Plastics Take Over: “Mean Girls” Musical Reigns Supreme with $32 Million Debut
They’re on Wednesdays we wear pink, and now they’re dominating the box office! Paramount’s “Mean Girls” musical has sashayed onto the scene with a jaw-dropping $32 million gross over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. Originally destined for streaming, enthusiastic test screenings convinced the studio to unleash the Plastics on the big screen, and it seems teenagers haven’t lost their appetite for fetch.
Enduring Legacy Meets TikTok Magic:
Fuelled by the cult classic status of the 2004 film and its insanely quotable lines (don’t even get us started on October 3rd!), “Mean Girls” taps into a generation’s nostalgia. TikTok’s viral obsession with the film has further propelled its popularity, ensuring a fresh crop of fans eager to see Cady Heron and Regina George face off in song and dance.
Global Domination in Pink:
While the domestic opening is impressive, the Plastics’ reign is far from over. With only half of its international markets currently tapped, the film expects to conquer audiences in the U.K. and New Zealand next weekend, followed by a full-scale global domination. Talk about world domination, Regina George would be proud!
A Musical Surprise (or Not?):
Despite the studio’s attempt to downplay the musical aspect in promotional materials, it seems the secret was out. 76% of ticket buyers were female, with 60% under the age of 25. While the film received a mixed “B+” CinemaScore, a possible indicator of surprise about the musical format, 75% of audiences knew what they were getting into anyway. As Paramount’s distribution chief Chris Aronson says, “There was no surprise. Audiences knew what they were getting into.”
Watch Mean Girls Exciting Reel On : Instagram
Gen Z Plastics for a New Era:
Tina Fey returns to the world she created, this time penning the screenplay for the musical adaptation. Her signature wit remains, but with a Gen Z polish that keeps the story relevant and relatable for a new generation. Angourie Rice takes the reins as Cady Heron, stepping into Lindsay Lohan’s iconic shoes, while Renee Rapp embodies the venomous Regina George with chilling accuracy.
More Than Just Plastics:
It’s not all pink sweaters and Jingle Bell Rock in the box office jungle. Jason Statham’s action thriller “The Beekeeper” buzzed into second place with a respectable $16.8 million opening. Animated charmer “Migration” continues its heartwarming flight with $6.1 million, and A24’s thought-provoking holocaust drama “The Zone of Interest” makes waves on limited screens, surpassing $1 million.
Fetch Happens After All:
Whether you’re a die-hard “Mean Girls” fan or simply enjoy a good teen romp with killer tunes, Paramount’s musical adaptation proves that fetch happens after all. With strong legs at home and an international invasion on the horizon, the Plastics are poised to paint the box office pink for weeks to come. So grab your Burn Book, put on your pinkest outfit, and get ready to scream along to “On Wednesdays We Wear Pink”