“You can look at that movie now and still connect to it.” – Andrew Meyer, producer of The Breakfast Club

Nearly four decades after its release, The Breakfast Club remains one of the most beloved teen films of all time—and producer Andrew Meyer believes he knows why. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE about his memoir Walking in the Fast Lane: Stories of a Lifetime, Meyer reflects on the lasting impact of the 1985 John Hughes classic.

A Timeless Teen Movie That Still Resonates

Starring Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy, and Judd Nelson, The Breakfast Club captures a day in the life of five high school students stuck in Saturday detention. Each character represents a different social stereotype—from the jock to the brain to the rebel. But as the day unfolds, they shed their labels and form unexpected connections.

“If there’s any theme to the movies I make, it’s that they’re timeless,” Meyer, now 75, tells PEOPLE. “It’s a movie that’s about something, and people can still learn from it.”

A Deeper Message Behind the Iconic Film

Released in 1985 with a modest budget of $1 million, the film grossed over $50 million at the box office and became a defining cultural moment for generations of moviegoers. According to Meyer, the film’s emotional core—its exploration of identity, vulnerability, and human connection—continues to resonate.

“In a way, it’s a love story,” he says. “Those kids in that library had their differences, but they found a connection. That’s why people still ask: ‘Will they be friends Monday morning?’ I think they would always be connected.”

A Nostalgic Look at a Safer Time

Reflecting on how the film compares to today’s world, Meyer notes a major cultural shift in how teens experience high school.

“That’s a world that isn’t here anymore,” he says. “There were no school shootings. The kids in the film struggled with parental issues—serious, but not life-threatening. It was a time when you could feel safe in school. Watching the film now is like comfort food.”

What Happens After the Credits Roll?

As Simple Minds’ iconic song “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” closes out the film, fans have long speculated what happens next for the characters.

“When they walked out,” Meyer says, “you felt like they had all found themselves.”