Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teen romcom has bullying and public shaming.
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Mean Girls 2
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 19 parent reviews
Based on 94 kid reviews
Kids say the sequel falls far short of the original, offering bland characters and an unoriginal plot that fails to capture the charm and humor of its predecessor. Many reviews criticize the film for its poor acting, forced humor, and an awkward attempt to replicate the iconic style of the first movie, making it a disappointing watch overall.
- weak sequel
- poor acting
- unlikable characters
- bland plot
- avoid watching
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In MEAN GIRLS 2, Jo Mitchell (Meaghan Martin) is perpetually the new girl in school. Usually, Jo keeps to herself, but when she stands up to a trio of girls who rule the school, she finds herself the target of their viciousness.
Is It Any Good?
This made-for-TV movie is a kind-of sequel but isn't nearly as good as its inspiration. The Tina Fey-penned original was a giant hit, and beyond the premise, Mean Girls 2 doesn't share many similarities. The plot is predictable, the characters are thinly drawn, and the film's approach to teen sexuality isn't the most progressive. High schoolers (girls, usually) are confusingly shamed both for having sex and for being virgins. Further, Jo's high school is glaringly straight, as if queer people don't exist. The world depicted here is also wealthy and White, so its baseline of a "normal" teen life might not resonate with the viewer.
Jo, at least, is a decent person who atones for her mistakes. She loses her way for a while, but this is part of her redemption arc. The inevitable "become-that-which-you-hate" narrative feels a bit tired, but at least it complicates Jo beyond her other more "perfect" traits. Parts of the movie are a bit ridiculous, including the great number of attacks on other students—many of which are against the law, such as destruction of property or poisoning. Meant to be comical, these moments don't quite strike the right tone. The original is by far the better version of this particular story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the title Mean Girls 2. How do you define the term "mean girls"? What traits or behavior about girls and women does the term generalize?
In this movie, why do girls get called a "bitch" if they have boyfriends or a "virgin" nastily if they haven't had sex before? Is it OK to make fun of people for their sexual experience or lack thereof? Teens: What kinds of expectations are there around sexuality in your school?
The Plastics are materialistic, focused on popularity, and brand-obsessed. How does our culture influence teens to be interested in such things? Do you think this situation has changed, worsened, or improved since the film came out in the 2010s?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 1, 2011
- Cast : Jennifer Stone , Meaghan Jette Martin , Tim Meadows
- Director : Melanie Mayron
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Famous
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some rude and suggestive material, and for language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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