17 Again (film)

2009 film by Burr Steers the 2000 film starring the Mowry siblings Seventeen AgainSeventeen Again other uses 17 Again (disambiguation) May 2020 January 2025 February 2026 17 Again 17again.jpg Theatrical release poster Burr Steers Jennifer Gibgot Adam Shankman Jason Filardi Zac Efron Leslie Mann Thomas Lennon Michelle Trachtenberg Matthew Perry Rolfe Kent Tim Suhrstedt Padraic McKinley New Line Cinema Offspring Entertainment Warner Bros. Pictures 2009 04 17 102 minutes United States English $40 millionApril 20, 2009 Ben Fritz https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-fi-ct-boxoffice20-2009apr20-story.html '17 Again' is No. 1 at weekend box office Los Angeles Times cost just over $40 million https://web.archive.org/web/20140510091536/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-fi-ct-boxoffice20-2009apr20-story.html May 10, 2014 live subscription January 20, 2021 $139.5 million17 Again (2009) - Financial Information https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/17-Again#tab=summary The Numbers February 23, 2021 March 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230304004041/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/17-Again#tab=summary live 17 Again is a 2009 American teen fantasy comedy film directed by Burr Steers and written by Jason Filardi. It stars Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, and Michelle Trachtenberg, with Melora Hardin, Sterling Knight, and Matthew Perry in supporting roles. The film follows a 37-year-old man (Perry) who becomes his 17-year-old self (Efron) after a chance accident. The film was released in the United States by Warner Bros. Pictures on April 17, 2009, to mixed reviews from critics, and was a box-office success, grossing $139.5 million on a $40 million budget. Plot In 1989, 17-year-old star basketball player Mike O'Donnell finds out that his girlfriend, Scarlet Porter, is pregnant. She tells him about her pregnancy moments before his likely scholarship-clinching high-school championship basketball game. Mike plays the first few seconds of the game before walking off the court to go after Scarlet, abandoning his hopes of going to college and eventually having a professional basketball career. Years later, Mike, now in his thirties, finds his life stagnant and boring, and Scarlet has filed for divorce. He moves in with his life-long best friend Ned Gold, who is wealthy, geeky, and also unhappy. After being passed over for a promotion at work he believed he deserved, Mike smashes his boss's earpiece, resulting in him being fired. His high school-age children, 18-year-old Maggie and 16-year-old Alex, want nothing to do with him. Mike revisits the high school's memorabilia case, finding his senior year team photo. A janitor comes by, and he vents about his life, admitting he'd wish for a do-over. Later that night, while driving in the rain, Mike comes across the janitor on a bridge who suddenly falls into the water. While attempting to look for him, Mike falls in himself, and resurfaces as his 17-year-old self. When he finally believes Mike is who he says he is, Ned theorizes that his magical transformation was caused by a mystical spirit guide who is trying to steer him on a better path. Mike enrolls in high school by posing as Mark Gold, Ned's son. He plans to go to college on a basketball scholarship. As Mike befriends his own son, Alex, he discovers that he is being bullied. Mike also learns that his daughter Maggie has a boyfriend named Stan, who does not respect her and frequently torments Alex. Mike comes to believe that his mission is to help his children. Through their children, Mike spends time with Scarlet, who notes his remarkable resemblance to Mike in high school, but rationalizes it as an odd coincidence. Attempting to fix his relationship with Scarlet, Mike begins to finish all the garden projects he had abandoned as an adult. He does his best to separate Stan and Maggie while encouraging Alex to be more confident. Mike has difficulty resisting his desire for Scarlet despite the relationship's clear inappropriateness. Mike throws a party to celebrate a basketball game win at Ned's house. He confronts Stan, who has recently dumped Maggie for refusing to have sex with him. Mike gets knocked out by Stan and after Mike wakes up, he sees that Maggie is trying to seduce him. He tells her he is in love with someone else and Maggie leaves, much to Mike's relief. Scarlet arrives at the party, and Mike shows her that Alex has finally managed to get together with his crush. The two have an intimate conversation where Mike, caught up in the moment, starts to kiss Scarlet. Disgusted, she storms off as he tries unsuccessfully to explain his true identity. On the day of the court hearing to finalize the divorce, Mike makes one last attempt to win Scarlet back (as Mark) by emotionally reading a supposed letter from Mike. After he exits, Scarlet postpones the divorce by a month. She is then shocked to discover that the "letter" was actually just directions to the courtroom. Frustrated that he could not save his marriage, Mike decides to once again pursue a scholarship and move on with his new life. During a basketball game, Scarlet has flashbacks to high school and finally realizes Mark's true identity – her estranged husband, Mike. She runs away, and Mike abandons the game to chase her down – just like he did in 1989 – thus also abandoning his chance at a new life as a basketball star. Mike