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11 Relatable High School Movies Like "Mean Girls"

11 Iconic movies like Mean Girls

By Aaftab PinjariPublished about a year ago 6 min read
Movies like Mean Girls

From 'Clueless' to 'Easy A,' these films deliver the same sharp humor, high school drama, and unforgettable wit that made 'Mean Girls' a teen classic. There’s no denying that Mean Girls stands tall as one of the most legendary teen comedies ever made. Here we feature 11 movies like Mean Girls.

Crafted by the brilliant Tina Fey and inspired by Rosalind Wiseman’s insightful book Queen Bees and Wannabes, the 2004 film features Lindsay Lohan as Cady Heron, a homeschooled girl stepping into the perilous realm of public high school for the very first time.

As she tries to navigate this new landscape, Cady finds herself entangled with "The Plastics," a popular clique led by the cunning and manipulative Regina George, played by Rachel McAdams.

The film boasts an incredible supporting cast, including Amanda Seyfried as the hilariously clueless Karen Smith and Lacey Chabert as the gossip-loving Gretchen Wieners.

Fey herself shines in her role as Ms. Norbury, the wise yet overwhelmed teacher.

Mean Girls quickly cemented its status as a cultural phenomenon with its razor-sharp humor, memorable one-liners, and its timeless commentary on teenage life. Phrases like “On Wednesdays, we wear pink,” “You can’t sit with us,” and “She doesn’t even go here” continue to resonate today, keeping the film's legacy alive.

Over the past two decades, Mean Girls has inspired a TV movie sequel, a successful Broadway musical, and a film adaptation of that very musical.

So if you find yourself on your umpteenth re-watch, here are 11 more movies like Mean Girls to satisfy your craving for teen comedy.

  1. Booksmart
  2. Clueless
  3. Easy A
  4. Bottoms
  5. The DUFF
  6. Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
  7. A Cinderella Story
  8. She’s The Man
  9. 10 Things I Hate About You
  10. John Tucker Must Die
  11. Heathers

Booksmart

Booksmart offers a refreshing and hilarious spin on the teen comedy genre, following best friends Amy and Molly—portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein—as they tackle the chaos of high school leading up to graduation. Eager to make up for years of missed fun, these overachievers embark on an unforgettable night to prove they can juggle academic success with wild pre-graduation escapades.

Much like Mean Girls, Booksmart delves into cliques and social dynamics with witty dialogue. Both films tackle the pressures of fitting in while celebrating friendship bonds. While Mean Girls leans into popularity drama and rivalry, Booksmart emphasizes comedic and heartfelt moments of friendship, providing a modern twist on high school life.

Dever and Feldstein shine alongside a talented ensemble cast that features Billie Lourd and Jason Sudeikis.

Clueless

Clueless is a 1995 teen comedy that follows Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone), a fashionable student navigating life in Beverly Hills. As she juggles friendships and romances while playing matchmaker for those around her, Cher embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

Similar to Mean Girls, Clueless explores high school hierarchies through humor and sarcasm, highlighting the challenges of fitting in while staying true to oneself amidst adolescence’s chaos. Clueless takes a lighter approach to social status, focusing on Cher’s well-meaning but often misguided attempts to help others.

Silverstone's performance is complemented by an impressive supporting cast featuring Paul Rudd, Stacey Dash, and Brittany Murphy.

Easy A

Released in 2010, Easy A presents a clever take on high school life through Emma Stone's standout portrayal of Olive Penderghast. When a harmless fib about her love life spirals into rampant gossip, Olive decides to embrace her newfound reputation—only to learn about the repercussions that follow.

Much like Mean Girls, this film tackles adolescent social politics but shifts focus from cliques to how rumors can reshape one's identity. Easy A adopts a satirical lens on the double standards and moral judgments teenagers frequently encounter.

With a strong supporting cast that includes Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, and Amanda Bynes, Easy A solidifies its place as a modern teen classic.

Bottoms

Bottoms burst onto the scene in 2023 as a bold addition to high school comedies. The film follows PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri), two awkward lesbian best friends who start an unconventional fight club to attract their crushes' attention. What begins as an eccentric scheme evolves into an empowering movement that disrupts social norms.

Bottoms explores themes of popularity, friendship, and identity in high school with an audacious twist. Like Mean Girls, it addresses fitting-in struggles but does so with its protagonists embracing their outsider status in unexpected ways.

