This post is sponsored by Walt Disney Studios but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
These days, every time I see a news story that a beloved film is getting a prequel or sequel, I can feel the internet collectively hold its breath in anticipation. I get it; it feels like Hollywood is churning out reboots left and right. So, when your childhood favorite movie—the one you watch on rainy days, when you’re sick, or when adult life is so overwhelming you need to crawl back into the comforting hole that was being a kid with no responsibilities—gets a part two, you might be a little anxious. That’s exactly how I felt when Freakier Friday was announced.
Watching the original Freaky Friday was a core memory for so many of us. We ran to Hot Topic to buy graphic tees to pair with their low-waisted pants and begged our moms for Anna’s iconic streaky blonde highlights. If Spotify Wrapped had been a thing in 2003, Take Me Away would have topped every 13-to-18-year-old’s list. So it was only natural for the entire internet to collectively fangirl over the announcement that the Freaky Friday universe was expanding.
Personally, I was beyond excited to see Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis reunited on the big screen, but when we’re dealing with what, in my opinion, is a perfect piece of art, there are always high expectations. I’m thrilled to report that not only did Freakier Friday live up to the origins, but it also delves even deeper into all the things that made the first so special.
Before we dive into what makes Freakier Friday so incredible, let’s revisit the iconic moment that was the original Freaky Friday. The year was 2003: the third-generation iPod had just launched, Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera kissed at the VMAs, The O.C. premiered, and low-rise jeans, trucker hats, and velour jumpsuits were all the rage, and the masterpiece that is Freaky Friday was released.
The film is like a time capsule. Not only in the pop culture sense, but also for millennials who were teens at the time, it’s an ode to the teenage angst we were all once plagued with, when you truly thought no one could understand you, much less your mom. The movie showcases the awkward pains of discovering yourself, navigating the toxic waters of hormone-ridden mother-daughter relationships, and learning to connect with your family. It does so in a relatable and comedic way, making it a cult classic. Even two decades after its release, it’s constantly quoted, referenced, and still a go-to Halloween costume for millennials everywhere. With such a strong legacy, anticipation for the sequel was high, to say the least.
I know saying Freakier Friday is even better than the original is a bold claim, but when I tell you I was sitting in the theater laughing (and crying) out loud, I mean it. And not the kind of harsh, nasal exhale we all count as “LOLing” when our friend sends a meme—I mean genuinely laughing. For every hilarious moment, there was an equally touching mother-daughter one that had me leaving the theater and immediately texting my mom to tell her how much I appreciate her. It reminds you that even though the Freaky Friday universe has always been funny, at its core, the films are about connection, empathy, and the importance of family.
I loved the original mother-daughter dynamic, but in Freakier Friday, the added layer of Anna now being a mother herself—on the cusp of her own wedding and navigating a teenage daughter entering a blended family—made those themes hit even deeper. Anna and Tess can now relate in ways they couldn’t before, as Anna faces the same challenges her mother did, but with drastically different approaches. The story of three generations of women coping with life, all in one film, was powerful.
“It’s a really emotional story,” said director Nisha Ganatra. “And then my whole job was just to hide all that with so much laughter that you didn’t realize that we were just really asking you to go on a big emotional journey.” Ganatra is an expert at telling women’s stories in a comedic way that transitions subtly from laughter to tears before you even realize it, and this film is proof.
As deep as the movie gets, it’s also genuinely funny. As a Gen Z-er, I’ve seen plenty of films attempt to “get” the generation, but by the time they’re released, the references feel dated, and you can tell they were written by a writers’ room of grown adults trying their best to sound 18. Freakier Friday nails it. Harper and Lily aren’t one-dimensional, phone-obsessed Gen Z teens who only speak in TikTok references. They’re fully developed, well-rounded characters—teenagers who, yes, get wrapped up in their own worlds but also have real opinions and real problems.
I loved that the film doesn’t diminish teenage struggles into trivial moments. Instead, it captures the plight of being 16 in 2025. The story seamlessly updates to fit the present day without losing what made the original special. Seeing Gen Z humor collide with Lindsay Lohan’s millennial sensibilities and Jamie Lee Curtis’s boomer perspective made for such a fun watch. And, millennials, rest assured, it’s still relatable for you, too. It’s just multi-generational now.
If you’re worried Freakier Friday won’t honor the original, fear not. Ganatra made it a priority to tap into that nostalgia while still creating something fresh for a new generation. “It was just making sure the movie was fun and is exciting for people who had never seen the original one, but then also really satisfying and respectful and paying homage to the people who love the original one, which is almost everyone.”
Without spoiling any jokes, expect fun Easter eggs and hilarious callbacks to the first film. But this isn’t a remake; it’s a sequel that builds on the strong foundation of Freaky Friday with a respectful continuation audiences will love. I can’t imagine anyone going into the theater and leaving disappointed by this follow-up.
Part of what makes Freakier Friday so strong, both as a sequel and a standalone film, is the new cast. Harper (Julia Butters) and Lily (Sophia Hammons) bring the new energy needed for a sequel without overshadowing the original characters. I’ll admit, going in knowing Anna had a new love interest who wasn’t Jake, I was skeptical I could ship this new couple. But Manny Jacinto’s Eric completely won me over. It’s not easy to go up against characters we’ve loved for decades and come out equally appreciated, but in Freakier Friday, they all managed to do just that.
Seeing Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan reunite on the big screen in 2025 might be the one thing that redeems this otherwise questionable year. Their performances work just as well, dare I say even better, decades later. For longtime fans, seeing these two back together is reason enough to buy a ticket, but it’s better than you could ever expect.
Sequels often lose the plot trying to “refresh” characters until they barely resemble the ones we fell in love with. Sure, time jumps and life events change people, but we still want to feel like we’re watching the same characters. Freakier Friday strikes that delicate balance perfectly.
Anna may no longer be a rebellious teen, but her love of music and signature sarcasm have grown in ways that feel natural and true. Tess is still the career-driven, loving mom we remember, but now she gets to be the cool grandma to Harper instead of the disciplinarian.
Watching them on-screen is pure joy. You can sense the years of history in their dynamic, and as an audience member, it’s clear they’re having as much fun acting as we are watching. Their chemistry has only deepened with time.
If it isn’t obvious by now, let me put it as simply as possible: absolutely everyone should see Freakier Friday. Longtime fans, mother-daughter duos, and even people unfamiliar with the first film should head to their local theater immediately—this movie is a delight.
Going into the movie, I never expected it to strike me in such a deep, emotional way, but seeing a messy, imperfect portrayal of a family that, despite the craziness (and even though they may not see it at times), has so much love for each other, tugged (or more accurately YANKED) on my heartstrings. So, while you might want to stash a few tissues in your purse because you’ll most likely cry, from both laughter and because you’re touched, Freakier Friday is a must-watch.
Freakier Friday hits theaters August 8, 2025. The film is expected to eventually be available for streaming on Disney Plus, but no date has been announced.
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.
This post is sponsored by Walt Disney Studios but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
