What movies did Ariana Grande play in Thank U, Next? Iconic film scenes in the music video explored

In her music career, Ariana Grande has created several hits that have peaked on all music charts and gained views in billions on YouTube. And while the lead single from its namesake fifth studio album - Thank U, Next - might not have made the billion cut, both the music and the lyrics of the track were very well-received globally.

The music video of Thank U, Next was a cumulative reimagination of several signature scenes from iconic movies like Mean Girls (2004), Bring It On (2000), Legally Blonde (2001), and 13 Going On 30 (2004).

Beyond debuting atop the US Billboard Hot 100, Thank U, Next was also included by Billboard on the list of 100 Songs That Defined The Decade 2010s. Furthermore, Rolling Stone placed it at number 137 on its list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

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Every movie scene reference reimagined in Ariana Grande's Thank U, Next

Ariana Grande's Thank U, Next is a celebratory ode to all her failed relationships from the past, with mentions of all her ex-boyfriends, including Ricky Alvarez, Mac Miller and Pete Davidson. It was released soon after Ari's break up with Davidson at the end of 2018. Here's a look at all the movie-inspired scenes in the song's music video.

Scenes from Mean Girls

Ariana Grande's opening scene in the music video for Thank U, Next is inspired by Regina George (played by Rachel McAdams) and her famous burn book in the movie. Much like George, Grande is seen writing names and sticking pictures of her exes in the book.

The next scene of the song is also drawn from the movie, where Ari and her friends make an entrance into the college. It is also inspired by the entry of The Plastics in the movie. Their costumes in the scene are also similar to that of the movie, with George's boyfriend, Aaron Samuels (played by Jonathan Bennett).

Ariana Grande's on-stage performance with her friends in red, Christmas-y costumes - red leather short skirts and knee-high boots - is adopted from the Plastic's Jingle Bell Rock performance in the movie.

And just as Regina's supportive mother is sitting in the audience with a handy cam, recording the performance, Kris Jenner assumes that role in Ari's music video, syncing to the lyrics in pink jumpsuits and a handy cam.

Scenes from Bring It On

The first glimpse of Bring It On is seen in Ariana Grande's Thank U, Next is the tooth-brushing competition between her and Matt Bennett - her Victorious co-star, inspired by the competition between Cliff Pantone (played by Jesse Bradford) and Torrance Shipman (played by Kirsten Dunst).

Another reference made to the movie is from its iconic cheer-off between the Toros and the Clovers, a feud that reached its peak amidst an ongoing football match in the movie. In her cheerleading stunt in the music video, Grande wears a uniform similar to that of the Toros, giving it a unique spin.

The final reference from the movie is the scene when Grande appears to be dancing to a mixtape in her room, with pom pom in her hands. It takes after the scene in the movie where Cliff gives Torrance a mixtape that he has made for her.

Scene from 13 Going On 30

In the next scene, Ariana Grande is walking past what appears to be a wedding setup with a doll house in her hands. A little afterward, she sits on the porch of a house, setting the dollhouse down with tears rolling down her face.

Ari's get-up is inspired by Jenna Rink (played by Jennifer Garner) in a red top, blue jeans, and straight hair in a shoulder-length bob.

Scenes from Legally Blonde

Ariana Grande has added to her music video the iconic scene of Elle Woods' entrance at Harvard from Legally Blonde. As Woods (played by Reese Witherspoon) arrives in Harvard, she brings her dog, Bruiser along with her, whose character is played by Grande's dog, Toulouse.

Another scene in the song inspired by Legally Blonde takes place in the salon, where Grande teaches her signature bend-and-snap technique to her partner-in-crime, Paulette Bonafonte (played by Jennifer Coolidge). Coolidge joined Ari in the music video to re-create the scene.

The final Thank U, Next scene inspired by the movie is of Grande soaking up the sun at the Harvard campus in a fuzzy pink bikini with Toulouse by her side.