Wikipedia

Freaky Friday (franchise)

The Freaky Friday franchise consists of American family comedies, including the original theatrical film, two made-for-television standalone sequels, a television movie adaptation, the theatrical remake, a Broadway musical, and the Disney Channel Original Movie adaptation of that stage production. The franchise as a whole centers around body swapping between parents and their children, who initially find they cannot agree on anything. Over the course of each respective installment, they individually find that they have respect for each other and they gain a better understanding of the other person.

Freaky Friday
Official franchise logo, as released in 2003
Based onFreaky Friday
by Mary Rodgers
Distributed byThe Walt Disney Company
Release date
1976–present
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget>$25,000,000
(2 films)
Box office$163,440,532[a]

The original film was met with positive reviews.[1] The two television movie sequels were met with negative reception overall,[2][3] while the 1995 television film adaptation was also poorly received, by critics and viewers alike.[4][5][6] The 2003 theatrical remake was met with positive reviews.[7] Despite the negative reception to the stage musical,[8] its 2018 Disney Channel Movie adaptation received positive reviews from critics.[9] The theatrical installments fared well at the box office, earning a profit for The Walt Disney Company.[10][11]

The franchise will continue, with a sequel to the 2003 film in development at Disney as of March 2024.[12]

Origin edit

Main article: Freaky Friday

The 1972 American children's book authored by Mary Rodgers was released by Harper & Row publishing. A hardheaded teenage girl named Annabel Andrews who is often misaligned with her mother, believes that her mother has the most ideal life. She frequently wishes she had as much freedom. One morning she awakens to find that she is now her mom. In her new role, she must handle the peskiness of her younger brother Benjamin, and complete the daily responsibilities as matriarch of the family. Though she searches for her own body, she cannot find her. Through the events of the day, to her surprise she learns that her brother actually idolizes her. Soon she becomes overwhelmed with responsibility and discovers that Ben has gone missing. While in the body of her mother, she also learns that Boris Harris, the handsome and charming young gentleman she has a crush on, likes her back. Frantically she begins looking for her brother, with neighbors reporting that he left the house to get ice cream with a "teenage beauty".

By the end of the day, her mother returns in the body of Annabel albeit with a new makeover revealing that she inexplicably caused the body-swapping scenario. She had been missing as she went to her scheduled orthodontics appointment to have her braces, something that she had forgotten about herself, while Ben followed along with her. Annabel learns that her mother sees cherishes their relationship, sees her as beautiful as evidenced with the makeover, and learns that she needs to be more punctual and responsible than she has been before.[13]

The author wrote two direct sequels titled A Freaky Friday Story: A Billion for Boris (Also Known as ESP TV) published in 1974, and Summer Switch: A Freaky Friday Story published in 1982. In A Billion for Boris, things are back to normal for the Andrews family. After Ben repairs a used television that her purchased from Boris, inexplicably begins showing footage from the future. As Anabel discovers this anomaly, she ventures to use its new abilities similar to ESP to help other people, while Boris seeks for personal gain.[14] In Summer Switch, the Anders family once again finds themselves in a body-swap situation. Years later when Ben is a young teenager, he offhandedly wishes he could live life like his business executive father, while begrudgingly getting on a school bus headed for summer camp. As he struggles through a day at the office, his dad is forced to be involved with the camp activities. The duo work through their days, all while hoping to retrain their natural bodies.[15] Additionally, Rogers co-wrote a thematic sequel novel with the 2003 feature film screenwriter Heather Hach titled Freaky Monday published in 2009 by HarperCollins Publishers LLC. The premise though similar, follows different characters: a schedule and order oriented student named Hadley, and a spontaneous laid-back teacher named Ms. Pitt. When the pair of them inexplicably switch bodies they seek for an instant resolution, but through the process acquire a respect for each other, and an understanding that change is progress.[16]

Films edit

Film U.S.
release date 		Director Screenwriter(s) Producer
Freaky Friday December 17, 1976 (1976-12-17) Gary Nelson Mary Rodgers Ron W. Miller
Summer Switch September 19, 1984 (1984-09-19) Ken Kwapis Bruce Harmon Carol Polakoff
A Billion for Boris 1985 (1985) Alex Grassholf Sandy Russell Gartin Robert Bordiga
Disney's Freaky Friday May 6, 1995 (1995-05-06) Melanie Mayron Stu Krieger Joan Van Horn
Freaky Friday August 6, 2003 (2003-08-06) Mark Waters Heather Hach & Leslie Dixon Andrew Gunn
Freaky Friday August 10, 2018 (2018-08-10) Steve Carr Bridget Carpenter Lisa Towers
Untitled film TBA TBA Elyse Hollander TBA

