10 Most Iconic Teen Movie Cliques

First on our list of iconic teen movie cliques is the Rancho Carne Toros cheer squad from Bring It On. This group exemplified the popular clique in high school films. Led by the popular girl Torrance Shipman, the Toros were a tight-knit group of athletic, attractive, and competitive teenagers who ruled their school’s social hierarchy.

The Toros had matching outfits and perfect hair but also stood out by showcasing intense dedication to their cheers. This combination of stereotypical popular kid traits and unexpected integrity made the Toros a memorable example of the popular clique trope, earning them the first spot on our list.

Next on our list of iconic teen movie cliques is the overachieving duo from Booksmart. While not technically a large clique, best friends Molly and Amy represented the ultra-focused academic overachievers we all knew at our high schools. (okay, fine…maybe this was me at times!)

These two stood out for their intense dedication to studies and commitment to extracurriculars. They refused to go to parties, believing it was the key to their successful Ivy League futures. Nonetheless, they coordinated their outfits, shared inside jokes, and were truly loyal to each other.

Their witty banter, true friendship, and eventual growth by the end of the movie challenged the stereotypical portrayal of the “nerd”, earning them a spot on our list.

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Duh! We had to include the clique in The Clique, calling themselves the “Pretty Committee“. This exclusive group of middle school girls, led by the ruthless Massie Block, epitomized the mean girls trope.

The Pretty Committee stood out for its extreme focus on social status, designer fashion, and cruelty. These tweens acted very sophisticated for their age, using insults and elaborate social schemes to maintain their grip on the school.

Overall, what made this clique memorable was how it exposed the pressure and insecurity underlying such carefully curated images of perfection, securing their place on our list.

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The toxic trio from Bad Girls from Valley High also made our list of the most iconic teen movie cliques. Led by the manipulative Danielle, this clique of popular girls represented the darker side of high school social politics.

Like many of these other “mean girl” cliques, Danielle, Tiffany, and Brooke ruled their school through fear, manipulation, and cruel pranks. What set this clique apart was their involvement in an actual death and their desperate attempts to reverse their sudden aging – truly taking the “mean girls” trope to a darker, more literal extreme. Ultimately, the film’s blend of teen movie tropes with dark comedy and horror elements makes this clique uniquely memorable.

Next on our list is the tight-knit foursome from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Unlike some others on this list, this group stood out by focusing on friendship rather than social status. Comprised of Lena, Tibby, Carmen, and Bridget, this group showcased how teen friendships could transcend typical social boundaries.

United by their lifelong bond and a pair of mysteriously fitting jeans, these four characters each represented different archetypes often seen in teen films. They had the shy artist, the rebellious outsider, the passionate writer, and the outgoing athlete. However, instead of falling into rival cliques, they form a supportive sisterhood that defies conventional teen movie tropes.

In this movie, the traveling pants were a tangible symbol of their bond, connecting them across distance and life experiences. This unique take on teen friendship earned the Sisterhood a spot on our list of iconic teen movie cliques.

Another addition to our list of teen movie cliques was the unlikely alliance formed in The Breakfast Club. This 1985 film brought together five distinct high school stereotypes – the brain, the athlete, the basket case, the princess, and the future criminal – trapped in the library together in detention for a day.

The Breakfast Club consisted of Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy. Through their honest conversations and shared experiences, these seemingly incompatible teens formed close bonds that transcended their social roles. This temporary alliance of misfits, which managed to bridge the gap between high school subcultures, earned a well-deserved spot on our list of iconic teen movie cliques.

Next on our list is the infamous Heathers clique from the cult classic film Heathers. This trio of identically named mean girls, along with their reluctant fourth member, Veronica Sawyer, highlights the dark side of high school popularity.

The Heathers stood out for ruthless control over Westerburg High‘s social hierarchy. Dressed in their signature color-coded outfits and scrunchies, they maintained their power through manipulation and humiliation.

Decades after its release, the Heathers are still one of the benchmarks for depicting the ultimate “mean girls” clique in teen movies, earning them a place on our list. Their lasting impact can be seen in the numerous references in pop culture and even in a Broadway musical adaptation.

Moving on in our list of iconic teen movie cliques, we can’t overlook the Pink Ladies from the classic musical Grease. This group of sassy female friends epitomized the “cool girl” clique of the 1950s high school scene. Led by the tough yet feminine Rizzo, the Pink Ladies were both confident and rebellious, setting themselves apart from their peers.

Distinguishable by their matching pink jackets and hairdos, the Pink Ladies also represented a unique blend of feminine solidarity and edgy attitude. From Rizzo’s bold defiance to Frenchie‘s beauty school dreams, each member brought something unique to the group. Their interactions with the T-Birds, the male counterpart clique, added another layer, also showcasing the gender dynamics of the time.

As we approach the final two of our list, another iconic teen movie clique was the girls from Clueless. This Beverly Hills clique changed how audiences saw girls in 90s teen flicks. Cher Horowitz led the pack, with bestie Dionne and newcomer Tai.

These girls were all about designer clothes and Valley Girl speak, but they weren’t your typical mean girls. Yeah, they were rich and popular, but they also had hearts. And some brains. Who could ever forget Cher’s debate speech? She compared U.S. foreign policy to her dad’s garden party. It was classic Cher – ditzy on the surface but still somewhat clever underneath.

Adorned in coordinated plaid outfits, they became instant icons in the fashion world, too. Then, of course, there was the lingo. “Ugh, as if!” anyone? For many, they were the 90s teen clique.

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Capping our list is arguably the most iconic teen movie clique: The Plastics from Mean Girls. The students of North Shore High School trembled under the reign of Regina George and her loyal subjects.

Each member of the group played a crucial role. There was the charismatic leader (Regina), the second-in-command (Gretchen), and the seemingly clueless but occasionally insightful follower (Karen). Of course, then they also added Cady. Together, they formed a pink-colored force to be reckoned with. Notably, this movie had some of the best catchphrases of teen cinema, including “On Wednesdays we wear pink” and “That’s so fetch“. (which may never have happened, but they certainly tried)

Years later, their legacy lives on, as many people dress up as The Plastics for Halloween. Recently, a musical remake brought these mean girls back to the big screen, proving they still resonated with Gen Z audiences. Overall, it’s clear why this group has earned its place in the teen movie clique Hall of Fame.