11 Adorable Brunette Friends in Films from the '80s

      Cute brunette best friends are a staple in ’80s films.

      Sometimes, they even find themselves in relationships with the main character.

      Toni Williams in Secret Admirer (Played by Lori Loughlin)

      When Michael Ryan (C. Thomas Howell) gets an anonymous love letter, he mistakenly believes it's from his blonde crush Deborah (Kelly Preston).

      In reality, it’s from his close friend Toni, who is, in an unexpected twist, a brunette.

      After a series of misunderstandings, Michael comes to the conclusion that Deborah is a bit superficial and that he truly belongs with Toni.

      Boof in Teen Wolf (Played by Susan Ursitti)

      Lisa “Boof” Marconi and Scott Howard (Michael J. Fox) are clearly meant for each other. However, Scott foolishly yearns for blonde Pamela (Lorie Griffin), who only likes him when he transforms into a wolf.

      Lisa embodies the cute brunette friend trope in ’80s films, complete with her charming nickname. It takes a closet party game for Scott and Boof to realize their undeniable chemistry.

      Duckie in Pretty in Pink (Played by Jon Cryer)

      Phil “Ducky” Dale has an impeccable sense of style reflective of the ’80s and is always there for Andie (Molly Ringwald), who is infatuated with the bland blonde Blane (Andrew McCarthy). Yet, to Ducky, he is her true love.

      In retrospect, Ducky’s role as the platonic friend hoping for more with Andie feels somewhat creepy and cowardly. However, such dynamics are not uncommon in ’80s movies.

      This remains one of our favorite John Hughes films, even if he didn't direct it.

      Rick Morehouse in Just One of the Guys (Played by Clayton Rohner)

      Not every movie on this list adheres to the classic ’80s story arc where the main character overlooks the brunette friend in favor of a blonde.

      For instance, the wonderfully bizarre Just One of the Guys features female high school journalist Terri Griffith (Joyce Hyser) going undercover as a boy for a journalistic endeavor and ultimately developing feelings for awkward new student Rick (Clayton Rohner).

      She masquerades as his male best friend to help him fit in with the guys, but her deception is revealed, leading to plenty of lessons learned.

      And before you react with “What? The title refers to Terri, not Rick!” please note that it actually pertains to both: Just One of the Guys is a remarkably layered film.

      Allison Bradbury in The Sure Thing (Played by Daphne Zuniga)

      Walter (John Cusack) and Allison (Daphne Zuniga) are clearly a perfect match, yet he is infatuated with the enigmatic blonde “Sure Thing” (Nicolette Sheridan).

      As they embark on a series of road-trip misadventures, Walter and Allison form a close bond that evolves into something deeper when Walter realizes his feelings for the “Sure Thing” are not genuine.

      This film was also released in 1985, the same year as the next movie on our list.

      Monique in Better Off Dead (Played by Diane Franklin)

      Lane Meyer (John Cusack again) is clearly destined to be with French exchange student Monique, yet he spends his days mooning over his blonde ex-girlfriend Beth (Amanda Wyss), while Monique navigates her own troubles with Lane’s neighbor Ricky (Dan Schneider).

      Monique stands out as an exceptional character in a high school ’80s film—intelligent, cool, and highly capable in various activities. She is arguably the best-dressed character on this list, possibly rivaled only by Ducky.

      Additionally, we discovered during our research that Diane Franklin, the actress portraying Monique, is not actually French—she’s just that talented. The epitome of cute brunette friends in the ’80s cinema.

      Cassandra in One Crazy Summer (Played by Demi Moore)

      What is it about John Cusack's films in the ’80s? Here, he plays a character similar to Lane Meyer, named Hoops McCann, who instantly bonds with the cool musician Cassandra (Demi Moore) but ultimately dates Cookie (Kimberly Foster), the blonde girlfriend of arrogant blond Teddy Beckersted.

      As mentioned earlier, One Crazy Summer from 1986 feels like a sequel to Better Off Dead from 1985—both were created by the talented “Savage” Steve Holland, and features actors from the previous movie, including some characters echoing those from the earlier film.

      And honestly? Kudos for not fixing what isn’t broken.

      Rona in Oxford Blues (Played by Ally Sheedy)

      Oxford rower Nick Di Angelo (Rob Lowe) dreams of being with Lady Victoria Wingate (Amanda Pays) but grows close to coxswain Rona (Ally Sheedy), another American. You can likely guess the outcome.

      In a refreshing twist to a familiar story template,