transforms back into his 37-year-old self, happily reunites and reconciles with Scarlet, and realizes that she is the best decision he ever made. As Mike prepares for his first day as the new basketball coach at his kids' school, Ned—who has successfully started a relationship with Jane, the principal—gifts him a whistle. Both are happy with the fresh starts in their lives. Cast Matthew Perry / Zac Efron as Mike O'Donnell / Mark Gold. Perry portrays Mike at age 37, while Efron portrays Mike at age 17 in the opening flashback from 1989 and after Mike has undergone his magical transformation into posing as Mark Gold, son of his friend Ned. Leslie Mann as Scarlet Porter O'Donnell, Mike's soon-to-be former wife and the mother of his children. Allison Miller as young Scarlet Thomas Lennon as Ned Gold, Mike's best friend and a tech millionaire. Tyler Steelman as young Ned Michelle Trachtenberg as Maggie O'Donnell, Mike and Scarlet's 18-year-old daughter. Her conception was the reason Mike chose to abandon his dreams and marry Scarlet. She is dating Stan. Melora Hardin as Principal Jane Masterson, the principal of the high school all characters attend or attended. She is also Ned's love interest. Sterling Knight as Alex O'Donnell, Mike and Scarlet's 16-year-old son. He is bullied by other students, especially Stan. Hunter Parrish as Stan, Maggie's boyfriend. He's nice to everyone except Alex, whom he bullies even in his house. Nicole Sullivan as Naomi, Scarlet's best friend. Kat Graham, Tiya Sircar and Melissa Ordway as Jamie, Samantha, and Lauren, the three girls who are friends with Maggie, and constantly trying to flirt with "Mark". Brian Doyle-Murray as Janitor, the magical spirit guide who makes the transformation possible. Josie Loren as Nicole, the head cheerleader and Alex's crush. Jim Gaffigan as Coach Murphy, the high school basketball coach, who has been there for 20 years. Margaret Cho as Mrs. Dell, a teacher. Reception Critical response On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 57% based on 148 reviews, with an average rating of 5.4/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Though it uses a well-worn formula, 17 Again has just enough Zac Efron charm to result in a harmless, pleasurable teen comedy."1201402-17_again 17 Again Fandango Media On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 48 out of 100, based on reviews from 27 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.http://www.metacritic.com/movie/17-again 17 Again Reviews CBS Interactive Metacritic January 15, 2021 January 6, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210106155951/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/17-again live Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.July 30, 2020 Rottenberg Box Office Report: '17 Again' handily wins the weekend https://ew.com/article/2009/04/19/box-office-repo-2/ Entertainment Weekly audiences were more favorably inclined, giving it a strong A− CinemaScore. Josh https://web.archive.org/web/20220214234455/https://ew.com/article/2009/04/19/box-office-repo-2/ February 14, 2022 Roger Ebert gave the film 3 stars out of 4, writing: "17 Again is pleasant, harmless PG-13 entertainment, with a plot a little more surprising and acting a little better than I expected."http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/17-again-2009 17 Again Movie Review & Film Summary Roger Ebert Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times April 15, 2009 June 13, 2014 July 8, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140708223727/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/17-again-2009 live Justin Chang of Variety wrote: "Zac Efron's squeaky-clean tweener-bait profile is unlikely to be threatened by 17 Again, an energetic but earthbound comic fantasy that borrows a few moves, if little inspiration, from Big and It's a Wonderful Life."April 9, 2009 Chang Justin 17 Again https://variety.com/review/VE1117940029 Variety March 13, 2021 April 3, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110403123120/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117940029/ live Box office The film was projected to take in around $20 million in its opening weekend.April 17, 2009 Ben Fritz Zac Efron and '17 Again' expected to rule box office Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-17-fi-ct-projector17-story.html February 23, 2021 February 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210211235412/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-17-fi-ct-projector17-story.html live Opening in 3,255 theaters in the United States and Canada, the film grossed $23.7 million, ranking #1 at the box office, with 70% of the audience consisting of young women.https://variety.com/2009/film/news/17-again-tops-weekend-box-office-1118002579/ '17 Again' tops weekend box office Pamela McClintock Variety April 19, 2009 June 13, 2014 October 7, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241007020522/https://variety.com/2009/film/news/17-again-tops-weekend-box-office-1118002579/ live By the end of its run, 17 Again grossed $64.2 million in North America and $72.1–75.3 million internationally, totaling $136.3–139.5 million worldwide. 