'Friday of the Bizarre' Falls Short of the Adored Forebear; Yet, It Needn't Succeed Where the First Did.
In theatres as of late, the long-awaited sequel to the beloved 2003 film "Freaky Friday" has been causing a stir. Titled "Freakier Friday," the movie has been receiving positive reviews from both critics and audiences alike.
Cody Allen, a well-known figure on social media, shared his thoughts on the film, mentioning that "#FreakierFriday" is now playing in theatres. Allen's tweet also highlighted that the sequel has nods to the original, including the return of Pink Slip and cameos from returning characters. The film, it seems, aims to win the hearts of a new generation and provide escapist joy.
The sequel features a four-way body swap between Anna (Lindsay Lohan), Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis), Anna's teenage daughter, Harper (Julia Butters), and her soon-to-be stepsister, Lily (Sophia Hammons). Critics have praised the film for being more than just a tired cash grab sequel, with some even calling it laugh-out-loud funny.
As of August 20, 2025, "Freakier Friday" has grossed approximately $88 million worldwide, with $56 million in the US and Canada, and $32 million elsewhere. While it had already made back its production budget, industry estimates suggest it needed to earn around $105 million to break even fully. Given its trajectory, it was well positioned to reach or exceed that threshold, potentially surpassing the original 2003 Freaky Friday’s total gross of $160.8 million globally.
Critically, "Freakier Friday" holds a 74% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 212 reviews, with a consensus noting it as a "frothy good time" that comfortably reunites Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in their roles. Metacritic's score is a middling 60 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average" reviews, though audiences rated it highly, with a CinemaScore grade of "A," an improvement over the original film’s "A-."
The film has been praised for its heartwarming message and fun tone, despite some logical and storytelling gaps. Manny Jacinto, Chad Michael Murray, and Lindsay Lohan star in prominent roles, with Jacinto taking on a romantic comedy role. The sequel is a comedy that features big laughs, emotions, slapstick humor, and a heavy dose of nostalgia.
Katie Brunner, a film critic, expressed that "Freakier Friday" is funny, warm, and true to the original, with Lohan's performance being particularly wonderful. The sequel also includes throwback references and heartwarming humor that appeals to both old and new fans. Lohan even performs on stage and on screen again in material that does her justice.
In summary, while not a runaway blockbuster, "Freakier Friday" performed solidly financially and was warmly received by most viewers and a majority of critics. It's a movie that, if taken for what it is, promises a fun and entertaining experience for all.
[1] Box Office Mojo. (2025). Freaky Friday (2003). Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=freakyfriday.htm [2] Rotten Tomatoes. (2025). Freakier Friday (2025). Retrieved from https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/freakier_friday_2025 [3] Metacritic. (2025). Freakier Friday. Retrieved from https://www.metacritic.com/movie/freakier-friday [4] CinemaScore. (2025). Freakier Friday. Retrieved from https://www.cinemascore.com/movies/freakier-friday/
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