Relive the 1999Teaching Mrs. TinglePremiere with Photos of Katie Holmes, Seann William Scott and More

Mar. 15, 2025

Barry Watson, Katie Holmes and Marisa Coughlan at the ‘Teaching Mrs. Tingle’ premiere in 1999.Photo:SGranitz/WireImage; Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

SGranitz/WireImage; Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Twenty-five years ago today,Teaching Mrs. Tinglepremiered. But even before the teen thriller hit theaters, it was controversial.Hot off the success ofScreamandDawson’s Creek, writer-directorKevin Williamsonoriginally planned for the film — about a trio of high school students (Katie Holmes,Barry Watsonand Marisa Coughlan) who take their difficult, vindictive history teacher (Helen Mirren) hostage — to be much darker and more violent. Its original title wasKilling Mrs. Tingle, but after filming wrapped in July 1998, concerns about violence in media aimed at teens following the April 1999mass shooting at Columbine High Schoolled Williamson and co. to retitle and significantly rework the film to get a PG-13 rating instead of its planned R rating.The result was something of a critical bomb. ButTeaching Mrs. Tinglenonetheless remains an artifact of late ’90s culture, featuring some of the hottest young stars of 1999 alongside veteran actors. Similarly, the film’s premiere brought out some of Hollywood’s biggest stars for a quintessentially ’90s moment. Here, take a look back at the 1999Teaching Mrs. Tinglepremiere in Los Angeles.

Twenty-five years ago today,Teaching Mrs. Tinglepremiered. But even before the teen thriller hit theaters, it was controversial.

Hot off the success ofScreamandDawson’s Creek, writer-directorKevin Williamsonoriginally planned for the film — about a trio of high school students (Katie Holmes,Barry Watsonand Marisa Coughlan) who take their difficult, vindictive history teacher (Helen Mirren) hostage — to be much darker and more violent. Its original title wasKilling Mrs. Tingle, but after filming wrapped in July 1998, concerns about violence in media aimed at teens following the April 1999mass shooting at Columbine High Schoolled Williamson and co. to retitle and significantly rework the film to get a PG-13 rating instead of its planned R rating.

The result was something of a critical bomb. ButTeaching Mrs. Tinglenonetheless remains an artifact of late ’90s culture, featuring some of the hottest young stars of 1999 alongside veteran actors. Similarly, the film’s premiere brought out some of Hollywood’s biggest stars for a quintessentially ’90s moment. Here, take a look back at the 1999Teaching Mrs. Tinglepremiere in Los Angeles.

01of 18Katie HolmesKatie Holmes in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyIn her fourth film role,Dawson’s CreekstarKatie Holmesplayed high school overachiever turned teen kidnapper Leigh Ann Watson inTeaching Mrs. Tingle. Here she is at the Aug. 11, 1999, premiere in Los Angeles.

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Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

In her fourth film role,Dawson’s CreekstarKatie Holmesplayed high school overachiever turned teen kidnapper Leigh Ann Watson inTeaching Mrs. Tingle. Here she is at the Aug. 11, 1999, premiere in Los Angeles.

02of 18Helen MirrenHelen Mirren in 1999.SGranitz/WireImageKnown for her serious dramatic roles — including an Academy Award-nominated turn the 1995 period pieceThe Madness of King George— starring in the teen-centricTeaching Mrs. Tinglewas definitely a departure for British actressHelen Mirren.

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Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren in 1999.SGranitz/WireImage

SGranitz/WireImage

Known for her serious dramatic roles — including an Academy Award-nominated turn the 1995 period pieceThe Madness of King George— starring in the teen-centricTeaching Mrs. Tinglewas definitely a departure for British actressHelen Mirren.

03of 18Barry WatsonBarry Watson in 1999.SGranitz/WireImageBarry Watsonburnished his teen heartthrob cred as bad boy Luke Churner inTeaching Mrs. Tingle. The7th Heavenstar flashed that winning smile in a buttoned-up look at the film’s premiere.

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Barry Watson

Barry Watson in 1999.SGranitz/WireImage

Barry Watsonburnished his teen heartthrob cred as bad boy Luke Churner inTeaching Mrs. Tingle. The7th Heavenstar flashed that winning smile in a buttoned-up look at the film’s premiere.

04of 18Jessica BielJessica Biel in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyJessica Bielwent sheer for the premiere of her7th Heavencostar Watson’s new film.

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Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Jessica Bielwent sheer for the premiere of her7th Heavencostar Watson’s new film.

05of 18Marisa CoughlanMarisa Coughlan in 1999.SGranitz/WireImageMarisa Coughlan rounded outTeaching Mrs. Tingle’s trio of teen kidnappers as Holmes’s character’s bestie and accomplice Jo Lynn.

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Marisa Coughlan

Marisa Coughlan in 1999.SGranitz/WireImage

Marisa Coughlan rounded outTeaching Mrs. Tingle’s trio of teen kidnappers as Holmes’s character’s bestie and accomplice Jo Lynn.

06of 18Rebecca GayheartRebecca Gayheart in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyJawbreaker’sRebecca Gayheart, who would costar with Coughlan in Williamson’s short-lived ABC dramaWasteland, posed for photos.

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Rebecca Gayheart

Rebecca Gayheart in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Jawbreaker’sRebecca Gayheart, who would costar with Coughlan in Williamson’s short-lived ABC dramaWasteland, posed for photos.

07of 18Brad RoweBrad Rowe in 1999.SGranitz/WireImageAnotherWastelandcast member on theTeaching Mrs. Tinglered carpet: the very hunky Brad Rowe.

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Brad Rowe

Brad Rowe in 1999.SGranitz/WireImage

AnotherWastelandcast member on theTeaching Mrs. Tinglered carpet: the very hunky Brad Rowe.

08of 18Molly RingwaldMolly Ringwald in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyMolly Ringwaldhit the red carpet in an eye-catching crimson look. In a bit of an inversion of her own teen movie heyday, the actress was one of several veteran actors to play teachers inTeaching Mrs. Tingle.

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Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Molly Ringwaldhit the red carpet in an eye-catching crimson look. In a bit of an inversion of her own teen movie heyday, the actress was one of several veteran actors to play teachers inTeaching Mrs. Tingle.

09of 18Lesley Ann WarrenLesley Ann Warren in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyLesley Ann Warren, meanwhile, made an appearance as Katie Holmes’s characters' mom. The actress looked stunning at the premiere in dramatic leather.

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Lesley Ann Warren

Lesley Ann Warren in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Lesley Ann Warren, meanwhile, made an appearance as Katie Holmes’s characters' mom. The actress looked stunning at the premiere in dramatic leather.

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Simon Rex and Michelle Cruz

Simon Rex and Michelle Cruz in 1999.SGranitz/WireImage

11of 18Adrien BrodyAdrien Brody in 1999.SGranitz/WireImageSummer of SamstarAdrien Brodylooked laid back at the event.

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Adrien Brody

Adrien Brody in 1999.SGranitz/WireImage

Summer of SamstarAdrien Brodylooked laid back at the event.

12of 18Eddie MillsEddie Mills in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyKatie Holmes’sDawson’s Creekcostar Eddie Mills turned up to celebrate the film.

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Eddie Mills

Eddie Mills in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Katie Holmes’sDawson’s Creekcostar Eddie Mills turned up to celebrate the film.

13of 18Jason BehrJason Behr in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyYet anotherDawson’s Creekalumnus at the premiere:RoswellstarJason Behr.

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Jason Behr

Jason Behr in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Yet anotherDawson’s Creekalumnus at the premiere:RoswellstarJason Behr.

14of 18James MarstersJames Marsters in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyWB stars were out in full force, includingBuffy the Vampire Slayer’sJames Marsters.

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James Marsters

James Marsters in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

WB stars were out in full force, includingBuffy the Vampire Slayer’sJames Marsters.

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Liev Schreiber

Liev Schreiber in 1999.SGranitz/WireImage

16of 18Courteney Cox and David ArquetteCourteney Cox and David Arquette in 1999.Donato Sardella/Penske Media via GettyOtherScreamfranchise alumni in attendance:Courteney CoxandDavid Arquette.

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Courteney Cox and David Arquette

Courteney Cox and David Arquette in 1999.Donato Sardella/Penske Media via Getty

Donato Sardella/Penske Media via Getty

OtherScreamfranchise alumni in attendance:Courteney CoxandDavid Arquette.

17of 18Seann William ScottSeann William Scott in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyHot off the release ofAmerican Piein July 1999,Seann William Scottlooked dashing on theTeaching Mrs. Tinglered carpet.

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Seann William Scott

Seann William Scott in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Hot off the release ofAmerican Piein July 1999,Seann William Scottlooked dashing on theTeaching Mrs. Tinglered carpet.

18of 18Liz StauberLiz Stauber in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyActress Liz Stauber appeared in the film as Holmes’s high school rival, Trudie Tucker.

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Liz Stauber

Liz Stauber in 1999.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Actress Liz Stauber appeared in the film as Holmes’s high school rival, Trudie Tucker.

source: people.com