I only watched this movie because I really enjoy the 2003 version. And I’m so glad I did! I liked it even more than the LiLo-Jamie Lee Curtis version. Barbara Harris absolutely blew me away. Jodie Foster apparently has always been talented. This was seriously laugh out loud funny. It’s corny as hell but in the best way. I am definitely going to watch this goofy movie again whenever I need a pick me up.

This 1976 original movie on the subject has unfortunately not aged well. The typical 1970s un-daring, flat Disney humour, the blunt and naive 1970s “jokes”, as well as the general vibe, do not really work anymore. Despite a pretty good acting performance by Jodie Foster, I do prefer (for once) the 2003 remake with Lohan and Curtis. Watch it as the classic that it is, but with the kids, watch rather the 2003 version.

Yes, it's a very date and cheesy movie (Bad News Bears came out in the same year and is still edgy af!) but there are some funny moments here and there. The message about appreciating what mothers do and what daughters go through is more powerful in this movie than the remake, which was more focused on boys and men.

The dad is lowkey the villain of this movie

Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster are superb in 'Freaky Friday'! Having only seen the 2003 remake, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this 1976 original. In short, I loved it. It's funny and charming, a real shining light in Disney's live-action stuff from the 1970s. They only give you a snippet of Ellen (Harris) and Annabel (Foster) in their actual state, before switching it up, but it's more than enough to set up how the characters should act versus how they then act. The two leads are utterly fantastic, they both boss their respective roles. It's easy to forget they're acting as their opposing characters in moments, which is very impressive. Obviously a load of the story elements are outdated in terms of gender roles etc., but even when that stuffs occurs the film - at least in my interpretation - sniggers at it - especially with Bill (John Astin). The actual comedic moments remain amusing. I enjoyed this way more than I would've predicted, I haven't watched the '03 production in an incredibly long time so look forward to seeing how it compares to this. A great film, elevated by Harris and Foster.