Moviefone Editorial

Tag: mean-girls

  • Best Rachel McAdams Movies of All Time Ranked!

    (L to R) Dylan O'brien as Bradley Preston and Rachal McAdams as Linda Liddle in 20th Century Studios' 'Send Help'. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Dylan O’brien as Bradley Preston and Rachal McAdams as Linda Liddle in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Send Help’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Rachel McAdams is one of the most talented actresses working in film today.

    The actress first gained attention for her work in ‘Mean Girls,’ and since then has appeared in such popular movies as ‘The Notebook,’ ‘Wedding Crashers,’ ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife,’ and ‘Southpaw,’ as well as the ‘Sherlock Holmes‘ and ‘Doctor Strange‘ franchises, and the Oscar-winning film ‘Spotlight.’

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    McAdams’ latest movie, ‘Send Help,’ which was directed by Sam Raimi, is scheduled for release in theaters on January 30th.

    In honor of the release of ‘Send Help,’ Moviefone is counting down the 20 best films of Rachel McAdams’ career.

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: Rachel McAdams in Talks to Star for Sam Raimi in Horror Thriller ‘Send Help’

    20. ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’ (2023)

    (L to R) Rachel McAdams as Barbara Simon and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon in 'Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.' Photo Credit: Dana Hawley.
    (L to R) Rachel McAdams as Barbara Simon and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon in ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’ Photo Credit: Dana Hawley.

    11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is uprooted from her life in New York City for the suburbs of New Jersey, going through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school. She relies on her mother, Barbara (McAdams), who is also struggling to adjust to life outside the big city, and her adoring grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who isn’t happy they moved away and likes to remind them every chance she gets.

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    19. ‘The Family Stone‘ (2005)

    An uptight, conservative businesswoman (Sarah Jessica Parker) accompanies her boyfriend (Dermot Mulroney) to his eccentric and outgoing family’s annual Christmas celebration and finds that she’s a fish out of water in their free-spirited way of life.

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    18. ‘Red Eye‘ (2005)

    A woman (McAdams) is kidnapped by a stranger (Cillian Murphy) on a routine flight. Threatened by the potential murder of her father (Brian Cox), she is pulled into a plot to assist her captor in offing a politician.

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    17. ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows‘ (2011)

    There is a new criminal mastermind at large, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) and not only is he Holmes’ (Robert Downey Jr.) intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil and lack of conscience may give him an advantage over the detective.

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    16. ‘Doctor Strange‘ (2016)

    After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon (Benedict Cumberbatch) gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under her (Tilda Swinton) wing and trains him to defend the world against evil.

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    15. ‘Game Night‘ (2018)

    (L to R) Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams in 'Game Night'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams in ‘Game Night’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie’s (McAdams) weekly game night gets kicked up a notch when Max’s brother Brooks (Kyle Chandler) arranges a murder mystery party — complete with fake thugs and federal agents. So when Brooks gets kidnapped, it’s all supposed to be part of the game. As the competitors set out to solve the case, they start to learn that neither the game nor Brooks are what they seem to be. The friends soon find themselves in over their heads as each twist leads to another unexpected turn over the course of one chaotic night.

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    14. ‘State of Play‘ (2009)

    When a congressional aide is killed, a Washington, D.C. journalist (Russell Crowe) starts investigating the case involving the Representative, his old college friend (Ben Affleck).

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    13. ‘The Vow‘ (2012)

    Happy young married couple Paige (McAdams) and Leo (Channing Tatum) are, well, happy. Then a car accident puts Paige into a life-threatening coma. Upon awakening she has lost the previous five years of memories, including those of her beloved Leo, her wedding, a confusing relationship with her parents, or the ending of her relationship with her ex-fiance (Scott Speedman). Despite these complications, Leo endeavors to win her heart again and rebuild their marriage.

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    12. ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness‘ (2022)

    Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.

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    11. ‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga‘ (2020)

    Two small-town aspiring musicians (Will Ferrell and McAdams) chase their pop star dreams at a global music competition, where high stakes, scheming rivals and onstage mishaps test their bond.

