How to watch the 'Mean Girls' musical makeover at home
It's been — gulp —20 years since Mean Girls, a movie masterpiece, made its theatrical debut. Now the plastics are back for a new generation to enjoy. And this time around, they sing!
The new Mean Girls hit theaters back in January and is officially available to watch at home less than two months later. Coincidentally (or not), the film's streaming debut is only a month before the official 20-year anniversary of the original. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch the Mean Girls musical adaptation, which stars Renée Rapp, Angourie Rice, Auli'i Cravalho, Jaquel Spivey, Bebe Wood, and Avantika, at home.
Is the new Mean Girls a remake?
Not exactly. The new film is more of an adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical than a direct remake of the 2004 film. Both the 2004 and 2024 films are from comedian Tina Fey and follow the same plot. However, the new adaptation gets a modern-day makeover, bringing social media and the Gen Z experience into the mix. Of course, there's also the fact that it's a musical — in case you missed those beyond-subtle hints in the promotional materials.
With a 70% critics score and a 62% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the new musical adaptation falls just shy of the original's reception (which currently sits at 84% and 66%, respectively). That's not to say the film isn't worth watching, though — it still surpassed $100 million at the global box office and even produced the new crossover hit "Not My Fault" featuring Rapp and Megan Thee Stallion.
Read our full review of Mean Girls.
Is Mean Girls streaming?
Paramount theatrical releases typically head straight to Paramount+ after they run in cinemas, and Mean Girls is no different. The musical film quietly started streaming on Paramount+ on March 5, 2024. Conveniently, the original Mean Girls is also streaming on Paramount+, so you can watch and compare the films with a single subscription. The film is also streaming on the lesser-known MGM+ service for those looking for an alternative way to stream.
Is there a Paramount+ free trial?
Paramount+ offers new users a seven-day free trial of either their Essential tier or their with Showtime tier. You'll have to enter your credit card information in order to sign up for the free trial, which means you'll be charged as soon as it ends. If you want to avoid charges, be sure to cancel before the trial is over.
The best Paramount+ streaming deals
If you want to stream Mean Girls, you'll need a Paramount+ subscription. There are a few different subscription options to choose from, including monthly or annual, ad-supported or ad-free, student, and third-party deals. We've broken down all the details below to help you choose the best option.
Most affordable: Get a Paramount+ Essential monthly subscription for just $5.99
If you're looking to spend the least amount of money possible to watch Mean Girls, you can sign up for Paramount+ Essential for only $5.99 per month. If you're new to the streamer, you'll also get a seven-day free trial (as mentioned above). After you watch, just be sure to cancel your subscription if you want to avoid charges. You'll have to endure some ads during the movie, but just think of them as built-in snack and bathroom breaks.
Best long-term deal: Save 17% on a Paramount+ Essential annual subscription
You can save 17% if you opt for an annual plan rather than a monthly plan. Sure, you'll have to pay more up front, but it pays off in the long run. An annual Paramount+ Essential plan will run you $59.99 per year, which breaks down to only $5 per month as opposed to $5.99 per month. For those looking to watch more than just Mean Girls, this is your best bet.
Best deal for no ads: Save 17% on a Paramount+ with Showtime annual subscription
If ads are a deal breaker for you, you'll have to sign up for Paramount+ with Showtime — its ad-free tier. The Paramount+ with Showtime tier will cost you either $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year, which breaks down to only $10 per month. Beyond the regular Paramount+ catalog, this tier also unlocks access to Showtime originals and movies (like Yellowjackets and The Curse), live TV with CBS, and college football. So, although you'll have to pay more for the ad-less experience, you'll also get a whole lot more content to make up for the price difference.
Best deal for students: Save 25% on Paramount+ Essential
Students who have a verifiable college student status via SheerID can score a Paramount+ Essential monthly subscription for just $4.50 per month. That's 25% off the usual monthly cost. Once you've been verified, your student discount is valid for four years, even if you graduate prior to the four-year period. After four years, you'll be charged the standard rate for an Essential monthly subscription.
Best third-party deal: Get Paramount+ for free with a Walmart+ membership
While it may not be the simplest way to watch Mean Girls, a Walmart+ membership gives you free access to Paramount+ and plenty of other sweet benefits. Better yet, it offers a free 30-day trial, so you can enjoy an entire month of streaming without paying a cent. Just be sure to cancel before your trial ends if you want to avoid charges. If you want to keep your Walmart+ membership going, it'll cost you either $12.95 per month or $98 per year ($8.17/month).
Is there an MGM+ free trial?
MGM+ offers a seven-day free trial for newcomers as well. So, if you don't qualify for the Paramount+ free trial, then try the MGM+ trial instead. It may be your best bet to catch the new Mean Girls for free.
The best MGM+ streaming deals
Most affordable deal: Get an MGM+ monthly subscription for $6.99 per month
After your seven-day free trial, the most affordable option would be to simply subscribe to MGM+ for a month and cancel. It'll cost you $6.99 for the month and allow you to watch Mean Girls and plenty of other films and TV shows. Just be sure to cancel before the month is up to avoid further charges beyond that first month.
Best long-term deal: Save 30% on an MGM+ annual subscription
You can save 30% on an MGM+ annual subscription, which means you'll pay $58.99 up front for the year instead of $83.88. If you're a movie buff, this is a pretty awesome way to access new content each month without paying an arm and a leg. The yearly fee breaks down to less than five bucks per month, which makes it the cheapest streaming service on the market. Other than Mean Girls, MGM+ is currently home to American Fiction, TMNT Mutant Mayhem, Bottoms, Top Gun: Maverick, and more.
Other ways to watch Mean Girls
Want to watch Mean Girls but don't feel like signing up for another streaming service (there are just too many of them)? The good news is you can purchase the film on demand from digital retailers such as Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Fandango at Home. The bad news is that it's a bit pricey. The film will also be available to rent come March 19, which allows you 30 days to watch it and just 48 hours to finish it after you start.
Here are the quick links to snag the film on digital:
Prime Video — buy it for $19.99
Apple TV+ — buy it for $19.99
Fandango at Home — buy it for $19.99
Topics Film Streaming How to Watch
Frequently Asked Questions
Paramount+ is the streaming home for not only Paramount films and original series like Halo, Rabbit Hole, and the iCarly reboot, but also Showtime originals like Yellowjackets and The Curse. Be sure to check out our watch guides on the best movies on Paramount+, best shows on Paramount+, best horror films on Paramount+, and more.
Christina Buff is a Nashville-based freelance writer for who covers shopping with a splash of entertainment. If you’re ever wondering what streaming service you need to watch something (and the cheapest way to sign up for it), she’s your girl.
Christina received a B.S. in Business Communication (concentration in writing) from Stevenson University and began her professional journey writing and editing press releases. Since then, she’s written content for a marketing agency, blogged for celebrities, and covered local news, politics, women’s lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and just about everything in between for various publications.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably enjoying live music, studying human design, or embroidering and upcycling clothes. You can follow her on Instagram at @touchinfinity.
