Common Sense Media Review
Mature but often hilarious teen comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mean Girls
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 87 parent reviews
Parents say that the film is a classic teen comedy that mixes humor with valuable lessons on friendship and self-acceptance, appealing to older kids and teens, though some found it inappropriate for younger viewers due to instances of language, teen drinking, and suggestive content. Generally, the consensus suggests that with proper parental guidance regarding its mature themes, it can be a fun and engaging experience for mature tweens and teens alike.
- classic comedy
- strong messages
- mature themes
- parental guidance
- age recommendation
- good for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 602 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a hilarious and iconic teen comedy that captures the high school experience, but it contains a significant amount of strong language, sexual references, and themes of bullying that may not be suitable for younger audiences. While many find it relatable and entertaining, they recommend it for viewers at least 12 years old, emphasizing the need for parental discretion regarding its mature content.
- teen comedy
- strong language
- mature themes
- age recommendation
- relatable content
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
MEAN GIRLS is about a girl who takes on a ruling clique. It's based on Queen Bees and Wannabes, a nonfiction book by Rosalind Wiseman about alpha girls and the impact they have on everyone else, adapted by Saturday Night Live head writer (and Weekend Update anchor) Tina Fey. Previously homeschooled by her zoologist parents while living in Africa, Cady (Lindsay Lohan) moves to Evanston, Illinois, and attends high school. Cady finds herself having a hard time understanding the social norms in the school, and is drawn to "the Plastics," the most popular clique in the school.
Is It Any Good?
There's much that's fresh and sharp in this movie. And while Mean Girls has an uncertain hold on its plot and ends up pulling some of its punches and throwing in teen comedy clichés we have seen before, it's still enjoyable and thought-provoking for teens.
Screenwriter Tina Fey, who appears as a sympathetic teacher, has a good sense of how girls like Regina operate to establish their domination, appearing to be sweet and supportive but in reality being competitive, duplicitous, and manipulative, and always surrounding themselves with people who will add to their power and not challenge them. And Fey's superb sense of comedy gives the script some biting humor. Her Saturday Night Live colleagues lend support to the cast, with Tim Meadows as the school principal, Ana Gasteyer as Cady's mother, and Amy Poehler superb as Regina's mother, who insists, "I'm not like a regular mom; I'm a cool mom!"
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the elements that determine status for teenagers -- like those Cady must learn to navigate in Mean Girls -- compare to those that determine status in the adult world, at work, and with friends and family.
How do the girls your kids know treat one another? What actions can they take to encourage girls to be kinder and more supportive?
Ask kids if they know any "mean girls." How do they deal with them?
How do the characters in Mean Girls demonstrate integrity and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?
Cady felt that she had to act or be someone different to survive in her new environment and new school. How might kids navigate new surroundings and new schools while staying true to who they are, without having to cave in to peer pressure or what they see as popular?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 30, 2004
- On DVD or streaming : September 21, 2004
- Cast : Lindsay Lohan , Rachel McAdams , Tina Fey
- Director : Mark Waters
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Competition , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Integrity
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : Sexual content, language and some teen partying
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate