History of Mean Girls in Timeline
"Mean Girls" (2004), directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey, is a teen comedy about Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan), a previously homeschooled student navigating the treacherous waters of high school cliques. After befriending two outcasts, Cady finds herself entangled in a plot to take down Regina George (Rachel McAdams), the queen bee of the popular clique known as the Plastics.
November 2003: Completion of Principal Photography for Mean Girls
Principal photography for Mean Girls, primarily shot in Toronto, Canada, concluded in November 2003.
November 25, 2003: End of Principal Photography for Mean Girls
Principal photography for Mean Girls, which was mainly filmed in Toronto, Ontario, wrapped up on November 25, 2003.
2003: Casting of Mean Girls
The casting process for Mean Girls took place in 2003, with Lindsay Lohan initially considered for the role of Regina George before being cast as Cady Heron.
April 2004: "Mean Girls" Receives Positive Reviews from Critics
Upon its release in April 2004, "Mean Girls" garnered positive reviews from prominent critics such as Roger Ebert and Mick LaSalle, praising its smart humor, performances, and direction.
April 19, 2004: Premiere of Mean Girls
Mean Girls premiered at the Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles on April 19, 2004.
September 9, 2004: Box Office Closing for Mean Girls
Mean Girls closed its theatrical run on September 9, 2004, grossing over $129 million worldwide.
September 21, 2004: Release of Mean Girls Soundtrack
The soundtrack album for Mean Girls, featuring artists such as the Donnas, Pink, Kelis, and Blondie, was released on September 21, 2004.
2004: Release of Mean Girls
The teen comedy film Mean Girls, directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey, was released in 2004.
2004: Mean Girls Awards and Recognition
Throughout 2004, "Mean Girls" received numerous awards and nominations, solidifying its status as a critical and commercial success.
2006: "Mean Girls" Ranked High on Best High School Films List
In 2006, "Entertainment Weekly" recognized the impact of "Mean Girls" by ranking it 12th on their list of the best high school films of all time, highlighting its realistic portrayal of teenage social dynamics.
2008: "Superhero Movie" Parodies "Mean Girls" Clique Scene
The 2008 superhero comedy "Superhero Movie" paid homage to "Mean Girls" by parodying the memorable scene where Janis explains the school's cliques to Cady, highlighting the film's impact on the teen comedy genre and its memorable moments.
April 14, 2009: Blu-ray Release of Mean Girls
Mean Girls was released on Blu-ray on April 14, 2009.
2009: Mean Girls PC Game Release
A "Mean Girls" PC game was released in 2009, expanding the franchise into the gaming world with new characters and storylines.
2009: Mariah Carey's "Obsessed" Features Iconic "Mean Girls" Quote
Mariah Carey's 2009 single "Obsessed" featured the iconic "Mean Girls" quote "And I was like, 'Why are you so obsessed with me?'", highlighting the film's cultural influence on music and its quotable dialogue.
2010: Mean Girls Nintendo DS Game Announcement and Cancellation
Crush Digital Media was developing a "Mean Girls" game for the Nintendo DS, planned for publication by 505 Games. However, the project was ultimately canceled before its release.
January 2011: Premiere of Mean Girls 2
The made-for-television sequel to Mean Girls, Mean Girls 2, premiered on ABC Family in January 2011.
January 23, 2011: Premiere of "Mean Girls 2"
"Mean Girls 2," a made-for-television sequel to the original film, premiered on ABC Family on January 23, 2011. The sequel featured a new cast with the exception of Tim Meadows, who reprised his role as Principal Ron Duvall.
2012: "Mean Girls" Secures Spot on "Top 50 Greatest Teen Comedies" List
"Mean Girls" solidified its place as a teen comedy classic in 2012 when Rotten Tomatoes included it in their "Top 50 Greatest Teen Comedies" list.
2012: "Les Misérables" Film Adaptation Released
The film adaptation of the musical "Les Misérables" premiered, later inspiring a "Mean Girls" crossover through the "Les Mean Girls" Tumblr blog.
January 28, 2013: Mean Girls Musical Confirmed
Tina Fey confirmed the development of a "Mean Girls" stage musical adaptation on January 28, 2013, with Fey writing the book, her husband Jeff Richmond composing the music, and Nell Benjamin penning the lyrics.
August 2013: The White House Uses "Mean Girls" Quote in Tweet
In August 2013, the White House Twitter account used the "Mean Girls" quote "stop trying to make fetch happen" in a post featuring President Obama's dog, demonstrating the film's widespread recognition and its use in popular culture.
2013: "Les Mean Girls" Tumblr Mashes Up Film with "Les Misérables"
A Tumblr blog called "Les Mean Girls" emerged in 2013, combining lines from the film with images from the 2012 film adaptation of "Les Misérables," showcasing the film's versatility for creative reinterpretations and its ability to resonate with various fandoms.
