Cult Classic 1980s Comedy Movie Is Finally Getting a Sequel With a Major Hollywood Star

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Hollywood has always revisited its older movies, but recently, we’ve seen a huge increase in remakes, sequels that continue stories years later, and follow-ups to films that ended long ago. Just in 2025, we saw the return of Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in a new Freakier Friday over two decades after the first movie, a reboot of The Naked Gun series after 30 years, and Danny Boyle bringing back the horror of 28 Years Later more than 20 years later. This trend isn’t stopping anytime soon. Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, we can expect The Devil Wears Prada 2 with Meryl Streep returning after 20 years, a sequel to Practical Magic reuniting Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, a fifth Toy Story film, a new Shrek movie, and another Hunger Games story. Now, a popular comedy from the 1980s is getting a sequel, many years after the original charmed audiences.

Cameron Diaz is set to star in a sequel to the 1980s comedy Troop Beverly Hills, according to Deadline. The film is in development at TriStar Pictures and will be directed by Clea DuVall, who also wrote the script. DuVall previously directed the successful rom-com Happiest Season for the studio. Laurence Mark will produce alongside Diaz and her business partner, Katherine Power. While details about the plot are being kept secret, the film is a sequel, meaning Diaz won’t reprise her role as Phyllis Nefler. Instead, she’ll play a new character, likely connected to the original story and the Nefler family.

Why Is Troop Beverly Hills a Cult Classic?

Released in 1989, Troop Beverly Hills is a comedy directed by Jeff Kanew and starring Shelley Long as Phyllis Nefler, a wealthy Beverly Hills woman navigating a divorce. She unexpectedly becomes the leader of a Girl Scout troop. Despite the star power, the film wasn’t successful with audiences or critics. It only earned $8.5 million in theaters, far less than its $18 million production cost, and received largely negative reviews criticizing everything from the story to the acting. By most standards, Troop Beverly Hills was a box office failure.

Then, surprisingly, Troop Beverly Hills gained a dedicated following over the years. It resonated with viewers as a film with a surprisingly feminist message and a fun depiction of 1980s extravagance. Repeated showings on the Disney Channel in the 90s introduced it to new generations. Many kids who watched it on cable grew to love it, recognizing things that critics had overlooked. For example, the film subtly challenges traditional gender roles when Phyllis’s husband dismisses her efforts to create a beautiful home and raise their daughter as unimportant. Phyllis rightfully argues that these efforts – and building a successful family image – are valuable work. For a mainstream comedy released in 1989, that was a surprisingly progressive stance.

It’s been amazing to watch how much of a following Troop Beverly Hills has gained over the years, and in ways I never expected! Honestly, the movie’s over-the-top style, ridiculous costumes, and playfully dramatic humor really resonated with queer audiences. Looking back, Stephanie Beacham’s character was iconic, and it even featured some actors who would later star in huge queer TV shows. Plus, the sheer fabulousness of Phyllis Nefler’s wardrobe was a huge draw! Now, you can find Troop Beverly Hills quote nights, themed parties, and a dedicated fanbase who see it as a real ancestor to movies like Legally Blonde and even the recent Barbie – a true high-femme classic that paved the way.

What are your thoughts on the movie Troop Beverly Hills? Share your opinions in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-04-10 14:10