Twitter Users Went to War: Superbad vs Mean Girls

August 31, 2020

On the morning of Friday August 28th, Superbad and Mean Girls were trending on Twitter. The cause? A poll! 

What happens when Seth, Evan, and McLovin take on Cady and the Plastics? There’s only one way to find out, and it starts by voting for either ‘Superbad’ (1) or ‘Mean Girls’ (1) in our #TeenMovieBracket Final Four

— The Ringer (@ringer) August 28, 2020

As part of their ‘Teen Movie Bracket’, a popular media outlet, The Ringer, has been pitting teen movies against each other for followers to vote on their favorite. Mean Girls and Superbad were in the semi-finals competing for a spot in the finals against the beloved comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. However, this poll ignited fiery debates as some were not content with the results.

Mean Girls is a better movie than Superbad. I do not care if that’s blasphemy. https://t.co/RsFchkSwx4

— Kenny G (@TheKennyJG) August 28, 2020

https://twitter.com/berneets/status/1299390208216047616?s=20

If you’ve been living under a rock, Mean Girls follows a teenage girl who transfers to a new school and strives to fit in. She is faced with the challenge of navigating through typical high school drama from boys to cliques. Although this movie has a compelling plot, it is most known for its legendary quotes such as, “on Wednesdays, we wear pink” and, “I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom,” which people still refer to today. 

On Wednesday we wear pink… and social distance of course. pic.twitter.com/ApGXpBfHVq

— ESU Colorguard (@ESUColorguard) August 27, 2020

I can't wait to be a mom so I candress uplike Regina George's mom for Halloween and the caption, Im not like a regular mom I'm a cool mom!

— Candra (@candrottie) May 4, 2015

In 2017, thirteen years after the movie was released, the high school comedy made its broadway debut. The broadway show was an instant hit due to its established fanbase rushing to buy tickets and learn all the songs.

learning every word of mean girls on broadway in 2018 was probably my least useful but favourite venture

— gravy (@puntheory) August 28, 2020

Because of the obsession and adoration many have for Mean Girls, fans have created an unofficial holiday for the movie on October 3rd. On this day, people share their love of the movie with others, usually by posting Gifs and images of this classic scene.

it's october 3rd y’all, happy mean girls day pic.twitter.com/xFtTwijYdB

— lindsay lohan promoter (@CADYHERONREAL) October 3, 2019

The opposing classic, Superbad, highlights the journey of three friends as they attempt to deliver alcohol to a high school party in order to impress their crushes. Various obstacles allow them to endure a crazy and comedic adventure from oblivious cops to wild car rides. Superbad does have many iconic quotes, but it is best known for its comedic moments! From Fogell’s hilarious fake ID and reign as McLovin, to the lengths Seth will go to impress his crush and successfully bring alcohol to the party, this movie can be considered comedic gold.

Man arrested on suspicion of using McLovin fake ID to get into bar https://t.co/Dcoe5AQtXQ pic.twitter.com/sckPTDEgHJ

— LADbible (@ladbible) October 15, 2019

The OG of ingesting laundry detergent #superbad pic.twitter.com/RSjU3MDBCs

— Brianna Guler (@Brianna_Way) January 19, 2018

Superbad may not be a broadway show or have its own holiday, but the characters have remained prevalent in pop culture as people refer to their hilarious moments and characteristics.

Superbad is a classic. No one better than the OG McLovin

— Kevin (@bigkevxd) August 29, 2020

Bill Hader and Seth Rogen are gold together

Can I get a whole movie with you two as the cops from Superbad please @Sethrogen 

— Strwbry Scones (@MikeyTurntables) August 30, 2020

Not only are these movies considered classics due to their relatable comedic factors, but also from their renowned characters that have become staples in pop culture. From ‘The Plastics’ queen, Regina George, to the nerdy yet semi-cool McLovin. These characters have become a part of our everyday language as they are used to describe the stereotypes we may see in everyday life.

It should be noted that the actors who played these symbolic roles have become household names such as Lindsey Lohan, Tina Fey, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, and many more. Despite the fact that these films premiered over 10 years ago, these actors’ careers have skyrocketed since and almost everyone has at least heard of one of their names.

Tina Fey is the most beautiful comedian. Just saying..smart is sexy. Watching old TV roasts, and she is stunning.

— john wilkin (@sarsmonster) August 30, 2020

jonah hill ive had a crush on this man since i first seen him in superbad as a kid pic.twitter.com/MZ7LuJljlg

— 𓆩 g r e y 𓆪 (@2ynthx) August 31, 2020

Although these movies have had long-lasting adoration, the Twitter poll determined that more people favor Superbad. 

https://twitter.com/JaimeDaGreat/status/1299393160305504256?s=20

Superbad is the best comedy of the 2000s

— Luke (@LakeEffectBro) August 28, 2020

However, the Mean Girls’  fandom will not let their favorite movie of all time be inferior to Superbad. 

https://twitter.com/yharazayd/status/1299401609634615304?s=20

I'm a high school counselor and can confirm that teenagers STILL watch Mean Girls and quote it constantly. I can't say the same for Superbad.

— Luke 茂雄 (@LukeShigeo) August 28, 2020

Only one of these movies wielded enough power to become a Broadway show

— Sarah Kezele (@SarahKezele) August 28, 2020

People love when movies are relatable, so in the end, it seems like Mean Girls will appeal to those who have experienced similar drama and cliques in their own school. If this was you, you probably will appreciate the savage jabs taken at this demeaning culture. Others may lean towards Superbad if they have had similar motives to its protagonists. If you relate to this, you probably will find humor in the lengths the characters will go to achieve their trivial goals, not to mention a good laugh at the memory of trying to impress a school crush. 

After considering the plots, characters, and Twitter responses, do you agree that Superbad is better than Mean Girls, or should Mean Girls have won? Which movie do you think is more relatable?