Cinema fans across the globe are marking the annual Mean Girls Day this October 3. This legendary date stems from a memorable moment in the 2004 comedy masterpiece, featuring A-list stars Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, and Tina Fey.
In a standout sequence, audiences discover protagonist Cady (Lohan) is harbouring romantic feelings for the school’s golden boy Aaron Samuels (portrayed by Jonathan Bennett). Cady subsequently recounts one of her earliest interactions with Aaron, declaring: “On October 3rd, he asked me what day it was.” While we never see Aaron posing the now-legendary question, the scene depicts Cady replying with “it’s October 3rd”.
This particular date has evolved into a cultural phenomenon since then. For fans eager to participate in the celebrations and revisit the complete Mean Girls collection, here’s your comprehensive guide to where you can stream the films, reports the Mirror.
The original and most iconic film in the franchise, 2004’s Mean Girls ranks amongst Lohan’s most popular roles. Directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey, this female-focused comedy explores life at an American high school.
Central character Cady transitions to public school after being home-schooled in Africa. But as she attempts to fit in, Cady confronts the brutal hierarchy ingrained in her new school.
Her first blunder occurs when she falls for Aaron, who has already been claimed by the school’s queen bee Regina George (McAdams). From her initial Halloween party to navigating school crushes, viewers accompany the main character through relatable teenage experiences.
This seemingly straightforward story has left a lasting imprint on the coming-of-age genre and continues to inspire memes more than 20 years after its debut.
Mean Girls is available to stream now on Netflix and ITVX.
While the original film etched a place for itself in pop culture history, its 2011 sequel fell short of expectations. Mean Girls 2 features Disney star Meaghan Martin as the lead character Jo Mitchell, an 18-year-old tomboy who frequently changes schools due to her father’s job.
Like its predecessor, this follow-up comedy focuses on Jo confronting a clique at her new school. Instead of McAdams, Maiara Walsh takes on the role of the Regina George-like bully, Mandi Weatherly.
Despite borrowing from the original Mean Girls narrative, critics slammed this instalment as a watered-down version of the first film’s rich themes. It currently holds a disappointing 29 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score from audiences, compared to the original Mean Girls’ more commendable 66 per cent rating.
Mean Girls 2 is available to stream now on Paramount+.
The latest instalment in the franchise was released two decades after the original, with Tina Fey returning as screenwriter. This musical rendition offers a fresh perspective on the classic tale of Cady Heron and Regina George.
However, the main roles are taken up by Gen Z sensations Reneé Rapp (as Regina) and Angourie Rice (portraying Cady). This revamped version also addresses some problematic elements that its noughties predecessor overlooked. For instance, Cady now moves from Kenya, rather than the vague reference to the continent of Africa.
Despite the musical not achieving the same cultural impact as the initial film, it has received positive feedback from long-standing fans.
Mean Girls is streaming now on Paramount+.