Movie Prom Clichés: From Makeovers to Hidden Agendas

Whether they're in teen flicks or horror films, prom scenes in movies share plenty of common elements. With surprising king and queen nominations, spontaneous dance routines, shocking confessions, and more, there seems to be a bit of a prom-scene formula in film. In honor of prom season, take a look at the most memorable movie prom scenes — and the clichés we see again and again.

01
The Geek-to-Hot Makeover
Everett Collection

The Geek-to-Hot Makeover

Our example: Truth is, She's All That's Laney Boggs is more artsy than geeky, but who can forget the transformation when she ditches the oversize glasses and steps out in her prom dress?

Also seen in: Mean Girls, Whatever It Takes, Never Been Kissed

02
The Good Girl/Bad Boy Couple
20th Century Studios

The Good Girl/Bad Boy Couple

Our example: Whether or not they plan to go together, the good-girl leading lady and her bad-boy crush usually end up together at prom. In Twilight, Bella goes with the ultimate bad boy — a vampire.

Also seen in: Drive Me Crazy, The Spectacular Now, 10 Things I Hate About You, Prom

03
The V-Card Swiping
Everett Collection

The V-Card Swiping

Our example: In Blockers, all three of the main characters decide they're going to lose their virginities on prom night. Not everyone does, but . . . why prom night? Are teen movie characters only allowed to have sex for the first time on the night of high school dances?!

Also seen in: Prom Night, What Women Want, Love, Rosie

04
The Awkward Speech

The Awkward Speech

Our example: According to movies, there's no better time to air dirty laundry, apologize, or admit who you really are than on stage at the prom. When Cady gets crowned queen in Mean Girls, she uses her time in the spotlight to apologize for the burn book and tell the rest of the girls that they deserve to be queens, too.

Also seen in: Never Been Kissed, American Pie

05
The Prom-Night Shocker
Everett Collection

The Prom-Night Shocker

Our example: After the mean girls try to trick her geeky friend, Josie Geller in Never Been Kissed ends up revealing her true identity in the middle of the dance floor. Nothing like the prom queen saying "I'm 25 years old and an undercover reporter" to really blindside a room full of students. Surprise!

Also seen in: Mean Girls, Carrie, Saved!

06
The Hidden Agenda
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The Hidden Agenda

Our example: Based on movies, you'd think that placing bets and deals on prom dates was a regular thing. In 10 Things I Hate About You, Kat finds out at the prom that Patrick was paid to bring her to the dance. Ouch.

Also seen in: Whatever It Takes, She's All That

07
The Unexpected King and Queen
Columbia Pictures

The Unexpected King and Queen

Our example: In Carrie, mean girl Chris has the prom king and queen elections rigged so that Tommy and Carrie will win, all so that Chris can drop a bucket of pig's blood over Carrie's head. But Carrie has telekinesis, so chaos and violence ensue.

Also seen in: Angus, Never Been Kissed

08
The Ridiculous Dance Sequence
Paramount Pictures

The Ridiculous Dance Sequence

Our example: Unless there's a song like "Cha Cha Slide" playing, it's probably not likely that an entire senior class will break out in dance together — but movies like Footloose definitely make you think otherwise.

Also seen in: She's All That, Grease

09
The Weird Prom Theme
Columbia Pictures

The Weird Prom Theme

Our example: With a boat on stage and iceberg decorations, the prom theme in Whatever It Takes is "Titanic Dreams" . . . because everyone wishes they'd been on the Titanic, right?

Also seen in: American Pie