🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Bruce McCulloch
- Genre: Comedy, Romance
- Release year: 1999
- Runtime (length): 1h 21min
- IMDb rating: 5.2/10 (22K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 31%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Catholic school weirdo sniffs her armpits and destroys everything in sight to get a kiss from Will Ferrell.
🍿 Superstar: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Mary Katherine Gallagher
Mary Katherine Gallagher (Molly Shannon) is an orphaned, awkward Catholic schoolgirl with dreams of superstardom and, more importantly, a Hollywood-style kiss. Living with her grandma (Glynis Johns), Mary Katherine navigates the challenges of St. Monica High School, where she’s considered an outcast.

The Talent Show Opportunity
When Catholic Teen Magazine sponsors a talent show, Mary Katherine sees it as her chance to shine and win the heart of Sky Corrigan (Will Ferrell), the popular boy. Her main competition is Sky’s girlfriend, Evian (Elaine Hendrix), a beautiful and mean cheerleader. Mary Katherine enlists the help of her special education classmates and her grandma to prepare for the contest.

Obstacles and Inspiration
Throughout her journey, Mary Katherine faces ridicule and setbacks, but finds inspiration in her past and the support of her friends. She imagines conversations with Jesus (also played by Will Ferrell) and dreams of a glamorous life. Despite the challenges, she remains determined to achieve her dream.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Mary Katherine Gallagher (Molly Shannon): An orphaned, awkward Catholic schoolgirl with dreams of becoming a superstar to win the affections of a popular boy.
- Sky Corrigan (Will Ferrell): The popular, somewhat effeminate football player who is the object of Mary Katherine’s affection and the boyfriend of Evian.
- Evian (Elaine Hendrix): The beautiful, popular, and mean-spirited cheerleader who serves as Mary Katherine’s rival.
- Grandma (Glynis Johns): Mary Katherine’s supportive but sometimes exasperated grandmother who raises her and reluctantly helps her pursue her dreams.
- Slater (Harland Williams): A mysterious and misunderstood biker who becomes a friend and eventual love interest for Mary Katherine.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Mary Katherine Gallagher: “I’m gonna be a star!” – Mary Katherine often exclaims this when dreaming of her future fame and success.
- Mary Katherine Gallagher: “Sometimes, when I get nervous, I stick my fingers under my arms, and then I smell them. It makes me feel better.” – This is Mary Katherine’s explanation for one of her more bizarre habits, showcasing her awkwardness.
- Grandma Gallagher: “I don’t know. But if I say it, you better fuckin’ figure it out.” – Grandma Gallagher responds fiercely when Maria Ganitisis asks what “booga-booga” means for the talent show.
- Jesus: “Don’t be a fool, wrap your tool!” – Jesus giving Sky romantic advice in a vision sequence.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $34,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $30,636,478
- Worldwide Gross: $30,636,478
💥 Superstar Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so ‘Superstar’ isn’t high art, but I honestly find it hilarious! Molly Shannon is fearless as Mary Katherine Gallagher, and her physical comedy just cracks me up. Sure, some of the jokes are a bit much, but there are so many quotable lines. I still laugh when she’s making out with a tree, and every time I see Will Ferrell, I picture him as Sky Corrigan in his silly dance moves. It’s a fun, goofy movie that doesn’t take itself seriously, and sometimes that’s exactly what I need.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell”
- “Viewers who enjoy slapstick comedy”
- “Audiences who appreciate underdog stories”
- “Those who like Saturday Night Live humor”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Crude humor”
- “Suggestive content”
- “Religious parody”
Professional Reviews
- Roger Ebert: “A desperate, unfunny mess. Molly Shannon’s SNL character just doesn’t translate to the big screen. It’s exhausting and repetitive, relying on cheap gags and stereotypes rather than genuine humor. Will Ferrell’s wasted talent only adds to the disappointment. Avoid at all costs.
- Owen Gleiberman: “The movie beats its one joke — Molly Shannon as an awkward outsider — into the ground. The supporting cast feels like SNL rejects. The movie fails to capture anything fresh or unique. The movie’s attempt at heart falls flat making the audience not care for the outcome.
Audience Reactions
Molly Shannon’s physical comedy is hilarious and unforgettable.: Fans love Molly Shannon’s over-the-top performance and the film’s silly, anything-goes attitude.
Will Ferrell’s Sky Corrigan is a surprisingly unique and funny character.: Ferrell’s portrayal of the popular guy as sensitive and feminine is a standout comedic element.
Overall Consensus: ‘Superstar’ is a polarizing film. While some find it to be a hilarious and quirky comedy, others view it as a stretched-out and unfunny SNL skit.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Molly Shannon wrote all the material for Superstar involving Mary Katherine Gallagher.”
- “The movie spoofs several films, including ‘Carrie’, ‘Armageddon’, and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.”
- “Every car seen in the movie (with the exception of the opening sequence) is either a lime green or black new Volkswagen Beetle.”
- “Bruce McCulloch, the director, added robot dance scenes because he was really into the robot.”
🖥️ How to Watch Superstar?
Superstar is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable on-demand services.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Superstar, you might like these similar films:
- Napoleon Dynamite (2004): Both films celebrate awkwardness and feature underdog characters with unique personalities.
- Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995): Another movie with a socially awkward misfit girl who is an outcast.
- Never Been Kissed (1999): A woman must relive high school again, this time as a student, in a similar story of someone trying to fit in. Molly Shannon is also in this movie.
- Wayne’s World (1992): Another SNL skit turned into a movie.
🛒 Superstar Related Products
- Superstar Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original ‘Superstar’ movie poster, perfect for adding a touch of ’90s comedy to your wall.
- Mary Katherine Gallagher Action Figure: A limited-edition action figure of Mary Katherine Gallagher, complete with her signature glasses and awkward poses.
- Superstar: The Official Movie Novelization: Relive the hilarious moments of the film in this digital novelization.
- I Will Survive [DVD]: A movie by Glynis Johns
🎧 Soundtrack
Superstar features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Beautiful” – performed by The Go-Go’s
- “Spirit in the Sky” – performed by Norman Greenbaum
- “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” – performed by C+C Music Factory
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Superstar is a comedy about Mary Katherine Gallagher, an awkward Catholic schoolgirl who dreams of becoming a superstar to win a kiss from the popular boy. The film follows her journey as she enters a talent show and navigates the challenges of high school.
Superstar is available for rent or purchase on various streaming platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local cable on-demand options as well.
The main actors in Superstar are Molly Shannon, who plays Mary Katherine Gallagher, and Will Ferrell, who plays Sky Corrigan and Jesus. Elaine Hendrix plays Evian, and Harland Williams plays Slater.
🔥 Bonus Content
The Story of Jesus Christ Superstar
Ever wondered about the story behind Jesus Christ Superstar? This video breaks it down, explaining the characters and musical numbers. It’s actually super interesting and I never realised how many layers there were!
Jesus Christ Superstar! | Stuff You Like
Want to know what other people think about Jesus Christ Superstar? This review dives into the music and gives you something to think about! It will totally change how you think about the performance.
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