Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- whimsical
- warm
- heartwarming
- family movie night
- nostalgic disney channel viewing
What critics said
Critics generally viewed the film as a fast-paced, heartwarming family fantasy with a few laughs, though its charm was weakened by a stiff lead performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Cody's thirteenth birthday coincides with his discovery that he may be turning into a fish, linking puberty and identity to fantasy transformation.
Cody's possible mermaid heritage and fishlike changes make his search for identity an explicitly aquatic fantasy.
Cody's transformation disrupts his ordinary life and helps him discover who his true friends are.
Swimming, romantic interest in Sam, family support, and the fish transformation coexist within a gentle Disney Channel tone.
Films like The Thirteenth Year, and why
The Luck of the Irish
family-friendly coming-of-age fantasy centered on adolescence, identity, and a young person's unusual transformation
Halloweentown High
teen-focused Disney Channel fantasy comedy combining friendship, school life, and magical bodily change
Splash
warm family adventure about a young protagonist discovering a hidden supernatural identity
Movie Details
- Director
- Duwayne Dunham
- Release Date
- 1999-05-15
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (256)
Cast
- Chez Starbuck
- Justin Jon Ross
- Courtnee Draper
- Brent Briscoe
- Tim Redwine
- Dave Coulier
- Lisa Stahl
- Kristen Stewart
- Brian Haley
- Karen Maruyama
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Thirteenth Year about?
- A teenage swimming star faces a fantastical fish transformation while learning that growing up means embracing his unusual identity and recognizing true friends.
- What is The Thirteenth Year like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Thirteenth Year as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Thirteenth Year violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Thirteenth Year.
- What did critics think of The Thirteenth Year?
- Critics generally viewed the film as a fast-paced, heartwarming family fantasy with a few laughs, though its charm was weakened by a stiff lead performance.
- Which films are like The Thirteenth Year?
- Films with a similar feel include The Luck of the Irish, Halloweentown High, and Splash.
- How long is The Thirteenth Year?
- The Thirteenth Year runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Thirteenth Year?
- In United States, The Thirteenth Year streams on Disney Plus.
