John Hughes' 20 best movies, ranked by critics

Victoria MontaltiFeb 18, 2022, 00:35 IST

"Home Alone" and "The Breakfast Club" are just some of John Hughes' best and most beloved films.20th Century Fox; Universal Pictures

John Hughes is best known for his '80s rom-coms, coming-of-age stories, and family films.
He was on the pulse of teenage and familial strife and suburbia in movies like "The Breakfast Club."

Coming at the tail end of John Hughes' 20 best movies, according to critics, is "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York."

Kevin McCallister navigates New York City and has to fend off burglars in the 1992 film "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York."20th Century Fox

In the late '90s film "Reach the Rock," Hughes put a more mature spin on his famous outcast characters.

Robin deals with the tormenting memories of his friend dying by acting out in the 1998 film "Reach the Rock."Universal Studios

"Maid in Manhattan" follows the "poor girl falls in love with the rich boy" formula that Hughes often used, but critics thought it fell flat.

A maid dresses up and accidentally fools a politician into believing she's a wealthy hotel guest in 2002's "Maid in Manhattan."Revolution Studios

Most critics felt that Jennifer Connelly was the only saving grace in "Career Opportunities."

Josie and Jim (not pictured) make the most of their night trapped in a store, catching feelings along the way in 1991's "Career Opportunities.".

This live-action remake of "101 Dalmatians" is a classic, but lacks the heart of the original, according to critics.

Cruella De Vil tries to acquire dogs to use their fur for luxurious coats in the 1996 remake of "101 Dalmatians.".

"She's Having a Baby" had a lingering "paranoia" that was distracting to some critics.

The audience views a relationship from the husband's distant and daunting point of view in the 1988 film "She's Having a Baby."Paramount Pictures

"The Great Outdoors" pairs polar-opposite brother-in-laws together for an anything-but-peaceful vacation.

Brother-in-laws can't get along during their woodsy Wisconsin vacation in 1988's "The Great Outdoors."Universal Pictures

The unrealistic, fantasy film "Weird Science" wasn't outrageous enough for some critics.

Two teenage boys create the perfect girl who comes to life and takes them on adventures in the 1985 film "Weird Science.".

Hughes has a knack for Christmas movies, but his remake of "Miracle on 34th Street" is not his best, according to critics.

The real Santa Claus is hired as a department store version and needs to have his name cleared from the law in this 1994 remake of "Miracle on 34th Street."20th Century Fox

"Uncle Buck," which stars John Candy, earned mixed reviews.

An uncle who's not the most trustworthy takes on the role of a babysitter in the 1989 film "Uncle Buck."Universal Pictures

The Griswolds face hysterical setbacks for the third time in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."

Clark Griswold tries to keep it together when his extended family visits for the holidays in the 1989 film "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.".

In "Home Alone," Hughes gives an 8-year-old boy the best and worst case scenarios while alone for the holidays.

Kevin McCallister fends off two burglars while left behind by his family in the festive and action-packed 1990 film "Home Alone."20th Century Fox

Andie Walsh is an outcast caught in a love triangle with a rich boy and her best friend in "Pretty in Pink."

Andie doesn't acknowledge her best friend's feelings for her and pines for a rich love interest instead in 1986's "Pretty in Pink."Paramount Pictures

While critics didn't think "Some Kind of Wonderful" was the most interesting story about a poor outcast meeting someone rich and popular, it ranks high for Hughes' movies.

The outcast boy tries to get the popular girl but a love triangle with his friend turns things upside down in 1987's "Some Kind of Wonderful."Paramount Pictures

While critics didn't think "Some Kind of Wonderful" was the most interesting story about a poor outcast meeting someone rich and popular, it ranks high for Hughes' movies.

In Hughes' "Mr. Mom," a father becomes a stay-at-home dad while his wife goes out to work.

Jack has to navigate being a stay-at-home father and staying sane in the gender-bending "Mr. Mom" from 1983..

The best, most outlandish ways to play hooky are depicted in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

Ferris, Sloan, and Cameron take a tour of Chicago when they play hooky from high school in 1986's "Ferris Bueller's Day Off.".

The internal struggles of being forgotten and not feeling good enough are depicted in Hughes' directorial debut, "Sixteen Candles."

A 16-year-old struggles with her family forgetting her birthday and gaining the interest of her crush in "Sixteen Candles" from 1984..

Five completely different teenagers are forced to get vulnerable with each other in "The Breakfast Club."

Students from different walks of life and cliques share a Saturday in detention where they get rowdy and vulnerable in 1985 film "The Breakfast Club."Universal Pictures

Hughes pairs two strangers and gives them a plethora of travel challenges to overcome in the funny "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

Two strangers try to get along and get to Chicago for Thanksgiving any way they possibly can in 1987's "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."Paramount Pictures

"National Lampoon's Vacation" lands on top as John Hughes' best movie, according to critics.

The Griswolds take a bumpy road trip to Walley World in "National Lampoon's Vacation" from 1983..

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John Hughes' 20 best movies, ranked by critics

Coming at the tail end of John Hughes' 20 best movies, according to critics, is "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York."

In the late '90s film "Reach the Rock," Hughes put a more mature spin on his famous outcast characters.

"Maid in Manhattan" follows the "poor girl falls in love with the rich boy" formula that Hughes often used, but critics thought it fell flat.

Most critics felt that Jennifer Connelly was the only saving grace in "Career Opportunities."

This live-action remake of "101 Dalmatians" is a classic, but lacks the heart of the original, according to critics.

"She's Having a Baby" had a lingering "paranoia" that was distracting to some critics.

"The Great Outdoors" pairs polar-opposite brother-in-laws together for an anything-but-peaceful vacation.

The unrealistic, fantasy film "Weird Science" wasn't outrageous enough for some critics.

Hughes has a knack for Christmas movies, but his remake of "Miracle on 34th Street" is not his best, according to critics.

"Uncle Buck," which stars John Candy, earned mixed reviews.

The Griswolds face hysterical setbacks for the third time in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."

In "Home Alone," Hughes gives an 8-year-old boy the best and worst case scenarios while alone for the holidays.

Andie Walsh is an outcast caught in a love triangle with a rich boy and her best friend in "Pretty in Pink."

While critics didn't think "Some Kind of Wonderful" was the most interesting story about a poor outcast meeting someone rich and popular, it ranks high for Hughes' movies.

In Hughes' "Mr. Mom," a father becomes a stay-at-home dad while his wife goes out to work.

The best, most outlandish ways to play hooky are depicted in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

The internal struggles of being forgotten and not feeling good enough are depicted in Hughes' directorial debut, "Sixteen Candles."

Five completely different teenagers are forced to get vulnerable with each other in "The Breakfast Club."

Hughes pairs two strangers and gives them a plethora of travel challenges to overcome in the funny "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

"National Lampoon's Vacation" lands on top as John Hughes' best movie, according to critics.