As a millennial myself, it’s hard to believe that it’s been two decades since Tina Fey brought us the brilliant teen comedy, Mean Girls. A near flawless film, Mean Girls tells the story of homeschooled teen Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) as she navigates the jungles of high school by infiltrating the popular clique, the Plastics, comprised of Regina George (Rachel McAdams), Gretchen Weiners (Lacey Chabert) and Karen Smith (Amanda Seyfried), to get revenge for her outcast friends, Damian Leigh (Daniel Franzese) and Janis Ian (Lizzy Caplan). Bringing us the infamous Burn Book, endless memes, and the rule of wearing pink on Wednesdays, Mean Girls is one of the most important films of the 21st century.
Many films, before and after, found humor in the teen comedy world, but not every film captured the brilliance of Mean Girls. We’re here to explore the films that are almost as funny as Mean Girls. Whether completely original concepts or stories inspired by classic literature, these movies have made a lasting impression, bringing comfort and comedy during every watch. These films have exceeded expectations of comedy and built their own legacy. Are they better than Mean Girls? Well, that’s the debate!
1
‘John Tucker Must Die’ (2006)
Boys. Am I right? When you find out that the school heartthrob has been playing you and your friends, of course, it’s time to break his heart. That’s the central premise of the 2006 teen comedy John Tucker Must Die. Loosely based on William Shakespeare‘s The Merry Wives of Windsor, the film follows the lives of Heather Montgomery (Ashanti), Beth McIntyre (Sophia Bush), and Carrie Schaeffer (Arielle Kebbel), a trio of popular girls who discover their cheating boyfriend John Tucker (Jesse Metcalfe) has been dating all three of them. In order to enact a revenge plot, they recruit new girl Kate Spencer (Brittany Snow) to undergo a makeover and seduce John, planning to break his heart in the process. The plan hits a snag when the plant starts falling for the target and his brother Scott (Penn Badgley), forcing the girls to learn that revenge isn’t the answer and aiming for true self-worth instead.
With hilarious hijinks and humiliating scenarios, the film is meant to serve one main purpose: to entertain. The film is downright silly and genuine millennial nostalgia. The premise may be tackled in a very different manner today, but John Tucker Must Die is notoriously derivative yet sustains its so-bad-it’s-good reputation.
2
’10 Things I Hate About You’ (1999)
In 1999, audiences were reminded that William Shakespeare provides exceptional source material for modern adaptations. Such was the case for 10 Things I Hate About You. Based on The Taming of the Shrew, the film tells the story of high school romance as new student Cameron James (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) instantly falls for Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik), who can’t date until her rebellious older sister Kat (Julia Stiles) does. In order to win his dream girl, Cameron pays the school’s “bad boy,” Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) to woo Kat in order to get around Stratford’s dad’s (Larry Miller) rules. The retelling of the classic gave audiences a new lease on love in typical Hollywood fashion.
Having almost become a cinematic bible for a generation, 10 Things I Hate About You is a charming rom-com that hits the typical conventions of teen comedies but still manages to find its own identity. The performances, namely from Stiles and Ledger, are legendary for the genre. Those who know the source material know what’s to come, but the “will-they/won’t-they” dynamic keeps the film engaging. Their characters are nuanced and layered, breaking the norms of their type. A sincere mix of emotion and comedy, the film continues to resonate today. Let’s be honest, we’ve all been tempted to use Kat’s infamous poem as our own!
3
‘Bottoms’ (2023)
One of the most raucous and bawdy films of the 2020s isBottoms. Directed byEmma Seligman, who co-wrote it withRachel Sennott, follows two high school seniors PJ (Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri), who happen to be “untalented gays,” whostart a fight club as a way to hook up with cheerleaders & lose their virginity.. They soon find themselves in over their heads when popular students start beating each other up in self-defense. Absurd and wildly over-the-top,Bottoms is exceptionally raunchy and unapologetically irreverent.
The bawdy approach pushes humor into unexpected places. Especially if you’re coming to it after being introduced to Edebiri,Kaia Gerber,and Nicholas Galitzine through their other projects.. By igniting comedy through a queer lens,Bottoms naturally fits into camp film mold., but its ability to appeal to broader audiences speaks volumes about its style and accessibility. With a wonderfully nostalgic tone,Bottoms is destined to become a future camp classic..
4
‘Heathers’ (1989)
IfMean Girlswasthe high school filmofthe 2000sand<em>Clueless</em>wasthe high school filmofthe 1990sthenthe high school filmofthe 1980s wasHeathers.
The satirical black comedy chronicles Veronica Sawyer(Winona Ryder),a smart but cynical teen at an elite high school who gets involved with three mean girls called “The Heathers”—Heather Duke(Shannen Doherty),Heather Chandler(Kim Walker),and Heather McNamara(Lisanne Falk)—but grows to hate them,eventually teaming up with mysterious bad boy J.D.<( strong )Christian Slater()a misanthrope intent on murdering popular students staging their deaths as suicides.Bringing high school cruelty,social cliques,and teen angst to forefront story,< Heathers has become an influential cult classic still referenced today.
The sharp satire biting commentary on high school dynamicswas essentially meant be anti-John Hughes film.
The era where high school movies were almost romanticized,
The poked holes those ideals instead revealing temptations peer pressure devastating effects clique hierarchy.
The quotable films decade you know kind about chainsaw,
The has entered our pop culture lexicon thanks pitch black humor.
The even inspired Off-Broadway musical currently celebrating revival New York City.
No many people aren’t fans remakes,but wouldn’t mind hearing “What’s your damage?” again.
5
‘Easy A’ (2010)
If you think about it,(Easy A)
(Bert V.Royal) directed Will Gluck sex becomes central focus story inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter prompted popular best friend Rhiannon Abernathy(Aly Michalka) spill details boring weekend Olive Penderghast(Emma Stone)a clean-cut teen decides spice things up telling little lie losing virginity college boy when prudish Marianne Bryant(Amanda Bynes) overhears conversation spreads all over campus Olive suddenly notorious wrong reasons marked tramp one funniest high school rom-coms time Easy A took taboo topics made relatable.
Brought life expert precision care Easy A may not have been your high school experience creative team made feel was characters relatable scenario comical themes conveyed poignant lens now watch Easy A today may feel if bit period piece why it’s teen sex romp before massive evolution social media Easy A TikTok generation would incredibly different utterly fascinating Easy A maintains legacy top-tier teen comedy simply because nothing has beat it since!
6
‘Clueless’ (1995)
If you think about it,(Clueless)
(Amy Heckerling) one definitive films ’90s hands down is Clueless loosely inspired Jane Austen’s Emma Clueless centers beautiful popular wealthy Beverly Hills high school student Cher Horowitz(Alicia Silverstone) wants do “good deeds.” She goes mission play matchmaker teachers Mr.Hall(Wallace Shawn) awkward Miss Geist(Twink Caplan) gives makeover newcomer Tai Frasier(Brittany Murphy) only realize herself needs major “makeover soul.” A story self-reflection examining one’s existence Clueless brought ’90s high school life big screen through smart comedy easy laughs.
(Clueless) leans stereotypes superficiality adolescence well SoCal living nevertheless thrives easy comedy clean wit sense style that’s addition fashion Never plaid looked good earning cult following everlasting legacy Clueless remained significant part pop culture today whether through fashion inspiration direct sitcom references music musical adaptations film refused leave minds we’re better it reminder Clueless brought Paul Rudd no he has not aged all.
7
‘Freaky Friday’ (2003)