Freaky Friday (1976) edit

Main article: Freaky Friday (1976 film)

Ellen and Annabel Andrews are a mother-daughter duo that are constantly at odds with each other. After a particular quarrel, Annabel heads out for a Thursday night with her friends. As they go about their respective evenings, and with a Friday the 13th beginning in frustration they both vocalize: "I wish I could switch places with her for just one day." By inexplicable magic, the conscious personalities of each swaps bodies.

Ellen, now in Annabel's teenage body, attends high school trying her best to imitate her daughter. Over the course of the day she feigns at marching band practice, struggles through the classes, is unsuccessful at waterskiing, and contributes to her field hockey team's loss. As she struggles through the day, she begins to realize that there's more to the student life than she had remembered. Meanwhile, Annabel spending the day in Ellen's middle-aged body, proceeds to try her hand at mimicking the everyday housewife responsibilities of her mom's including laundry, car repairs, grocery shopping, carpet cleaning, dry cleaning, and taking care of her younger brother Ben. As they begin to interact more often, she comes to realize that he has always looked up to her as his sister. When she is tasked by Ben, Ellen's husband and Annabel's father, with cooking a meal for a large formal dinner she begins to realize how much she appreciates her mother. Together they search for a way to reverse the effects of their wish.[4][17][5]

Summer Switch (1984) edit

Bill Andrews (the husband of Ellen Andrews and father of Annabel Andrews) a movie executive who wishes he could lead a life as carefree as his son, Benjamin Andrews. At that same moment Ben wishes he could be more like his father. Magically their souls exchange bodies and the story follows their mishaps as they learn some insightful lessions about each other's way of life.[18]

A Billion for Boris (1985) edit

Benjamin Andrews attains possession of an old television set, and after some time working on restoring it to functioning condition, he quickly discovers that the small screen is through inexplicable means broadcasting news for the following day. After realizing this, he approaches his sister Annabel and her boyfriend Boris. The latter pair considering using its mysterious abilities to their own advantage; with Boris considering its monetary advantage. As time continues, the trio begin to question the ethical ramifications of their actions, and must decide whether to continue with their plans or to get rid of the device.[19][20][21][2][22][23]

Freaky Friday (1995) edit

Main article: Freaky Friday (1995 film)

Ellen Andrews and her daughter Annabelle have differing opinions on everything. They seldom get along, and find that they are often at odds with each other. When they both receive antique amulets, unbeknownst to them the objects have mystic properties and cause their conscious-selves to trade bodies. Ellen now in her teenage daughter's body, navigates the difficulties peers at high school. As she lives through the day as Annabelle, she comes to find that her daughter's life isn't as simple as it seemed. Meanwhile, Annabelle assumes the role of her mother as a successful business woman at a clothing design company, as well as enduring the romantic gestures of her mother's fiancé. As the pair come to a mutual understanding and respect for each other, they work to regain their true bodies.[4][5]

Freaky Friday (2003) edit

Main article: Freaky Friday (2003 film)

Anna Coleman is a teenage aspiring singer and musician in a rock band, called Pink Slip. Tess Coleman is a successful therapist with a book deal, and widowed mother of Anna and Harry. Lately they find that they are constantly arguing. After the death of her father, Anna has become emotional and closed to those closest to her by hiding her sorrow in her music. While Tess works to provide for her children and continues her successful career, she receives a publishing deal for her book. In addition to this life succes, she finds a new chance at love in her fiancé, named Ryan. Though they do not see eye-to-eye, Anna prepares for the chance at a record deal through a battle of the bands performance, while Tess plans for her wedding.

One night when the family is having dinner at Pei-Pei's Chinese restaurant, they begin to get into an argument. When Pei-Pei's mother overhears their conversation, she offers them both fortune cookies. As they go their separate ways, they read the fortunes and through ancient Chinese magic, their intelligences swap bodies before losing consciousness. When they awake, they realize to their horror what has inexplicably happened.

Tess now living in her teenage daughter's body, attends high school and tries to navigate the pressures of bullies, teachers, homework, acceptance by her peers, avoiding the advances of Anna's crush, and the Pink Slip's band practices. Anna now in Tess's middle-aged body, goes through her mother's usual tasks as a therapist, prepares for her appearance on a talk show to promote the release of her mother's book, and tries to avoid Ryan. As they begin to understand each other on a more personal level, and as they get closer to the wedding rehearsal dinner and concert events, the mother-daughter team work together to find a way to reverse the Chinese curse that caused their situation, all while trying to complete their respective life achievements.[4][5][24][25]

Freaky Friday (2018) edit

Main article: Freaky Friday (2018 film)

A film adaptation of the musical, and based on the previous film adaptations, the film's plot is largely similar to the other films.

Katherine and Ellie Blake are mother and daughter, but they find that they are often at odds with each other. Ellie wants to attend an annual scavenger event planned and hosted by her school, but Katherine worries about her daughter and won't approve her attendance to "the Hunt". Katherine is a successful businesswoman, planning and preparing for her next catering project at her own wedding. Through unexplained magical means, an hourglass that Ellie's deceased father had given her causes the pair to switch bodies. Forced to work together, despite their differences, they decide that if an identical relic that was gifted to Katherine is found it may reverse the spell. Katherine however, sold the item before and so finding it may prove more difficult than they thought.

Katherine now in Ellie's teenage body, attends her classes and realizes that her daughter has been dealing with bullying from her peers. Through a series of events she discovers that her daughter rebells against her guidance and received a belly button piercing, and has been sluffing her classes. Meanwhile Ellie in her mother's adult body, tries to help prepare for the marriage ceremony celebrations. This includes having to interact with her mother's fiancé named Mike. While both of their days are not going as planned, they learn that the hourglass was purchased from an antique store, and will be used during "the Hunt". The mother and daughter start to gain a mutual respect for each other, and hurry to find a way back into their own bodies before the wedding day.[4][5][26][27]

Future edit

In December 2016, a reboot of the franchise was announced to be in development from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, as a Disney+ exclusive feature film.[28] By October 2022, Jamie Lee Curtis stated that she had contacted The Walt Disney Company regarding developing a sequel to the 2003 film, that she co-starred in with Lindsay Lohan. The actress said that she hopes to appear in a follow-up that would show what the respective characters have been doing over the years.[29][30] In November of the same year, Lohan expressed interest in reprising her role alongside Curtis, while confirming that she has had discussions concerning the potential film with the associated studio.[31] By February 2023, Curtis stated though she could not be the person to officially announce it, the actress insisted that the sequel was "going to happen".[32]

In May 2023, Curtis and Lohan jointly stated that they were both hoping to return in their respective roles. Disney confirmed a sequel was in development, with Elyse Hollander writing the screenplay, and Curtis and Lohan in early negotiations to co-star in the project.[33] In June of the same year, Curtis stated that principal photography would begin the following year.[34] In March 2024, it was announced Nisha Ganatra would be directing from a screenplay written by Jordan Weiss and filming set for the summer in Los Angeles. Andrew Gunn, who produced the 2003 movie, was confirmed to produce again along with Kristin Burr.[12]

Main cast and characters edit

Character Films
Freaky Friday
(1976) 		Summer Switch A Billion for Boris Disney's Freaky Friday
(1995) 		Freaky Friday
(2003) 		Freaky Friday
(2018)
Ellen Andrews Barbara Harris Margo Skinner Sally Stark Shelley Long  
Annabelle Andrews Jodie Foster Lenora May Mary Tanner Gaby Hoffmann  
Bill Andrews John Astin Robert Klein Brian Evers Alan Rosenberg  
Benjamin Andrews Sparky Marcus Scott Schwartz Seth Green Asher Metchik  
Boris Harris Marc McClure   Scott Tiler   Marc McClureC  
Dr. Tess Coleman   Jamie Lee Curtis  
Anna Coleman   Lindsay Lohan  
Alan Coleman   Harold Gould  
Harry Coleman   Ryan Malgarini  
Katherine Blake   Heidi Blickenstaff
Ellie Blake   Cozi Zuehlsdorff