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    10. ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife‘ (2009)

    (L to R) Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana in 'The Time Traveler's Wife'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana in ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Due to a genetic disorder, handsome librarian Henry DeTamble (Eric Bana) involuntarily zips through time, appearing at various moments in the life of his true love, the beautiful artist Clare Abshire (McAdams).

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    9. ‘Wedding Crashers‘ (2005)

    John (Owen Wilson) and his buddy, Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) are emotional criminals who know how to use a woman’s hopes and dreams for their own carnal gain. Their modus operandi: crashing weddings. Normally, they meet guests who want to toast the romantic day with a random hook-up. But when John meets Claire (McAdams), he discovers what true love – and heartache – feels like.

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    8. ‘About Time‘ (2013)

    The night after another unsatisfactory New Year’s party, Tim’s father (Bill Nighy) tells his son (Domhnall Gleeson) that the men in his family have always had the ability to travel through time. They can’t change history, but they can change what happens and has happened in their own lives. Thus begins the start of a lesson in learning to appreciate life itself as it is, as it comes, and most importantly, the people living alongside us.

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    7. ‘Mean Girls‘ (2004)

    Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) is a hit with The Plastics, the A-list girl clique at her new school, until she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels (Jonathan Bennett), the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George (McAdams).

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    6. ‘Sherlock Holmes‘ (2009)

    Eccentric consulting detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and Doctor John Watson (Jude Law) battle to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy England.

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    5. ‘Send Help‘ (2026)

    (L to R) Dylan O'Brien as Bradley Preston and Rachel McAdams as Linda Liddle in 20th Century Studios' 'Send Help'. Photo by Brook Rushton. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Dylan O’Brien as Bradley Preston and Rachel McAdams as Linda Liddle in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Send Help’. Photo by Brook Rushton. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Two colleagues (McAdams and Dylan O’Brien) become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it’s a battle of wills and wits to make it out alive.

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    4. ‘Southpaw‘ (2015)

    Billy “The Great” Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal), the reigning junior middleweight boxing champion, has an impressive career, a loving wife (McAdams) and daughter, and a lavish lifestyle. However, when tragedy strikes, Billy hits rock bottom, losing his family, his house and his manager. He soon finds an unlikely savior in Tick Willis (Forest Whitaker), a former fighter who trains the city’s toughest amateur boxers. With his future on the line, Hope fights to reclaim the trust of those he loves the most.

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    3. ‘Midnight in Paris‘ (2011)

    A romantic comedy about a family traveling to the French capital for business. The party includes a young engaged couple (Owen Wilson and McAdams) forced to confront the illusion that a life different from their own is better.

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    2. ‘Spotlight‘ (2015)

    The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.

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    1. ‘The Notebook‘ (2004)

    (L to R) Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in 'The Notebook.' Photo: New Line Cinema.
    (L to R) Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in ‘The Notebook.’ Photo: New Line Cinema.

    An epic love story centered around an older man (James Garner) who reads aloud to a woman (Gena Rowlands) with Alzheimer’s. From a faded notebook, the old man’s words bring to life the story about a couple (Ryan Gosling and McAdams) who is separated by World War II, and is then passionately reunited, seven years later, after they have taken different paths.

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  • Where To Watch 2024’s ‘Mean Girls’

    Angourie Rice plays Cady Heron, Bebe Wood plays Gretchen Wieners and Avantika plays Karen Shetty in 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Angourie Rice plays Cady Heron, Bebe Wood plays Gretchen Wieners and Avantika plays Karen Shetty in ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.

    Meet the new Plastics in the latest adaptation of the 2004 cult classic ‘Mean Girls.’ The updated version incorporates 13 songs from the Broadway show, a brand new cast, and the return of some fan favorites.

    Based on Tina Fey’s adaptation screenplay of ‘Queen Bees and Wannabees,’ the 2004 film was later adapted for Broadway in 2018, earning 12 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography, and more.

