If you loved the 2006 teen comedy John Tucker Must Die, you’ll definitely enjoy these 10 similar movies full of high school hijinks, sweet revenge plots, and lighthearted laughs. Get ready to add these flicks to your must-watch list!
11. Easy A (2010)
Easy A is a smart, sassy teen comedy starring Emma Stone as Olive, a clean-cut high school student who lies about losing her virginity to help a gay friend. Soon, Olive embraces her new “bad girl” reputation and starts accepting payment from unpopular guys looking to boost their social status. But things spiral out of control as rumors spread.
Like John Tucker Must Die, Easy A takes a satirical look at high school gossip and the social hierarchy. Emma Stone shines as the quick-witted Olive, delivering zingers left and right. The movie also features a stellar supporting cast including Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, and Penn Badgley. With its clever dialogue and empowering message, Easy A is a must-see for any fan of smart teen comedies.
12. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
10 Things I Hate About You is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew set in a 1990s high school. New student Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) falls for beautiful sophomore Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). But Bianca can’t date until her antisocial older sister Kat (Julia Stiles) does. So Cameron pays bad boy Patrick (Heath Ledger) to woo Kat in this classic rom-com.
10 Things I Hate About You shares John Tucker Must Die‘s high school setting and focus on dating schemes, though with a sweeter tone. The movie launched the careers of its young leads, especially Heath Ledger in a charming performance. With witty dialogue, swoon-worthy romance, and a bangin’ 90s soundtrack, 10 Things I Hate About You holds up as one of the best teen comedies ever made.
13. Never Been Kissed (1999)
Never Been Kissed stars Drew Barrymore as Josie, an insecure 25-year-old copy editor who goes undercover as a high school student for a story. Josie gets a chance to relive her teenage years, make cooler friends, and catch the eye of her handsome English teacher Sam (Michael Vartan). But when Sam learns the truth, Josie risks losing both her story and the man of her dreams.
Never Been Kissed is sweeter and more romantic than the revenge-focused John Tucker Must Die, but both share fish-out-of-water elements as the protagonists navigate the perils of high school cliques and crushes. Drew Barrymore is endearing as the awkward Josie, and the movie has fun with its undercover premise. A charming turn-of-the-millennium rom-com.
14. Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)
It’s graduation night in Can’t Hardly Wait, and the class of ’98 is ready to party. Hopeless romantic Preston (Ethan Embry) sees one last chance to confess his love to dream girl Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) before they leave for college. Geeky William (Charlie Korsmo) seeks revenge on his jock tormentor Mike (Peter Facinelli). And aspiring rapper Kenny (Seth Green) just wants to lose his virginity.
Can’t Hardly Wait is a raunchy ensemble comedy in the vein of American Pie or Superbad. Like John Tucker Must Die, it features intersecting storylines and a large cast of then-up-and-coming young stars. While lighter on plot, the movie makes up for it with quotable one-liners and some surprisingly sweet moments. Pour one out for the class of ’98!
15. Jawbreaker (1999)
Jawbreaker is a dark comedy starring Rose McGowan as Courtney, the queen bee of Reagan High. When a birthday prank accidentally kills Courtney’s best friend, she and her clique cover it up by giving awkward Fern (Judy Greer) a makeover to take the dead girl’s place. But Fern has an agenda of her own in this twisted tale of high school politics.
Jawbreaker is like a more cynical, R-rated John Tucker Must Die, with a nasty streak of black humor. Rose McGowan sinks her teeth into the juicy role of the acid-tongued Courtney, and Judy Greer is a hoot as the geeky Fern-turned-glam Vylette. The satirical jabs at teenage popularity and conformity still sting. Jawbreaker is a cult classic for those who like their teen comedies with bite.
16. Bring It On (2000)
Bring It On stars Kirsten Dunst as Torrance, the new captain of the Rancho Carne High School cheerleading squad. Torrance is horrified to learn that the team’s winning routines were stolen from an inner-city squad by her predecessor. With a national competition looming, Torrance must lead her team to come up with a new routine and take on their rivals, the Clovers.
Bring It On shares John Tucker Must Die‘s peppy energy and competitive spirit, with cheerleading replacing basketball as the sport of choice. The movie has fun playing with cheerleader stereotypes while still letting its characters shine. Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union (as Clovers captain Isis) are both great, and the cheering sequences seriously impress. Be aggressive, B-E aggressive!
17. Clueless (1995)
Clueless is a modern update of Jane Austen’s Emma starring Alicia Silverstone as Cher, a rich and popular Beverly Hills high school student. Cher and her best friend Dionne (Stacey Dash) give a fashion-challenged new girl named Tai (Brittany Murphy) a makeover. But Cher gets more than she bargained for when Tai starts to eclipse her socially.
Like John Tucker Must Die, Clueless is all about the high school social hierarchy, though it’s more of a feel-good fantasy than a revenge story. Alicia Silverstone is perfectly cast as the spoiled but sweet Cher, and the movie is endlessly quotable. With its iconic fashions and sharp-tongued humor, Clueless is a 90s gem that still charms.
18. Heathers (1989)
Heathers is a pitch-black comedy starring Winona Ryder as Veronica, part of her high school’s popular clique of girls all named Heather. Veronica soon gets involved with rebellious new student J.D. (Christian Slater) and accidentally poisons the cruel queen bee, Heather Chandler (Kim Walker). Veronica and J.D. cover up the crime and begin targeting other problematic students in this scathing satire.
Heathers makes John Tucker Must Die look tame by comparison. With its sky-high body count and take-no-prisoners attitude towards the darker side of high school, Heathers was controversial even by 80s standards. But it’s also whip-smart and darkly funny, taking aim at everything from cliques to teen suicide. How very.
19. The Duff (2015)
In The Duff, Bianca (Mae Whitman) is a happy high school senior until she learns the student body knows her as “The DUFF” (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) to her prettier, more popular pals. Bianca enlists the help of charming jock Wesley (Robbie Amell) to give her a social makeover and overthrow the school’s ruthless label maker Madison (Bella Thorne).
The Duff updates the classic teen makeover comedy for the social media age. Mae Whitman shines as the snarky, relatable Bianca, and her chemistry with Robbie Amell is sweet. Like John Tucker Must Die, the movie has fun playing with high school stereotypes while still letting its characters grow. You’ll be rooting for the underDUFF.
20. Mean Girls (2004)
And finally, we can’t talk teen comedies without mentioning Mean Girls. Lindsay Lohan stars as Cady, a formerly homeschooled 16-year-old who joins the A-list girl clique The Plastics. Cady soon gets caught up in a Burn Book full of rumors and a plot to take down queen bee Regina George (Rachel McAdams). But when Cady becomes a mean girl herself, she risks losing her real friends and crush Aaron Samuels (Jonathan Bennett).
Written by Tina Fey, Mean Girls is endlessly quotable and rewatchable. Like John Tucker Must Die, it takes a satirical look at the high school social scene and the damage gossip and bullying can do. With career-making performances from Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams, Mean Girls is a modern classic. Just don’t ask me what day it is.
So there you have it – 10 movies to check out if you loved John Tucker Must Die. Whether you’re in the mood for a lighthearted rom-com, a snarky teen flick, or a heartfelt coming-of-age tale, there’s something on this list for every fan of fun, female-driven comedies. Grab some popcorn and enjoy!
