Netflix’sThe Merry GentlemenandMother of the Bridehave three things in common — they premiered in 2024, feature Chad Michael Murray, and weren’t well received among critics and audiences alike. While the reception of both films is quite disappointing, the good news is that Murray’s next movie (a long-awaited Disney sequel starring Lindsay Lohan) will likely be a hit given its hype and precedent.The actor just has to leaveThe Merry GentlemenandMother of the Bridein the pastand look ahead to bigger and brighter things.
Murray has been a leading man in many iconic romantic comedies since the 2000s,including in thecasts ofFreaky Friday, A Cinderella Story,and more. So, it’s not surprising to see him in a starring role in two Netflix rom-coms in one year. Unfortunately,both outings haven’t exactly boosted Murray’s critical acclaim, while his earlier career was a different story. However, the tides may change for Murray in 2025.
Murray Reprises His Role As Jake In The Freaky Friday Sequel
Chad Michael Murray is set to return forFreakier Friday, the sequel to the 2003 comedyFreaky Friday. As those who have seen the first film know,Murray starred as Jake, the main love interest, inFreaky Friday.Since he is confirmed to return, Murray will likely be the leading man again. Meanwhile, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan led the cast as a mother and daughter duo (Tess and Anna) who accidentally switched bodies, which made Anna’s blossoming romance with Jake complicated. Now, they will reprise their roles inFreakier Fridayand hopefully produce a movie that breaks Murray’s poor rom-com streak.
Given that Disney is givingFreakier Fridaya theatrical release in 2025 (a rarity in a world where streaming is becoming the norm), it seems as if the company has a lot of faith in it.
Freaky Fridayreceived positive reviews (a rarity for a rom-com) and performed well at the box office —it has an 88 percent score onRotten Tomatoesand grossed over $160 million against a $26 million budget. The hope is thatFreakier Fridaycan repeat this success. Of course, many legacy sequels fail to hold up to the original movies, However, given that Disney is givingFreakier Fridaya theatrical release in 2025 (a rarity in a world where streaming is becoming the norm), it seems as if the company has a lot of faith in it.
Freaky Friday 2 Has A Golden Opportunity To Repeat This Iconic Musical Moment
Freaky Friday 2 (dubbed Freakier Friday) is bringing back two characters from the original movie, hinting that we will get another musical moment.
Lohan Appears In Irish Wish & Our Little Secret
Chad Michael Murray and Lindsay Lohan will reunite inFreakier Friday, but they were both quite busy with Netflix projects in 2024. As mentioned above,Murray starred inMother of the BrideandThe Merry Gentlemen.As for Lohan, the actress appeared inIrish WishandOur Little Secret.
42%
Mother of the Bride
13%
17%
30%
31%
TBD
Leading up to theirFreaky Fridayreunion, Murray and Lohan had the same idea for their careers in 2024. They starred in rom-coms that aired in the spring and Christmas movies later in the year. Unfortunately, Murray and Lohan’s Netflix 2024 appearances didn’t fare so well among critics (e.g.The Merry Gentlemenhas a 31%Rotten Tomatoesscore), butFreakier Fridaycan still save them.
