32 Iconic Mean Girls Who Ruled the Silver Screen

It’s intriguing to ponder over the fact that numerous memorable, scene-stealing movie villains throughout history are young women, some even in high school or college. What is it about these self-centered and boisterous young females that leaves audiences trembling with fear or simmering with anger? To better understand this phenomenon, let’s revisit some famous high school films, a selection of great college movies, and even delve into other genres to examine their detestable female characters who embody the archetype of the “mean girl.

Kathryn Merteuil (Cruel Intentions)

When Sarah Michelle Gellar was widely recognized for combating evil as the star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the late 90s, she displayed a more villainous side in the movie Cruel Intentions from 1999, portraying Kathryn Merteuil. The film’s title, an adaptation of the classic tale Dangerous Liaisons, reflects the character’s selfish and manipulative nature, as seen through her exploitation and control of others for personal enjoyment.

Tracy Flick (Election)

In what way does one of the most profound and intellectually stimulating political dramas ever made revolve around the satirical tale of teenager Tracy Flick’s campaign to become student body president at her Oklahoma high school? Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon delivers an electrifying performance in the 1999 film Election, portraying a relentless, scheming perfectionist who clashes with her teacher (Matthew Broderick).

Chris Hargenson (Carrie)

Although Sissy Spacek’s character in the 1976 adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie, while possessing formidable, otherworldly abilities, there are other characters who could more accurately be labeled as the antagonist. For instance, Chris Hargenson (played by Nancy Allen). She unfairly blames Carrie for her prom ban, despite having tormented and bullied her, and orchestrates a malicious prank that sets off Carrie’s telekinetic powers. This prank ultimately results in the deaths of many people in the gym, including Chris herself.

Heather Chandler (Heathers)

1988’s dark teen comedy “Heathers” introduces us to Veronica Sawyer, played by Winona Ryder, who forms an alliance with the most powerful and reviled trio at her school: Heather Duke (Shannen Doherty), Heather McNamara (Lisanne Falk), and their leader, Heather Chandler (Kim Walker). Tired of Heather Chandler’s oppressive nature, Veronica partners with J.D. (Christian Slater) to end her life. However, this act fails to weaken her control over the school’s social structure.

Big Red (Bring It On)

In the cheerleading movie equivalent to ‘Citizen Kane’, namely ‘Bring it On’ set in the 2000s, the Toros at Rancho Carnes High School are initially led by their captain, nicknamed “Big Red” (Lindsay Sloane). Later, after she graduates, it is uncovered that she had damaged her team’s standing through a selfish act: stealing routines from the East Compton High School Clovers.

Amber Von Tussle (Hairspray)

In the movie “Hairspray,” Velma Von Tussle, who is snobbish and harbors deep prejudice, takes the lead as the main antagonist. However, her daughter Amber, with her aggressive and highly competitive nature, comes in at a strong second place. This character was first brought to life by Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick (later known as Vitamin C) in John Waters’ 1988 comedy classic, and later by Brittany Snow in the 2007 musical adaptation film based on the hit stage show.

Amber Mariens (Clueless)

In the vibrant ’90s landscape of teen movies, Cher Horowitz, portrayed brilliantly by Alicia Silverstone in Clueless, stands out as a relatable and endearing heroine. What sets her apart is her selfless use of her privileged position to uplift those around her. This heartwarming trait serves as a stark contrast to her rival, Amber Mariens (Elisa Donovan), who wields her privilege with a cruelty that knows no bounds, using it to belittle and demean anyone she considers beneath her, which sadly seems to be most people.

Jennifer Check (Jennifer’s Body)

One notable female antagonist from modern horror films is Megan Fox’s character in the 2009 movie “Jennifer’s Body,” who transforms into a lethal succubus following an unsuccessful Satanic ritual. Yet, even before she started preying on her male classmates, Jennifer was already known for her arrogance and lack of empathy, making her undeserving of a kind-hearted friend like the shy Needy, portrayed by Amanda Seyfried.

Courtney Alice Shayne (Jawbreaker)

In simpler terms, “Jawbreaker” is yet another controversial high school comedy that revolves around manslaughter – in this case, the unintentional death of a character named Liz (played by Charlotte Ayanna), at the hands of her friends Foxy (Julie Benz), Julie (Rebecca Gayheart), and Courtney Shayne (Rose McGowan). However, even if we exclude manslaughter with the titular candy from consideration, Courtney is a particularly wicked teenage clique leader who callously refers to herself as a goddess.

Regina George (Mean Girls)

Fans of the 2004 movie “Mean Girls” are likely grateful that Lindsay Lohan took on the role of Cady Heron rather than Regina George, which she nearly played. Rachel McAdams delivered a standout performance as Regina, making her character’s vindictive, judgmental, and controlling nature crystal clear. Not only does the character openly admit to these traits, but she also acknowledges the destructive path she sets for Cady, mirroring her own reputation in some ways.