    This film marks the directorial debut for Samantha Jayne and Arthuro Perez Jr. and stars Angourie Rice (‘Senior Year’) as Cady Heron, Reneé Rapp as Regina George, Auli’i Cravalho (‘Moana’) as Janis, Jaquel Spivey as Damien, Bebe Wood (‘Crushed’) as Gretchen Wieners, Avantika (‘Tarot’) as Karen Shetty, Christopher Briney as Aaron Samuels, Tina Fey (‘A Haunting In Venice’) as Ms. Norbury, Tim Meadows (‘Dream Scenario’) as Mr. Duvall, Jenna Fischer as Ms. Heron, and Busy Philipps (‘Girls5eva’) as Mrs. George.

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    Where Can I Watch ‘Mean Girls’?

    Avantika, Renee Rapp, Angourie Rice and Bebe Wood on the set of 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Avantika, Renee Rapp, Angourie Rice and Bebe Wood on the set of ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo Credit: Jojo Whilden/Paramount ©2023 Paramount Pictures.

    Originally slated for a streaming release on Paramount+, the studio decided on a theatrical release for the film following positive test screenings. ‘Mean Girls’ held its premiere in New York City on January 8, 2024.

    Buy Tickets: ‘Mean Girls’ Movie Showtimes

    ‘Mean Girls’ has a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. Didn’t get to experience the musical movie in theaters? Don’t worry. As of February 20, 2024, the movie was available to rent for $19.99 or purchase for $26.99 on VOD platforms such as Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. Currently, various streaming platforms have the movie on sale for $5.99 to rent and $12.99, so if you’ve been wanting to see the movie, take advantage of this deal before it’s gone.

    Where to Watch and Stream: ‘Mean Girls’ Online

    Digital purchase of ‘Mean Girls’ will include bonus features:

    • ‘A New Age of Mean Girls’ – a look into how Tina Fey updated the story for the musical movie
    • ‘Song and Dance’ – a behind-the-scenes look at the musical numbers
    • ‘The New Plastics’ – interviews with the cast
    • Gag Reel
    • Extended Scenes
    • “Not My Fault” music video featuring Reneé Rapp and Megan Thee Stallion.
    • For subscribers of Paramount+, the movie is now available to stream as of March 7, 2024.

    Cameos From The Original Film and the Broadway Show

    Tina Fey plays Ms. Norbury in 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    Tina Fey plays Ms. Norbury in ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.

    While ‘Mean Girls’ features a (mostly) brand new cast, there are a few return fan favorites and cameos. Tina Fey and Tim Meadows return to reprise their roles as Ms. Norbury and Mr. Duvall, respectively. Ashley Park (‘Joy Ride’) cameos as French teacher Madame Park in the film. Park originated the role of Gretchen Wieners on Broadway and earned a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

    It is also worth mentioning that Reneé Rapp also played the role of Regina George on Broadway. In fact, the role marks the actress’ Broadway debut, who played Regina from 2019 to 2020 before it was shut down due to the pandemic.

    Lindsay Lohan, the star of the original ‘Mean Girls’, also appears in the film as the Mathletes Moderator.

    Related Article: Movie Review: 2024’s ‘Mean Girls’

    When Can I Get ‘Mean Girls’ On Blu-Ray?

    Angourie Rice plays Cady Heron and Christopher Briney plays Aaron Samuels in 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Angourie Rice plays Cady Heron and Christopher Briney plays Aaron Samuels in ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.

    ‘Mean Girls’ will be released on DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4K UHD on April 30th. A two-movie collection set will be available, with both the 2024 version and the original 2004 version. April 30th also marks the first time the original film will be released in 4K.

    Buy ‘Mean Girls’ On Amazon

    Watch the official trailers for ‘Mean Girls’ below:

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    The official synopsis for ‘Mean Girls’ is below:

    From the comedic mind of Tina Fey comes a new twist on the modern classic, MEAN GIRLS. New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called “The Plastics,” ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika). However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.

    Bebe Wood plays Gretchen, Renee Rapp plays Regina and Avantika plays Karen in 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Bebe Wood plays Gretchen, Renee Rapp plays Regina and Avantika plays Karen in ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Mean Girls:’

    You can watch our interviews with the cast of 2024’s ‘Mean Girls’ by clicking on the video player below.

