If you’re a fan of the 2008 teen comedy The Clique, about a girl trying to fit in with the popular crowd at her new school, you’ll definitely want to check out these 15 other movies with similar themes of teen friendships, cliques, and coming-of-age stories. Get ready for some serious nostalgia and entertainment with this list of must-watch flicks.
Mean Girls (2004)
You can’t talk about movies like The Clique without mentioning the iconic teen comedy Mean Girls. Written by Tina Fey and starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, and Lacey Chabert, this movie follows Cady, a formerly homeschooled girl, as she navigates the treacherous social hierarchy of high school and the infamous “Plastics” clique.
Mean Girls is a smart, hilarious satire of high school life that has become a pop culture classic. It perfectly captures the cattiness and competition between teen girls as they jockey for popularity. With endlessly quotable lines and memorable characters, it’s a movie that stands the test of time.
Bratz (2007)
Based on the popular doll line, Bratz is a live-action movie about four best friends – Yasmin, Cloe, Sasha, and Jade – as they start high school and find themselves up against a controlling student body president who wants to split them up into different cliques. The girls must find a way to stay true to their friendship while pursuing their individual passions.
While critically panned, Bratz has become a cult favorite for its over-the-top fashion, catchy soundtrack, and themes of empowerment and staying true to yourself. If you love fun, fluffy teen movies, definitely give this one a chance.
Wild Child (2008)
Wild Child stars Emma Roberts as Poppy, a spoiled Malibu teen who gets shipped off to an uptight English boarding school by her father. Unwilling to follow the strict rules, Poppy clashes with the popular girls and struggles to fit in – until she meets a cute boy and some true friends who help her learn some valuable life lessons.
It’s a classic fish-out-of-water story with plenty of funny moments, mean girl showdowns, and heartfelt character growth. Plus the British setting and accents are totally charming. If you like The Clique, you’ll find a lot to love here.
The First Time (2012)
For a sweet, romantic take on teen relationships, check out The First Time. This indie rom-com stars Dylan O’Brien and Britt Robertson as two high schoolers who meet by chance at a party and spend a whirlwind weekend falling for each other, despite their complicated lives.
It’s a realistic, non-judgmental look at modern teen love that avoids cliches. O’Brien and Robertson have incredible chemistry that really sells the emotional ups and downs of the story. Sometimes you just need a good, old-fashioned love story to give you the warm fuzzies, and this one delivers.
Sleepover (2004)
Another fun friendship-focused flick is Sleepover, starring Alexa Vega and Sara Paxton. When Julie and her best friends have a sleepover, they end up embarking on an all-night scavenger hunt against the popular clique in an attempt to win the coveted high school lunchroom spot.
From makeovers and first kisses to hijinks and heart-to-hearts, Sleepover perfectly depicts the excitement and growing pains of being a teenage girl. The scavenger hunt antics are entertaining and the core group of besties are totally relatable. It’s a light, fun watch.
Aquamarine (2006)
For a unique twist on the teen movie genre, dive into Aquamarine. Emma Roberts and JoJo star as best friends who discover a mermaid named Aquamarine (Sara Paxton) in their swimming pool. They promise to help Aqua prove to her father that love exists, while she in turn offers to grant them a wish.
This movie is pure wish fulfillment fun, with lots of silly humor, cute boys, and a scene-stealing performance from Paxton as the naive yet determined mermaid. While the plot is far-fetched, the themes of friendship and first love are relatable to any teen girl.
She’s the Man (2006)
Amanda Bynes stars in this modern take on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. When Viola’s soccer team gets cut, she disguises herself as her twin brother and takes his place at his new boarding school so she can play on the boy’s team. Romantic entanglements and gender-bending hijinks ensue.
She’s the Man is carried by Bynes’ goofy, energetic performance as she flips between playing a girl and a boy. It’s endlessly quotable and rewatchable. And Channing Tatum is adorable as the love interest. If you like silly, slapstick humor with a dash of romance, you’ll get a kick out of this.
The House Bunny (2008)
Anna Faris is comedy gold in this film about a former Playboy bunny who signs up to be the house mother of a nerdy sorority after getting kicked out of the mansion. She helps the awkward girls come out of their shells and learn to be themselves.