2013: Mariah Carey Publicly Expresses "Mean Girls" Fandom
Mariah Carey showcased her love for "Mean Girls" in 2013 by quoting the film during an episode of "American Idol," further solidifying the film's place in pop culture and demonstrating its reach beyond traditional audiences.
May 2014: Mean Moms Film Announcement
In early 2014, Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema announced "Mean Moms," a film adaptation of another book by Rosalind Wiseman, set to star Jennifer Aniston and be directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller.
September 2014: Discussions of a Mean Girls Sequel Begin
Discussions about a potential sequel to Mean Girls began circulating in late September 2014, with Lindsay Lohan reportedly pitching an idea to Tina Fey.
2014: Tina Fey Reveals Inspiration Behind Mean Girls Character Names
In 2014, Tina Fey revealed that she named many of the characters in Mean Girls after real-life friends in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
2014: Celebrities Reenact "Mean Girls" Scenes in MTV Skit
In 2014, celebrities including Ed Sheeran, Iggy Azalea, Amber Rose, and Waka Flocka Flame participated in an MTV skit where they reenacted scenes from "Mean Girls," further cementing the film's iconic status and its influence on pop culture.
May 8, 2015: Mean Moms Release Date Announcement
Initially scheduled for release on May 8, 2015, "Mean Moms," a film adaptation of another Rosalind Wiseman book, was intended to be directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and star Jennifer Aniston.
May 2015: Mean Moms Release Date Pulled
Despite initial plans for a May 2015 release, New Line Cinema removed "Mean Moms" from its schedule, leaving the project in limbo.
2015: Episode Launches Mean Girls Interactive Story
Episode, a mobile storytelling platform, released "Senior Year" in 2015, an interactive animated story continuing the events of "Mean Girls." Two more stories, "Sorority Rush" and "Spring Break," followed.
December 2016: Lindsay Lohan Continues to Advocate for Sequel
Lindsay Lohan continued advocating for a Mean Girls sequel in December 2016, expressing her hope to involve Jamie Lee Curtis and Jimmy Fallon in the project.
September 2017: Release of Mean Girls Novelization by Micol Ostow
In September 2017, Scholastic published a novelization of Mean Girls by author Micol Ostow, based on the film's script.
October 31, 2017: Mean Girls Musical Premieres in Washington, D.C.
The world premiere of the "Mean Girls" musical took place at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. on October 31, 2017, marking the start of its pre-Broadway run.
2017: "Mean Girls" Cast Uses Platform for Las Vegas Shooting Victims
Demonstrating their enduring bond, the cast of "Mean Girls" initiated a GoFundMe campaign in 2017 to support the victims of the Las Vegas shooting, using their platform to contribute to a worthy cause.
March 12, 2018: Mean Girls Musical Begins Broadway Previews
The "Mean Girls" musical began its Broadway preview performances at the August Wilson Theatre on March 12, 2018.
March 2018: Broadway Premiere of Mean Girls Musical
The stage musical adaptation of Mean Girls premiered on Broadway in March 2018.
April 8, 2018: Mean Girls Musical Officially Opens on Broadway
The highly anticipated Broadway adaptation of "Mean Girls" officially opened on April 8, 2018, at the August Wilson Theatre.
May 18, 2018: Mean Girls Musical Cast Recording Release
The original Broadway cast recording of "Mean Girls" was released on May 18, 2018, capturing the musical's catchy score and memorable performances.
June 2018: Israeli Embassy Employs "Mean Girls" GIF in Twitter Response
The official Twitter account of the Israeli Embassy in the U.S. made headlines in June 2018 by responding to a tweet from Iranian leader Ali Khamenei with an animated GIF of the "Mean Girls" quote "Why are you so obsessed with me?", showcasing the film's unexpected presence in international political discourse.
October 2018: Amanda Seyfried Supports Sequel Campaign
In October 2018, Amanda Seyfried suggested that a fan campaign might be necessary to get a Mean Girls sequel made.
2018: Ariana Grande's "Thank U, Next" Music Video
Ariana Grande paid homage to "Mean Girls" in her 2018 music video for "Thank U, Next," featuring appearances by Jonathan Bennett and Stefanie Drummond, showcasing the film's lasting impact on pop culture.
2018: Jonathan Bennett's Mean Girls-Inspired Cookbook
Jonathan Bennett, known for his role as Aaron Samuels, released "The Burn Cookbook: Real Recipes to Feed Your Inner Plastic" in 2018, a cookbook inspired by the movie.
January 2019: Lindsay Lohan Confirms Sequel Discussions With Tina Fey
During a January 2019 interview, Lindsay Lohan confirmed that she had spoken with Tina Fey about a Mean Girls sequel, but there were no concrete plans in place at the time.
