Wondering if Mean Girls 2024 is ok for kids? While the story is pretty much the same, Mean Girls isn’t necessarily a remake of the 2004 movie; it’s a musical adaptation. But the story has already been done…twice. Why is Mean Girls rated PG-13? Expect some of the same content as the original. Here’s what parents need to know in this Mean Girls Parents Guide.

Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.
Mean Girls Parents Guide
They say it’s a twist on MEAN GIRLS, but I’m still waiting for the twist. It’s more a stage to movie rendition of the musical Mean Girls. The original Mean Girls came out in theaters in 2004. Then they made a Broadway musical about it. Now they’re making a film based on the Broadway musical. If you’ve seen any version, you know the story.
After moving from Africa and being homeschooled, new student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called “The Plastics.” It’s ruled by queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika).
However, when Cady falls for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. Determined to win Aaron, Cady sets to take down Regina with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey). She must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.
Age Rating: Why is Mean Girls PG-13?
Mean Girls is rated PG-13 for teen drinking, sexual material, and language which means some content may not be appropriate for kids under 13.
Parents need to know that Mean Girls (2024) does have sexual innuendos and content, but there is no nudity. Just a lot of cleavage.
Language in Mean Girls
You can expect to hear some language including words like sh*t, b*tch, a**hole, damn, hell, slut, bastard, di*k, horny, and words of Deity in dialogue and song lyrics. Profanity is moderate.
Mature Content: Is Mean Girls Kid Friendly?
Mean Girls showcases some typical high school mean girl behavior. Girls are fighting over guys, calling each other names, showing insecurities, and bullying each other.
There are sexual innuendos and content such as characters kissing, revealing costumes and dancing, and use of sexual words like slut and dick.
A teacher gives a student a bathroom pass in the shape of a “sperm whale.”
The Halloween scene shows many females in revealing costumes, teens trying to be sexy and dancing provocatively.
A student makes fun of another for being a lesbian.
A book has mean things written about other girls in it and are shared with the school.
Teens are shown drinking alcohol and doing shots at parties.

Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.
Is Mean Girls Appropriate for Kids Under 13?
If you’ve seen the original, expect more of the same. And that’s the major problem with this Mean Girls. It’s more of the same old, same old, but not as good.
I’d say they toned down the sexual content a bit in this version, which I appreciated. It didn’t feel as raunchy. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still some crass jokes and plenty of camera shots of boobs, or maybe I’m desensitized since teen TV shows are so inappropriate these days. Mean Girls is kid friendly for ages 12 years and older if parents are ok with some of the mature topics.
There is no denying Reneé Rapp’s incredible voice. She gives an older and icier vibe to Regina George. But it’s hard not to compare the actors to the original if you were a fan. Rapp appears almost too old for a high school student and the lyrics to the songs were sometimes muddled.
If you grew up with the original, you may struggle a bit. Even the iconic Mean Girls lines weren’t delivered with as much zing as the original movie. But all the actors were committed, and some perhaps a bit too much. Shout out to Jaquel Spivey for his fierce portrayal of Damian. He had me rolling with every line.
For a newer and younger audience, Mean Girls will be a blast. It hits all the right notes with teen behaviors, pressures of high school, and yes, the jungle-like environment of insecure, pretty girls.
Although there weren’t as many differences and surprises as I hoped for, Mean Girls is still fun and entertaining and again reminds us to knock it off with the mean girl attitudes. If that message sticks with some teens, then we’ll call it a win. Mean Girls still didn’t make fetch happen, but it made me want to sing about it.

Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.