Movies You Might Have Missed: Mean Girls Gone Wild

Before you were potty trained—or even born—Hollywood made some good movies. Movies You Might Have Missed is a recurring feature in which your SparkNotes editors recommend a few watchable films from the 1990s or before.

Listen, y'all: we know you love Mean Girls. Who doesn't? When it comes to movies about depraved high school queen bees and the classmates who love (to hate) them, Tina Fey's brilliant send-up has been the gold standard since the dawn of the 21st century. Featuring hair full of secrets, word vomit, and an adorable version of Lindsay Lohan who has long since disappeared beneath a scary blond dye job and rumors of drug use, there's nothing better than Mean Girls...

Except, of course, these other "high school girl" movies that preceded it. Holler!

The Craft
The lithe young stars of The Craft have vanished into oblivion over the past ten years (where the heck is Robin Tunney these days? Does anyone know?!), but that doesn't change the awesomeness of this 1996 movie about four teenage witches who wreak havoc on the A-crowd jerks who torment them. Have you ever wanted to see a racist butthead get her comeuppance in the form of uncontrollable hair loss? This is your movie. Plus, Fairuza Balk is so bad-a as the psychotic Nancy Downs that she'd give even Regina George a run for her money.

Clueless
In 1995, your editors saw Clueless... and then spent an entire year wearing matchy plaid mini-skirt-suits with thigh high socks. IN PUBLIC.

We are, like, so totally not sorry.

A modern-day reinterpretation of Jane Austen's Emma, Clueless has all the adorable feel good-ness of a period romance with the added fun of a Valley Girl lexicon and wackier clothes. Plus, it's great for playing "spot the celebrity": Watch for Alicia Silverstone in her breakout performance as Cher, a thoroughly crushable Paul Rudd as her stepbrother, and the late Brittany Murphy in her first big role. (That was way harsh, Tai. RIP.)

Heathers
Over the years, many movies have tried—and failed—to replicate the dark genius of Heathers. (Jennifer's Body, we're looking at you.) Featuring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater as a high school couple who conspire to kill off the evil plastics who dominate their school's ruling popular clique, this movie is smart, cynical, and hilarious. It also holds a cinematic lifetime achievement award for "best scene involving a scrunchie." (Okay, we made that up. But if such an award existed, Heathers would win it.)

Got a movie to add? Tell us in the comments! Don't like these movies? WhatEVER. You're probably a virgin who can't drive.

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