March 2019: Hillary Clinton Tweets Viral "Mean Girls" GIF
Hillary Clinton's use of a "Mean Girls" GIF featuring the quote "Why are you so obsessed with me?" in March 2019 went viral, highlighting the film's continued relevance in online political commentary and its use as a tool for communication and expression.
April 2019: Release of "William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Mean Girls"
April 2019 saw the release of "William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Mean Girls," a novelization of the Mean Girls story written in the style of William Shakespeare by author Ian Doescher.
October 2019: Mean Girls Loungewear Line by Primark
In October 2019, Primark released a collection of loungewear inspired by "Mean Girls," reflecting the film's continued relevance in fashion and merchandise.
October 2019: Cast Expresses Interest in Sequel
Several Mean Girls cast members, including Lacey Chabert, expressed their interest in participating in a potential sequel in October 2019.
2019: 15th Anniversary Blu-ray Release of Mean Girls
A 15th-anniversary Blu-ray edition of Mean Girls was released in 2019.
2019: Reneé Rapp Joins Mean Girls Musical
Reneé Rapp joined the cast of the Mean Girls musical as Regina in 2019, taking over the role from Erika Henningsen.
2019: "Mean Girls" Cast Supports the Thirst Project
The cast of "Mean Girls" joined forces with the Thirst Project in 2019, using their collective influence to raise funds for a freshwater well in Uganda and raise awareness about global water scarcity.
January 23, 2020: Mean Girls Musical Film Adaptation Announced
Tina Fey announced the development of a film adaptation of the "Mean Girls" stage musical on January 23, 2020. Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. are set to direct.
March 11, 2020: Mean Girls Musical Ends Broadway Run
The Broadway production of "Mean Girls" played its final performance on March 11, 2020, closing prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 2020: Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams Reiterate Interest in Sequel
Both Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams reiterated their interest in reprising their roles for a Mean Girls sequel in April 2020, emphasizing their enthusiasm for the project.
June 2020: Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Quotes "Mean Girls" in COVID-19 Briefing
Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar surprised audiences in June 2020 by quoting "Mean Girls" during a COVID-19 lockdown news briefing, using the line "the limit does not exist" to emphasize the potential for achievement, demonstrating the film's reach beyond entertainment and its use in unexpected contexts.
August 2020: Mark Waters Discusses Sequel Idea
Director Mark Waters shared a potential sequel idea involving the main characters as mothers in a parent-teacher association during an August 2020 podcast interview.
August 2020: Screen Junkies' Honest Trailers Episode on Mean Girls
Screen Junkies dedicated an episode of their Honest Trailers series to "Mean Girls" in August 2020, praising the film's enduring humor, accuracy, and classic status.
September 2020: Mariah Carey's "Mean Girls" Fandom Highlighted in Billboard Quiz
Mariah Carey's well-known love for "Mean Girls" was put to the test in September 2020 when Tina Fey quizzed her on the film for Billboard's "Quizzed" video series, showcasing the singer's fandom and the film's lasting impact.
September 2020: Pillsbury's Mean Girls Toaster Strudel
Pillsbury released a limited-edition Toaster Strudel in September 2020 with pink icing and special "Mean Girls" packaging, referencing Gretchen Wieners' claim about her father inventing the pastry.
September 29, 2020: Release of "Mean Girls: Senior Year" Graphic Novel
A graphic novel titled "Mean Girls: Senior Year," written by Arianna Irwin and illustrated by Alba Cardona, was released on September 29, 2020, by Insight Editions. The story follows the characters after the events of the film and introduces a new student.
October 3, 2020: "Mean Girls" Cast Reunites Virtually for Voting Encouragement and Reminiscing
On October 3, 2020, the cast of "Mean Girls" reunited virtually for the first time since the film's premiere, engaging in a conversation moderated by Katie Couric to reminisce about the film and encourage voter participation in the 2020 US presidential election.
2020: Mean Girls in Super Bowl Commercial
A clip from "Mean Girls" was prominently featured in a Discover Card commercial that aired during Super Bowl LIV in 2020, further illustrating the film's enduring popularity.
2020: "Mean Girls" Recognized for Political Insight by Ann Hornaday
In 2020, Ann Hornaday recognized the deeper social commentary within "Mean Girls," including it in her list of "The 34 Best Political Movies Ever Made" for its exploration of power dynamics and gender norms.
2020: Mean Girls Musical Closes
The Mean Girls musical, which had been running on Broadway, closed in 2020.
March 2021: Lindsay Lohan's Performance in "Mean Girls" Earns Critical Acclaim
Richard Brody of "The New Yorker" praised Lindsay Lohan's performance in "Mean Girls" in March 2021, ranking it among the best of the 21st century, highlighting her charisma, vulnerability, and comedic timing.
