Top 10 Iconic Mean Girl Cliques

#10: Lana, Anna & Fontana

“The Princess Diaries” (2001)

We can only assume that Lana Thomas, cheerleader and tormentor of novice princess Mia Thermopolis, chooses her friends based purely on their names. And frankly, the rhyming thing is kind of iconic. While Lana is the focus of much of this group’s screen time, Anna and Fontana still serve a very important purpose. Without their backup vocals, “Stupid Cupid” wouldn’t have been nearly as good. We’re still not sure what point that song served in the plot, but there’s no doubt they were definitely serving something. However, their scheme to expose Mia to the paparazzi later that night was seriously cruel, and some of the worst movie mean girl behavior.

#9: The Pretty Committee

“The Clique” (2008)

Sticking with the rhyming theme, but this group has decided to give a name to their clique. “The Pretty Committee” of the wealthy private school Octavian County Day consists of Massie Block and her selectively chosen friends. Like a middle school version of “Mean Girls,” “The Clique” also deals with an outsider, Claire, taking on a queen bee as she tries to infiltrate this elite group. Claire and Massie duke it out via fake IMs and an overactive rumor mill, but ultimately decide to call a truce and become friends. Everyone learns that kindness is better than cruelty, and, most importantly, they keep their super adorable group name.

#8: Paris, Madeline, & Louise

“Gilmore Girls” (2000-07)

The group with the most character development on this list comes from this cozy early 2000s TV series all about female relationships. When Rory Gilmore starts at Chilton, she initially encounters this group as the usual trio of a mean girl and her loyal cronies. However, as the series progresses, both Rory and the audience get to know these characters better, becoming much more complex. Paris’ bravado is revealed to mask deep insecurities, and their group dynamic shifts as it becomes clear that Madeline and Louise are best friends, making Paris more like a third wheel. It’s an interesting twist on a type of trio we’ve seen many times before, delving much deeper into the complexities of adolescent friendships.

#7: Darla & The Seniors

“Dazed and Confused” (1993)

For many decades, the transfer of power as one high school senior class graduates and the junior class rises to take their place has been an important rite of passage. Some students wield that power with a bit more grace than others. Darla and her fellow senior cheerleaders seize this authority with gusto, quickly enacting the hazing rituals they no doubt endured themselves as freshmen. While some of their actions could no doubt be considered cruel and unusual punishment, to these girls, they’re just welcoming their new cheerleaders the only way they know how. What a way to spend the last day of school.

#6: Big Red & The Toros

“Bring It On” (2000)

This elite cheerleading squad only proves what a difference a leader can make in shaping their group’s dynamics. Big Red, former Toros cheer captain, reigned with an iron fist. Her squad was in top shape, and they had the best routines. She might have had to steal them from the Clovers, but she would do whatever it took to win. As a result of Big Red’s deceit, the Toros as a whole become tainted by her treachery. Meanwhile, under Torrence’s rule as cheer captain, they are able to come together and create their own original routine to enter at nationals. They might not have been good enough to beat the Clovers, but honestly, could anyone?

#5: The Pink Ladies

“Grease” (1978)

They might be decked out in custom pink satin jackets, but these are not your typical teen queens. The rebellious Pink Ladies of Rydell High have no interest in being poodle-skirted cheerleaders. They’d rather drive around with their T-Bird boyfriends. Their leader Betty Rizzo embodies the total ethos of the Pink Ladies. Confident, sarcastic, and outspoken, Rizzo is proud to show off her unique personality. During a decade when conservative values and traditional femininity were praised, Rizzo and the Pink Ladies prove that conformity is never the only option. They know what they’re about, and they know they look good doing it.

#4: The Chanels

“Scream Queens” (2015-16)

This campy horror show gifted us the most perfect satire of the queen bee and her minions in the form of the Chanels. Sorority president Chanel Oberlin is beautiful, wealthy, and absolutely ruthless. She insists that members of her posse also go by the name Chanel, simply because she doesn’t want to learn their real names. She refers to them by number, completely stripping them of any original identity as she forces them to conform to her will. Always decked out in coordinating preppy and chic pastel outfits, there’s no denying the Chanels are an intimidatingly stunning force of nature. If there wasn’t a serial killer on the loose, they’d definitely be the most terrifying thing on campus.

#3: The Flawless Four

“Jawbreaker” (1999)

This dark comedy takes high school drama to a whole new level. The elite group of popular girls known as Flawless Four consists of Courtney, Marcie, Julie, and Liz. Armed with perfect hair and candy colored outfits, the girls are faced with a problem bigger than their usual drama when they accidentally cause Liz’s death. The complex lies they concoct to feign their innocence are a commentary on the high school rumor mill and the power popular students have to control the narrative how they see fit. Out of all the teen clique flicks, this one is definitely the most criminally underrated.

#2: The Heathers

“Heathers” (1988)

Veronica Sawyer is the odd one out within her elite friend group for a few reasons, but most notably, she’s the only one not named Heather. Heather McNamara, Heather Duke, and leader Heather Chandler form the Heathers, a ruthless group of girls consumed by their quest to attain and protect their high status at Westerburg High School. When Veronica and her bad boy boyfriend J.D. accidentally kill Chandler, Westerburg descends into anarchy. With the balance of power disturbed, the chaos that follows serves as a commentary on mental health and high school social dynamics. As ruthless as they were, it seems the Heathers were the glue holding together the collective sanity of their school.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Shelby, Madison, & Caitlyn

“A Cinderella Story” (2004)

Every Server’s Worst Nightmare Table

The A-Group, “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion” (1997)

Reunion Proves That Some Things Never Change

The Six Chicks, “13 Going on 30” (2004)

80s Pre-Teen Queens, But Blink and You’ll Miss Brie Larson

#1: The Plastics

“Mean Girls” (2004)

There couldn’t possibly be another choice for the number one spot on this list. These three girls embody everything it means to be high school royalty, and they do it better than anyone else. Regina George is not only beautiful, she’s intelligent and manipulative enough to make anyone do her bidding. Her chosen targets are her best friends, loyal but spoiled Gretchen Wieners and the dim but sweet Karen Smith. Following Regina’s strict code of conduct, the Plastics always look stunning and have earned their classmates’ utmost fear and respect. Even kind-hearted homeschooled Cady falls under their spell, proving no one is safe from the ultimate queens of the high school social hierarchy.

Would you join any of these mean girl cliques? Let us know in the comments!