Overview
A whimsical journey through the trials of growing up and the importance of true friendship.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- sincere
- nostalgic
- date night
- nostalgic movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the familiar fantasy-rom-com plot uneven but praised Jennifer Garner's irresistibly sincere and comic performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jenna inhabits her thirty-year-old body and circumstances while behaving with the innocence and enthusiasm of her thirteen-year-old self.
Jenna's origin story, musical memories, and youthful wish connect the adult narrative to affectionate recollections of 1980s adolescence.
Jenna's search for Matt reveals that her childhood best friend is the relationship she most needs to recover.
Jenna initially enjoys a dream apartment, career, wardrobe, and social status before recognizing that these achievements do not reflect what she truly wants.
Films like 13 Going on 30, and why
Big
shares a fish-out-of-water fantasy, romantic self-discovery, and warm coming-of-age comedy
The Family Man
shares an adult protagonist revisiting youthful identity through a playful body-and-age fantasy
About Time
shares a nostalgic romantic comedy structure centered on alternate life possibilities and personal priorities
Freaky Friday
shares a wish-driven transformation, comedic culture shock, and heartfelt friendship themes
Movie Details
- Director
- Gary Winick
- Release Date
- 2004-04-13
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (5679)
Cast
- Jennifer Garner
- Mark Ruffalo
- Judy Greer
- Andy Serkis
- Kathy Baker
- Phil Reeves
- Sam Ball
- Marcia DeBonis
- Christa B. Allen
- Sean Marquette
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, fuboTV
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- 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 13 Going on 30 about?
- A heartbroken teenager wakes up in her thirty-year-old life and discovers that growing up is meaningless without the friend she left behind.
- What is 13 Going on 30 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of 13 Going on 30 as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is 13 Going on 30 violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in 13 Going on 30.
- What did critics think of 13 Going on 30?
- Critics broadly found the familiar fantasy-rom-com plot uneven but praised Jennifer Garner's irresistibly sincere and comic performance.
- Which films are like 13 Going on 30?
- Films with a similar feel include Big, The Family Man, About Time, and Freaky Friday.
- How long is 13 Going on 30?
- 13 Going on 30 runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch 13 Going on 30?
- In United States, 13 Going on 30 streams on Netflix, fuboTV.