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  • Best Tina Fey Movies

    Tina Fey plays Ms. Norbury in 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    Tina Fey plays Ms. Norbury in ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.

    Tina Fey is one of the most successful performers to ever come out of ‘Saturday Night Live.’

    Since leaving ‘SNL,’ the actress and writer has appeared in such popular films as ‘Date Night,’ ‘Muppets Most Wanted,’ ‘Soul,’ ‘A Haunting in Venice,’ ‘Baby Mama‘ and ‘Sisters,’ the latter two of which she co-starred with fellow ‘SNL’ alum Amy Poehler.

    But Fey’s most beloved movie is probably 2004’s ‘Mean Girls,’ which she wrote and co-starred in as Ms. Norbury. The popular movie spawned a Broadway musical and the big screen adaption of said musical, 2024’s ‘Mean Girls,’ which was also written by Fey and features her return as Ms. Norbury, opens in theaters on January 12th.

    In honor of the new musical remake, Moviefone is counting down the 15 best movies of Tina Fey’s career, including her latest.

    Let’s begin!

    15. ‘A Haunting in Venice‘ (2023)

    Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot and Tina Fey as Ariadne Oliver in 20th Century Studios' 'A Haunting In Venice.'
    (L to R) Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot and Tina Fey as Ariadne Oliver in 20th Century Studios’ ‘A Haunting In Venice.’ Photo by Rob Youngson. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Celebrated sleuth Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh), now retired and living in self-imposed exile in Venice, reluctantly attends a Halloween séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets.

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    14. ‘The Invention of Lying‘ (2009)

    Set in a world where the concept of lying doesn’t exist, a loser (Ricky Gervais) changes his lot when he invents lying and uses it to get ahead.

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    13. ‘Maggie Moore(s)‘ (2023)

    The chief of police (John Hamm) in a quiet Arizona town is suddenly faced with the back-to-back murders of two women with the same name.

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    12. ‘Megamind‘ (2010)

    Bumbling supervillain Megamind (Will Ferrell) finally defeats his nemesis, the superhero Metro Man (Brad Pitt). But without a hero, he loses all purpose and must find new meaning to his life.

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    11. ‘Wine Country‘ (2019)

    A group of friends head to the land of oaky Chardonnays and big, bold Cabernet Sauvignons for one member of the squad’s 50th birthday party.

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    10. ‘Muppets Most Wanted‘ (2014)

    The Muppets in 2014's 'Muppets Most Wanted.'
    The Muppets in 2014’s ‘Muppets Most Wanted.’ Photo courtesy of Disney.

    While on a grand world tour, The Muppets find themselves wrapped into an European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit the Frog look-alike and his dastardly sidekick.

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    9. ‘Admission‘ (2013)

    Straitlaced Princeton University admissions officer, Portia Nathan (Fey) is caught off-guard when she makes a recruiting visit to an alternative high school overseen by her former college classmate, the freewheeling John Pressman (Paul Rudd). Pressman has surmised that Jeremiah (Nat Wolff), his gifted yet very unconventional student, might well be the son that Portia secretly gave up for adoption many years ago.

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    8. ‘Date Night‘ (2010)

    Phil (Steve Carrell) and Claire Foster (Fey) fear that their mild-mannered relationship may be falling into a stale rut. During their weekly date night, their dinner reservation leads to their being mistaken for a couple of thieves—and now a number of unsavoury characters want Phil and Claire killed.

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    7. ‘Baby Mama‘ (2008)

    A successful, single businesswoman (Fey) who dreams of having a baby discovers she is infertile and hires a working class woman (Amy Poehler) to be her unlikely surrogate.

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    6. ‘This Is Where I Leave You‘ (2014)

    When their father passes away, four grown (Fey, Jason Bateman, Corey Stoll and Adam Driver), world-weary siblings return to their childhood home and are requested — with an admonition — to stay there together for a week, along with their free-speaking mother (Jane Fonda) and a collection of spouses, exes and might-have-beens. As the brothers and sisters re-examine their shared history and the status of each tattered relationship among those who know and love them best, they reconnect in hysterically funny and emotionally significant ways.

