Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis’ body-swapping shenanigans were a seminal movie moment for young film fans in the early 2000s, and the actresses are back to entertain another generation with more freaky hijinks.
Rocker girl Anna (Lohan) and her psychiatrist mom Tess (Curtis) first switched places in 2003’s “Freaky Friday.” It happens again – this time alongside a couple of teen girls, Anna’s daughter Harper (Julia Butters) and soon-to-be stepkid Lily (Sophia Hammons) – in director Nisha Ganatra’s fantasy comedy sequel “Freaker Friday” (in theaters now). It is a Disney movie, so wholesomeness abounds, but is it actually for kids of all ages?
Here’s what parents need to know about “Freakier Friday” going in:
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What is ‘Freakier Friday’ about?
The new “Friday” runs back a bit of the plot from the original, where Anna and Tess swap bodies on the eve of the mom’s wedding and better understand each other’s lives. The sequel finds single mother Anna engaged to likable British chef Eric (Manny Jacinto) after just six months of dating, and surfer girl Harper and Eric’s somewhat snooty daughter Lily don’t get along at all.
After a visit with an oddball fortune teller (Vanessa Bayer) during the bachelorette party, Anna switches with Harper while Tess ends up in Lily’s body (and vice versa). While mother and daughter venture off on scooters to find the psychic – plus enjoy the metabolism and flexibility of having young bodies – the girls do their darnedest to try and ruin the wedding so they don’t have to be stepsisters.
What is the age rating of ‘Freakier Friday’?
“Freakier Friday” is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association “for thematic elements, rude humor, language and some suggestive references.” But nothing’s too extreme or scandalous, really.
There’s some singing of the Chumbawamba song “Tubthumping” that’s got a slightly saucy word in the lyrics, though your kids might already know that from TikTok. Anna’s old flame Jake (Chad Michael Murray) shows up, and Harper-as-Anna tries to come on to him in the most awkward way possible, though akin to The Outfield, Jake likes his girls a little bit older and hits on Lily-as-Tess.
Is ‘Freakier Friday’ appropriate for kids?
The first “Friday” was very much geared toward teens and tweens, and the same goes for the sequel. The main kid characters are teens navigating their parents getting remarried, so older children will be able to wrap their heads around that and are more apt to find that Anna’s old band, Pink Slip, still slaps.
“Freakier” is mostly fine for younger audiences; they just might find a lot of the serious convos and deeper family/parenting themes (plus one trip to the DMV) boring. That said, little kids often look up to their teen and tween siblings, so it might be a chance for some bonding time. The music is pretty cool and there are plenty of goofy moments that will appeal to little ones, like an epic schoolyard food fight, Tess testing out a lip plumper, and she and Anna doing highway jumps in Jake’s sweet Camaro.
Is there a ‘Freakier Friday’ popcorn bucket and cup?
Yes! Popcorn buckets are all the rage these days with big theatrical releases, and the one for “Freakier Friday” really leans into the movie’s body-swap theme. Marcus Theatres, a chain of cinemas with locations in 17 states, is selling collectible popcorn buckets and drink cups with swappable covers. So the popcorn bucket can be used for soda and the soda cup can be used for popcorn. Most Marcus locations have the items for sale now. (Here’s a list of showtimes and locations on the chain’s website.)
They’re not as cool as that gigantic light-up Galactus popcorn bucket, but certainly your kids might have some fun with them.
Where can I watch ‘Freakier Friday’?
The “freakquel” is in theaters, and because of the high anticipation going in, it might be there for a while with no other major kid-friendly releases coming to cinemas soon. That means those hoping to stream it at home will have to wait a tick. If the movie follows a similar path as the recent Disney release “Lilo & Stitch,” “Freakier Friday” will likely be available on demand in early to mid-October and on Disney+ in November.
Contributing: Melina Khan
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is ‘Freakier Friday’ OK for kids? Our guide for parents.
