13: The Musical

2022 Netflix film the film adaptation the Broadway musical 13 (musical)13 (musical) July 2026 13: The Musical 13 Musical Film Poster.jpg Official poster Tamra Davis Robert Horn 13 Jason Robert BrownRobert HornDan Elish Bob Boyett Laurence Mark Neil Meron Eli Golden Gabriella Uhl JD McCrary Lindsey Blackwell Frankie McNellis Debra Messing Rhea Perlman Josh Peck Peter Hermann Christopher Lennertz Adam Santelli Joe Galdo Zadan/Meron Productions Netflix 2022 8 12 94 minutes United States English 13: The Musical is a 2022 American musical coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Tamra Davis and written by Robert Horn. It is based on the 2007 stage musical 13 by Horn, Jason Robert Brown, and Dan Elish. The ensemble cast includes Eli Golden, Gabriella Uhl, JD McCrary, Lindsey Blackwell, Frankie McNellis, Jonathan Lengel, Ramon Reed, Nolen Dubuc, Luke Islam, Liam Wignall, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Khiyla Aynne, Kayleigh Cerezo, and Willow Moss, with Debra Messing, Rhea Perlman, Josh Peck, and Peter Hermann. After an earlier film adaptation was developed by CBS Films in 2014, Netflix announced its version in 2019, with Davis directing and Horn adapting the musical for the screen. The young ensemble was announced in April 2021, followed by the adult cast in May and June. Filming took place in Ontario, including Beeton and Oakville. The film premiered at the Paris Theater in New York City on August 8, 2022, and was released by Netflix on August 12. It received mixed reviews from critics. Plot After his parents separate, 12-year-old Evan Goldman moves with his mother, Jessica, from New York City to his grandmother Ruth's home in Walkerton, Indiana. Upset about leaving his father, friends, and rabbi behind, Evan becomes determined to make new friends before his upcoming bar mitzvah. He befriends his next-door neighbor Patrice and her friend Archie, who uses a wheelchair, but quickly becomes interested in joining the popular students at his new school. The popular group is led by football player Brett and cheerleader Kendra, who are attracted to one another. Kendra's best friend Lucy also likes Brett and resents being overshadowed by Kendra. Hoping to gain the group's approval, Evan offers to arrange a movie date for Brett and Kendra. Lucy threatens to convince everyone to boycott Evan's bar mitzvah unless he prevents the pair from kissing. Evan asks Archie, who has a crush on Kendra, to sit beside her at the theater and interrupt the date. Patrice learns about the plan and tells Kendra's overprotective mother, who arrives and ruins the evening. Brett's friends blame Evan, while Archie and Patrice are angered that he used them. Lucy then kisses Brett and persuades him to become her boyfriend. As Evan's plans fall apart, he reconciles with Jessica and speaks with his father, who encourages him to admit his mistakes. Evan apologizes to Patrice and Archie and helps Brett repair his relationship with Kendra. Brett breaks up with Lucy, and Lucy later apologizes to Kendra. On the morning of the bar mitzvah, Patrice decides to forgive Evan and attends the service with Archie and the other students. Evan completes the ceremony, and the group celebrates together at his party. Jessica resumes writing, Evan adjusts to his new home, and the students enter their teenage years with renewed friendships. Cast Eli Golden as Evan Goldman Gabriella Uhl as Patrice JD McCrary as Brett Sampson Lindsey Blackwell as Kendra Duncan Frankie McNellis as Lucy Hallman Jonathan Lengel as Archie Ramon Reed as Eddie Nolen Dubuc as Malcolm Luke Islam as Carlos Shechinah Mpumlwana as Cassie Khiyla Aynne as Charlotte Willow Moss as Zee Kayleigh Cerezo as Molly Liam Wignall as KC Peter Hermann as Joel Goldman Josh Peck as Rabbi Shapiro Rhea Perlman as Ruth Debra Messing as Jessica Goldman Production Development On August 12, 2014, CBS Films acquired the rights to adapt 13, with Bert V. Royal hired to write the screenplay and Laurence Mark, Bob Boyett, and David Blackman producing.Kit Borys August 12, 2014 CBS Films Bringing Musical '13' to Big Screen https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/cbs-films-bringing-musical-13-724995/ The Hollywood Reporter July 11, 2026 In September 2019, Netflix announced that it was developing a new adaptation with Neil Meron producing, Tamra Davis directing, and Robert Horn adapting the musical's book for the screen. Jason Robert Brown was also announced to write new songs for the film.September 20, 2019 Netflix Adapts Tony Award-Winner Jason Robert Brown's Broadway Musical 13 into a Family Film https://about.netflix.com/en/news/netflix-adapts-tony-award-winner-jason-robert-browns-broadway-musical-13-into-a-family-film Netflix July 11, 2026 By April 2021, Davis, Brown, Horn, Bob Boyett, and Mark Nicholson were also attached as producers.D'Alessandro Anthony April 29, 2021 Netflix Feature Adaptation of Broadway's '13: The Musical' Finds Its Stars https://deadline.com/2021/04/netflix-13-the-musical-sets-cast-1234747174/ Deadline Hollywood July 11, 2026 Casting In October 2020, Meron issued an open casting call for the film's young roles, with performers between the ages of 12 and 16 invited to audition.Gans Andrew October 28, 2020 Casting Search Continues for Netflix Adaptation of Jason Robert Brown's 13 Musical https://playbill.com/article/casting-search-continues-for-netflix-adaptation-of-jason-robert-browns-13-musical Playbill July 11, 2026 In April 2021, Eli Golden, Gabriella Uhl, JD McCrary, Frankie McNellis, Lindsey Blackwell, Jonathan Lengel, Ramon Reed, Nolen Dubuc, Luke Islam, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Kayleigh Cerezo, Willow Moss, Liam Wignall, and Khiyla Aynne were announced as the young ensemble.McPhee Ryan April 30, 2021 Cast of Young Stars Set for Netflix's Movie Adaptation of Broadway Musical 13 https://playbill.com/article/cast-of-young-stars-set-for-netflixs-movie-adaptation-of-broadway-musical-13 Playbill July 11, 2026 Debra Messing joined the cast in May as Evan's mother, a character who remained offstage in the original musical.McPhee Ryan May 25, 2021 Debra Messing Joins Cast of Netflix's 13 Movie Musical https://playbill.com/article/debra-messing-joins-cast-of-netflixs-13-movie-musical Playbill July 11, 2026 In June, Rhea Perlman, Josh Peck, and Peter Hermann were cast as Ruth, Rabbi Shapiro, and Joel Goldman, respectively. These characters were newly added or expanded for the film adaptation.Harms Talaura June 14, 2021 Rhea Perlman, Josh Peck, and Peter Hermann Round Out Cast of Netflix's 13 https://playbill.com/article/rhea-perlman-josh-peck-and-peter-hermann-round-out-cast-of-netflixs-13 Playbill July 11, 2026 Filming The 2020 casting announcement stated that production was expected to begin in Canada in June 2021. Filming locations in Ontario included Beeton's main street and Film.ca Cinemas in Oakville.13 The Musical https://www.netflixinyourneighbourhood.ca/map-v2/?title=13-the-musical Netflix in Your Neighbourhood July 11, 2026 Music Jason Robert Brown wrote three new songs for the film adaptation: "I've Been Waiting", "The Bloodmaster", and "It Would Be Funny".August 12, 2022 13: The Musical Begins Streaming on Netflix August 12 https://playbill.com/article/13-the-musical-begins-streaming-on-netflix-august-12 Playbill July 11, 2026 Christopher Lennertz composed the film's incidental score.Christopher Lennertz https://kraft-engel.com/clients/christopher-lennertz/ Kraft-Engel Management July 11, 2026 The soundtrack was released on August 12, 2022, the same day as the film. Netflix published the following official track listing:Bitran Tara August 12, 2022 Here's Every Song on the '13: The Musical' Soundtrack https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/13-the-musical-netflix-soundtrack-songs Netflix Tudum July 11, 2026 "13" "The Lamest Place in the World" "I've Been Waiting" "Opportunity" "The Bloodmaster" "Getting Ready" "Bad Bad News" "It Would Be Funny" "Tell Her" "A Little More Homework" "Brand New You" "Getting Ready (Extended)" (bonus track) "What It Means to Be a Friend" (bonus track) "Tell Her" (bonus track) Release 13: The Musical premiered at the Paris Theater in New York City on August 8, 2022.August 9, 2022 The Cast of '13: The Musical' Show Up and Show Out on the Red Carpet https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/13-the-musical-red-carpet-premiere-gallery Netflix Tudum July 11, 2026 Netflix released the film worldwide on August 12.Brunner Raven August 12, 2022 13: The Musical Begins Streaming on Netflix August 12 https://playbill.com/article/13-the-musical-begins-streaming-on-netflix-august-12 Playbill July 11, 2026 Reception On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 60% of 20 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.7/10.13: The Musical https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/13_the_musical Rotten Tomatoes July 11, 2026 Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 57 out of 100 based on five critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.13: The Musical Reviews https://www.metacritic.com/movie/13-the-musical/ Metacritic July 11, 2026 Noel Murray of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the adaptation felt more like a conventional teen film than the stage production, while praising Brown's songs and the film's middle-school setting.Murray Noel August 12, 2022 Patton Oswalt powers through 'I Love My Dad,' plus more movies to watch at home https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-08-12/digital-movie-roundup-patton-oswalt-elvis-austin-butler-michael-mann-heat Los Angeles Times July 11, 2026 Amy Nicholson of The New York Times praised the young cast and Jamal Sims's choreography.Nicholson Amy August 12, 2022 '13: The Musical' Review: Too Cool for School https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/12/movies/13-the-musical-review.html The New York Times July 11, 2026 Jesse Hassenger of Paste criticized the adaptation for smoothing away much of the stage musical's distinctiveness.Hassenger Jesse August 12, 2022 13: The Musical Follows Tradition as an Awful Movie https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/13-the-musical-review Paste July 11, 2026 References External links tt3975918 13: The Musical on Netflix Category:2022 films Category:2022 comedy-drama films Category:2020s musical comedy-drama films Category:2020s coming-of-age comedy-drama films Category:2022 coming-of-age films Category:American musical comedy-drama films Category:American children's films Category:American children's musical films Category:American coming-of-age comedy-drama films Category:Netflix original films Category:Films about children Category:Films about divorce Category:Films about Jews and Judaism Category:Films about friendship Category:Films based on musicals Category:Films directed by Tamra Davis Category:Films scored by Christopher Lennertz Category:Films set in New York City Category:Films set in Indiana Category:Films shot in Ontario Category:2022 English-language films Category:2022 American films Category:2022 direct-to-video films Category:Films about bar and bat mitzvahs Category:English-language musical comedy-drama films Category:2022 musical films