Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- breezy
- sincere
- family movie night
- nostalgic viewing
What critics said
Aggregate reception is mixed, with modest audience interest and a lasting cult following despite limited critical support.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hayley wishes to become Alexia and the sisters wake up living in each other's bodies.
Alexia's popularity and Hayley's nerdier perspective collide as each must perform the other's life.
The body swap disrupts school life, dating, friendships, and the anticipated school dance.
Kyle is confused by Alexia's changed behavior while Simon's crush on Hayley becomes entangled with the swap.
Films like Wish Upon a Star, and why
Freaky Friday
shared teen body-swap fantasy, sibling conflict, and coming-of-age comedy
The Hot Chick
shared high-school wish fulfillment, identity transformation, and light fantasy comedy
13 Going on 30
shared youthful magical premise, romantic confusion, and family-friendly comedic tone
The Parent Trap
shared sibling-centered coming-of-age themes and accessible adolescent comedy
Movie Details
- Director
- Blair Treu
- Release Date
- 1996-11-12
- Runtime
- 89 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (200)
Cast
- Katherine Heigl
- Danielle Harris
- Donnie Jeffcoat
- Scott Wilkinson
- Mary Parker Williams
- Lois Chiles
- Ivey Lloyd
- Matt Barker
- Jacque Gray
- Kari White
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Peacock Premium, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Peacock Premium Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Wish Upon a Star about?
- Two very different sisters trade bodies after a comet wish and discover that understanding each other may be harder—and more rewarding—than changing places.
- What is Wish Upon a Star like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Wish Upon a Star as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Wish Upon a Star violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Wish Upon a Star.
- What did critics think of Wish Upon a Star?
- Aggregate reception is mixed, with modest audience interest and a lasting cult following despite limited critical support.
- Which films are like Wish Upon a Star?
- Films with a similar feel include Freaky Friday, The Hot Chick, 13 Going on 30, and The Parent Trap.
- How long is Wish Upon a Star?
- Wish Upon a Star runs 89 minutes.
- Where can I watch Wish Upon a Star?
- In United States, Wish Upon a Star streams on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Peacock Premium, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Peacock Premium Plus.