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    5.’Mean Girls‘ (2024)

    Tina Fey plays Ms. Norbury in 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    Tina Fey plays Ms. Norbury in ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.

    New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called ‘The Plastics,’ ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika). However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels, she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis and Damian, she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.

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    4. ‘Soul‘ (2020)

    Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx) is a middle school teacher with a love for jazz music. After a successful audition at the Half Note Club, he suddenly gets into an accident that separates his soul from his body and is transported to the You Seminar, a center in which souls develop and gain passions before being transported to a newborn child. Joe must enlist help from the other souls-in-training, like 22 (Fey), a soul who has spent eons in the You Seminar, in order to get back to Earth.

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    3. ‘Whiskey Tango Foxtrot‘ (2016)

    In 2002, cable news producer Kim Barker (Fey) decides to shake up her routine by taking a daring new assignment in Kabul, Afghanistan. Dislodged from her comfortable American lifestyle, Barker finds herself in the middle of an out-of-control war zone. Luckily, she meets Tanya Vanderpoel (Margot Robbie), a fellow journalist who takes the shell-shocked reporter under her wing. Amid the militants, warlords and nighttime partying, Barker discovers the key to becoming a successful correspondent.

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    2. ‘Sisters‘ (2015)

    Two disconnected sisters (Fey and Amy Poehler) are summoned to clean out their childhood bedrooms before their parents sell their family home.

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    1. ‘Mean Girls‘ (2004)

    Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried, Rachel McAdams and Lacey Chabert in 2004's 'Mean Girls.'
    (L to R) Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried, Rachel McAdams and Lacey Chabert in 2004’s ‘Mean Girls.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) is a hit with The Plastics, the A-list girl clique at her new school, until she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels (Jonathan Bennett), the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George (Rachel McAdams).

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  • Movie Review: ‘Mean Girls

    Avantika, Renee Rapp, Angourie Rice and Bebe Wood on the set of 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Avantika, Renee Rapp, Angourie Rice and Bebe Wood on the set of ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo Credit: Jojo Whilden/Paramount ©2023 Paramount Pictures.

    Opening in theaters on January 12th, ‘Mean Girls’ is just the latest example of a movie that represents the latest evolution for a story that started as a novel, became a movie, transitioned to the Broadway stage for a musical and is now back on screens as a musical movie.

    But as with every movie of this type –– see also the recent ‘The Color Purple’ –– the latest take has to make a convincing argument for it to exist in the first place. Why should audiences shell out more money to see a story they’ve previously experienced (and, in the case of ‘Mean Girls’ loved to endlessly quotable and meme-able levels) with the addition of different actors and a few songs?

    The answer, at least in this case, is “mostly”.

    Does ‘Mean Girls’ make fetch happen?

    Bebe Wood plays Gretchen Wieners, Renee Rapp plays Regina George and Avantika plays Karen Shetty in 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Bebe Wood plays Gretchen Wieners, Renee Rapp plays Regina George and Avantika plays Karen Shetty in ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.

    ‘Mean Girls’ exists in the shadow of the original, and it’s no easy job to follow what has long become known as a classic in the genre. Given the pressure to be a version of both the first film and the musical, you can understand why the new movie sometimes crumbles under that workload.

    But fans will be relieved to know that if it doesn’t quite make the grade in every way, it at least serves as a successful comedy musical in its own right.

    ‘Mean Girls’: Script and Direction

    Producers Lorne Michaels and Tina Fey on the set of 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Producers Lorne Michaels and Tina Fey on the set of ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo Credit: Jojo Whilden/Paramount ©2023 Paramount Pictures.

    The new movie, on the writing front at least, represents the return of very experienced hands with Tina Fey –– who adapted Rosalind Wiseman’s 2002 book ‘Queen Bees and Wannabes’, which documented female social cliques in high schools into 2004’s ‘Mean Girls’. It’s story of a young woman swapping far-flung homeschooling with her scientist parents for the wilds of an Illinois high school and ends up falling in with the most popular/vindictive girls at campus.

