35 years ago this summer, Grease 2 roared into theaters and quickly became… a flop. Many wrote off the movie as an unnecessary sequel, but over the years the musical has quietly been growing in popularity—especially among those who were raised watching it over and over again on TV.
Yesterday, Michael Showalter (Wet Hot American Summer, The Big Sick) tweeted an idea about how someone should write an article on how younger generations prefer the 1982 musical Grease 2 over its predecessor, Grease.
Someone needs to write a think-piece about the phenomenon of younger generations preferring Grease 2 to the original.
— Michael Showalter (@mshowalter) July 18, 2017
The 1978 original might be a beloved American musical starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, and for decades was the highest grossing live-action musical film of all time, but the children on Twitter are having none of that because they prefer Michelle Pfeiffer and her Pink Ladies in the film’s sequel.
June Diane Raphael, co-host of the popular podcast How Did This Get Made? and a regular on Grace and Frankie, chimed in about why she thinks Grease 2 is better:
Grease 2 has a female protagonist who changes tires, is sexually awake and unimpressed by the basic boys around her. She is v important.
— June Diane Raphael (@MsJuneDiane) July 18, 2017
Grease 2 has a female protagonist who changes tires, is sexually awake and unimpressed by the basic boys around her. She is v important.
— June Diane Raphael (@MsJuneDiane) July 18, 2017
And also —- Stephanie remains entirely true to herself while trying to get the guy. He changes for her.
— June Diane Raphael (@MsJuneDiane) July 18, 2017
Not superior, but it stands completely on its own. It was unfairly maligned upon original release. A think-piece is not enough. PBS doc.
— Jake Fogelnest (@jakefogelnest) July 18, 2017
Surprisingly the internet agreed with Raphael about how it is actually an overlooked classic:
Totally agree w/June. Grease 2 is my favorite! @FernieCommaAlex and I just screened it at our show Required Viewing at UCB!️
— Deborah Tarica (@InstantDeborah) July 18, 2017
And it passes The Bechdel Test within the first lines of the movie.
— Deborah Tarica (@InstantDeborah) July 18, 2017
Sandy is the girl I was, but Stephanie is the girl I was dying to be. #HailQueenPfeiffer pic.twitter.com/PMPqjIDWfe
— Kerri Doherty (@squideatsquid) July 18, 2017
YES. The Pink Ladies are the main focus of "Grease 2." It's clear THEY'RE truly in charge at Rydell High.
— Jake Fogelnest (@jakefogelnest) July 18, 2017
And "Reproduction" is mostly a class of Rizzos who have no time for slut-shaming bs. #Grease2 pic.twitter.com/jGxiFyYKE1
— amy pascale (@amypop) July 18, 2017
Born in 80 & older sisters (so, not that young) & I watched Grease 2 on tv (w/ Reproduction cut out) A LOT as kids b4 we ever saw Grease.
— Mandy Janice (@mandyjanice) July 18, 2017
Grease 2 is the 'Empire Strikes Back' of the Grease movies.
— demi adejuyigbe (@electrolemon) July 18, 2017
Me at 3 am sensing that Grease 2 is trending & finally getting the recognition it deserves pic.twitter.com/nq8zcIfcVL
— El Alacrán (@TwitNumeroUno) July 19, 2017
Also sorry but the songs are better.
— Kelly (@ktaglialavore) July 18, 2017
Also, bowling.
— D Alexander (@DAlexander71) July 18, 2017
I all serious tho, grease 2 > grease
— Oli Jones (@DoneAnOliJones) July 14, 2017
Don't care what anyone says grease 2 is the better one just like gremlins 2 is better than the first.
— Hazel Maguire (@trampingmystyle) July 13, 2017
Not only do Twitter users have a fondness for the movie, but Grease 2 also has a special place in the queer community with fans like Drew Droege and Andrew Rannells, who said that his first gay crush was on the movie’s star, Maxwell Caulfield.
Grease 2 also featured (now out) actor Tab Hunter as a high school teacher, Lorna Luft (Judy Garland’s other daughter) as Paulette, one of the Pink Ladies, and is filled with classic musical numbers like “Reproduction” and “Cool Rider.”
Who didn’t want to be Michelle Pfeiffer singing on top of that ladder?
Pfeiffer might be the preferred Pink Lady of millennials, but we all know who the real Grease queen is: Carly Rae Jepsen.
