"Mean Girls 2024": What to Expect from the Highly Anticipated Movie, Story, Trailer
"Mean Girls" is expected to maintain its position at the top of the domestic charts, while the recently Oscar-nominated films aim to capitalize on their newfound awards buzz and continue their successful theatrical runs.
"Mean Girls" continues to demonstrate a solid performance, with projections indicating that its domestic revenue will exceed $60 million in the near future. Nevertheless, the marketplace has become notably quieter after a somewhat lackluster holiday season.
Story Line
(Image credit: 2023 Paramount Pictures) via marieclaire.co.uk
Mean Girls, the musical adaptation, has made its way to theaters 20 years after the release of the original film. This new version brings a fresh twist to the beloved 2004 classic and introduces some alterations to the ending. Initially, Mean Girls was planned for exclusive streaming on Paramount+, but it was later decided to give it a theatrical release.
The 2024 rendition of Mean Girls not only updates the storyline from the movie and the 2017 Broadway production but also incorporates new developments in social media and trends. These additions will eventually create a nostalgic atmosphere similar to that of the original film. Despite the tagline "not your mother's Mean Girls," this movie musical can be enjoyed by audiences of all generations.
MEAN GIRLS, 2024, a modern classic with a twist, is the brainchild of the talented Tina Fey. The story follows Cady Heron (Angourie Rice), a new student who quickly gains entry into the exclusive social circle known as "The Plastics." This group, led by the conniving Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her loyal sidekicks Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika), holds immense power within the school. However, Cady's life takes a complicated turn when she falls for Regina's ex-boyfriend, Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney). Suddenly, Cady finds herself at the mercy of Regina's manipulative tactics. Determined to bring down the queen bee, Cady enlists the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli'i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey). Together, they navigate the treacherous landscape of high school, all while Cady learns the importance of staying true to herself.
The primary takeaway from Mean Girls was succinctly expressed by Cady in the original film when she stated through voiceover, "Insulting someone's intelligence does not enhance your own." This particular line was later delivered by Ms. Norbury in the Mean Girls movie musical during the assembly scene, and subsequently reiterated by Janis and Damian in their closing remarks. While the initial movie was stories by Cady, the 2024 adaptation was presented as a tale recounted by Janis and Damian, offering an alternative perspective to the familiar story. Following the conclusion of the Spring Fling, they returned to impart the moral of the story.
Janis, one of the most malicious characters in Mean Girls, ultimately demonstrated that she too had learned her lesson in the final scene. There is no benefit to be gained from treating others unkindly, regardless of whether they have done the same to you or not. In fact, such behavior only serves to align you with them, as exemplified by Cady's transformation into a Plastic and her adoption of the very same demeanor she had previously criticized. If you have to compromise your true self in order for others to accept you, then those persons are not genuine friends. Mean Girls conveys a genuine message that imparts upon viewers the importance of treating others with kindness, as every individual deserves it.
How Mean Girls 2024 Movie's Ending Is Different From The 2004 Movie Story?
The climactic scene in both Mean Girls 2004 and Mean Girls 2024 unfolds at the Spring Fling dance. However, there are notable differences between the two movies. In the musical adaptation, prior to the announcement of the Spring Fling Queen, Regina and Cady engage in a one-on-one conversation in the bathroom. Cady offers her sincere apology, and Regina, under the influence of painkillers, forgives her former friend. This redemptive moment is absent in the 2004 film.
Furthermore, Mean Girls 2024 introduces a significant change to Janis's character. In the original movie, Janis becomes a target of bullying when Regina spreads a rumor suggesting that she is a lesbian. However, in the 2024 version, Janis proudly embraces her sexuality and attends the Spring Fling with a date instead of accompanying her gay best friend Damian. This transformation elevates Janis from a character with implied queerness to an explicitly lesbian character. Consequently, the absence of a kiss between Janis and Damian at the end, as well as her relationship with Kevin G in the original epilogue, is also omitted in the new ending of Mean Girls.
Relases
During the period between March and April 2023, the primary shooting for Mean Girls unfolded in New Jersey. The grand premiere of this film was held in New York City on January 8, 2024, and it was later distributed by Paramount Pictures in theaters across the United States on January 12. With a worldwide box office collection of $71 million, the movie has received a mixed response from critics.