Judy (Sleepaway Camp)

Judy, who persistently mocked her, kissed her romantic interest Paul (Christopher Collet), and egged on Meg (Katherine Kamhi) to push her into a lake, deserved the consequences when Angela (Felissa Rose) took drastic actions. However, it’s hard not to feel a twinge of sympathy upon witnessing her gruesome death scene – one of the most shocking from the beloved 1983 summer horror movie, “Sleepaway Camp“.

Marianne Bryant (Easy A)

It’s possible that Amanda Bynes’ reputation for portraying amusing, endearing characters you want to cheer for led her to deviate from this norm in the critically-acclaimed 2010 high school comedy, Easy A. In this film, her character, Marianne Bryant, resorts to bullying her peers, particularly Olive Penderghast (Emma Stone), using her religious beliefs as a cover, especially when Olive’s ‘innocence’ is under scrutiny.

Sharpay Evans (High School Musical)

In each of Disney Channel’s High School Musical trilogy, including the third movie that had a theatrical release, Sharpay Evans, played by Ashley Tisdale, wields considerable power over East High School’s drama club. To add to the complexity, the self-centered diva often pursues basketball star Troy Bolton (portrayed by Zac Efron) in the first two films, despite his relationship with Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens).

Leslie “Spike” O’Malley (Back To The Future Part II)

In the film “Back to the Future Part II,” if we were to pick an extra member from Griff’s (Tom Wilson) group who stood out as both unforgettable and particularly intimidating, it would undeniably be Spike (played by Darlene Vogel). Unlike many movie bullies who rely on mental manipulation, Spike isn’t shy about resorting to actual physical force to compel Marty McFly Jr. (Michael J. Fox) into obeying their commands.

Lana Thomas (The Princess Diaries)

2001’s film “The Princess Diaries” features Mandy Moore as Lana Thomas, a well-liked cheerleader who gives Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) a hard time. After discovering her royal ancestry, Lana doesn’t alter her behavior much and attempts to exploit the princess’s newfound fame by pretending to be her friend, despite their strained relationship.

Rachel Witchburn (Sydney White)

2007’s film titled Sydney White features Amanda Bynes in the role of a lively college student. She becomes friends with a band of seven socially outcast men due to her circumstances. Her friendship blossoms when she is expelled from the Kappa Sorority, led by its queen, Rachel Witchburn (portrayed by Sara Paxton). Rachel is a ruthless character who constantly aims to be the most beautiful among them, striving for the top spot on her university’s online popularity list.

Danielle Bouseman (Happy Death Day)

In the movie “Happy Death Day 2U” from 2019, Rachel Matthews’ character, who was previously portrayed as controlling and arrogant in Blumhouse’s 2017 time loop film “Happy Death Day”, shows a bit of redemption. In this sequel, her character is shown to be kind-hearted and selfless, helping the main character Tree (played by Jessica Rothe) to return to her own reality. However, it’s important to note that this version of the character was from an extra-dimensional universe, so she still retains some of her original flaws.

Marion Hawthorne (Harriet The Spy)

Back in 1996, I found myself deeply engrossed in the Nickelodeon adaptation of Louise Fitzhugh’s 1964 novel, “Harriet the Spy.” In this film, I identified with the titular character, Harriet, played by Michelle Trachtenberg, a sixth-grader with an insatiable curiosity. My arch-nemesis in this tale was none other than Marion Hawthorne, portrayed by Charlotte Sullivan. This self-centered, high-society girl brought misery into my life and severed Harriet’s bond with her cherished friends when she unearthed Harriet’s personal journal, revealing her most unflattering secrets to the rest of her classmates.

Laura Lizzie (The Craft)

In admiration for Fairuza Balk’s outstanding portrayal as Nancy Downs, one of the most terrifying characters from the 1996 film The Craft, we cannot overlook Christine Taylor’s character, Laura Lizzie. Unlike her dark magic-wielding peers, this blonde teen derives satisfaction from bullying and degrading others, such as Rochelle (Rachel True) due to her race, and Sarah (Robin Tunney) simply for being the new girl at school. As a result, she casts a spell on her that leads to hair loss.

Angelica Pickles (The Rugrats Movie)

If you’re well-acquainted with the iconic animated TV series “Rugrats,” you might recall that Angelica Pickles, a three-year-old character voiced by Cheryl Chase, has carried out some truly terrible acts against her fellow characters, which were broadcast on television. These actions, even for a girl of her age, are so despicable that it’s completely warranted to include her in this list, given the 1998 big-screen adaptation of the beloved Nickelodeon cartoon served as an opportunity for these misdeeds to be showcased.

Ambrosia (May)

Among the most compassionate horror movie antagonists ever portrayed is the title character played by Angela Bettis in the 2002 film May. This character was pushed to commit murder due to various factors, such as the unjust treatment she received from her peers. The individual who inflicted the most harm was Ambrosia (Nichole Hiltz), a domineering figure who heartlessly mocked and belittled the socially isolated and mistreated woman, ultimately destroying her relationship with Polly (Anna Faris).

