Sixteen Candles

Sixteen-year-old Samantha 'Sam' Baker eagerly awaits her birthday, hoping it will be a memorable occasion. She fantasizes about the festivities and special attention she expects to receive from her family and friends.

Sam's excitement quickly fades when she discovers that her family has entirely forgotten her birthday. Instead, they are preoccupied with the wedding preparations of her beautiful yet self-absorbed sister, Ginny.

While navigating high school life, Sam comes across an anonymous friend's sex quiz, which inadvertently reveals her long-standing crush on Jake Ryan, a popular senior. This moment heightens her feelings of longing and confusion about her teenage love life.

Jake Ryan confides in his friend Rock about his dissatisfaction with his girlfriend Caroline, who engrosses herself in the party lifestyle. This sets the stage for Jake's own journey of realization regarding his feelings.

On her bus ride home from school, Sam unexpectedly becomes the target of the persistent freshman Ted, who is determined to win her affection. This marks the beginning of a comedic romantic dynamic between them.

Sam's situation worsens when she learns she must sleep on her grandparents' couch, which is overflowing with wedding guests. She feels the deep disappointment of being overlooked even by her grandparents on her special day.

In an effort to make the most of her birthday, Sam attends the school dance with Long Duk Dong as her escort. Here, she yearns for Jake from afar while Ted tries to impress his peers by dancing with her.

A misguided bet involving floppy disks and underwear leads to a humiliating moment for Sam at the dance. This incident heightens her feelings of embarrassment and distance from Jake, deepening her sense of neglect.

After the embarrassing incident at the dance, Sam confides her feelings in Ted. She shares her family's neglect and her unreciprocated love for Jake, prompting Ted to encourage her to take action.

Ted surprises Sam with the news that Jake has been asking about her at the dance. This revelation ignites a glimmer of hope in Sam as she contemplates approaching Jake despite her fears.

As Sam debates approaching Jake, he exits the dance with Caroline, leading to confusion about whether he truly harbors feelings for her. Sam grapples with her emotions as she watches their interaction.

After witnessing Caroline and Ted share a moment in the dilapidated car, Jake decides it’s time to end his relationship with Caroline. This marks a pivotal moment for Jake as he starts to realize his true feelings.

On the night of Sam's birthday, Jake surprises her with a beautifully decorated cake featuring sixteen sparkling candles. He also presents her with a pair of her misplaced underwear, symbolizing their budding connection.

As they share a sincere moment together, Sam reveals that her birthday wish has already come true. They share a heartfelt kiss, culminating in a fairy-tale ending as the story draws to a close.