the father ends up loving the dog (just like real life).

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Brian flare gun
A&M Films / Channel Productions
Why was Brian in detention in "The Breakfast Club"?
He taped someone's buns together.
He swore at his teacher.
He refused to turn in an assignment.
He brought a flare gun to school, and it went off in his locker.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When the group of teens sits in a circle talking to each other, they all discuss why they are in detention in the first place. Brian gives a heart-wrenching story about the pressure that he's under to succeed and admits that he was going to do something drastic with his flare gun.

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Duckie
Paramount Pictures
In "Pretty In Pink," how does Duckie react when Andie tells him Blane's name?
"What a cool name."
"Why would you date someone named Blane?"
"Blane? His name is Blane? That's a major appliance!"
"Blake? Drake? Wait ... what's his name?"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Throughout "Pretty in Pink," we see Duckie trying to get Andie's hand because he is in love with her, but when she starts dating a rich guy, he goes off the deep end. He wants nothing more than for Andie to be happy, even if he isn't happy.

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Kevin McCallister
Hughes Entertainment
What's the name of the main character from the Christmas classic "Home Alone"?
Macaulay Culkin
Marv Atkins
Kevin McCallister
Joey Lawrence
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kevin McCallister is a regular kid whose family is headed to Paris for Christmas. Unfortunately, Kevin oversleeps and ends up being left home alone. During his abandonment, Kevin has to defend his house from a couple of nasty robbers.

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The Great Outdoors
Hughes Entertainment
Who ruins Chet's family vacation in "The Great Outdoors"?
A bear
His in-laws
His sister
The weather
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Great Outdoors" is a John Hughes classic about learning to love your family, no matter how terrible they actually are. His show-off brother-in-law follows him on a trip he's taking to give him an investment opportunity that turns out to be a scam.

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Steff McKee
Paramount Pictures
Can you name the antagonist in "Pretty in Pink"?
Jeff McKee
Steff McKee
Ref McKee
Joe McKee
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rich kids in this movie have some very interesting names. Steff (played by James Spader) is the type of guy who thinks that social classes should only mingle with their own social classes, making him a pretty standard '80s villain.

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Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Hughes Entertainment
What holiday is approaching during the "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" plot?
Christmas
Thanksgiving
Easter
New Year's Eve
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Putting two unlikely people together and seeing what they'd do is a major theme in John Hughes' films (especially the ones that aren't about teens). In this movie, Steve Martin and John Candy are lumped together to create comedic gold.

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Career Opportunities
Hughes Entertainment
Can you name the movie that includes the characters Jim, Josie and Nestor?
"She's Having a Baby"
"Baby's Day Out"
"Career Opportunities"
"The Great Outdoors"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Career Opportunities" (1991) is the story about two people from different social backgrounds getting together and figuring out just how much they have in common. It wasn't Hughes' most popular film, but it stuck to his formula nicely.

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Doyle from Dutch
Hughes Entertainment
In the movie "Dutch," where does Dutch pick up Doyle?
A homeless shelter
The park
A field trip
Prep school
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Dutch" is the type of movie that shows the push back children give to their parent's new lovers. It's a story about how two people come to an understanding of each other through a series of mean things they do to each other.

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She's Having a Baby
Hughes Entertainment
What is "She's Having a Baby" about?
Two people falling in love in high school
What happens when high school sweethearts get married
A girl getting pregnant in high school
A boy finding a mother for his children
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though John Hughes wrote several movies about teen love, "She's Having a Baby" is more about what happens immediately after that love becomes successful. It's all about how difficult it is to maintain a relationship, especially when things start to change.

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Some Kind of Wonderful
Hughes Entertainment
Who did Keith end up with in "Some Kind of Wonderful"?
Watts
Amanda
Shayne
Mia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The idea of the teen love triangle was nothing new when "Some Kind of Wonderful" came out in 1987. As a matter of fact, it was one of the driving forces for every teen movie. However, it was refreshing to see that a tomboy got the boy in the end.

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ICEE at the mall
Silver Pictures / Hughes Entertainment
What is dropped on Gary's head at the mall?
Slurpee
Ice cream
Computer parts
ICEE
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While Anthony Michael Hall, who played Gary, was well known for being a great "geek" throughout the 1980s, this movie really drove the point home. In the bar scene, he tries to explain how listening to blues music makes him think about his own "trials and tribulations" throughout the years.

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Curly Sue
Hughes Entertainment
In "Curly Sue," Jim Belushi plays Bill Dancer. What is Bill's relation to Curly Sue?
They're partners in crime.
He's her uncle.
He's her dad.
He doesn't know her at all.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We learn in the movie that Bill met Curly Sue on the streets, and he doesn't necessarily know her, but someone has to protect her. The two hustle people over and over again in order to get warm meals and places to stay.

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Corpse flower - Dennis the Menace
Hughes Entertainment / Hank Ketcham Enterprises / Warner Bros. Family Entertainment
What is Mr. Wilson growing in "Dennis the Menace"?
Roaring menace
Tiger flower
Petunia
Corpse flower
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not many people realize that John Hughes wrote the screenplay for "Dennis the Menace." He actually worked on quite a few children's movies (especially in the '90s). This showed that the writer had range and could change genres.

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Paramount Pictures