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Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald

Actor · Born February 18, 1968 (58) · Roseville, California, USA

Molly Kathleen Ringwald (born February 18, 1968) is an American actress, singer, dancer, and author. She was cast in her first major role as Molly in the NBC sitcom The Facts of Life (1979–80) after a casting director saw her playing an orphan in a stage production of the musical Annie. She and several other members of the original Facts of Life cast were let go when the show was reworked by the network. She subsequently made her motion-picture debut as Miranda in the independent film Tempest (1982), which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year. Ringwald is primarily known for her collaborations with filmmaker John Hughes. She established herself as a teen icon after appearing in the successful Hughes films Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), and Pretty in Pink (1986). She later starred in The Pick-up Artist (1987), Fresh Horses (1988), and For Keeps (1988). She starred in many films in the 1990s, most notably Something to Live for: The Alison Gertz Story (1992), The Stand (1994), and Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade (1994 short film – precursor to Sling Blade). Ringwald had regular roles on the television series The Secret Life of the American Teenager (2008 - 2013) as Anne Juergens, Riverdale(2017 - 2023) as Mary Andrews, and Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (2024) as Joanne Carson. She is also recognized by younger audiences for her role as Sara Flynn in The Kissing Booth movies. Ringwald was part of the "Brat Pack", and she was ranked number one on VH1's 100 Greatest Teen Stars.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 18, 1968 (58)
From
Roseville, California, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
58 on MovieCove · 89 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 23% in 30 days

What are Molly Ringwald's films like?

Across their 41 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy19 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 27th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Documentary3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 92nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 16th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
32%
Self
31%
Survival
10%
Morality
10%
Society
10%
Power
5%
Ideas
3%
Romantic love12 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds11 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age10 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 38 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 24 · Serious 10 · Dark 4

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 27 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 16 · Charged 16 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 19 · Shifting 16 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 21 · Funny 6

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 18 · Even-paced 19 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 27 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 28 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

22 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 11 of 22 analyzed roles.

Hero
11 of 22
Mentor
5 of 22
Ally
2 of 22
Shapeshifter
1 of 22
Shadow
1 of 22
Trickster
1 of 22
Herald
1 of 22
Show the 22 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
20
Romantic
14
Melancholic
17
Joyful
13
Hopeful
12
Other
39

How their films linger

Feel-good17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful18 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy17
  • Bittersweet13
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous7

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Molly Ringwald's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 38 of their 58 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Molly Ringwald's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

89 credits, 58 with a MovieCove page; 25 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • One Night Only(2026)

    as Linda

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Run Amok(2026)

    as Aunt Val

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Montauk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Wolcott

  • Catherine & Michael (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Naomi

  • Bad Things(2023)

    as Miss Auerbach

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Pursued(2025)

    as Carol

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 10 episodes · as Shari Dahmer

  • The Bear(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Moderator

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • A Brief History of Us (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Single Drunk Female(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Alice

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Monster(2022)

    Show as Shari Dahmer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The Kissing Booth 3(2021)

    as Mrs. Flynn

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • HouseBroken(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Milly (voice)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • The Kissing Booth 2(2020)

    as Mrs. Flynn

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Creepshow(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Porter (segment "Sibling Rivalry")

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Tales of the City(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · as Claire's Mother

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • All These Small Moments(2018)

    as Carla Sheffield

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Siberia(2018)

    as Gabby

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Kissing Booth(2018)

    as Mrs. Flynn

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • SPF-18(2017)

    as Linda Sanders

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Feud(2017)

    Show 8 episodes · as Joanne Carson

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Riverdale(2017)

    Show 36 episodes · as Mary Andrews

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • King Cobra(2016)

    as Amy

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Raising Expectations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 27 episodes · as Paige Wayney

  • Jem and the Holograms(2015)

    as Aunt Bailey

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Bad Night(2015)

    as The Collector

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Odd Mom Out(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Joy Greene

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Wishin' and Hopin' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Madame Frechette

  • Me(2014)

    as Pepper Folly

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Rainbow Brite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dark Princess

  • Doc McStuffins(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Darla (voice)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • Sincerely Yours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Claire Standish (archive footage) (uncredited)

  • The Secret Life of the American Teenager(2008)

