While there are great 1980s movies about young adults, the following decade was also a treasure trove of these types of stories. She’s All That and Clueless are two ’90s films that share some similarities, such as being set in California and featuring witty teenagers. The movies also share another commonality: makeovers.
It’s always fun to watch a makeover movie as these stories often involve a lot of emotion, some montages, and a satisfying ending. When comparing She’s All That and Clueless, they each stand out in some unique ways, and they each do some things much better than the other.
She’s All That: A Better Message
She’s All That is one of the most popular teen films of the ’90s and has a better message than Clueless. While Cher legitimately likes Tai, she does think that she needs to look better, dress better, and talk more intelligently.
But when Zack (Freddie Prince Jr.) figures out that he’s in love with Laney (Rachel Leigh Cook), he doesn’t want to change her anymore. He truly sees the error of his ways and wants her to express herself however she wants. This is an awesome message.
Clueless: The Fashion Is More Fun
Clueless is definitely one of the most stylish movies ever made and all of the characters have great threads. From Cher’s epic closet to the fake fur that she wears, the plaid outfits that she and Dionne sport, and even their gym uniforms, every outfit is perfection.
The characters of She’s All That don’t wear any memorable or particularly nice outfits. They’re definitely clad in dated ’90s clothing.
She’s All That: A Smoother Plot
While Clueless has a great story, it’s more about Cher becoming a better person (and then finding love, of course) than it is strictly about Tai’s makeover.
She’s All That is the better movie because it has a smoother plot. Zack sets his sights on Laney and wants to make her over so he can win a bet, and after many obstacles and a lot of learning along the way, he falls in love with the real her. She lets him know that he was in the wrong and they’re able to be together.
Clueless: It’s Funnier
Without a doubt, Clueless is a much funnier movie than She’s All That, which can be considered more awkward and corny than hilarious.
Whether Murray is calling Dionne “woman” (and then apologizing with a super long speech) or Cher is complaining about driving in platforms, the characters in this beloved film are clever, witty, and quirky.
She’s All That: A Prom Scene
Many films feature proms and She’s All That has a perfect one. Laney ends up being in the running for Prom Queen, which is exciting for the audience to watch. Nothing is as emotional as this evening at the end of high school.
While the makeover scenes in Clueless are well-done, the movie is definitely missing this classic prom scene, which pulls it all together.
Clueless: It’s A Classic
Clueless is very quotable, and Alicia Silverstone’s Cher says the funniest lines throughout the movie.
Sure, She’s All That is a popular film and many people have happy memories of it, but it’s hard to put it in the same category as Clueless in terms of classic teen movies. There is still so much interest surrounding Clueless even though so much time has passed.
She’s All That: Laney Makes Sure Zack Pays For What He Did
When She’s All That comes to a close, Laney has made sure that Zack has paid for what he did, and he gets pretty humiliated. At graduation, he goes on stage naked, and Laney is thrilled that now she has the upper hand.
Tai never gets revenge on Cher, but it would have been compelling to watch that as she should take back her power and understand that she was totally fine the way that she was before.
Clueless: Cher Creates A Monster
One of the classic tropes of a makeover story is that the person being made over will devolve into a total monster. That is exactly what happens to Brittany Murphy’s Tai. She becomes even more popular than Cher, starts holding court at lunchtime, and isn’t even nice to Cher anymore.
This is one reason why Clueless is the better makeover movie, as it’s fascinating to watch this formerly mousy character totally change her personality.
She’s All That: The Ending Is More Meaningful
The ending of She’s All That is definitely more meaningful and that makes it a better makeover movie.
While Laney is happy to be with Zack and they have fallen in love for real, she’s also gone through a personal journey. She knows that it’s okay to be who she is and that she didn’t really need a makeover at all. Cher does learn some things, sure, but she mostly seems glad to have found love with Josh, so the focus is on romance in Clueless.
Clueless: Better Characters
The Clueless characters are beyond lovable, and Josh is one of Paul Rudd’s best roles. It’s totally fair to say that Clueless has better characters. Josh is brilliant and a great contrast to the flighty Cher and her pals, and everyone from Murray to Amber is endlessly watchable.
Zack and Laney are a cute couple, but they do fall into tropes of the popular jock and the nerdy girl. Some of the other characters in She’s All That aren’t that well-crafted, either, from Matthew Lillard’s Brock to Jodi Lyn O’Keefe’s Taylor.
