A Cinderella Story is a 2004American teen romantic comedy film directed by Mark Rosman and written by Leigh Dunlap, starring Hilary Duff as Sam Montgomery and Chad Michael Murray as Austin Ames.[1][2] The movie serves as a modern retelling of the classic Cinderella fairy tale, following Sam, a high school senior who endures mistreatment from her wicked stepmother Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge) and stepsisters while working at her late father's diner and aspiring to attend Princeton University.[3][1] She develops an anonymous online friendship that blossoms into romance, leading to a pivotal encounter at a school Halloween dance where she must confront social hierarchies and personal insecurities to claim her happy ending.[3][2]Produced by Warner Bros. Pictures with a budget of $19 million, the film was released in theaters on July 16, 2004, opening in 2,625 locations and earning $13.6 million in its first weekend.[4][5] It ultimately grossed $51.4 million in the United States and Canada and $70.1 million worldwide, marking a commercial success that capitalized on Duff's rising popularity from her role in the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire.[4][5] The screenplay by Dunlap updates the fairy tale with early-2000s elements like email correspondence and high school cliques, while incorporating themes of self-discovery and empowerment.[1][6]Upon release, A Cinderella Story received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its lighthearted charm and Duff's performance but criticized its predictable plot and formulaic execution, resulting in an 11% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 102 reviews.[1] Audiences responded more favorably, with a 53% audience score from over 250,000 ratings as of November 2025, appreciating its feel-good romance and relatable coming-of-age elements.[1] The film's success led to a franchise of direct-to-video sequels, including Another Cinderella Story (2008), A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song (2011), A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits (2016), and A Cinderella Story: Starstruck (2021), expanding the modern fairy tale adaptations.[5][2])
Synopsis and Characters
Plot
Samantha "Sam" Montgomery is a high school senior in the San Fernando Valley who lives with her cruel stepmother Fiona and stepsisters Brianna and Gabriella following the death of her father in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.[7] After her father's passing, Fiona takes control of the family diner and the inheritance, leaving no will to protect Sam's interests, and forces Sam to work endless shifts as a waitress while enduring constant verbal abuse and humiliation from her stepfamily to save money for college.[8] Sam's only allies are her best friend Carter, a fellow student navigating high school social pressures, and Rhonda, the diner's supportive manager who encourages her dreams of attending Princeton University amid the stresses of senior year applications and traditions like the elaborate senior prank.[9]Seeking escape from her oppressive home life, Sam begins an anonymous online email correspondence with a fellow aspiring writer in a Princeton chatroom, unaware that her pen pal is Austin Ames, the school's popular quarterback and student body president.[7] Their digital connection fosters a deep bond built on shared dreams and vulnerabilities, contrasting the superficial high school dynamics of popularity and cliques, and they agree to meet in person at the annual Halloween dance held at the Valley Royale Hotel.[8][10] Despite Fiona forbidding her attendance and assigning extra work, Rhonda helps Sam sneak out, allowing her to arrive in a borrowed angel costume; there, she and Austin share a magical evening of dancing and conversation, but Sam flees at midnight when her stepfamily arrives unexpectedly, leaving behind her cell phone as the modern equivalent of a glass slipper.[9]Determined to find the mysterious girl from the dance, Austin uses contacts stored in the lost cell phone to track down potential matches, sparking school-wide intrigue and jealousy among his admirers, while Brianna and Gabriella secretly discover Sam's emails and plot to expose her identity for their own gain.[8] The stepsisters publicly humiliate Sam during a pep rally by revealing her anonymous romance, amplifying themes of hidden identity and the risks of digital vulnerability in a world of gossip and betrayal.[7] In the climax, Sam confronts Fiona and her daughters at the diner, uncovering how Fiona manipulated the family inheritance after her father's death, leading to a decisive stand where Sam quits her job, asserts her independence, and reunites with Austin, who chooses authentic connection over social status, allowing her to embrace her true self and pursue her future.[9]
Cast
The principal cast of A Cinderella Story (2004) features Hilary Duff in the lead role of Samantha "Sam" Montgomery, a resilient high school senior navigating family and social challenges.[6]Chad Michael Murray portrays Austin Ames, the charismatic quarterback and romantic interest whose public persona contrasts with his private aspirations.[11]Jennifer Coolidge plays Fiona, Sam's opportunistic stepmother, delivering a comedic performance marked by exaggerated mannerisms.[12]Regina King appears as Rhonda, the supportive diner manager who aids Sam.[6][13]
Austin's demanding ex-girlfriend and head cheerleader.[12]
