Celebrating 20 Years of 13 Going on 30

April 23 marks 20 years since actors Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo released their iconic rom-com 13 Going on 30 in 2004.

The early 2000s film changed the trajectory of romantic comedies for the next two decades, became an instant classic in its genre, and won the audience’s hearts.

13 Going on 30 follows a 13-year-old unpopular girl named Jenna Rink (Jennifer Garner). She throws a birthday party at her house, but things go downhill when the other kids trick her. Leaving Rink alone in the closet, they steal her food and their school project while she awaits a cute boy who doesn’t come. After her best friend Matty (Mark Ruffalo) appears, she finds out everyone has left. Upset, she makes an unusual wish while tucked away in the basement closet to be “thirty, flirty, and thriving.”

‘13 going on 30’ was released 20 years ago today pic.twitter.com/UQhhtPo8vj

— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) April 23, 2024

Her wish comes true, and she wakes up the next day as a 30-year-old fashion editor at her dream magazine. Now, she has a new list of adult problems to manage, including an affair with a married man, her new relationship, figuring out how to navigate her job, and reconnecting with her old best friend, all while trying to figure out what happened in the last 17 years. The story is a staple for romantic comedy lovers and is still a favorite by many 20 years later. 

The film has inspired an entire generation of women to appreciate what they have in the present moment. From emotional and heartfelt scenes like Rink revisiting her childhood home and seeing her parents, her iconic style, the “Thriller” dance scene, eating razzles, to falling in love, the film serves as a significant reminder to be yourself and live in the moment.

13 going on 30 (2004) pic.twitter.com/3LXM5C7ktv

— rom com gifs (@romcomgif) April 16, 2024

During an interview with People, the film’s costume designer, Susie DeSanto, discussed the iconic colorful Versace mini dress Rink wore and where it is now. The dress continues to serve as a popular Halloween costume years later, with fans and even celebrities recreating the look every October. The original dress is unfortunately confirmed to be lost and no longer in possession of anyone from the film. 

Although the original outfit is gone, many recreations have been made throughout the years, including the look-alike dress Ariana Grande wore on The Voice in 2021. The singer is known to be a fan of the film, as she also based her “thank u, next” music video on her favorite films like Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, and 13 Going on 30, where she dressed as Rink’s character in the doll house scene, wearing a red blouse and the same hairstyle.

ariana grande as jenna rink in 13 going on 30 pic.twitter.com/rAgCs3A7r8

— hourly ariana (@hourlyagb) November 9, 2021

Since the premiere, the cast members went on to lead very successful acting careers and remain friends to this day. Garner and Ruffalo recently reunited on another project, The Adam Project, where they portrayed a married couple. In an interview with Good Morning America, Garner talked about how nice it was to have a familiar face to work with, stating “It was wonderful. We were playing a married couple and we just had this instant comfort and obviously, there’s just such a connection and a warmth. It was a really beautiful experience to revisit that relationship.”

Ruffalo and Garner posted their reunion with a selfie on Instagram, captioning it with a 13 Going on 30 reference, and the post gained over two million likes.

Sony Pictures, which distributed the film in 2004, shared a tweet on April 23 to celebrate the 20 anniversary of the film. In a sweet video, they list 13 reasons to love 13 Going on 30, with a compilation of 13 memorable scenes from the romantic comedy, including Rink wishing to be “thirty, flirty, and thriving,” her getting ready montage, the slumber party, the photoshoot, eating razzles, and of course, the wedding scene at the end of the film.

We could give you 30 reasons… but here’s 13. What’s your favorite scene?

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of 13 Going on 30 – Buy now on disc and digital! pic.twitter.com/Qo0fB2tfnt

— Sony Pictures (@SonyPictures) April 23, 2024

You can celebrate the anniversary by rewatching 13 Going on 30, which is available to stream on Netflix.