Photos from Making of the Original Mean Girls Movie in 2004

The Write Stuff

Not only did Tina Fey write Mean Girls, but she also starred in it herself. Pictured here is Fey as Ms. Norbury, a math teacher at North Shore High School.

In January, Fey told PEOPLE why she agreed to bring her role of Ms. Norbury back to the big screen for the movie’s musical remake, which came out earlier in 2024.

“We thought, well, teachers work for a long time. So it might make sense if [costar Tim Meadows] and I did it,” she said.

Photo Finish

Cinematographer Daryn Okada finds his perfect take in a school scene.

Set Dressing

Star Lindsay Lohan (as Cady Heron in Plastics pink!) gets some notes between takes.

Lindsay and Lizzy

On Cady’s first day at school, she befriends Janis Ian (portrayed by Lizzy Caplan), an outsider at North Shore High.

Here, the actresses behind the characters take five together.

Home School

Lindsay Lohan and Lizzy Caplan film a scene at Cady Heron’s house, capturing a pivotal moment in Mean Girls in which their characters, Cady and Janis, deepen their friendship.

Three of a Kind

Throughout the film, Cady’s character forms a tight bond with two of the school’s most popular girls, Gretchen Wieners, portrayed by Lacey Chabert, and Karen Smith, portrayed by Amanda Seyfried.

Here, the trio poses while filming a scene from Cady’s crazy house party.

Mom and Me

In the film, Cady receives support from her mom, Betsy Heron, portrayed by Ana Gasteyer. Betsy, a research zoologist who had been working in Africa, makes the decision to move back to America in order to provide her daughter with a genuine high school experience.

Mall Madness

Captured in this photo is a sneak peek behind-the-scenes of the iconic Mean Girls mall scene. In this memorable moment, Regina, Gretchen and Karen take Cady to the mall for a shopping spree in pursuit of new, trendier attire.

Amidst the shopping chaos, Cady’s imagination transforms the mall into an African safari, adding a whimsical touch to the scene’s dynamic.

Orange You Glad?

Here, Janis is captured while working at a beauty store in the local mall. In this scene from the film, her character plays a role in Cady’s plan to sabotage Regina by cleverly substituting foot cream for face cream.

Cafeteria Cool

North Shore’s cafeteria is featured in many iconic scenes in Mean Girls, including the one in which Gretchen tells Regina she is no longer able to sit with the Plastics.