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Fantasy comedy

Freaky Friday (2018): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Freaky Friday (2018) movie poster

Freaky Friday is a 2018 fantasy comedy directed by Steve Carr, starring Paula Burrows as Mrs. Luckenbill, Gary Jones and Marlowe Percival. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes. Its Echo Score is 60/100.

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Freaky Friday (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Steve Carr
Genres
Fantasy , Family , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Freaky Friday About?

The premise of Freaky Friday without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

After a disagreement, a mother and daughter find themselves magically swapping bodies. They must navigate each other's lives for a day – the daughter struggling to handle her mother's responsibilities and wedding preparations, while the mother confronts the challenges of high school. They desperately hope to reverse the spell and return to their own lives.

Freaky Friday Themes & Keywords

· 12 tags
  • based on broadway musical
  • day in title
  • body switching
  • body swap
  • mother daughter relationship
  • slimehouse
  • child in adult body
  • based on stage musical based on film
  • based on stage musical
  • remake
  • based on stage musical based on novel
  • based on novel
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Cast & crew

Freaky Friday Cast & Characters

Paula Burrows leads the cast as Mrs. Luckenbill, with Gary Jones as School Principal and Marlowe Percival as Kitty. Directed by Steve Carr; 22 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Freaky Friday

· 18 more
Show all 22 cast members
Ratings

Freaky Friday Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (45).

60 /100

Freaky Friday Echo Score Breakdown

Freaky Friday delivers a lively musical wrapper for a familiar body‑swap tale, succeeding most in its visual flair and energetic soundtrack while stumbling in narrative cohesion and character nuance. Critics commend the colorful production design and the Pulitzer‑prize‑winning score, yet note an uneven tone. Viewers echo the praise for catchy songs and family‑friendly appeal but criticize plot gaps and uneven acting. Consequently, the film offers modest entertainment for its target tween audience without achieving lasting impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film employs a bright, colorful palette and energetic choreography that reflect Disney Channel’s signature aesthetic. Production design efficiently conveys the dual‑world premise, while editing maintains a brisk pace during musical numbers. However, budget constraints are evident in some set pieces, and the overall tonal inconsistency detracts from visual cohesion.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When evaluating character and emotion, the leads exhibit chemistry that occasionally lifts the material, with Heidi Blickenstaff and Cozi Zuehlsdorff delivering moments of earnestness. Nevertheless, supporting performances suffer from flat dialogue and uneven comedic timing, especially among younger actors. The emotional resonance is further weakened by underdeveloped relationships, resulting in a mixed impression of the ensemble’s effectiveness.

  • Story & Flow 45

    The narrative structure presents a solid premise—body swapping to foster empathy—but suffers from inconsistent pacing and several unresolved plot points. Explanations for the magical hourglass and peripheral events remain vague, creating noticeable holes. While the core message retains clarity, the uneven storytelling hampers sustained engagement, leading to a lukewarm overall plot assessment.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Auditory and visual elements stand out, with a soundtrack featuring fresh, Broadway‑inflected numbers that punctuate the film’s rhythm. The score by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey adds a contemporary edge, though certain songs—most notably “Oh, Biology”—draw criticism for tonal mismatch. Visually, the production maintains a lively, colorful style consistent with Disney Channel’s brand, enhancing overall sensory appeal.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    The film’s rewatch factor hinges on its musical charm and family‑friendly tone, which may entice younger viewers to return for the catchy songs. However, narrative inconsistencies and uneven performances limit its appeal for repeat viewings among older audiences. Consequently, the movie offers modest replay value, primarily for fans of the genre and target demographic.

Plot

Freaky Friday Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Freaky Friday from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Annabel Andrews, a willful, disorganized teenage girl, wakes up one Friday morning to find herself in the body of her mother, with whom she had argued the previous night. The jolt of the switch lands her in charge of the New York family’s daily affairs, and she must suddenly navigate a real grown-up life she hadn’t planned for. She takes on caretaker duties for her younger brother Ben, who she affectionately (and hilariously) nicknames “Ape Face,” describing him as “so neat, it’s revolting!” as he fusses over every little detail.

Full summary

The whole story of Freaky Friday, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Freaky Friday Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Freaky Friday.

Trailer ⏳| Freaky Friday | Disney Channel
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Freaky Friday?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the teenage girl who swaps bodies with her mother?

Cars

Cars in Freaky Friday

5 cars on screen, including the 2011 MINI Countryman Cooper and the Piaggio Vespa.

All 5 cars
  • 2011 MINI Countryman Cooper in Freaky Friday 2011 MINI Countryman Cooper Important role
  • Piaggio Vespa in Freaky Friday Piaggio Vespa Minor role
  • 2012 Ram 1500 in Freaky Friday 2012 Ram 1500 Minor role
  • 1999 Ford Explorer in Freaky Friday 1999 Ford Explorer Background role
Details

Freaky Friday Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “Απίστευτη Παρασκευή” and “Ponte en mi lugar”.

Also known as
  • Απίστευτη Παρασκευή
  • Ponte en mi lugar
  • 疯狂星期五
  • 기묘한 금요일
  • Чумовая пятница
  • Un vendredi dingue, dingue, dingue
  • Freaky Friday: Sexta-Feira Muito Louca
  • Zakręcony piątek
  • Nem férek a bőrödbe
  • Φρικιαστική Παρασκευή
  • Freaky Friday - Voll vertauscht
  • Un Viernes de Locos
+4 more
  • 辣妈辣妹
  • 新衰鬼媽咪
  • 新辣媽辣妹
  • Çılgın Cuma

Seen Freaky Friday?

FAQ

Freaky Friday FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Freaky Friday, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Freaky Friday?

Freaky Friday runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Freaky Friday released?

Freaky Friday was released on August 10, 2018.

Who directed Freaky Friday?

Freaky Friday was directed by Steve Carr.

More films by Steve Carr

Who is in the cast of Freaky Friday?

Freaky Friday stars Paula Burrows as Mrs. Luckenbill, Gary Jones as School Principal and Marlowe Percival as Kitty, among 22 credited actors.

Does Freaky Friday have a post-credit scene?

No. Freaky Friday has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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