Favourite John Hughes films

Top 10 favourite John Hughes films

10. The Great Outdoors (1988) - writer/producer

I cannot explain why I watch this movie over and over again. I think its the duo of John Candy and Dan Akyrody, the quirky music, the creepy red-haired twins, and the bear....I think.

9. Vacation (1983) writer

I was 10 when I saw this film - WAY too young for much of the content; however, I loved the humor - the dysfunctional relatives. Chevy chasing Christie Brinkey. The music. I may not have gotten all of it - but I got enough to know it was pretty funny.

8. Christmas Vacation (1989) writer/producer

I always get dragged into this movie when CBC shows it. Maybe its Randy Quid in the limp boxers. Maybe its Chevy trying to plan the perfect Christmas that goes so horribly wrong - too many lights on the house, the annoying relatives, the squirrel in the tree - its a Christmas classic.

7. Weird Science (1985) director

It was weird. It was juvenile. It didn't have any really big star except a post-Breakfast Club Anthony Michael Hal and a young undiscovered Bill Paxton. That said, there was something very enjoyable about two hapless boys creating the ultimate woman who then turns their lives around with chaos. Kelly LeBrock was kicked some major ass - then she married Steven Seagal.....

6. Home Alone (1990) writer/producer

I am a sucker for this movie. I love the moment when Kevin wakes up and believes he has made his entire family disappear after a disastrous night before in which he was unfairly blamed and sent to bed without supper. And I love the moment when Kevin hears his mother's voice and he is so relieved to know he is not alone after all.

5. Some Kind of Wonderful (1987) writer/producer

Eric Stoltz was positively dreamy as the sensitive artistic senior who wants Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson) to notice him; however, Watts, his loyal tomboy best friends, pines for him as she pounds away on her drum set. This was the last great Hughes romance - not the strongest; however, I can re-play the last scene over and over and over again.....


4. Uncle Buck (1989) writer/producer/director

I wanted an Uncle Buck - big, goofy, but there when you needed him. The kids (Gaby Hoffman and a pre-Home Alone Macauley Caulkin) were ridiculously cute to boot.

3. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) writer/producer/director

Matthew Broderick will forever be Ferris - the boy you wanted to skip school with. The parade scene brought the Beatles to a whole new generation with "Twist and Shout"; and who could forget Ben Stein's monotone reciting, "Bueller. Bueller. Bueller"

2. Sixteen Candles (1984) writer/director
I watched this film about a dozen times one summer (it was the movie to rent the summer I was going into grade 10) and wanted to be Sam because, even with all her trials and tribulations (who could forget the infamous underwear scene), Jake Ryan still showed up at her sister's wedding to whisk her away for birthday cake and a kiss. Sam, awkward, a sophomore, was chosen by Jake, the hot senior who was dating the most popular (if, be it, bitchy) girl in the school. Against all odds, Sam got her cake and ate it too.....something we all deserve.

1. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) writer/producer/director

Steve Martin and John Candy in the ultimate anti-buddy film. Who can forget the guys sharing a bed together, cuddling. Or driving down the wrong side of the road with the car on fire. Or Steve freaking out at Edie McClurg. Or the bittersweet moment when Steve realizes why John was traveling salesman....