Disney’s Freakier Friday bursts onto screens with nostalgic energy and a projected $30 million-plus opening weekend, aiming to charm families and fans of the original Freaky Friday (2003). Directed by Nisha Ganatra and written by Jordan Weiss (from a story by Weiss and Elyse Hollander), this lively fantasy comedy reunites Jamie Lee Curtis (Tess) and Lindsay Lohan (Anna), now facing a brand-new multi-generational body-swap adventure that includes Anna’s daughter and soon-to-be stepdaughter. Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, and Manny Jacinto join the cast alongside returning favorites Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray, and others .
Disney premiered the film at Los Angeles’ El Capitan Theatre on July 22, 2025, and released it theatrically in the U.S. on August 8, 2025
Early preview screenings over Wednesday and Thursday brought in $3.1 million . Industry tracking suggests a domestic opening range from $29M to upwards of $45M, with BoxOfficePro and Forbes forecasting $35M–$45M, while more conservative estimates put it at $29M–$36M . Critic reception is generally positive, aiding attendance projections
Freakier Friday claims the widest release this weekend with approximately 3,975 theaters in the domestic market .
Production Details & Creative Team:
- Budget: $42 million
- Director: Nisha Ganatra
- Screenplay: Jordan Weiss; Story by Elyse Hollander & Jordan Weiss
- Producers: Kristin Burr, Andrew Gunn, Jamie Lee Curtis
- Studio / Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Cinematography: Matthew Clark
- Editing: Eleanor Infante
- Music: Amie Doherty
Cast Highlights:
- Jamie Lee Curtis (Tess)
- Lindsay Lohan (Anna)
- Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto (new)
- Returning cast: Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray, Rosalind Cho, Lucille Soong, Stephen Tobolowsky, Christina Vidal Mitchell, Haley Hudson, Ryan Malgarini
Plot & Nostalgic Setting:
Years after the iconic body-switch, Anna—now with a daughter and stepdaughter—finds chaos reignites when a new generation gets tangled in the supernatural swap. Exterior scenes echo the original’s iconic family home, even though it was lost in the 2025 wildfires; interiors were faithfully recreated by the production team .
Reception & Highlights:
Early review sentiment is upbeat: critics praise its nostalgic charm, comedic timing, and emotional warmth . Manny Jacinto, as Anna’s fiancé Eric, delivers standout authenticity without relying on stereotypes . Some dissenting voices, like Time, criticize it as overly nostalgic and lacking in originality .
Soundtrack:
Released August 1, 2025, by Hollywood Records, the Freakier Friday soundtrack features cast performances (Lohan, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Julia Butters, Christina Vidal Mitchell, The Beaches) and score by Amie Doherty .
Streaming Outlook:
While now theatrical-only, the film is expected to hit digital platforms late 2025 and debut on Disney+ by mid-November .
Summary Table :
- Opening Weekend Projection: $29M–$45M (industry average ~ $35M–$45M)
- Screens: ~ 3,975 theaters (widest release of the weekend)
- Director: Nisha Ganatra | Stars: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan (plus new generation cast)
- Budget: $42M | Genre: Comedy/Fantasy (PG)
- Unique Appeal: Nostalgia meets fresh multi-generational dynamics
- Critic Sentiment: Generally positive, with warm, fun buzz; some critique on over-reliance on nostalgia
- Soundtrack: Released August 1; cast-performed songs
- Home Debut: Late October to November on streaming, likely Disney+