Supporting roles include Whip Hubley as Sam's late father, appearing in flashbacks to highlight her backstory, and Mary Pat Gleason as Eleanor, the school principal.[6]Hilary Duff also served as an executive producer, contributing to the film's creative direction alongside her starring performance.[6] Murray's casting leverages his established image as a teen heartthrob and athlete archetype, aligning seamlessly with Austin's quarterback role.[12]
Production
Development
The screenplay for A Cinderella Story was penned by Leigh Dunlap in the early 2000s after producers approached her to craft a modern adaptation of the classic Cinderellafairy tale.[16] The screenplay incorporates the 1994 Northridge earthquake as the tragic event in which Sam's father dies while attempting to rescue her stepmother, establishing her vulnerable family dynamic.[17] To update the folklore for contemporary audiences, the script replaced the iconic glass slipper with a cell phone as the key item left behind at the dance, symbolizing early 2000s technology and anonymous communication via text messaging.[18]The project was developed under Dylan Sellers Productions and Clifford Werber Productions, with Warner Bros. Pictures acquiring the distribution rights to appeal specifically to a teen demographic amid the rising popularity of youth-oriented romantic comedies.[19] Director Mark Rosman was brought on board, leveraging his prior experience directing teen-focused projects like The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003), to helm the film as a straightforward high school reinterpretation of the Cinderella narrative.[20] The core concept emphasized relocating the timeless tale to a modern American high school, where social hierarchies and masquerade dances mirror the original's themes of disguise and revelation.[16]Development progressed in the early 2000s, culminating in a finalized budget of $19 million before principal photography commenced in 2003. Lead actress Hilary Duff's involvement, capitalizing on her Disney fame, helped secure the project's greenlight.[6]
Filming
Principal photography for A Cinderella Story commenced on June 30, 2003, and wrapped in September 2003, primarily in Los Angeles County, California, to depict the San Fernando Valley setting.[21] Key filming locations included Monrovia High School, portraying the fictional North Valley High School; the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino for the exterior shots of the Halloween homecoming dance; and 1272 East Calaveras Street in Altadena for the exteriors of protagonist Sam Montgomery's home.[21][22][23]The film was lensed on 35mm film by cinematographer Anthony B. Richmond, capturing the teen comedy's vibrant, contemporary aesthetic.[24][25] Production encountered logistical hurdles in staging the climactic Halloween dance sequence, particularly with wardrobe elements finalized under tight deadlines. Costume designer Denise Wingate sourced Sam's iconic white gown from Monique Lhuillier just one week prior to shooting, requiring duplicates for Hilary Duff and her stunt double to facilitate action shots while maintaining visual continuity.[26] Multiple iterations of the accompanying mask were also crafted to ensure it concealed Duff's identity from her on-screen love interest without obscuring her performance.[26]The opening sequence depicts the real 1994 Northridge earthquake as the backstory of Sam's father's death.[27]
Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack album for A Cinderella Story, released on July 13, 2004, by Hollywood Records, compiles 11 pop tracks featuring contributions from prominent early-2000s artists tied to the film's teen romance narrative. Key inclusions are four new songs by lead actress Hilary Duff—"Our Lips Are Sealed" (a duet with her sister Haylie Duff covering The Go-Go's classic), "Anywhere But Here," "Girl Can Rock," and "Now You Know"—alongside Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway," Ashlee Simpson's cover of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love," Jesse McCartney's "Beautiful Soul" and "The Best Day of My Life," the Goo Goo Dolls' "Sympathy," and others like Josh Kelley's "To Make You Feel My Love" and Haylie Duff's "One in This World." Production credits vary by track, with the overall album overseen by executive producers Andre Recke, Jay Landers, and Jon Lind, and specific contributions from songwriters and producers such as Kara DioGuardi, who co-wrote "Now You Know" with Michelle Lewis and Charlton Pettus.[28][29][30]Several tracks integrate directly into the film to amplify its emotional and thematic elements, particularly the protagonist Sam's journey of self-discovery and romance. "Sympathy" by the Goo Goo Dolls underscores a pivotal emotional scene in the rain, where Sam confronts her feelings for Austin, heightening the moment's vulnerability and longing. Other songs, like Hilary Duff's "Crash World," play during transitional sequences reflecting personal turmoil, while the album's overall pop energy, including the uplifting "Breakaway," reinforces the story's romantic resolution and empowers its Cinderella-like arc.[31][32]Commercially, the album debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 with 73,000 copies sold in its first week, driven by Duff's rising stardom and cross-promotion with the film. It sustained chart presence for multiple weeks, bolstered by the hit status of "Breakaway," which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Clarkson's signature singles.[33]
Score
