Why Teen Classic '10 Things I Hate About You' Is Blowing Up on TikTok!

Like many of you, I find myself scrolling through my TikTok feed pretty much everyday (it’s an addiction at this point), and recently, to the tune of Letters to Cleo’s “I Want You To Want Me”, I’ve been seeing more and more videos about the '90s teen classic 10 Things I Hate About You.

In case you’ve never seen it, the movie centers around Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles), Sylvia Plath-lover and future attendee of Sarah Lawrence, who gets roped into dating Patrick Verona (a dashing Heath Ledger) because her younger sister Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) can’t date until she does. Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) desperately wants to date Bianca, so he devises a plan to pay Patrick to try and take out Kat. Simple, right? 

If this all sounds a little complicated, that’s because it’s based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. (Remember adaptations of classic works set in high school? We’re all in favor of that trend cycling back again, just like the '90s-era fashions that most of Gen-Z sports today. Hollywood, take notes.) I love the movie for pretty much every reason imaginable: the soundtrack, Cameron learning French for Bianca, the “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” scene… I could go on. But I think Gen-Z has taken their love for the movie to new heights.

Since the movie became easily accessible to stream on Disney+, we’ve noticed an uptick in TikTok videos (with more than 110 million views!) because teens are drawn to the '90s nostalgia, the fashion, and, of course, the characters we’ve come to know and love who are still relatable to us today. 

For teens missing their high school experience, the movie, shot at Stadium High School in Tacoma, Washington, provides the perfect backdrop for those of us who want to escape back to the '90s. We get to see the characters out at concerts, playing paintball, and attending the prom, all things that have unfortunately been unable to happen due to the pandemic. The lack of cell phones and social media allow us to better immerse ourselves in their world, where the pandemic doesn’t exist and we could end up dancing on a table with Heath Ledger. 

The escapist potential continues through the fashion of the movie, where characters are wearing outfits we can easily take inspiration from. Since the trends of the '90s have cycled back to us in 2021, it wouldn’t be hard to find similar pieces to channel our favorite characters. Are you a Bianca? A Kat? A Cameron? From an array of crop-tops, minidresses and skirts, flannels, or baggy pants, TikTokers are compiling 10 Things-inspired videos to help you dress in your '90s best. 

Although we love the fashion and throwback vibes the movie presents, the characters are deeply relatable to the members of Gen-Z and are able to connect to viewers beyond just the surface. Kat’s feminist stance and willingness to stand up for the environment and other causes she believes in resonates with teens today who intensely advocate for social justice, climate change, and equality. While she makes mistakes throughout the movie, like failing to look past her own privilege, she is still bold enough to make a stand in her school. Also, Kat is super passionate about music, and we get to see her indulge that passion throughout. Teen girls, whose passions or hobbies are often belittled, can easily identify with this aspect of Kat. 

Everyone loves a love story, and Patrick is the perfect man to make it happen! With his charming grin and willingness to embarrass himself in front of a crowd, he proves himself to be the dreamiest love interest. We love Patrick not just for his looks but also because of his care for Kat. When she has a little too much to drink at the party, he takes care of her and makes sure she gets home safe. He remembers which guitar she was eyeing at the music store and buys it for her at the end of the movie. He takes her on dates that she actually enjoys, like paintball or paddleboating on the water. Patrick’s attention to the details of Kat’s life make him that much more attractive to today’s audience. Nothing is hotter than a man who actually listens! 

Ah, Cameron. We all want someone who would learn French for us and punch the guy who is bothering us at prom, right? Cameron’s sweet pursuit of Bianca lends us an innocent and comedic portrayal of first love, something we all wish would happen to us in high school. Bianca, in addition to being a fashion icon, draws us in with her easy-going personality and aspirations to have the best high school experience possible, something we can all relate to. Look how cute they are in this adorable edit set to Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”!

So, whether you want to escape from reality, imagine the perfect romance, revamp your wardrobe, or romanticize your life, 10 Things I Hate About You is here to provide for all your needs!