10 Movies & Shows Like Jawbreaker (1999)

Description: Heathers is similar to Jawbreaker in its darkly comedic take on high school hierarchies and the cruelty of teenage girls. Both films explore themes of popularity, manipulation, and the consequences of toxic friendships. The protagonists in both films navigate a world where social status is everything, and the lengths to which people will go to maintain or destroy it are extreme.

Fact: Heathers was initially a box office flop but gained a cult following over the years. The film's original ending was much darker, with Veronica and JD blowing up the school. Winona Ryder was only 16 years old when she filmed Heathers.

Description: Clueless and Jawbreaker both explore the lives of wealthy, popular high school girls, though Clueless does so with a lighter, more comedic tone. Both films critique but also revel in the materialism and superficiality of their characters' worlds. The transformation of the protagonist in Clueless mirrors the moral awakening in Jawbreaker.

Fact: Clueless is a modern adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Emma. The film launched Alicia Silverstone's career and popularized the phrase 'As if!' The wardrobe budget for the film was $200,000, a significant amount for a teen movie at the time.

Description: The Craft, like Jawbreaker, delves into the darker side of teenage girl friendships and the power dynamics within them. Both films feature a group of girls who initially bond over a shared sense of alienation but whose relationships turn toxic as they gain power. The supernatural elements in The Craft parallel the almost mythic cruelty in Jawbreaker.

Fact: The film was originally titled 'The Witch Project' but was changed to avoid confusion with The Blair Witch Project. Fairuza Balk, who plays Nancy, was a practicing Wiccan in real life during filming. The movie was a surprise hit, grossing over $55 million worldwide.

Description: Wild Things shares with Jawbreaker a focus on deception, sexuality, and the dark underbelly of seemingly perfect lives. Both films feature twisty plots where characters' true motives are slowly revealed. The Florida setting of Wild Things adds to the film's sultry, dangerous vibe, much like the glossy, artificial world of Jawbreaker.

Fact: The film's infamous threesome scene was heavily edited to avoid an NC-17 rating. Kevin Bacon and Matt Dillon reportedly did not get along during filming. The movie's twist ending was kept secret from the cast until filming.

Description: Election, like Jawbreaker, is a dark comedy that satirizes the cutthroat nature of high school politics. Both films feature ambitious, morally ambiguous female protagonists who will stop at nothing to get what they want. The sharp, witty dialogue in Election is reminiscent of the biting humor in Jawbreaker.

Fact: The film is based on the novel of the same name by Tom Perrotta. Reese Witherspoon's performance as Tracy Flick is considered one of her best. Director Alexander Payne used real high school students as extras to add authenticity.

Description: Cruel Intentions shares with Jawbreaker a focus on manipulation, betrayal, and the dark side of teenage relationships. Both films feature characters who play games with others' emotions for their own amusement, leading to dramatic consequences. The glossy, stylized aesthetic of Cruel Intentions is also reminiscent of Jawbreaker.

Fact: The film is a modern retelling of the 1782 French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe performed their own stunts in the film. The movie's iconic kiss between Gellar and Selma Blair was named one of the '100 Greatest Movie Moments' by E!.

Description: Mean Girls shares with Jawbreaker a sharp, satirical look at the social dynamics of high school, particularly the way girls wield power and influence over one another. Both films feature a protagonist who is initially an outsider but becomes entangled in the world of the popular clique, leading to moral dilemmas and personal growth.

Fact: Mean Girls was written by Tina Fey, who also plays Ms. Norbury in the film. The movie is loosely based on the non-fiction book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman. Lindsay Lohan ad-libbed many of her lines, including the famous 'You go, Glen Coco!' line.

Description: Gossip Girl, like Jawbreaker, explores the lives of wealthy, privileged teenagers who engage in manipulation, betrayal, and social climbing. Both works feature a mysterious narrator who comments on the action (the Gossip Girl blog in the series, the unseen narrator in Jawbreaker). The glamorous, stylized world of Gossip Girl is similar to the hyper-real aesthetic of Jawbreaker.

Fact: The show was based on the book series by Cecily von Ziegesar. Blake Lively and Leighton Meester became fashion icons because of their roles. The show's theme song, 'Young Folks' by Peter Bjorn and John, was a last-minute replacement for the original choice.

Description: Jennifer's Body, like Jawbreaker, combines dark humor with a critique of teenage girl dynamics and the objectification of women. Both films feature a beautiful, manipulative central character whose actions have deadly consequences. The horror elements in Jennifer's Body amplify the themes of power and revenge present in Jawbreaker.

Fact: The film was written by Diablo Cody, who also wrote Juno. Megan Fox was initially hesitant to take the role because she didn't want to be typecast as a 'hot girl.' The movie was a box office disappointment but has since gained a cult following.

Description: Pretty Little Liars shares with Jawbreaker a focus on secrets, lies, and the destructive power of teenage friendships. Both works feature a group of girls who are bound together by a dark secret, and both explore themes of identity, betrayal, and revenge. The mystery elements in Pretty Little Liars add an extra layer of tension, much like the suspense in Jawbreaker.

Fact: The show was based on the book series by Sara Shepard. The identity of 'A' was kept secret from the cast until the final season. The show's theme song, 'Secret' by The Pierces, was chosen because the lyrics fit the show's premise.