    Show 96 episodes · as Anne Juergens

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front(2006)

    as Helen McIntire

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Rachael Ray (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Wives He Forgot(2006)

    as Charlotte Saint John

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Psych(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as McElroy

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Medium(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Kathleen Walsh

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • The Big Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Marion Powers

  • Cowboy Up(2001)

    as Connie

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • In the Darkness of Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

  • Not Another Teen Movie(2001)

    as Flight Attendant

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The $treet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Devyn Alden

  • In the Weeds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Chloe

  • The Giving Tree (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Penelope

  • Cut(2000)

    as Vanessa Turnbill / Chloe

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Kimberly(1999)

    as Nancy

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Teaching Mrs. Tingle(1999)

    as Miss Banks

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Requiem for Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Anne Winslow

  • Twice Upon a Time(1998)

    as Beth Sager

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Since You've Been Gone(1998)

    as Claire the Fan

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Titey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Anne Frank (voice)

  • Office Killer(1997)

    as Kim Poole

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Townies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 15 episodes · as Carrie Donovan

  • Baja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Bebe Stone

  • Enfants de salaud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Susan

  • Remember WENN(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Angela Colton

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Malicious(1995)

    as Melissa Nelson

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Allison Channing

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Seven Sundays (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Janet Gifford

  • The Stand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • The Stand(1994)

    Show 4 episodes · as Frannie Goldsmith

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Teresa Tatum

  • Face the Music(1993)

    as Lisa Hunter

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Something to Live For: The Alison Gertz Story(1992)

    as Alison Gertz

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Betsy's Wedding(1990)

    as Betsy Hopper

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Women and Men: Stories of Seduction(1990)

    as Kit (segment "Dusk Before Fireworks")

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Strike It Rich(1990)

    as Cary

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Fresh Horses(1988)

    as Jewel

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • King Lear(1987)

    as Cordelia

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • For Keeps?(1988)

    as Darcy Elliot Bobrucz

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Pick-up Artist(1987)

    as Randy Jensen

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • P.K. and the Kid(1987)

    as P.K. Bayette

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Johnny Appleseed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Jenny Smith

  • Pretty in Pink(1986)

    as Andie Walsh

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Tall Tales & Legends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Jenny Smith

  • The Breakfast Club(1985)

    as Claire Standish

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Surviving (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Lonnie

  • Sixteen Candles(1984)

    as Samantha Baker

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone(1983)

    as Nikki

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Packin' It In (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Melissa Webber

  • Tempest(1982)

    as Miranda

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Facts of Life(1979)

    Show 14 episodes · as Molly Parker

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Diff'rent Strokes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 2 episodes · as Molly Parker

  • Saturday Night Live(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Anne Frank (voice)

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Columbarium (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Crazy Sunshine: The Mess We Made (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Puff and the Incredible Mr. Nobody (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show Creator

  • Saturday TV Funhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · as Anne Frank (voice)

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 88 titles, 84 of them dated from 1975 to 2026; peak year 1987.

Biggest box office

The Breakfast Club (1985)

$52M worldwide

Highest rated

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

The Secret Life of the American Teenager (2008)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19752026

Peak 1987 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 13 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting87 of 88: 87 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score36thOther crew1 of 88: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1970s3 · acting1980s14 · acting1990s22 · acting2000s15 · acting2010s17 · acting2020s13 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 25% of 28 roles
82879202

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Molly Ringwald's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 26th percentile, the median of all 40; across their 38 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 32nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Approval · how many liked their films

23rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Reach · how many have seen their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Midcredits score across 58 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th20
  • Below 25th22

Shape of the crowd

34 of their 58 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Universally Panned3
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed34

Most divisive · actor

Jem and the Holograms (2015)

87th percentile spread · 48% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Midcredits 96th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 60/100 in their films, across 33 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Molly Ringwald's work okay for kids?

Across up to 16 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films and violence & gore and frightening / intense lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore12 titles12–64 · median 27 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity16 titles28–67 · median 46 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity12 titles46–75 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs11 titles33–77 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense12 titles13–52 · median 20 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Molly Ringwald work with?

People who share at least 2 of Molly Ringwald's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Joel Courtney shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers