Is the bullying too much for a sensitive kid?

The 'A-Group' girls are definitely mean, and one scene involves a cruel prank at a prom. If your kid is currently being bullied, it might hit a bit too close to home, but the movie does a great job of making the bullies look like losers in the end.

Why is it rated for age 15+ by some critics?

The rating usually comes down to the language (some 'hells' and 'damns') and the frank discussion of sex. There's no nudity or graphic scenes, but the characters talk like 20-somethings in the 90s would.

Will my kid get the 80s references?

Probably not all of them, especially the music and the specific '80s business woman' look they try to fake. But the core joke—lying to look successful—is universal.

Is it just 'dumb' humor?

It's 'smart-dumb' humor. The movie knows exactly what it's doing. Romy and Michele are underestimated by everyone, but they are the only ones who actually have a happy, functional life.

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1997

76%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A neon-soaked 90s cult classic about the power of friendship, the absurdity of high school hierarchies, and the lie that you invented Post-it notes.

6.4/10

76%

66%

→

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion

movie

R, 1997

76%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A neon-soaked 90s cult classic about the power of friendship, the absurdity of high school hierarchies, and the lie that you invented Post-it notes.

6.4

76%

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6.4/10

76%

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Screenwise Verdict

If your teen is raiding your old closet for butterfly clips and platforms, they need to see the source material. Romy and Michele is a neon-drenched fever dream that manages to be both incredibly silly and surprisingly touching about the people who knew you before you were 'cool.'

It’s not a masterpiece of high cinema, but as a study in staying true to yourself while everyone else is faking it, it’s a total win. It’s also just a lot of fun to watch with a kid who’s starting to realize that the 'cool kids' in high school usually end up being the most boring adults.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13 and up. Teens who enjoy Mean Girls or Clueless will appreciate the vibe, though the 90s pacing and specific 80s references might require a little context.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

At its heart, this is a celebration of a rock-solid, supportive female friendship. While the characters lie to impress people, the movie ultimately rewards them for being their authentic, weird selves.

Imaginative

The fashion design and dream sequences show a lot of creative flair, and the 'Post-it' lie is a clever bit of writing, even if it's not high-concept sci-fi.

Safe

Standard 90s PG-13 fare. There's some social cruelty and bullying from the 'popular' crowd, plus some mild sexual references and language, but nothing graphic or shocking.

Enriching

It offers a great entry point for talking about the futility of social hierarchies and the value of staying true to yourself rather than performing for others.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The fashion is basically a mood board for the current Y2K revival; it’s peak 1997 aesthetic.
It subverts the 'dumb blonde' trope by making Romy and Michele the only characters with actual integrity.
The soundtrack is a curated time capsule of 80s and 90s hits that still holds up.
It’s a rare movie about female friendship that doesn't revolve entirely around landing a guy.

⚠

What to Watch For

The 'A-Group' girls are genuinely cruel; the flashback scenes to high school bullying can be surprisingly mean-spirited.
Some 90s-era humor regarding 'dumb' characters might feel a bit dated to modern kids used to more nuanced protagonists.
There are several sexual references and jokes about the characters' sex lives, though it's never explicit.

Conversation Starters

"Why do Romy and Michele feel like they have to lie about their lives to be 'successful'?"
"Is the way the 'popular' kids act in the movie still how it works in school today?"
"What makes a friendship last for ten years after high school is over?"
"If you could invent one thing to make you famous, what would it be (besides Post-its)?"

Deep Dive

The Blueprint for the 'Bimbo' Subversion

Released in 1997, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion arrived at the tail end of the 90s obsession with 'dumb' comedies. But unlike its peers, this movie has a heart of gold and a surprisingly sharp feminist edge. While Romy (Mira Sorvino) and Michele (Lisa Kudrow) aren't exactly rocket scientists, they are fiercely loyal, creative, and—most importantly—happy.

For a modern parent, the value here isn't in the plot, which is a standard 'liars get caught' sitcom setup. It's in the visual language and the social commentary. The movie perfectly captures that specific anxiety of returning to your hometown and feeling like you haven't 'achieved' enough. Watching Romy and Michele realize that their friendship is a bigger achievement than a fancy job or a Jaguar is a lesson that actually lands.

The Y2K Renaissance

In 2026, the aesthetic of this movie is more relevant than ever. The handmade, neon-colored dresses and the over-the-top styling are exactly what Gen Z and Alpha are currently mimicking on social media. It’s a great 'bridge' movie—something you might have loved in your 20s that your teen will actually find 'aesthetic' rather than just 'old.'

A Note on the Bullying

Be prepared for the 'A-Group.' The bullying in this movie isn't the sanitized, 'everyone learns a lesson' kind found in modern Disney Channel movies. It’s nasty and exclusionary. However, the movie handles it by making the bullies look pathetic and miserable in their adulthood, which is a much more realistic and satisfying payoff for a teen viewer.