June 2021: Mean Girls References in Popular Culture
In June 2021, actress Aimee Lou Wood referenced the iconic Spring Fling crown-breaking scene from "Mean Girls" during an award acceptance speech. The same year, the TV show "How to Get Away with Murder" featured several nods to the movie, further cementing its place in pop culture history.
July 15, 2021: Unearthing of the Canceled Mean Girls Nintendo DS Game
A nearly completed "Mean Girls" video game for the Nintendo DS, canceled before its release, resurfaced in 2021 thanks to YouTuber Ray Mona. The full playthrough was shared on her channel, offering a glimpse into the lost project.
2021: "Mean Girls" Crowned Best 2000s Movie by Marie Claire
"Marie Claire" declared "Mean Girls" as the best movie of the 2000s, solidifying its status as a pop culture staple.
2021: British Band Wet Leg References "Mean Girls" in "Chaise Longue" Lyrics
British band Wet Leg paid homage to "Mean Girls" by incorporating the quote "Is your muffin buttered?/Would you like us to assign someone to butter your muffin?" into their 2021 song "Chaise Longue," showcasing the film's lasting influence on music across generations and genres.
2021: Lindsay Lohan's Performance in Mean Girls Recognized
In 2021, Lindsay Lohan's performance as Cady Heron in Mean Girls was ranked as the eleventh-best performance of the 21st century by The New Yorker.
August 2022: Daniel Franzese Discusses Sequel or Reboot Possibilities
Daniel Franzese discussed his enthusiasm for a Mean Girls sequel or reboot in August 2022, even expressing his efforts in writing a script for the project.
September 2022: Release of Mean Girls SteelBook Edition
A limited SteelBook edition of Mean Girls was released in September 2022.
October 2022: "Mean Girls" Continues to Receive Recognition for Comedy and Performances
"Rolling Stone" and "IndieWire" included "Mean Girls" in their rankings of the greatest comedies of the 21st century, acknowledging Tina Fey's writing and the film's lasting cultural impact. "The Independent" also highlighted Lindsay Lohan's performance as outstanding.
November 2022: Lizzy Caplan and Amanda Seyfried Share Sequel Thoughts
Lizzy Caplan expressed her interest in joining a potential Mean Girls reboot in November 2022. That same month, Amanda Seyfried and Lindsay Lohan discussed their desire to work on a sequel.
October 2023: Coffee Mate's Mean Girls Creamer
Nestlé's Coffee Mate announced the release of a limited-edition pink frosting flavored creamer in October 2023 to celebrate the upcoming 20th anniversary of "Mean Girls."
November 2023: Walmart's Holiday Campaign Featuring Mean Girls Cast
Walmart's holiday campaign for 2023 features several members of the original "Mean Girls" cast, including Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert, Daniel Franzese, and Rajiv Surendra, reprising their roles as adults in a nostalgic and festive campaign.
2023: Cast Reunion and Sequel Hopes
In early 2023, the main actresses from Mean Girls expressed their desire to reunite on screen for a potential sequel, even suggesting roles as the mothers of their original characters.
2023: Paramount Pictures Celebrates Mean Girls Day on TikTok
Paramount Pictures celebrated Mean Girls Day by releasing the film for free on TikTok, embracing the platform and its trends to engage fans.
January 12, 2024: Release of Mean Girls Musical Film Adaptation
On January 12, 2024, Paramount Pictures released a film adaptation of the Mean Girls musical. The film featured a mix of new cast members and actors reprising their roles from the stage production.
January 2024: Release of Mean Girls Musical Film
A film adaptation of the Mean Girls stage musical was released in January 2024.
January 2024: Release of Coffee Mate's Mean Girls Creamer
The limited-edition pink frosting flavored creamer from Coffee Mate, celebrating "Mean Girls," will hit shelves in January 2024.
January 2024: Tina Fey Addresses Sequel Possibilities
Tina Fey acknowledged Paramount's potential interest in a Mean Girls sequel in January 2024 but admitted to not having concrete plans for it.
April 30, 2024: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Release of Mean Girls
Mean Girls was released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on April 30, 2024, to commemorate its 20th anniversary.
October 2024: Mean Girls Bratz Doll Collaboration
Paramount is partnering with MGA Entertainment to launch a limited-edition line of "Mean Girls" Bratz dolls in October 2024, featuring Cady, Regina, Gretchen, and Karen. The dolls will be released separately throughout the month, culminating in a Halloween release.
October 2024: 20th Anniversary Theatrical Re-release
To mark the film's 20th anniversary, "Mean Girls" will be re-released in theaters across North America in October 2024, giving fans a chance to experience the high school comedy on the big screen once again.
2024: Release of Mean Girls Little Golden Book
A Little Golden Book retelling of Mean Girls was released in 2024.