    Fey’s original script is beloved, a classic high school comedy with more than one line that has entered the pop cultural consciousness. She was also behind the book for the stage musical version, while her husband and regular creative collaborator Jeff Richmond created the lyrics.

    They’re both back for the new movie, which means that the tone and dialogue is certainly up to scratch. The one issue might be that the musical numbers, on purely a written front, can be hit and miss. And if you know the movie inside and out, that’s the only thing that will feel new besides one or two moments and ideas (Cady, for example, only has one parent in this version, played by Jenna Fischer).

    Directors Arturo Perez Jr. and Samantha Jayne on the set of 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Directors Arturo Perez Jr. and Samantha Jayne on the set of ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo Credit: Jojo Whilden/Paramount ©2023 Paramount Pictures.

    Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. make their shared directorial debut with the movie, taking over for the original film’s Mark Walters. They do an adequate job of staging the musical numbers and having the songs replace elements such as Cady’s voice-over.

    One or two of the songs here –– ‘Revenge Party’, ‘Stupid with Love’ –– work really well, while the others are fine but nothing to get people dancing in the aisles.

    ‘Mean Girls’: Performances

    Angourie Rice plays Cady Heron, Bebe Wood plays Gretchen Wieners and Avantika plays Karen Shetty in 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Angourie Rice plays Cady Heron, Bebe Wood plays Gretchen Wieners and Avantika plays Karen Shetty in ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.

    With Lindsay Lohan playing the original Cady, Angourie Rice has famous shoes to fill. And she does so well, giving this new version of a life of her own, while not going too far away from what fans expect from the character.

    But that’s nothing compared to Reneé Rapp, who has to embody queen bee Regina George, as brought to life by Rachel McAdams in the original. Rapp is a fantastic Regina, having the benefit of playing the role on stage for several months. Which means she has a fully-formed take on the preening, scheming character. And when Regina suffers her downfall, she’s just as able to land those comedy turns.

    Avantika plays Karen Shetty, Angourie Rice plays Cady Heron, Renee Rapp plays Regina George and Bebe Wood plays Gretchen Wieners in 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Avantika plays Karen Shetty, Angourie Rice plays Cady Heron, Renee Rapp plays Regina George and Bebe Wood plays Gretchen Wieners in ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.

    Less effective are Bebe Wood, and Avantika Vandanapu as Gretchen and Karen, Regina’s sidekicks, though it’s no fault of the actors –– they’re mostly saddled with characters who feel like barely-tweaked versions of the original, and you have to wonder whether Fey and co. could have done more to make them stand out.

    But if there’s one true MVP here, it’s Auliʻi Cravalho as the character of Janis, one of the “weird” kids that Cady initially befriends and who helps her get revenge on the “Plastics” led by Regina. Cravalho, best known previously as the voice of Moana in Disney’s animated movie, is superb here, breathing truly fresh life into the character and proving that she’s more than just a great voice performer.

    ‘Mean Girls’: Final Thoughts

    Tina Fey plays Ms. Norbury in 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    Tina Fey plays Ms. Norbury in ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.

    ‘Mean Girls’ certainly offers a solid level of entertainment, though that’s partly because the original is such a success. Fans of the film will find something new to enjoy, but for the most part, the pleasures come from revisiting what worked before, either on screen or stage.

    And while the new movie isn’t a patch on the original, it does at least prove to be worthwhile.

    ‘Mean Girls receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the story of ‘Mean Girls?

    Adapting the plot of the 2004 movie into musical form, ‘Mean Girls’ narrative feels familiar.

    New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) gets welcomed into the top of the social food chain by an elite group of popular girls called the Plastics, ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp). However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend, she soon finds herself caught in their crosshairs.

    Who else is in ‘Mean Girls?

    The cast also includes Auli’i Cravalho, Christopher Briney, Jenna Fischer, Jon Hamm, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows, Busy Philipps, Bebe Wood, Ashley Park and Avantika Vandanapu.

