1 — Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Hughes is forever associated with teens, and teen angst, but with Planes, Trains and Automobiles he focused on two adult characters and got his best film out of it. Of course, it helps that he had Steve Martin and John Candy, two beloved comedic figures, as his leads. Those two carry the film, but Hughes handled his part of the process as well.

In a rare Thanksgiving movie, Martin’s Neal and Candy’s Del see their flight diverted and have to figure out a way to get to Chicago in time for the holiday. Neal is not happy with the situation, as Del grates on his nerves (which seem frayed on a good day), but the two have an interesting dynamic. Not just the characters, but the actors.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles is funny and sweet in equal measure. Even though the title eschews an Oxford comma, which we will never forgive it for, it earns the spot atop the John Hughes movies rankings.