I think it depends who you ask. They were released almost 20 years apart. Other films could lay claim to teen iconic status today. But let's look at those two.
For many younger folk with no real understanding of the times and the context, The Breakfast Club is in its way as problematic in its plot as other films of their time like Grease. Even Molly Ringwald wrote an essay on her problems with it today. That said those that remember the breakfast club will remember it fondly, and given some leeway it is still a great film taken in context.
I'm sure there are those who will stand up for mean girls. But it's not perfect and already has some beating the drum for a revisit. There are problems viewed with today's eyes.
But standards change. When Disney released A Song of the South in 1946 it was another kids film with catchy tunes and animation. And not the hugely offensive racist propaganda wilm it's viewed as today. (Google it if you've not heard of it, you'll find black slaves on plantations singing about how happy their lives are) it's so offensive today the Disney corporation do not mention it and refuse to release it.
So yeah. Those films need to be looked at in context. And if you're looking for the real iconic film of then. BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE!00 Reply
Most Helpful Opinions
I think breakfast club was an iconic film for its time and mean girls was an iconic film for the 2000’s with the rise of Lindsey Lohand and such
20 Reply
+1 y
Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you’re crazy to make an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us… In the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain…
https://www.youtube.com/embed/4gLVqjIvokc
Andrew Clark: …and an athlete…
Allison Reynolds: …and a basket case…
Claire Standish: …a princess…
John Bender: …and a criminal…
Brian Johnson: Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.61 Reply- +1 y
TY for MHO
+1 yBoth for different reasons I think. Breakfast Club is a classic, was one of the first big movies to address and break stereotypes about high school clics. It was funny, genuine, surprising... there's a reason it's still a well known movie.
Mean Girls sort or did the same thing, with a modern twist that made it more relatable for a younger generation. It was original, well acted, touched on several issues and even had a (sort of) redemption arc for the antagonist. It's also become a classic and it still a very loved movie20 Reply
What Girls & Guys Said
Opinion
38Opinion
I went to Uni with a housemate who worshipped 80's movies so I kinda watched loads during our uni life. It was only during lockdown that I realised I'd bizarrely never watched Breakfast club so watched it for the first time, I mean it's better than Mean Girls but I was kinda dissapointed. It's all about Pump up the Volume or Ferris Beullah when it comes to Eightie's perfection lol
10 Reply
+1 yOh, God, this is sure going to start some fire...
To be honest, I love both of them. But as I have a weird love for 80s media (especially movies), I'd have to say The Breakfast Club. War Games, Ferris Beuller, there are many iconic movies from the 80s but The Breakfast Club is the best in my opinion.
However, if you REALLY want an amazing 80s teen movie... Look up Heathers! To this day, it's my favorite movie of all time, only rivaled by Requiem for a Dream.10 Reply- 359 opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic.
+1 yI liked "The Breakfast Club" but I've never seen "Mean Girls".
Have you ever seen "Can't Buy Me Love"? I saw that recently and loved it.33 Reply- +1 y
love can't buy me love
- +1 y
@SandandWaves So you saw that? I thought it was so cool. Turned out the most popular girl in high school ended up liking who she thought she wouldn't like. And the unpopular guy ended up not liking being popular.
- +1 y
Yeh, that movie, think everyone should see it
- 359 opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic.
+1 yBella they're both iconic but I voted for The Breakfast Club. That's because I've only seen that movie and only read about the other. But I definitely want to watch Mean Girls.
😊😀🙋♂️30 Reply - 2K opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic.
+1 yI like 'em both but I'll give the win to The Breakfast Club.
40 Reply 
I'm unsure/I've never seen these movies 12 Reply6.7K opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic. I have only seen The Breakfast Club. Truly an iconic movie.
40 Reply- 673 opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic.
+1 yThe Breakfast Club was released in 1985
Mean girls was released in 2004.
I graduated from high school in 2002 and can relate way more to The Breakfast Club.20 Reply
+1 ybreakfast club, i actually know quotes from it i think only girls liked mean girls 😂
22 Reply- +1 y
i wonder why 🙄😂
- 5.2K opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic.
u +1 yMean Girls... but I've never watched the Breakfast Club one.
