Wait, Is ‘Mean Girls’ Set in the ‘Final Destination’ Universe?

In 2000’s Final Destination, Devon Sawa’s Alex Browning experiences a premonition that saves his and many classmates’ lives. Sure, he spends the rest of the film trying to outrun and outwit Death, but it’s his eerie intuition that stops him from dying in the plane explosion in what was meant to be his final fate.

The premonition theme proves to be the backbone of the franchise, as other protagonists, such as Kimberly Corman (A. J. Cook) and Stefani Reyes (Kaitlyn Santa Juana), listen to their gut, notice the signs, and avoid disaster. Well, for as long as possible at least, because Death cannot be beaten in the end. Everyone loses to the grim reaper.

As it turns out, Mean Girls might be sharing a universe with Final Destination, as there’s a specific moment that changes the fortunes of several characters. And it’s so not fetch, to paraphrase Lacey Chabert’s Gretchen Wieners.

The premonition that sets off a chain of events

Mean Girls starts with Cady Heron’s (Lindsay Lohan) parents wishing her luck on her first day at North Shore High School. As Cady turns to cross the road, a yellow school bus zips past, nearly flattening her. It’s enough to frighten Cady’s mom, Betsy (Ana Gasteyer); however, Cady says she’s okay and promises to be more careful. Although, one wonders why this bus driver speeds around like a bat out of hell, especially around a school, but I digress.

Cady references the event again in a monologue when Aaron Samuels (Jonathan Bennett) turns around and asks her for a pencil. In that moment, Cady talks about her first crush and now what she deems her second, which hits her “like a big, yellow school bus.”

Later in the movie, this big, yellow school bus runs over Regina George (Rachel McAdams) after she and Cady have an argument outside of the school. Regina survives, barely. In fact, it’s almost a miracle that she’s still around after that impact.

However, it doesn’t conclude here. At the end of Mean Girls, Cady watches as the same school bus nearly flattens another three girls who move out of the way in time. So, what is up with this big, yellow school bus that’s determined to murder North Shore High School’s students?

Yes, ‘Mean Girls’ must share a universe with ‘Final Destination’

So, here’s a theory: Mean Girls takes place in the same universe as Final Destination. The first time Cady encounters the yellow school bus foreshadows what’s to come. It’s the equivalent of her seeing a log truck and changing lanes immediately. Truth be told, she isn’t too close to the bus to be in any real danger, but it is enough to spook her. The fact she references the bus again means that the event sticks with her, and she hears the premonition in her soul – loud and clear.

Then, when she and Regina have their argument, Cady doesn’t follow Regina into the road. If she had, it’s likely that it would have been the end of Cady. Instead, Cady keeps a healthy distance between the pair. Regina, though, isn’t aware of any danger, so she walks into the road and gets flattened by the speeding bus, which was always meant for Cady.

However, Regina doesn’t die either, so Death’s plan gets further complicated. Where’s the proof? It’s at the end of the movie when the other three girls almost get offed by the bus. The fact that Cady sees this serves as yet another warning that her time is coming, and she can’t keep running forever. 

This might be the best ‘Final Destination’ movie ever

For some odd reason, though, Death is adamant that a speeding school bus will feature in Cady’s fate. This is slightly different from the Final Destination movies, where Death is more than willing to adapt and figure out new ways to kill you. Having said that, it adds an interesting twist into the mix. 

Imagine if it’s determined you are meant to die a specific way, and Death won’t stop until it happens as it’s supposed to. In Cady’s case, she needs to go to school, so there will be new opportunities for the yellow bus to slay her on a daily basis. Who knows, maybe the bus might not even get her while she’s a student but later on in life when she takes her own kids to school and develops a false sense of security that she’s safe.

Now, doesn’t that sound like a perfect idea for the next Final Destination movie? Hey, New Line Cinema, you can send a nice fat check for coming up with this idea. Oh, and send a fruit basket too.

Further reading:

• The 9 Gnarliest Deaths in the ‘Final Destination’ Movies
• A Seventh ‘Final Destination’ Movie Is Now in Development