Additional crew and production details edit

Film Crew/Detail
Composer(s) Cinematographer(s) Editor Production
companies 		Distributing
companies 		Running time
Freaky Friday (1976) Johnny Mandel Charles F. Wheeler Cotton Warburton Walt Disney Productions Buena Vista Distribution Co., Inc. 1 hr 35 mins
Summer Switch Gil Goldstein & Fred Miller Tony Mitchell Stanley Warnow American Broadcasting Company,
Learning Corporation of America 		ABC 60 mins
A Billion for Boris Robert Christianson Peter Stein Sheila Bakerman Walt Disney Television,
Comworld Pictures Inc.,
Garten/Kandel Productions,
Kandel Enterprises Inc.,
S.R.G. Productions Inc. 		Disney Channel,
H.H.E. Releasing 		1 hr 34 mins
Disney's Freaky Friday (1995) James McVay & Lisa Harlow Stark Russ Alsobrook Henk Van Eeghen Walt Disney Television,
ZM Productions 		Buena Vista Television,
Disney–ABC Domestic Television,
American Broadcasting Company 		1 hr 26 mins
Freaky Friday (2003) Rolfe Kent Oliver Wood Bruce Green Walt Disney Pictures,
Casual Friday Productions,
Gunn Films 		Buena Vista Pictures 1 hr 37 mins
Freaky Friday (2018) David Lawrence Adam Santelli & John Carrafa Craig Herring Disney Channel Original Movies,
Bad Angels Productions 		Disney Channel,
Disney Branded Television 		1 hr 30 mins

Stage edit

Main article: Freaky Friday (musical)

Developed by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Christopher Ashley with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics written by Brian Yorkey; the project was based on the original novel, as well as its 1976, 1995, and 2003 film adaptations. The production debuted on October 4, 2016 at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia. Heidi Blickenstaff and Emma Hunton featured as the co-leads as Katherine and Ellie Blake, respectively. Though not initially ordered directly to Broadway, the option from the production studio is available. The stage-script was written by Bridget Carpenter with an accompanying book release, while choreography was created by Sergio Trujillo. Similar to previous adaptations, the plot centers around a woman and her teenage daughter, who though initially at odds magically swap bodies and must work together to set things right before Katherine's wedding.

The play was met overall with mixed critical reception, with praise directed at the "believable" performance of its cast, its "timeless appeal", and its effective direction for its target audience. Conversely, criticisms were directed at its lyrics and "frenetic" style.[8][35][36]

A previous musical adaptation, with book and lyrics by Rodgers, and music by John Forster, was a failure. The song "At the Same Time" from this adaptation appears on Volume 3 of the "Unsung Musicals" album series.[37]

Reception edit

For more details on the reception of each film, see the "Reception" section on each film's article.

Box office and financial performance edit

Film Box office gross Box office ranking Video
sales gross 		Worldwide total
gross income 		Budget Worldwide total
net income 		Ref.
North America Other territories Worldwide All time
North America 		All time
worldwide 		North America
Freaky Friday (1976) $25,942,000 — $25,942,000 #3,072 information not publicly available information not publicly available >$25,942,000 $5,000,000 ≥$20,942,000 [10][38]
Summer Switch — — — — — information not publicly available information not publicly available information not publicly available information not publicly available —
A Billion for Boris — — — — — information not publicly available information not publicly available information not publicly available information not publicly available —
Disney's Freaky Friday (1995) — — — — — information not publicly available information not publicly available information not publicly available information not publicly available —
Freaky Friday (2003) $110,230,332 $50,616,000 $160,846,332 #655 #1,838 information not publicly available >$160,846,332 $20,000,000 $140,846,332 [11][39]
Freaky Friday (2018) — — — — — $92,708 $92,708 information not publicly available <$92,708 [40]
Totals $112,824,532 $50,616,000 $163,440,532 x̄932 x̄460 >$92,708 >$186,881,040 >$25,000,000 ~$161,881,040[b]

Critical and public response edit

Critical and public response of Freaky Friday films
Film Critical Public
Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
Freaky Friday (1976) 70% (23 reviews)[1] 51 (9 reviews)[41] —
Summer Switch — — —
A Billion for Boris [to be determined][42] — —
Disney's Freaky Friday (1995) [to be determined][6] — —
Freaky Friday (2003) 88% (155 reviews)[7] 70 (36 reviews)[43] A−[44]
Freaky Friday (2018) 67% (6 reviews)[9] — —

Notes edit

  1. ^ This figure is the sum of total box office income, accumulated from the theatrical releases.
  2. ^ This is an approximate calculation, based on the limited public information about each film.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Freaky Friday (1976)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Bailey, Ben (July 15, 2022). "A Billion For Boris (1984)". Saturday Night Jive. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  3. ^ Scott, Tony (October 3, 1994). "Summertime Switch". Variety. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e Franich, Darren (August 10, 2018). "Every Freaky Friday, reviewed". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e Merrill, Allison McClain (November 9, 2020). "Every Version Of Freaky Friday & The Parent Trap, Ranked By IMDb". Screen Rant. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Freaky Friday (1995)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Freaky Friday (2003)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Harris, Paul (October 26, 2016). "D.C. Theater Review: 'Freaky Friday', The Musical". Variety. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Freaky Friday (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Freaky Friday (1976)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Freaky Friday (2003)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "'Freaky Friday 2' Is A Go With 'Welcome to Chippendales' Director (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. March 29, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  13. ^ "Freaky Friday". Good Reads. Good Reads. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  14. ^ Rodgers, Mary (January 21, 2003). "A Billion for Boris". GoodReads. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  15. ^ Rodgers, Mary (February 1, 2004). "Summer Switch". GoodReads. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  16. ^ Rogers, Mary & Heather Hach (May 5, 2009). "Freaky Monday". HarperCollins. HarperCollins Publishing LLC. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  17. ^ Variety Staff (December 31, 1975). "Freaky Friday". Variety. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  18. ^ "Summer Switch (1984)". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  19. ^ Taylor, Chuck (1998). "Billions For Boris - A Chuck's Connection Review". Chuck's Connection. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  20. ^ Ren, Gillian (October 19, 2021). "Camera Obscura: A Billion for Boris/Billions for Boris". The Solute. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  21. ^ "A Billion For Boris (a.k.a. Billions For Boris)". The Unknown Movies. The Unknown Movies. September 2, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  22. ^ "Billions for Boris". The A.V. Club. The A.V. Club. 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  23. ^ "A Billion for Boris". TV Guide. TV Guide. 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  24. ^ "Freaky Friday". Variety. July 20, 2003. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  25. ^ Otto, Jeff (August 5, 2003). "Review of Freaky Friday". IGN. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  26. ^ Nguyen, Hanh (August 10, 2018). "'Freaky Friday' Review: Disney Channel's Infectiously Charming Musical Reboot Is a New Instant Classic". IndieWire. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  27. ^ Flores, Terry (August 9, 2018). "'Freaky Friday' Team Takes Their 2016 Musical to the Small Screen". Variety. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  28. ^ Lewis, Evan (December 23, 2019). "Freaky Friday Remake Reportedly Coming To Disney Plus". We Got This Covered. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  29. ^ Tinoco, Armando (October 10, 2022). "Jamie Lee Curtis Says She's "Wide Open" For A 'Freaky Friday' Sequel With Lindsay Lohan". Deadline. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  30. ^ Sharf, Zack (October 10, 2022). "Jamie Lee Curtis: 'I've Already Written to Disney' About Making a 'Freaky Friday' Sequel With Lindsay Lohan". Variety. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  31. ^ Nolfi, Joey (November 11, 2022). "Lindsay Lohan wants to film Jamie Lee Curtis' Freaky Friday sequel idea: 'We did speak about it'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  32. ^ Malkin, Marc (February 26, 2023). "Jamie Lee Curtis Says 'Freaky Friday' Sequel 'Is Going to Happen'". Variety. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  33. ^ "Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan Talk 'Freaky Friday' at 20". The New York Times. May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  34. ^ El-Mahmoud, Sarah (June 24, 2023). "Watch Jamie Lee Curtis Hilariously Hype Up Freaky Friday 2 While Speaking To Disneyland Guests From A Balcony". Cinemablend. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  35. ^ Snetiker, Marc (February 6, 2017). "Hear three songs from Disney's Freaky Friday musical — exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  36. ^ Geier, Thom (February 5, 2017). "'Freaky Friday' Theater Review: Stage Musical Adaptation Finds Pop Highs – and No Lohan". The Wrap. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  37. ^ "Unsung Musicals III (1997, CD)". Discogs (in German). 2022-08-11. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  38. ^ The Wrap (April 4, 2013). "Box Office Information for Freaky Friday". The Wrap. Archived from the original on December 27, 2016. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  39. ^ "Freaky Friday (2003)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  40. ^ "Freaky Friday (2018)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  41. ^ "Freaky Friday (1976)". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  42. ^ "A Billion for Boris". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  43. ^ "Freaky Friday (2003)". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  44. ^ "Cinemascore :: Movie Title Search". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
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