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Wish Upon a Star

  • TV Movie
  • 1996
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
8.9K
YOUR RATING
Katherine Heigl and Danielle Harris in Wish Upon a Star (1996)
Body Swap ComedyComedyFamilyFantasy

A young girl wishes to switch places with her popular older sister, and they awaken to find the wish has come true.A young girl wishes to switch places with her popular older sister, and they awaken to find the wish has come true.A young girl wishes to switch places with her popular older sister, and they awaken to find the wish has come true.

  • Director
    • Blair Treu
  • Writer
    • Jessica Barondes
  • Stars
    • Katherine Heigl
    • Danielle Harris
    • Donnie Jeffcoat
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    8.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Blair Treu
    • Writer
      • Jessica Barondes
    • Stars
      • Katherine Heigl
      • Danielle Harris
      • Donnie Jeffcoat
    • 57User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Photos22

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    Top cast29

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    Katherine Heigl
    Katherine Heigl
    • Alexia Wheaton
    Danielle Harris
    Danielle Harris
    • Hayley Wheaton
    Donnie Jeffcoat
    Donnie Jeffcoat
    • Kyle Harding
    Scott Wilkinson
    • Ben Wheaton
    Mary Parker Williams
    • Nan Wheaton
    Lois Chiles
    Lois Chiles
    • Mittermonster
    Ivey Lloyd Mitchell
    Ivey Lloyd Mitchell
    • Caitlin Sheinbaum
    • (as Ivey Lloyd)
    Matthew Barker
    Matthew Barker
    • Simon
    • (as Matt Barker)
    Jacque Gray
    Jacque Gray
    • Kazumi
    Kari White
    Kari White
    • Talley
    • (as Kari Petersen)
    January Sorensen
    • Sabrina
    Dane Stevens
    • Mr. Frauenfleder
    • (as Duane V. Stephens)
    Mark Hofeling
    • Mr. Watson
    Trevor Black
    Trevor Black
    • Photographer
    Emily Klindt
    • Senior Class President
    Andy West
    • Panicked Boy
    Trent Rockwood
    • Boy #1
    Richard Grove
    • Fan #1
    • Director
      • Blair Treu
    • Writer
      • Jessica Barondes
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews57

    6.68.8K
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    Featured reviews

    8wafflemaker

    Be careful what you wish for...

    Be careful what you wish for; it just might come true. And in this movie it all does. A wonderfully entertaining movie and not just for kids. I first saw this movie when I was 18 and have loved it ever since. Not just a story about what it's like to wish you were someone else and find that once it comes true it's not all it's cracked up to be. It's also a tale about two sisters who learn not just about themselves but also about each other. For anyone who has a sibling they feel they can't relate to, this movie is a wonderful chance to see that it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. And while there are moments in the film where it seems hard to remember who's in which body or you realize that that person is not necessarily the one who needed to learn that particular lesson, the film's overall message is touching enough and so masterfully delivered that it hardly matters. And though the twist ending may not be a surprise to all, it still gets me every time. Katherine Heigl and Danielle Harris shine like stars. I just wish everyone enjoys the film as much as I did.
    primrosemoon

    it's a disney channel movie that's GOOD!!

    While baby sitting I would sometimes be forced to watch Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel, but when this movie came on the DC one time, I didn't mind. Wish Upon a Star is really entertaining, because the two actresses start the movie off as certain characters (one is the older, bitchy, popular sister, the other is the younger, nerdier, nicer one) but then take on each other's characters when the younger one wishes on a star to be her older sister. So really, each actress was trained to play the other's role, you know? It's an interesting concept. This film is also WAY less sappy and more tart than most Disney Channel movies. Hey, it mentions virginity! It's a pleasant surprise, and the girl from "Roswell" plays the older sis.
    10strudeau

