On this day February 28 1986 Pretty in Pink premiered in theaters, becoming one of the most iconic teen films of the 1980s. Written by John Hughes and directed by Howard Deutch, the film starred Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, Andrew McCarthy, and James Spader, bringing to life a classic love triangle filled with social class struggles and teenage heartbreak.
The film followed Andie Walsh, a working-class high school student who finds herself torn between her quirky best friend Duckie Dale and the wealthy but sensitive Blane McDonough. With its mix of romance, humor, and new wave music, Pretty in Pink perfectly captured the emotions of teenage life in the 80s.
Beyond its compelling story, the movie became well known for its soundtrack, which featured artists like The Psychedelic Furs, OMD, and New Order. The song If You Leave by OMD became one of the most memorable tracks from the film, playing during the emotional final scene.
80s insight: Pretty in Pink was filmed at John Marshall High School in Los Angeles, the same high school where Grease was filmed nearly a decade earlier.