Photo by Paul Natkin, WireImageJohn Hughes' movies are forever associated with being a teenager in the '80s. But while the clothes and the music in his films might not have aged well, their themes and emotional impact remain timeless. Click through to look back at his most memorable movies.

Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures, Everett CollectionNATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION (1983) - screenplay, based on his short story

Hughes left a job in advertising in Chicago in the late '70s to write for National Lampoon Magazine. One of his best known stories about a family road trip gone very wrong, "Vacation '58," became the basis for his first hit film. The movie's original ending had Clark Griswold getting thrown in jail, but when test audiences rejected it, a new ending with John Candy was filmed.

Photo by Universal Pictures, Everett CollectionSIXTEEN CANDLES (1984) - writer and director

Hughes directorial debut solidified his reputation for making movies about teenagers that were more thoughtful and realistic than the more crass comedies that preceded "Sixteen Candles." He was, however, criticized for the broad stereotype of the "Long Duk Dong" character. Stars Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall were both 16 years old when the movie came out.

Photo by Universal Pictures, Everett CollectionTHE BREAKFAST CLUB (1985) - writer, producer and director

Written in only two days, "The Breakfast Club" went on to be ranked number one in Entertainment Weekly's list of the "50 Best High School Movies." Hughes has a cameo at the end of the movie as the father of Anthony Michael Hall's character who picks him up after detention.

Photo by Universal Pictures, Everett CollectionWEIRD SCIENCE (1985) - writer and director

The title comes from an EC Comics book from the 1950s, and the plot was inspired by a story that ran in the magazine. Like many of Hughes' movies, it takes place in the fictional Shermer, IL, and the house where the big party takes place can also be seen in "Donnie Darko."

Photo by Paramount, Everett CollectionPRETTY IN PINK (1986) - writer and executive producer

Hughes intended for Anthony Michael Hall to play "Duckie," but he turned down the part because he was tired of playing geeky roles. Robert Downey Jr. almost got the role, but Jon Cryer eventually won out. The movie originally ended with Molly Ringwald's character ending up with Duckie, but it was reshot so she would win over Blaine, played by Andrew McCarthy.

Watch clips from 'Pretty in Pink' >>

Photo by Paramount Pictures, Everett CollectionFERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (1986) - writer, producer and director

Johnny Depp was among the many young actors offered the role of Ferris before Matthew Broderick was cast. Broderick was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance. Some of the people dancing during the "Twist and Shout" number are not actors. Hughes noticed people hanging around the set were dancing to the music, so he turned the cameras around to film them.

Watch clips from 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' >>

Photo by Paramount Pictures, Everett CollectionSOME KIND OF WONDERFUL (1987) - writer and producer

Reportedly, since Hughes had to change the end of "Pretty in Pink," he wrote this movie that basically tells the same story but flips the characters' genders and keeps the romantic resolution he wanted. Lea Thompson didn't get the guy in the movie, but she did go on to marry the director, Howard Deutsch.

Watch clips from 'Some Kind of Wonderful' >>

Photo by Paramount Pictures, Everett CollectionPLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES (1987) - writer, producer and director

This mismatched buddy comedy, the only film Hughes directed that was focused entirely on older characters, is also his only one to receive an R rating. Steve Martin has said that it's his favorite movie he has made.

Photo by Universal Pictures, Everett CollectionUNCLE BUCK (1989) - writer, producer and director

While Molly Ringwald is most often associated with John Hughes, the actor who actually appeared in the most movies written by Hughes was John Candy. He appeared in eight of Hughes' films, including an uncredited cameo at the end of "Career Opportunities." Ringwald is only in three.

Photo by 20th Century Fox, Everett CollectionHOME ALONE (1990) - writer and producer

The scene in "Uncle Buck" where Macaulay Culkin talks through the mail slot of a door inspired Hughes to write "Home Alone." It went on to be the top box-office film of 1990, and at the time was the third highest grossing movie behind "E.T." and "Star Wars."

Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures, Everett CollectionCURLY SUE (1991) - writer, producer and director

Expectations were high for "Curly Sue" after the success of "Home Alone," but it was panned by critics and made just a fraction of the money that his previous film earned. Hughes never directed another film.

Photo by Suzanne Howard/ParamountDRILLBIT TAYLOR (2008) - story

Hughes retreated from the public eye in the early '90s, writing a few scripts for kids' movies like "Beethoven," "101 Dalmations" and "Flubber." His last produced movie, "Drillbit Taylor," was based on a story he wrote under his pen name "Edmond Dantes" (after the hero of "The Count of Monte Cristo").

Watch trailers and clips from 'Drillbit Taylor' >>

Photo by Universal Pictures, Everett CollectionDo you have a favorite John Hughes movie? Was there a character of his you always identified with? Got a favorite line? Share it in the comments.