--- title: "Mean Girls: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/mean-girls/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/mean-girls" critics_score: 54 critics_reviews: 16 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Mean Girls (2024): what the critics said Critics' score 54 from 16 reviews: 6 positive, 4 mixed, 6 negative. The reviews split almost exactly down the middle, and the one thing nearly everyone agrees on is Reneé Rapp. Her Regina George is praised across the board, from the warmest notices to the coldest, with Auli’i Cravalho’s Janis close behind. The critics who like it find the songs give the characters room the original did not, and say the updated social-media setting lands more often than it misses. The complaint, repeated by most of those who do not like it and conceded by several who do, is that the sharp edges of the 2004 film have been sanded off. Several find the songs forgettable; The Hollywood Reporter goes further and calls the score tuneless and over-produced. Others object to the callbacks, the padding and a third act that runs long. The Guardian dissents, arguing the musical form suits the material better than the original did. The spread is wide, from warm approval to outright irritation. ## Empire — Catherine Bray Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2024. The critic calls it a sharp, funny musical that successfully updates the original template, especially when offering new lines and evolutions in language around progressive discourse. It rewards both newcomers and fans while fleshing out characters through song. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/mean-girls-2024/) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2024. The lively musical remake keeps the story's comic vision of teen culture alive through strong performances, especially from Rapp and Rice, and effective songs that highlight its themes. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/mean-girls-review-angourie-rice-renee-rapp-tina-fey-1235865805/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 12 January 2024. The critic finds the self-aware musical remake pretty good at reminding viewers why the original is fun. The updated social media references and Reneé Rapp's committed performance as Regina are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/mean-girls-review-reduced-reused-but-well-recycled.html) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2024. The musical format suits the material better than the original film, delivering an amusingly histrionic sugar-rush with plenty of laughs and fun along the way. It sags in an over-extended third act with some strained business, though classic gags land effectively. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/jan/10/mean-girls-review-high-school-sadism-comedy-as-sugar-rush-movie-musical-tina-fey) ## Radio Times — Emma Simmonds Rating 3/5. 12 January 2024. The musical remake remains a smart and relatable look at teen turmoil, with decent direction incorporating the numbers dynamically and strong turns from the young cast including Reneé Rapp, Auli’i Cravalho and Jaquel Spivey. However, the songs lack memorable hooks and comic snap, and the film feels overly faithful to the original without enough fresh bite. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/mean-girls-2024-review-musical/) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 11 January 2024. The musical remake is likable but over-padded and less tart than the original, yet it retains its ingratiating charms and appeal. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/movies/mean-girls-review.html) ## Sight and Sound Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 18 January 2024. The critic finds the musical remake energetic with well-staged numbers that offer character insights and playful fantasy, but faults it for sanding down the original's sharp, edgy tone into something less spiky and more neutered. Standout praise goes to the performances and songs of Reneé Rapp as Regina and Auli’i Cravalho as Janis. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/mean-girls-playful-high-energy-remake-sands-down-sharp-edges-original) ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2024. The critic describes it as an enjoyable but safe redo that feels like the old Mean Girls with smartphones, lacking freshness and daring despite solid casting and some fun adult performances. Songs and set pieces are singled out as often underwhelming or cookie-cutter. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/mean-girls-2024-review/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2024. The big-screen version of the Broadway musical lacks the depth, charm and panache of the 2004 original despite its energy and fidelity to the story of high-school cliques. A few songs stand out, but the razzle-dazzle often distracts, leaving the film feeling like a high-school reunion with little reason to linger. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/mean-girls-review/5189290.article) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2024. The musical remake is tiresome and overworked, with insipid songs and excessive callbacks that fail to capture the original's spark despite strong turns from Rapp and Cravalho. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-01-10/mean-girls-review-musical-tina-fey-regina-george) ## The Independent — Clarisse Loughrey Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 11 January 2024. The critic finds the film an unsatisfying rehash that recycles the original's punchlines and early-2000s dilemmas with little innovation or fresh take on contemporary teen life. Strong performances from René Rapp and Auliʻi Cravalho are singled out as highlights amid budget constraints and cut songs. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/mean-girls-review-musical-b2476945.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2024. The critic finds the musical remake a tuneless, labored mess that drains the fun from the material. The awkward, over-produced songs shoehorned in via social media framing are singled out for complaint. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/mean-girls-review-tina-fey-musical-remake-1235784164/) ## /Film — BJ Colangelo Rating 8/10. 10 January 2024. The critic calls it a fun, fetch amalgamation of the original film and Broadway musical that updates high-school dynamics for a new generation, with less bite but more empathy. They single out the strong cast, especially Reneé Rapp's Regina George, and the improved ending for praise. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1489450/mean-girls-2024-movie-musical-review/) ## Polygon Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 January 2024. The 2024 Mean Girls is a fun update to the story that benefits from a strong cast and some standout musical numbers, though it does not surpass the original film. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/e/23797674) ## NME — Nick Levine Rating 3/5. 19 January 2024. The critic calls it a middling rehash that is perfectly entertaining but no match for the original. They single out the solid but unspectacular songs and the strong performances, particularly Reneé Rapp selling her numbers. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/mean-girls-review-musical-renee-rapp-3573170) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 10 January 2024. The critic finds the 2024 musical remake a sanitized, muddled mash-up that is too lean on story and character development despite its length. Renee Rapp's commanding turn as Regina George is singled out as the sole highlight amid otherwise wasted talent and preachy musical numbers. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/renee-rapp-mean-girls-2024-review/) ## Den of Geek — Rosie Fletcher Rating 3 out of 5. 11 January 2024. The critic finds the musical remake fun but notes it has lost some of the original's teeth and nuance. They single out the young cast for praise, especially Reneé Rapp's electric and magnetic performance as Regina. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/mean-girls-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/mean-girls.md