    Jon Hamm plays Coach Carr in 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    Jon Hamm plays Coach Carr in ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Mean Girls:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘Mean Girls’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy ‘Mean Girls’ On Amazon

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  • 13 Times Regina George Was the Best Part of ‘Mean Girls’

    13 Times Regina George Was the Best Part of ‘Mean Girls’

  • 14 Things You Never Knew About ‘Mean Girls’ on its 15th Anniversary

    14 Things You Never Knew About ‘Mean Girls’ on its 15th Anniversary

    Paramount Pictures

    For a movie all about the awful ordeal that is high school, “Mean Girls” is still a surprisingly fun way to spend a couple hours. As this beloved comedy celebrates its 15th anniversary, here are some fun facts you might not know about the making of “Mean Girls” and the sequels we may or may not ever see.

    1. Writer Tina Fey based the screenplay on her personal experiences in high school and on Rosalind Wiseman’s 2002 self-help book “Queen Bees and Wannabes.”

    2. Lindsay Lohan originally read for the part of Regina George, but eagerly agreed to play Cady Horn instead after fearing playing the villain might harm her reputation.

    Paramount Pictures

    3. Meanwhile, Amanda Seyfried, (who made her film debut in “Mean Girls”) was originally cast as Cady, but producer Lorne Michaels felt she fit the role of Karen better.

    4. Despite playing the mother to Rachel McAdams‘ character Regina, Amy Poehler is only seven years older than McAdams.

    5. The reason Tim Meadows‘ Mr. Duvall is shown to have carpal tunnel syndrome is because Meadows was recovering from a broken hand during filming.

    6. Lizzy Caplan‘s character is named Janis Ian in tribute to the musician of the same name, who also happened to be the very first musical guest on “Saturday Night Live.”

    7. While Regina, Karen and Gretchen are known by all their classmates as “The Plastics,” they never actually refer to themselves by that name in the movie.

    Paramount Pictures

    8. The 2009 Mariah Carey song “Obsessed” was inspired by Regina’s line, “Why are you so obsessed with me?”

    9. Several sexually charged lines in the movie had to be altered in order to maintain a PG-13 rating. For example, when questioned about her virginity, Cady was originally asked “Is your cherry popped?” instead of “Is your muffin buttered?”.

    Paramount Pictures

    10. There have been multiple “Mean Girls” video games, including a PC game released in 2009 and an iOS game released in 2015.

    11. October 3 has been labeled “National Mean Girls Day” by fans.

    12. ABC Family debuted a made-for-TV sequel called “Mean Girls 2” in 2011. Despite the title, the movie is more remake than sequel, and Mr. Duvall is the only character to return.

    Freeform

    13. Lohan has campaigned for a direct sequel  and even written a story treatment that includes roles for Jamie Lee Curtis and Jimmy Fallon.

    14. WB and New Line were also developing a spinoff called “Mean Moms,” with Jennifer Aniston in talks to star back in 2014. Unfortunately, the project seems to have fallen into development hell.

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  • Ariana Grande’s ‘Thank U, Next’ Video Pays Homage to ‘Mean Girls,’ ‘Legally Blonde,’ ‘Bring It On’

    Ariana Grande’s ‘Thank U, Next’ Video Pays Homage to ‘Mean Girls,’ ‘Legally Blonde,’ ‘Bring It On’

    Vevo

    Hail Ariana Grande, chick flick queen.

    The pop star released a music video for her hit song “Thank U, Next” and it’s filled with tributes to romantic comedies like “Mean Girls,” “Legally Blonde,” “13 Going on 30,” and “Bring It On.”

    Grande inserts herself into memorable scenes from those movies and also includes several key lines.

    The video also boasts several celebrity cameos. “Mean Girls” actors Jonathan Bennett and Stefanie Drummond reprise their roles, as does “Legally Blonde” actress Jennifer Coolidge (who gamely performs the bend and snap once again).

    Grande’s former “Victorious” co-star Matt Bennett also makes an appearance in a version of the teeth brushing scene from “Bring It On.” And Kardashian matriarch Kris Jennifer plays a very excited mom during the “Mean Girls” Christmas dancing scene.