Sennott and Edebiri energize the film's narrative while supporting actors Ruby Cruz and Nicholas Galitzine enhance its chaotic charm. Bottoms is essential viewing for those seeking a fresh and edgy alternative to Mean Girls.

The DUFF

The DUFF (2015) tackles social labels’ impact on personal identity head-on.

The story centers around Bianca (Mae Whitman), an intelligent yet quirky high schooler who realizes she’s been dubbed the "DUFF" (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) within her circle. Determined to redefine her image, Bianca recruits popular jock Wesley (Robbie Amell) to help challenge her school's harsh social hierarchy.

Whitman shines alongside a robust supporting cast featuring Bella Thorne and Ken Jeong. With its blend of comedy, romance, and heartfelt messages, The DUFF stands proudly beside Mean Girls as an insightful teen comedy that resonates with anyone who has ever felt out of place.

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen stars Lohan once again as Lola, an imaginative city girl forced to move to the suburbs. Much like her character in Mean Girls, Lola must adapt to her new school while clashing with rivals determined to stand out despite their surroundings.

Released just two months before Mean Girls, this film offers a whimsical take on teenage dreams and individuality while showcasing Lola’s journey toward self-expression in an exaggerated world of drama. Supported by a fun cast including Megan Fox and Alison Pill, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen serves as a lively counterpart to Mean Girls’ sharper satire.

A Cinderella Story

Also debuting in 2004 is A Cinderella Story, featuring Hilary Duff as Sam Montgomery—a modern-day Cinderella navigating high school life under social pressures with a fairy-tale twist.

Sam works for her wicked stepmother at her late father's diner while secretly emailing popular quarterback Austin Ames (Chad Michael Murray). When they finally meet at a school dance, Sam must balance her secret identity with daily life filled with mean girls and other challenges.

Jennifer Coolidge delivers laughs as Sam's wicked stepmother while Regina King plays her fairy godmother figure. A Cinderella Story combines humor with heartwarming moments for an enjoyable watch.

She’s The Man

She's The Man stars Amanda Bynes as Viola Hastings—a soccer-loving teen who poses as her twin brother at his new boarding school after hers is cut. Determined to prove she can compete with boys' teams while managing her growing crush on roommate Duke (Channing Tatum), Viola navigates complications from her double life.

This 2006 comedy delivers laughter through its gender-bending humor intertwined with romantic entanglements. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, it provides clever twists on mistaken identity tropes while blending slapstick comedy with genuine emotion.

10 Things I Hate About You

Released in 1999 as another modern adaptation of Shakespeare—this time The Taming of the Shrew—10 Things I Hate About You follows Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles), an independent teen uninterested in dating. Her eager sister Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) longs for romance but must wait until Kat dates first.

To circumvent this rule, plans are set in motion to pair Kat with bad boy Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger), who is paid for his company—but complications arise when genuine feelings develop.

With its mix of wit, romance, and quintessential high school drama, 10 Things I Hate About You has earned its place among beloved teen classics featuring standout performances from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Gabrielle Union.

John Tucker Must Die

For those seeking fun revenge tales within teen relationships—John Tucker Must Die is worth watching! This story revolves around three girls—Heather (Ashanti), Beth (Sophia Bush), and Carrie (Arielle Kebbel)—who discover they’ve all been dating charming basketball star John Tucker (Jesse Metcalfe).

Joining forces with new girl Kate (Brittany Snow), they hatch plans to make John fall for Kate, only to break his heart later on.

Similar to Mean Girls’ exploration of cliques along with teenage revenge dynamics—John Tucker Must Die focuses more on romantic mischief but still taps into popularity themes within high school settings.

Heathers

Heathers takes a darker comedic approach toward high school experiences compared to typical teen films. Released in 1989, the story follows Veronica (Winona Ryder) trapped within "The Heathers," led by domineering Heather Chandler (Kim Walker).

Frustrated by their toxic culture, Veronica teams up with rebellious boyfriend J.D. (Christian Slater), leading them down chaotic paths where their efforts against The Heathers take deadly turns.

Heathers explores bullying consequences through biting humor while presenting over-the-top characters creating cult classic status anchored by Ryder’s dynamic performance alongside Slater’s charisma.

With its satirical take on popularity contests within schools—Heathers serves as an excellent choice if you're looking for something uniquely engaging within the teen movie genre!

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About the Creator

Aaftab Pinjari

Equipped with a sense of what went spectacularly wrong and right in Movies and Shows. If you enjoy what you read, you might want to stick around because you will be astounded by the information you missed and how clear it was.

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