The House Bunny is full of hilarious lines, physical comedy, and a sweet message about embracing your unique quirks. Faris fully commits to the ditzy blonde role and the transformations of the sorority girls are heartwarming. It’s a great pick-me-up watch.
Sydney White (2007)
This modern retelling of Snow White stars Amanda Bynes as a tomboy freshman who pledges her late mother’s once dignified sorority. But when the sorority president turns out to be an evil witch, Sydney joins forces with seven outcasts to take back the campus.
From the goofy comedy to the college clique takedown, Sydney White feels like a spiritual sequel to She’s the Man. Bynes is in top form and Sara Paxton is deliciously evil as the villain. It’s a fun, empowering story of being true to yourself.
Picture This (2008)
Disney Channel star Ashley Tisdale breaks out in this teen rom-com about a girl grounded by her overprotective dad. When she’s invited to a party by her crush, she has to sneak out and enlists her tech-savvy best friend to help fool her dad with an elaborate virtual reality scheme.
Picture This showcases Tisdale’s comedic chops and has a clever, of-the-moment plot involving flip phones and early VR. The dynamic between Tisdale’s character and her strict dad is relatable and the scheme is so ridiculous you can’t help but root for her. Plus there’s a hilariously bratty popular girl villain. It’s perfect sleepover movie material.
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004)
Lindsay Lohan stars as an aspiring teenage actress who moves from New York City to the suburbs of New Jersey, where she finds herself making new friends and enemies at school. Her flair for the dramatic gets her into some crazy situations as she angles for the lead in the school play and tickets to see her favorite band.
Lohan is a magnetic lead, portraying the highs and lows of adolescent emotions. The movie musical within the movie is completely over the top and the teen angst is cranked up to 11. It’s a fun, nostalgic early 2000s time capsule.
Bring It On (2000)
This teen classic stars Kirsten Dunst as Torrance, the new captain of her school’s elite cheerleading squad. When she discovers their routines were stolen from an inner city squad, the team has to scramble to come up with a new set in time for Nationals.
Bring It On has incredible energy, with dazzling cheerleading sequences and a sharp satirical script. It playfully mocks cheerleader stereotypes while crafting a story of friendship and healthy competition. The romance between Dunst and Jesse Bradford is one of the cutest in teen movie history. It’s endlessly rewatchable.
The Duff (2015)
Mae Whitman stars as Bianca, a high school senior who instigates a social revolution after finding out that she’s been labeled the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) of her more popular pals. She enlists the help of a charming jock to give her a makeover and show everyone how meaningless labels are.
The Duff has a smart, subversive script that deconstructs high school labels and the unfair pressures put on teen girls. Whitman is immensely likable as Bianca and her chemistry with Robbie Amell is swoonworthy. With a great balance of heart and humor, it’s a fresh take on the teen movie.
The Clique (2008)
And of course, we have to talk about the movie that inspired this list. Based on the popular young adult book series by Lisi Harrison, The Clique follows middle schooler Claire Lyons as she moves to a new town and tries to fit in with the wealthy, fashionable clique known as the Pretty Committee.
While it didn’t make a huge splash when it was first released straight to DVD, The Clique has gained a cult following over the years for its depiction of tween girl friendships and feuds. It’s definitely geared towards a younger audience, but has enough clever humor and style to appeal to teens and adults who remember their middle school days. If you love stories of mean girls and underdogs, give it a watch.
Clueless (1995)
Last but certainly not least is the teen movie to end all teen movies – Clueless. Loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma, the film stars Alicia Silverstone as Cher, a rich and popular high school student who plays matchmaker for her friends and teachers. But when she gives a makeover to the awkward new girl Tai, she gets more than she bargained for.
Clueless is the gold standard of teen comedies, endlessly quotable and fabulous. Silverstone is magnetic as Cher, and the rest of the cast is perfectly pitched. The mid-90s fashions are iconic and the smart, satirical tone still feels fresh. No matter how many times you’ve seen it, Clueless is always a joy to revisit.
So there you have it – 15 fun, funny, and heartfelt teen movies to watch if you love The Clique. From battles between popular cliques to sweet tales of friendship and first love, these films capture all the joy and pain of being a teenage girl. So grab some popcorn, your best pals, and get ready for the perfect movie marathon.
