7 Amazing Body Swap Films You May Have Overlooked

      In conjunction with the release of Disney's Freaky Friday sequel, Freakier Friday, Casey Chong presents a collection of enjoyable body switch films you might have overlooked.

      Body switch movies continue to have a strong appeal today (just look at this weekend's Freakier Friday for confirmation). What’s not to enjoy about watching two (or more) characters not only exchange bodies but also take on each other's personalities, experiencing each other’s lives? This beloved genre is typically used for comedic effect, but it can also explore serious themes. Over the years, we’ve seen acclaimed body switch films like Big, Freaky Friday, 13 Going on 30, and Face/Off, but there are others that have been forgotten, overlooked, or unfairly criticized. Here’s our curated list of seven fantastic body switch movies that you might not have seen…

      **Vice Versa (1988)**

      1988 marked a competitive year for body switch comedies, with Big, 18 Again!, and Vice Versa vying for box-office success. Tom Hanks's Big achieved great success and is often recognized as one of the finest body switch comedies, overshadowing the others. This is unfortunate because Vice Versa, made on a $10 million budget, is much better than its disappointing $13.7 million gross suggests.

      Although it received mixed reviews, and its plot closely resembles Like Father Like Son, which premiered the previous year (in which father and son switch bodies), it's hard to overlook the chemistry between Judge Reinhold and Fred Savage. Director Brian Gilbert deserves credit for showcasing their compelling performances. Individually, Reinhold captures the playful essence of a child trapped in an adult’s body, while Savage convincingly portrays a wise and mature teenager.

      **Like Father Like Son (1987)**

      Between Teen Wolf and K-9, director Rod Daniel created this underappreciated body switch comedy featuring the comedic duo of Dudley Moore and Kirk Cameron. They play the father and son who mistakenly swap roles due to a potion in a Tabasco bottle, after surgeon Jack (Moore) consumes it while gazing into his high-school son's (Cameron) eyes.

      That's where the hilarity ensues, especially with Dudley Moore's fearless performance as a reckless teen. Whether he’s puffing on a cigarette for the first time in a meeting or humorously interacting with medical interns, he truly elevates Like Father Like Son. His irreverent timing pairs well with Cameron’s portrayal of the serious and no-nonsense father.

      **Switch (1991)**

      Ellen Barkin demonstrated her comedic talent in Switch, which features her as Amanda Brooks, a man reincarnated in a woman's body. Her character was a chauvinist who meets his end at the hands of his vengeful ex-lovers.

      This body switch film centered on an unlikable character who navigates purgatory and has a chance at redemption is a bold gamble, expecting viewers to cheer for his/her transformation. Screenwriter-director Blake Edwards surprisingly makes it work, thanks in part to Barkin’s energetic performance, where she humorously critiques her own sultry image. Scenes illustrating her struggle to walk in high heels highlight her comedic skills, earning her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. Unfortunately, the film underperformed at the box office, grossing just $15.5 million against a $14 million budget.

      **Prelude to a Kiss (1992)**

      From the late 80s through the 90s, Meg Ryan was well-known for her romantic roles in films like When Harry Met Sally..., Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail. Prelude to a Kiss is a romantic dramedy with supernatural aspects. Directed by Norman René, the film adapts Craig Lucas's 1988 play, intertwining the body switch theme. The cynical Rita (Ryan) finds her soul swapped with an elderly man (a sympathetic Sydney Walker's Julius) after a kiss on her wedding day with Peter (Alec Baldwin). This leads to their souls trading places, resulting in Rita adopting the demeanor of an old man.

      The film initially unfolds with endearing meet-cute moments between Peter and Rita before they marry. The body switch becomes a pivotal plot twist, but rather than leaning into comedy, Prelude to a Kiss explores the real essence of love and poses thought-provoking questions about loving someone who changes overnight. The film has a more contemplative tone, and Baldwin and Ryan share genuine chemistry from their first encounter.

      **Dating the Enemy (1996)**

      This Australian film features a typical body switch storyline: a couple—Brett, an arrogant TV music presenter (played by Guy Pearce), and Tash, a no-nonsense science journalist (Claudia Karvan)—who constantly bicker. One night, Tash wishes for a switch, and soon Brett becomes Tash, and vice versa, allowing both actors to fully embody their new roles.

      While Guy Pearce