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Parents' Guide to

Freaky Friday (1976)

By Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Endearing '76 original may feel outdated to kids.

Movie G 1976 95 minutes
Freaky Friday (1976) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Dale Dietrich
Dale Dietrich Parent of 6 and 7-year-old
March 23, 2020
age 5+

Wow this one DOES NOT Hold up!

I don't know how the editors here gave this a 4 out of 5 star review. While it is definitely family friendly, more importantly its family boring and family slow. We had just finished watching the Lindsay Lohan version which our 6 and almost 8 year olds really enjoyed. But this one moved at a snails pace, has really poor 70's production values and a poor script. Which is really sad because Jodie Foster is my personal second favorite actress of all time (2nd only to Katharine Hepburn). And she was fine for her age, but the movie was pretty horrible. We only made it about half way through before everyone collectively decided it wasn't worth our time. This is doubly sad because I watched this movie as a tween when it first came out and had fond memories of it. Oh how things change with time!
Hendo H. U.
Hendo H. U. Parent of 10, 12 and 15-year-old
December 28, 2017
age 7+
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

There's been a lot written lately about the supergirl dilemma -- that is, girls feel like they have to be all things to all people at all times. Not surprisingly, supergirls grow up to be super women -- and both are exhausted. In the original FREAKY FRIDAY, a super girl and a super mom switch bodies for one important day to see if things really are better on the other side. Annabel Andrews (played by a delightfully young and awkward Jodi Foster) is 13, a daddy's girl juggling field hockey finals, term papers, a crush on her neighbor, and her developing body, all while trying to stay out of her demanding mom's way. When both decide they'd rather have the sweet life the other enjoys, something funny happens: their wish is granted, to comical effect. Suddenly the water-phobic mom (played wonderfully by Barbara Harris) has to water ski. The organizationally challenged Annabel has to handle the curtain-hangers, the carpet cleaners, her dad's ironing, an alcoholic house cleaner, and her dad's growing demands.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (7 ):

We all know what happens, and the movie's heartwarming message still resonates. However, that may be all that appeals to the modern tween and teen. Especially those who've seen the Lindsay Lohan version that boasts the star power and more special effects. Kids may be bored by the constant inner monologues and the old-fashioned tasks on Annabel's to-do list.

Still, the film is important not just because of the message, but also because it shows how much the image of the teen girl has changed over the past three decades. Foster plays a regular teen, jersey t-shirts, jeans, and sneakers included. But compared to the sexed-up image of Lohan in the recent remake, she looks positively childish. Best to aim this story at younger kids, who will appreciate it more and adore the old-school cartoon introduction.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how different this film adaptation of Mary Rodgers' book is from the 2003 remake starring Lindsay Lohan. How different are the two Annabels, both in terms of dress and what people expect of them? Do you think girls today are under more pressure to be sexy and grown up than they were in the 1970s?

Movie Details

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