Bueller? Bueller? Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Turns 40 This Year

“The question isn’t ‘what are we going to do’, the question is ‘what aren’t we going to do?'”

It may be hard to believe, but the iconic movie we know and love is already 40 years old! Everyone say, “Happy Birthday Ferris!”. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off premiered on June 11th, in 1986. Another cog in the works of John Hughes, it set off to make millions and has only grown more popular in time since then. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is just a classic example of the 80s movie.The outfits, the humor, the high school setting, the acting and the actors—it just embodies a part of the 80s that we enjoy watching over and over again.

Matthew Broderick stars as Ferris himself, the so-called slacker who puts all his effort towards earning the perfect day off. His enemy? Mr. Rooney, a stuck up principal who is determined not to let Ferris graduate. Despite his tendencies, Ferris is liked by everyone in town, the one exception being Mr. Rooney and his sister, Jeanie. Ferris has to get past a ruthless principal, a persistent older sister, and two concerned parents before he can have the perfect sendoff.

TEENAGE DIRTBAG RELATABILITY

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one of those movies you could watch anytime. Morning or night, if I’m changing the channels on cable and I see Ferris Bueller is on, I’ll be watching. Even if I just put the movie on to be background noise, I always end up getting sucked in. There’s something so fun and simple ingrained within Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Watching Ferris, Cameron, and Sloane skip school to spend a whole day in downtown Chicago is just so charming. It’s a not-so-typical coming-of-age story told through the lens of someone who is supposed to have already come of age. But the fact of the matter is, no one who graduates high school ever feels like an adult.

When you’re 17 and in love, like Ferris is, the world can seem so big and so small at the same time. You’re supposed to be figuring out how you want your life to look, when in reality, you might not be ready for it to change at all. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is so loved because at every stage in life, we can all relate a little bit to Ferris. Living in the adult world, I bet we all wish we could just skip town, head to a baseball game, and watch a parade. It sure sounds like the perfect day, and I don’t even have to worry about gym class.

Cameron envies Ferris’ spirit and confidence just like the rest of us. No one can predict which way the future will go, not even Ferris, but what he focuses on is creating one amazing day that is unforgettable. We could all learn a little more about living in the present and taking some risks than worrying about what comes next. The inevitability of losing friends and going your separate ways is just a part of high school—it’s uncontrollable. What Ferris can control, though, is having a perfect day off with his friends.

THE LONGEVITY OF FERRIS

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a cult-classic 80s movie that you grow up watching, even in today’s modern world. With the film only growing exponentially popular every day, it shows us all to take life lightly sometimes. Enjoy the present while you have it, take some risks, and be yourself. And equally as important, skip gym class whenever you can.

We can all see ourselves with different parts of Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron. This year, celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off with these iconic characters that not only continue to influence modern media, but make us laugh and feel nostalgic, in the best way.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while you could miss it”

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is currently streaming on Paramount+, MGM+, and Pluto TV.