Trending Movies to Catch This Week

The "Mean Girls" franchise has become a pop culture phenomenon, captivating audiences with its scathing humor and relatable portrayal of high school cliques. While there's technically only one film (released in 2004 and directed by Mark Waters), the recent release of a 2024 remake directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. proves the story's enduring legacy. The original film follows Cady Heron, a homeschooled teenager thrust into the brutal world of North Shore High. Initially naive, Cady falls in with "The Plastics," a popular girl group led by the ruthless Regina George. Cady attempts to infiltrate the group on behalf of her new friends but gets caught up in their manipulative schemes, ultimately learning a valuable lesson about friendship and self-acceptance. The 2024 film takes a similar premise but updates it for a contemporary audience. Social media and influencer culture take center stage, with the Plastics wielding their online power with even greater force. The new cast, featuring Angourie Rice and Reneé Rapp, breathes fresh life into the characters while retaining the core themes of social hierarchy, female empowerment, and the pitfalls of popularity. Both films explore the universal struggles of navigating high school social circles. They tackle issues of belonging, bullying, and the pressure to conform. The "Burn Book," a notorious list ranking students, serves as a central symbol of the Plastics' cruelty and the film's critique of superficiality. "Mean Girls" has transcended the typical teen movie genre. Its quotable lines ("On Wednesdays we wear pink") and unforgettable characters have become ingrained in pop culture. The film's influence can be seen in countless television shows and even inspired a successful Broadway musical. The recent remake demonstrates the enduring power of the "Mean Girls" story. By updating the setting and incorporating contemporary social issues, it ensures the themes remain relevant for a new generation. Whether you're a fan of the original or new to the Plastics' world, "Mean Girls" offers a hilarious and thought-provoking look at the complexities of high school life.

The claws come out once again in "Mean Girls" (2024), the highly anticipated remake of the iconic 2004 teen comedy. Directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., the film takes the classic story and injects it with a dose of 21st-century social media savvy. Directed by Samantha Jayne Arturo Perez Jr. Screenplay by Tina Fey Based on Mean Girls by Jeff Richmond Nell Benjamin Tina Fey Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman Produced by Lorne Michaels Tina Fey Starring Angourie Rice Reneé Rapp Auliʻi Cravalho Christopher Briney Cinematography Bill Kirstein Edited by Andrew Marcus Music by Jeff Richmond Production companies Broadway Video Little Stranger Distributed by Paramount Pictures Release dates January 8, 2024 (New York City) January 12, 2024 (United States)