    Grande’s song references several of her past relationships, including her infamous engagement to “Saturday Night Live” performer Pete Davidson.

  • Ariana Grande’s Funny ‘Thank U, Next’ Music Video Teaser Features ‘Mean Girls’ Actors

    Ariana Grande’s Funny ‘Thank U, Next’ Music Video Teaser Features ‘Mean Girls’ Actors

    Thank U Next promo
    Ariana Grande/Twitter

    Ariana Grande has some “Mean Girls” actors to say “Thank U” to.

    The pop star has been teasing her music video for “Thank U, Next,” and she enlisted the help of multiple “Mean Girls” cast members to do so. In a video inspired by the hit comedy, they gush about Grande, much like the students of North Shore High did for Regina George (Rachel McAdams).

    One of the people who weighs in is Jonathan Bennett, who played Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels. He offered a nod to a scene in the movie in which Regina flaunted Aaron in front of Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan), saying, “Ariana Grande told me my hair looked sexy pushed back. She’s not wrong.”

    Next up is Stefanie Drummond, whose character, Bethany Byrd, was the one Regina once punched in the face. This time, she’s got a new story to tell (while wearing a pink polo, natch): “Ariana broke off an engagement, so I found a guy to propose to me, and I broke off an engagement.”

    Watch the full teaser video below.

    https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1067297519598616576

    The “Thank U, Next” clips we’ve seen so far have been inspired by multiple movies, including “Bring It On” and “13 Going on 30.” In addition to the “Mean Girls” actors, there have been cameos from actress Jennifer Coolidge, pop singer Troye Sivan, comedian Colleen Ballinger, and YouTuber Gabi DeMartino, as Entertainment Weekly reports.

    [h/t: EW]

  • ‘Mean Girls’: The Internet Has Found Regina George’s Actual Doppelganger

    ‘Mean Girls’: The Internet Has Found Regina George’s Actual Doppelganger

    Rachel McAdams in Mean Girls
    Paramount Pictures

    We all thought Regina George from “Mean Girls” was one of a kind, but it turns out she has a doppelganger.

    The look-alike in question is Clarisse Muller, a teen beauty queen from Namibia. She bears an uncanny resemblance to Rachel McAdams‘s queen bee character, and people are seriously freaking out. There’s been a frenzy of “Mean Girls” memes, quotes, and general expressions of shock.

    Muller came to the internet’s collective attention when the Namibian teen magazine Afterbreak wrote a profile on her. The magazine posted her photo on Twitter, and people couldn’t believe their eyes. And rightfully so — look:

    We’re right there with them. Muller looks like she could be subbed into one of the “Mean Girls” posters without anyone noticing a difference.

    The tweets were hilarious.

    https://twitter.com/ilovelese/status/1044367184384978944

    https://twitter.com/juIiahz/status/1044378242193350656

    https://twitter.com/JustneySpears/status/1044742373132193797

    The photo caught so much attention that Afterbreak’s website crashed. The magazine had to tweet about the crash and ask people for their patience.

    So fetch.

    [via: Twitter]

  • ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ Is Being Adapted Into a Stage Musical

    ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ Is Being Adapted Into a Stage Musical

    The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
    Alcon Entertainment/Warner Bros.

    Hey, if “Mean Girls” can do it…

    “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” came out in 2005 as an adaptation of Ann Brashares’ 2001 novel. Stars Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrara, Blake Lively, and Alexis Bledel returned for the 2008 sequel, and a third film is said to be in the works.

    But now a stage musical is coming too.

    According to Entertainment Weekly, Alcon Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment announced that Tony-winning producer Scott Delman (“Mean Girls”) and his Blue Spruce Productions have acquired the live theatrical rights for the property. The stage adaptation will be based on the films (as opposed to the novels, apparently), following four best friends who share a magical pair of pants.

    No further details have been shared at this point. They’ll probably cast newbies as teen characters, but it would be so amazing to see the four original stars — now in their 30s — reunite both for a third movie and for the stage musical. We can dream.

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