    Much more then it appears to be

    I don't know how I was drawn to originally see this movie, but I'm glad it happened. It's definitely not your average made for TV movie and it really fly's leaps and bounds beyond what it really is. It is the story of two sisters who are worlds apart, who after a wish switch places. (Ala Freaky Friday, Vice-Versa) This features Katherine Heigl(Roswell) and Danielle Harris(Urban Legend) as the sisters who exhibit and on screen chemistry that has been absent in today's cinema. As the story progresses the sisters wage an all out war against each other and spend the rest of the movie trying to patch up the damage. Their adventures are cliched at points, yet Heigl and Harris carry it and make a very engrossing and funny film. Everyone who I show this movie to is instantly hooked. This is a true to life "Cult" movie. This is one of my favorite movies, and I attribute that fact to the wonderful Katherine Heigl and Danielle Harris.. Katherine Heigl's popularity has skyrocketed since this, yet Danielle Harris has been pretty stagnant. Hopefully Danielle Harris will get a push soon! This movie was previously unavailable on Video (save for a few video stores, and $70 ebay copies), but thanks to Warner Brothers selling the distribution rights, Wish Upon a Star is now on DVD!! (as of August 2001) This DVD is a must buy so don't pass it up. Feel free to email me if you want to talk about this movie! **** out of ****
    8gatyngaj

    All in all, a very cute movie

    This is one of the better movies that aired in one of Disney Channel's better days. Basically, it's about two teenage sisters switching places, one of which is a popular and gorgeous yet airheaded senior that works hard to become the high school's Winter Fest queen, while the other is a socially inept yet bright and undeniably cute sophomore whose major goal this school year is to succeed in the school's science fair. The contrast between each of the girls makes for a very interesting and fun movie to watch.

    It's very much aimed towards younger audiences, although Disney obviously disagrees with quite a few of its themes and somewhat suggestive scenes. It still retains its status as a PG-rated movie. The plot is easy to follow, and the characters are even easier to fall in love with.

    If you liked watching this movie all the time on television, I suggest you grab the DVD. The commentary alone is worth the investment.
    PracticalMagic

    A really good film for Disney

    Okay... I admit... The only reason I bothered was because of Katherine Heigl. But, once I sat down and watched the film, I really got into it. I mean, Disney is known for doing a lot of movies where teens switch places, and they usually are really bad.. However, this movie turned out really well. What really impressed me, was how well the two girls acted out each other's roles. By the end of the movie, I was clapping by myself in my empty living room. Plus, It had the band Moonpools & Caterpillars perform. Those guys rock! If somehow you get into a situation where you are locked in a padded room, bound and gagged, and forced to watch disney movies for the rest of your life; Watch this movie first, and then kill yourself...

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    Related interests

    Jennifer Garner in 13 Going on 30 (2004)
    Body Swap Comedy
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Danielle Harris was quite nervous about shooting the table-dance scene (which actually doesn't appear in most TV versions), so she asked if she could choose the people who are sitting at the table. She picked the boys who would be most uncomfortable watching her as to make herself more comfortable while performing.
    • Goofs
      When Alexia answers the Chemistry question in class, she writes "ABC" on the whiteboard. In the next shot as she continues writing, the appearance of "ABC" is completely different.
    • Quotes

      Alexia Wheaton: You may have my body, breasts, and boyfriend, but you are not me.

    • Alternate versions
      The following scenes were removed for pacing reasons:
      • The guys to whom Alex says "hi guys" in the gym had bigger roles. They originally followed Alex around a lot, and this frazzled Hayley's nerves when she was in Alex's body.
      • A scene where Hayley practices her speech for the convention in front of Alex, which illustrates Hayley's nervous demeanor about public speaking, and Alex's discomfort with her lack of math skills.
      • Numerous shots of the parents eavesdropping, seeing how their daughters' "progress" was coming along.
      • A scene near the end where "Mittermonster" pads down a number of beauty contestants before they enter the stage.
    • Connections
      Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 Greatest Body Swap Movies (2023)
    • Soundtracks
      Colossal Youth
      Performed by Moonpools & Caterpillars

      Courtesy of Eastwest Records (America), by arrangement with Warner Special Products

      Written by Gugut Salgado, Jay Jay Encarnacion (as Efren Encarnacion), Tim de Pala (as Tim Depala), Kimi Encarnacion (as Kim Ward Encarnacion)

      Published by Songs of Polygram International, Inc. and Evilboweevil Songs

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 12, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Загадай бажання
    • Filming locations
      • West Valley City, Utah, USA
    • Production companies
      • CINAR
      • CINAR
      • Leucadia Film Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 30m(90 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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