When Did Freaky Friday Come Out?

Release date and year

Freaky Friday was released in the United States on July 16, 1976. The film is a family fantasy comedy that inverts parent and child roles, starring Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster. Its July 1976 date places it in the mid-1970s summer-release pattern for family films. The movie was produced by Walt Disney Productions and became a durable cultural touchstone for body-swap stories.

Key cast and crew

Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster headline the cast as mother and daughter, while director Mary Lambert shaped the film’s balance of comedy and heartfelt family drama. These casting choices became integral to its identity and long-term recognition.

Notable production details

• Production company: Walt Disney Productions
• Original novel: 1972 book by Mary Rodgers
• Running time: approximately 93 minutes

Why the date matters

The July 16, 1976 premiere established a specific, verifiable anchor for the film’s release, which matters for licensing, remakes, and cultural references. It also influenced the timing of subsequent sequels and adaptations.

Follow-up sequels and legacy

The 1976 original led to a Disney sequel in 1995 and a 2018 television remake on the Disney Channel, showing the lasting interest in the original concept. The consistent association with July 1976 helps distinguish the original from later versions.

Reliable reference summary

Freaky Friday came out on July 16, 1976. This date is widely cited in theatrical records, studio archives, and reputable film databases, making it a stable fact for citation and long-term reference.

Quick facts