Mean Girls’ Regina George is the ‘meanest’ high school film character of all time, according to research
Despite being named the nastiest, two fifths of people feel her character is flawed, but still human
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Mean Girls’ Regina George is the “meanest” high school film character of all time, according to research.
Rachel McAdams’ breakout role as the “Queen of the Plastics” in the 2004 cult classic took the top spot thanks to her snappy quips and cunning manipulative tactics.
She was closely followed in second place by the ever-scheming Kathryn Merteuil – played by Sarah Michelle Gellar in Cruel Intentions.
Kathryn’s devious step-brother, Sebastian, crept in at third place on the list of nastiest high school characters from the big screen.
The study of 2,000 UK film fans, commissioned by Sky Q, revealed three quarters have watched their favourite high school movie multiple times.
Typically, Cruel Intentions, Never Been Kissed, The Princess Diaries, The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off have been enjoyed three times.
And Clueless and 10 Things I Hate About You have been viewed four times while film fans have watched Mean Girls on an average of five occasions.
But the 1970s classic Grease has been watched a whopping eight times on average.
The study also found that Mean Girls, which is celebrating its 15 year anniversary this month, is still so popular that three in 10 are “shocked” when they meet someone who hasn’t seen the high-school comedy.
More than half of fans enjoy Mean Girls for the way it pokes fun at popularity and high school cliques.
And despite the fact Regina was named the nastiest movie personality, two fifths felt her character is flawed, but still human.
One third felt the same about Regina’s arch-nemesis, Lindsay Lohan’s Cady Heron.
Researchers also revealed the best-loved quotes from the film, which was hilariously adapted to screenplay by comic, Tina Fey.
“On Wednesdays, we wear pink” came out on top, closely followed by “She doesn’t even go here!” and “Is butter a carb?”
To celebrate the anniversary of the classic film, you can now say: “On Wednesdays we wear pink”, into your Sky Q remote’s voice search to find the film.
Ian Lewis, director of Sky Cinema, said: “There’s something about a high school movie which makes us feel nostalgic.
“Even 15 years since its release, Mean Girls still feels so relatable, so we wanted to mark the occasion through adding its most recognisable quote to Sky Q’s voice search.
“To kick off the start of summer, we’re also launching a ‘School’s Out’ channel where fans can watch a collection of cult classics like American Pie, The Breakfast Club and Clueless.”
The research also revealed nearly half of those polled, via OnePoll, agreed a “mean” character is integral to the structure of a good high school movie, closely tailed by snappy quips and an element of romance.
And in looking at why we love “mean” characters on screen, almost half believe “they are more fun”, and that they create drama which progresses the plot.
It also emerged one in five consider the noughties to be the best decade for high school films.
And for more than two fifths, there is nothing better than curling up on the sofa with a funny high school film.
Mean Girls is one of a selection of high school movies, from Grease to Pretty in Pink, being shown on Sky Cinema’s School’s Out channel from 20-28 July and On Demand.
Top 10 ‘meanest’ teen villains in film:
1. Regina George, Mean Girls (Rachel McAdams)
2. Kathryn Mertuil, Cruel Intentions (Sarah Michelle Gellar)
3. Sébastien de Valmont, Cruel Intentions (Ryan Phillipe)
4. Cady Heron, Mean Girls (Lindsay Lohan)
5. Amber Von Tussle, Hairspray (Brittany Snow)
6. Betty Rizzo, Grease (Stockard Channing)
7. Sharpay Evans, High School Musical (Ashley Tisdale)
8. Steve Stifler, American Pie (Seann William Scott)
9. Gretchen Wiener, Mean Girls (Lacey Chabert)
10. Lana Thomas, Princess Diaries (Mandy Moore)
Top 10 best high school movies of all time:
1. Grease
2. Mean Girls
3. American Pie
4. Clueless
5. The Breakfast Club
6. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
7. Cruel Intentions
8. Hairspray
9. The Princess Diaries
10. Bring It On
SWNS
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments