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Freaky Friday

Freaky Friday is a Disney franchise based on Mary Rodgers’s 1972 novel about a mother and daughter who swap bodies and must live each other’s lives.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Freaky Friday is a Disney franchise based on Mary Rodgers’s 1972 novel about a mother and daughter who swap bodies and must live each other’s lives. The story has been adapted multiple times for film and television, with the 2003 theatrical film becoming the best-known version. A sequel, Freakier Friday, was released in 2025.

Origins

Freaky Friday began as a 1972 children’s novel by Mary Rodgers. Its central premise is a mother and daughter who magically switch bodies for a day.

Film and television adaptations

Disney adapted the story several times, including a 1976 film, a 1995 television film, and a 2003 theatrical remake. These versions kept the same basic body-swap premise while updating the characters and setting.

2003 film

The 2003 version, directed by Mark Waters, stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan as Tess and Anna Coleman. It was released theatrically by Walt Disney Pictures and became the most widely known adaptation.

Franchise expansion

The franchise continued with later related works, including the 2025 sequel Freakier Friday. The sequel revisits the Coleman family with a multigenerational twist.

Key facts

  • The concept originated in Mary Rodgers’s 1972 novel.
  • Disney has produced multiple adaptations under the same title.
  • The 1976 film was the first screen adaptation.
  • A 1995 television film aired on ABC as part of The Wonderful World of Disney.
  • The 2003 film starred Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan and was a commercial success.
  • The 2003 film was followed by a 2025 sequel, Freakier Friday.
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Canadian context

The 2003 Freaky Friday film was released in Canada as part of Disney’s North American theatrical rollout and remains familiar to Canadian audiences through television, home video, and streaming.

Frequently asked questions

What is Freaky Friday about?
It is a body-swap story in which a mother and daughter mysteriously switch bodies and must live each other’s lives.
Who wrote Freaky Friday?
The original story was written by Mary Rodgers and published in 1972.
How many film versions are there?
There have been multiple screen adaptations, including films released in 1976, 1995, and 2003, plus a 2025 sequel to the 2003 film.
Who starred in the 2003 film?
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan played the mother and daughter at the centre of the story.
Is Freaky Friday a Disney property?
Yes. The adaptations and sequel are associated with Disney.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freaky_Friday
    Supports: Original 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers and list of major adaptations including 1976, 1995, 2003, and 2018/related entries.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freaky_Friday_(2003_film)
    Supports: 2003 film details including cast, director, release year, and franchise position.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/freaky_friday
    Supports: 2003 film premise, genre, release date, runtime, and box office overview.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/freaky-friday
    Supports: 2003 film synopsis and release information.
  5. Disney — https://movies.disney.com/freakier-friday
    Supports: 2025 sequel Freakier Friday, returning cast, director, and release date.