17 Again (2009) Box Office Mojo http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=17again.htm January 23, 2021 December 15, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181215171819/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=17again.htm live Soundtrack 17 Again: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released on April 21, 2009, by New Line Records.https://www.amazon.com/17-Again-Original-Picture-Soundtrack/dp/B001T46UGE 17 Again: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Amazon.com April 22, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090420155133/http://www.amazon.com/17-Again-Original-Picture-Soundtrack/dp/B001T46UGE April 20, 2009 Track listing "On My Own" by Vincent Vincent and the Villains "Can't Say No" by The Helio Sequence "L.E.S. Artistes" by Santigold "Naïve" by The Kooks "This Is Love" by Toby Lightman "You Really Wake Up the Love in Me" by The Duke Spirit "The Greatest" by Cat Power "Rich Girls" by The Virgins "This Is for Real" by Motion City Soundtrack "Drop" by Ying Yang Twins "Cherish" by Kool & the Gang "Bust a Move" by Young MC "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins Additional music credits "Kid (Acoustic Version)" by The Pretenders "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit "The Underdog" by Spoon "High School Never Ends" by Bowling for Soup (Used in movie trailer/commercial) "Push It Fergasonic (DJ Axel Mashup)" by Fergie, Salt-n-Pepa, JJ Fad The orchestral score was written by Rolfe Kent and orchestrated by Tony Blondal. It was recorded at Skywalker Sound. Adaptation A South Korean television series titled 18 Again based on the film aired on JTBC from September 21 to November 10, 2020.February 25, 2020 Seon Mi-kyung https://channels.vlive.tv/C7A6F1/vtoday/1.12934777 Osen V Live Kim Ha Neul, Yoon Sang Hyun, Lee Do Hyun to co-star in new drama 18 Again August 9, 2020 August 20, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200820125836/https://channels.vlive.tv/C7A6F1/vtoday/1.12934777 dead There is also a musical adaptation of 17 Again, with a studio cast recording made in 2023.Patrick Bobby February 21, 2024 Album Review: Concord Theatricals Recordings Releases The Studio Cast Recording of 17 AGAIN https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Album-Review-Concord-Theatricals-Recordings-Releases-The-Studio-Cast-Recording-of-17-AGAIN-20240221 April 30, 2024 Broadway World October 7, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241007020525/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Album-Review-Concord-Theatricals-Recordings-Releases-The-Studio-Cast-Recording-of-17-AGAIN-20240221 live See also Big, 1988 comedy drama film about a boy who becomes a full-grown man Young Again, 1986 Canadian made-for-television film starring Keanu Reeves about a 40-year-old man who becomes 17 years old again in order to reunite with his high school girlfriend. Originally broadcast as part of the Disney Sunday Movie series. Back to the Future, 1985 a film about a son who time travels to when his parents were in high school A Distant Neighborhood, a 1990s Japanese manga about an adult re-living his teenage life The Kid, 2000 American fantasy comedy-drama about a grown man who encounters his younger self Seventeen Again, 2000 American fantasy–comedy film about two grandparents who are turned 17 years old Freaky Friday, 2003 American fantasy-comedy film about a mother and daughter switching bodies, the daughter experiences the hardship of adulthood, while the mother experiences the difficulty of what is like being a teenager again 13 Going on 30, 2004 American romantic comedy film about a 13-year-old girl who suddenly turns 30 Mr. Destiny, 1990 American comedy film with similar plot Miss Granny, 2014 South Korean film about woman in her 70s who magically finds herself in the body of her 20-year-old self after having her picture taken at a mysterious photo studio The Poof Point, 2001 American science-fiction comedy film about two scientist parents who accidentally regress their age during an experiment Mrs. Doubtfire, 1993 American comedy film about a father who disguises himself to get closer to his estranged family Little, 2019 American comedy film about an evil boss who becomes a little girl 18 Again!, 1988 American comedy film about an 81-year-old man George Burns who switches bodies with his 18-year-old grandson References External links 17 Again 0974661 64988 712908 17again Category:2009 films Category:2000s coming-of-age comedy films Category:2009 coming-of-age films Category:2009 fantasy comedy films Category:2000s high school films Category:2000s romantic fantasy films Category:2009 teen comedy films Category:2000s teen fantasy films Category:2000s teen romance films Category:2009 American films Category:2009 English-language films Category:2009 romantic comedy films Category:American coming-of-age comedy films Category:American fantasy comedy films Category:American high school films Category:American romantic comedy films Category:American romantic fantasy films Category:American teen comedy films Category:American teen romance films Category:Films about rapid human age change Category:Films about wish fulfillment Category:Films adapted into television shows Category:Films directed by Burr Steers Category:Films scored by Rolfe Kent Category:Films set in 1989 Category:Films set in 2009 Category:Films shot in Los Angeles Category:English-language fantasy comedy films Category:English-language romantic comedy films Category:English-language romantic fantasy films Category:2000s coming-of-age romance films Category:Teen Choice Award–winning films Category:New Line Cinema films Category:Warner Bros. films Category:English-language teen comedy films