Mimi (Psycho Goreman)

In a contemporary film like “Psycho Goreman,” Mimi serves as a central character who, ironically, detracts from the movie’s overall appeal due to her annoying narcissism and bullying behavior. Despite its humor, creativity, and gruesome nostalgia for ’90s sci-fi B-movies, some viewers might find it more enjoyable if the young girl, who summons and controls the title character (voiced by Steven Vlahos and portrayed physically by Matthew Ninaber), were less irritating.

Amanda Buckman (Addams Family Values)

In one perspective, it’s quite understandable that Amanda Buckman (Mercedes McNab) might feel overwhelmed or even frightened by Wednesday Addams (Christina Ricci) during their time at Camp Chippewa in 1993’s Addams Family Values. However, from another angle, the way Amanda flaunts her wealth and arrogance makes it entertaining to see her succumb to Wednesday’s pranks, like when she manipulates the play reenacting the first Thanksgiving.

Madison Morgan (The DUFF)

In the 2015 film titled “The DUFF” (short for “Designated Ugly Fat Friend”), Bianca Piper, portrayed by Mae Whitman, keeps up connections with the popular group through friendships with Jess (Skyler Samuels) and Casey (Bianca Santos), who are considered more traditionally attractive. However, she would never associate herself with Madison Morgan (played by Bella Thorne), an aspiring reality TV star, as she believes that Madison’s persistent rudeness and meanness is actually one of her supposedly endearing traits.

Christie Masters (Romy And Michele’s High School Reunion)

1997’s film “Romy And Michele’s High School Reunion” introduces us to the titular pair, portrayed by Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow, as well as their high school tormentor, Christie Masters (Julia Campbell). At the reunion, it becomes evident that despite being “happily married,” Christie remains exactly the same – a harsh and judgmental individual, much like her teenage self.

Blaire Lily (Unfriended)

In many parts of the 2015 horror movie, Unfriended by Blumhouse, we root for Blaire Lily (Shelley Hennig) and her friends as they try to survive an unknown force lurking in their Skype conversation. However, our hopes are dashed when we learn that Blaire, who had been exposed as a deceptive person, was the one who posted a humiliating video that led to Laura Barns’ (Heather Sossaman) suicide. It turns out that it is not just any entity but the vengeful spirit of the late Laura who has been tormenting Blaire.

Monique Valentine (She’s The Man)

In the role of Alexandra Breckenridge from ‘Virgin River’, Monique Valentine is portrayed as a domineering ex-girlfriend to Sebastian (James Kirk). She’s harsh towards Viola (Amanda Bynes) and downright rude to most people she encounters. When it comes to conflicts, her confrontations with Viola and Olivia (Laura Ramsey), notably in one of the memorable scenes from the 2006 film ‘She’s the Man’, a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s play ‘Twelfth Night, or What You Will’, there’s rarely any doubt about who might instigate a fight.

Harriet Bentley (Wild Child)

In the 2008 teen comedy “Wild Child,” Emma Roberts plays the role of Poppy, a pampered American girl who gets sent against her will to a British boarding school. Making things even more challenging for her is Harriet Bentley (Georgia King), who harbors a deep-seated dislike for Poppy and sets out to falsely accuse her of arson.

Jessica Spencer (The Hot Chick)

Prior to portraying Regina George, Rachel McAdams initially appeared in the 2002 comedy “The Hot Chick” as Jessica Spencer. In this role, she finds herself in an unusual situation when her body switches with a street thief (played by Rob Schneider) due to enchanted earrings. Initially, it’s challenging to feel empathy for the plight of the popular high school cheerleading captain, as she was quite nasty and manipulative before the body exchange.

Julie (The Toxic Avenger)

In a twisted turn of events, the unpredictable and malevolently playful character Julie (Cindy Manion) orchestrates a disastrous prank that leads to the unfortunate incident where timid and clumsy gym janitor Melvin (Mark Torgl) plunges into a hazardous chemical bath, transforming him into the titular hero of Troma’s 1984 B-movie, “The Toxic Avenger.” This action ultimately sets in motion her demise as Toxie (Mitch Cohen), fueled by vengeance, confronts her with a pair of scissors.

Gwen Grayson (Sky High)

Initially, Gwen Grayson (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) appears as a compassionate and model student in the 2005 movie Sky High. However, it’s later revealed that her entire image of kindness was merely a clever strategy for world domination. In actuality, she is none other than the supervillain Royal Pain, who underwent a transformation into an infant many years ago.

Tracy Campbell (The Rage: Carrie 2)

In the 1999 sequel “The Rage: Carrie 2”, Tracy, played by Charlotte Ayanna, is similar to Chris Hargenson in the original “Carrie” when it comes to Rachel Lang. She plots a mean-spirited prank against the main character (portrayed by Emily Bergl), not realizing that she will eventually become the victim of the social outcast’s powerful telekinetic abilities, as she spends too much time with her boyfriend, Jesse (Jason London).

2025-02-06 19:39