High school movies always have those typical characters, like the “mean girl.” Over the years and in different types of movies, we’ve seen many of these iconic mean girls. They’re usually arrogant, popular, and love putting others down. However, some of them change. Here, check out iconic mean girls.
What makes the mean girl stand out is how she shapes the main character’s journey. Whether she’s the main bad guy or just a reason for the hero to grow, the mean girl adds drama and depth to the story.
Even though mean girls usually have negative traits, some of them change and show a different side. They might have vulnerabilities or complexities beneath their tough surface. The “mean girl” character has taken on different forms in classic and modern movies, reflecting how high school social groups change over time. Take a look at some of these iconic mean girls.
Regina George (Mean Girls)
Few mean girls are as iconic as Regina George, played by Rachel McAdams. She is the queen bee and leader of the “Plastics”. Known for her wit, manipulative tactics, and the famous Burn Book, she epitomizes high school mean girl culture.
The movie tells the story of Cady (Lindsay Lohan), a regular kid who used to be homeschooled. When her family moves back from Africa, she starts attending a high school and soon realizes the strange social structures of high school life.
Heather Chandler (Heathers)
Portrayed by Kim Walker, Heather Chandler is the ruthless leader of the popular clique in the dark comedy “Heathers.” She is known for her domineering personality and her impact on the lives of the other Heathers.
The tale revolves around four high school girls, three of them named Heather, who form a group in an Ohio high school. Daniel Waters penned the movie as a deliberate departure from Hughes’ upbeat teen films that were trendy back then. It is now recognized as one of the best coming-of-age movies.
Sharpay Evans (High School Musical)
Ashley Tisdale brings to life Sharpay Evans, the ambitious and theatrical character in the “High School Musical” series. Sharpay is determined to take center stage and will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
Sharpay is considered to be one of the best characters of the series. While she was a little bit obsessed with Troy (Zac Efron) despite not liking her back, what she truly wanted was to be the very best on the stage.
Kathryn Merteuil (Cruel Intentions)
Cruel Intentions is one of the most iconic teen movies. The film is based on the 1782 novel Les Liaisons dangereuses. The story revolves around wealthy and manipulative step-siblings, Sebastian Valmont (played by Ryan Phillippe) and Kathryn Merteuil (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar).
While Sebastian finds love with the headmaster’s virtuous daughter, Annette Hargrove (played by Reese Witherspoon), Kathryn engages in a web of deceit and manipulation, unable to develop any form of connection with anyone but herself.
Rizzo (Grease)
Grease is not only an iconic musical but an iconic teen movie, as well. While we closely follow the relationship between Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and Australian transfer student Sandy Olsson, one of the best characters is in fact “mean girl” Rizzo.
Stockard Channing portrays Rizzo, a tough and confident member of the Pink Ladies, known for her rebellious spirit. While she can’t stand Sandy at first, she grows fond of her and eventually becomes a supportive friend. Rizzo’s character undergoes development throughout the story, revealing vulnerability beneath her tough exterior.
Amber Von Tussle (Hairspray)
“Hairspray” takes place in Baltimore in 1962. It focuses on Tracy, a teenager who becomes a TV star and stands up against racial segregation. However, the antagonist is Amber Von Tussle, who is played by Brittany Snow.
As Tracy was a plus-sized girl, she also was a defiant of the beauty standards of the time. However, Amber is a privileged and arrogant teen queen who represents the establishment’s ideals.
Gen (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before)
The “To All The Boys” trilogy is a rom-com that subverts some of the classic tropes. Apart from the romance between Lara Jean and Peter, the movies explore other themes such as friendship. And, in that regard, one of the best side characters is the mean girl, Gen.
Portrayed by Emilija Baranac, Gen at first is Lara Jean’s rival, and Peter ex-girlfriend, being mean to her. However, over the course of the two sequels, she and Lara make up and become friends again.
Lana (The Princess Diaries)
“The Princess Diaries” is one of the most iconic teen movies of the 2000s. While the story is mostly about Mia’s journey from regular teen to princess of Genovia, a big storyline is her relationship with mean girl, Lana.
Played by Mandy Moore, Lana Thomas is the popular but mean-spirited cheerleader. She mocks Mia’s looks and attempts to take advantage of her new found status as princess without being her friend.
Courtney Shane (Jawbreaker)
The 1999 comedy “Jawbreaker” has a more intense story compared to typical teen movies. The cool girls accidentally cause the death of the prom queen with a jawbreaker. Despite this, Rose McGowan’s character, Courtney Shane, remains a classic mean girl.
Courtney leads the popular clique called ‘The Flawless Four,’ creating a fearful atmosphere in the school and bullying other students. However, their reign of terror is at risk when they accidentally cause the death of one of their own while trying to surprise her on her birthday. Courtney’s increasingly problematic actions to cover up the incident lead to her downfall at the prom.
Vivian Kensington (Legally Blonde)
“Legally Blonde” is all about challenging stereotypes. Elle would be the typical mean girl in any other movie, but here she is always kind. However, the smart Vivian is the one who acts like a mean girl.
At first, she is persistently attempting to belittle Elle and undermine her intelligence. Feeling threatened by Elle, Vivian leverages her influence within the school to publicly humiliate her. However, she also learns about her mistakes and the two become friends in the end.