26 Reply- +1 y
@Ez-Bri-Z guess I watched a few... lol
-National Lampoon's Vacation
-Weird Science
-Home Alone
-Beethoven
-Dennis the Menace
-Miracle on 34th Street
-Mallrats
-101 Dalmatians
-Baby's Day Out - +1 y
@Ez-Bri-Z will be second on my list -to watch-
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@Ez-Bri-Z will do
For my age it was breakfast club but personally I thought mean girls was more entertaining. I should probably be embarrassed to say that but it is what it is
10 Reply2.2K opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic. Who directed Mean Girls? ( without looking it up)
OK now who directed The Breakfast Club? Everyone knows it's John Hughes. John Hughes is iconic that's why.10 ReplyBreakfast Club all of the way. I can’t imagine anything else taking its place Maybe sweet sixteen
20 Reply
+1 yI've never watched The Breakfast Club, but I love the Mean Girls!
10 ReplyMean Girls is pretty good, but The Breakfast Club is a classic.
30 ReplyNever seen mean girls, so breakfast club it is. Lol
20 ReplyDefinitely breakfast club, Even though I went to high school in the 2000s there's something about that movie that everyone who's attended high school can relate to.
10 Reply
+1 yMy teen movies were and still are Sink the Bismarck!, Midway, A Bridge Too Far, The Longest Day, Battle of the Bulge, and Das Boot.
00 Reply
+1 yI haven't seen The Breakfast Club, but Mean Girls was good.
10 Reply
+1 yThe Breakfast Club is actually kind of lame if you stop and think about it. At least Mean Girls doesn't take itself too seriously.
10 Reply
+1 yMean girls is visual pollution. The breakfast club is referenced by just about every single other movie that tries to make a teen movie. It's not even a comparison.
10 Reply- 689 opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic.
+1 yDefinitely the Breakfast Club but if I have to pick the ultimate teen movie I'd say 16 Candles or Love don't cost a thing
10 Reply
+1 yI haven't watched any of them but I have heard about mean girls so I would go with that one
10 Reply
+1 yI’ve never watched breakfast clubs but I can probably quote mean girls
10 Reply
+1 yDepends on your generation. both were pretty fun movies.
10 Reply1.3K opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic. If you want a good high-school show with James Franco and Seth Rogen in it watch Freaks and Geeks im surprised it didn't have more seasons but season 1 is pretty good.
00 Reply
+1 yMean girls is a bette Movie but breakfast club is fun, I might just re watch it soon now lol.
10 Reply427 opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic. Mean Girls isn't old enough to have achieved icon status
10 Reply
+1 yWithout a doubt, The Breakfast Club.
30 Reply
+1 yBreakfast club! Soooo iconic!
40 Reply- 400 opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic.
+1 ythe breakfast club, for sure. love that movie
20 Reply Breakfast club is epic and iconic
40 Reply579 opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic. Both good, but Breakfast Club is a classic!
20 Reply- 905 opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic.
+1 yBreakfast club of course :P
51 Reply- +1 y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gLVqjIvokc gotta mention this iconic song too for breakfast club
- 1.5K opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic.
+1 yBreakfast Club is waaayyyyy better.
40 Reply I still have never seen the breakfast club
20 Reply
+1 yThe Breakfast Club, far and above.
50 ReplyThe breakfast club anytime
10 Reply
+1 yBoth have they hard core fans.
10 Reply836 opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic. The Breakfast Club easy.
30 Reply
+1 yBreakfast club fo sho 🥰
30 ReplyThe breakfast club
40 Reply- 1.5K opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic.
+1 yFor me it's The Breakfast Club
10 Reply - 3K opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic.
+1 yBreakfast Club!
50 Reply
+1 yMean Girls
30 Reply
+1 y
Breakfast Club40 Reply
+1 yCouldn't judge I haven't see them
00 Reply6.8K opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic. The breakfast club
20 ReplyMean girls
10 Reply
+1 yBreakfast club ❤️
10 Reply873 opinions shared on Entertainment & Arts topic. Breakfast club
30 Reply
+1 yNot sure
20 ReplyUnsure
00 Reply
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