The original score for A Cinderella Story was composed and conducted by Canadian composer Christophe Beck. Recorded in 2004 at Evergreen Studios and Sony Studios in Los Angeles, with mixing by John Richards, the score runs approximately 40 minutes and was partially released on limited soundtracks. Beck's composition blends orchestral elements with contemporary pop influences to align with the film's teen romantic comedy tone, effectively underscoring emotional and dramatic sequences.[6][34][35]Beck collaborated closely with director Mark Rosman to develop scene-specific motifs tailored to the narrative, including the underscore for the earthquake flashback that highlights Sam's backstory. Key cues feature piano-driven themes for Sam's isolation, lush strings and synth for her romance with Austin, and percussive builds during the climax to heighten tension and resolution. This instrumental approach complements the pop songs from the soundtrack without overlapping vocal elements.[35]
Release
Theatrical release
A Cinderella Story had its world premiere on July 10, 2004, at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, featuring red carpet arrivals for cast members including Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray.[36] The event marked a celebratory launch for the teen romantic comedy, drawing attention to its modern retelling of the classic fairy tale.[37]The film received a wide theatrical release in the United States on July 16, 2004, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures across 2,625 theaters.[2] Produced on a budget of $19 million, the release targeted a young audience with its PG rating from the Motion Picture Association of America, citing mild language and brief innuendo as reasons for the classification.[38][39]Marketing efforts centered on trailers that showcased Hilary Duff's star power as the resilient protagonist Sam Montgomery, while emphasizing the film's fresh Cinderella twist set in a high school environment.[40] Promotional tie-ins with Hollywood Records highlighted the soundtrack's release on July 13, 2004, featuring contemporary pop tracks to build anticipation among Duff's fanbase from her Lizzie McGuire days.Internationally, the film rolled out to over 20 countries by late 2004, including the United Kingdom on August 20, Australia on September 23, and various European markets such as France and Spain in the fall.[41] Dubbed versions were produced in multiple languages, such as French (Comme Cendrillon) and Spanish, to adapt the dialogue for local audiences while preserving the story's romantic and comedic elements.[42]
Home media
The film was released on VHS and DVD by Warner Home Video on October 19, 2004, following its theatrical premiere on July 16, 2004.[43][44] Both formats were available in widescreen and full-screen editions, with the DVD serving as a special edition that included various behind-the-scenes content.[45]The DVD extras featured an audio commentary track titled "Hanging Out with Hilary and Friends," featuring Hilary Duff, Chad Michael Murray, Dan Byrd, Madeline Zima, and Andrea Avery, which focused on teen experiences during production and included promotional plugs for cell phones and the soundtrack.[46] Additional materials comprised deleted scenes presented in a single letterboxed reel, an 8-minute featurette "Cinderella Couture: The Making of a Fashionably Modern Fairytale" detailing wardrobe and costume design, screen tests for the lead actors in extended full-screen format, a music video of Hilary and Haylie Duff covering "Our Lips Are Sealed," an interactive quiz called "Find Your Prince/Princess Challenge," the theatrical trailer, and a public service announcement for the Kids with a Cause charity starring Duff.[46][45]A Blu-ray edition followed on October 15, 2010, offering high-definition video and the same core supplements as the DVD, including the audio commentary and deleted scenes.[47]Since the 2020 launch of HBO Max (rebranded as Max in 2023), the film has been available for streaming on the platform, with availability continuing as of 2025 alongside other Warner Bros. titles.[48][49] It is also accessible for digital purchase or rental on services like Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.[50]
Reception
Critical response
A Cinderella Story received mixed to negative reviews from critics upon its release. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating of 11% based on 102 reviews, with an average rating of 3.6/10; the site's critical consensus describes it as "an uninspired, generic updating of the classic fairy tale."[1] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 25 out of 100, based on 30 critic reviews, reflecting generally unfavorable reception.[51]Critics offered some praise for the on-screen chemistry between leads Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray, as well as the movie's lighthearted charm, which Variety highlighted as appealing to its tween audience through Duff's perky performance and the pair's engaging dynamic.[52] However, the film faced widespread criticism for its predictable plot, weak script, and reliance on stereotypical characters, with reviewers noting the story's adherence to familiar high school tropes and fairy tale clichés without innovation.[52]Roger Ebert gave it 1 out of 4 stars, dismissing it as a "lame, stupid movie" hampered by sappy dialogue and uninspired storytelling despite the leads' efforts.[53]Thematically, reviews acknowledged the film's message of empowerment for teenage viewers, emphasizing themes of self-confidence, resilience, and pursuing one's dreams amid adversity, as seen in protagonist Sam's journey.[54] Yet, many faulted this for being undermined by the conventional fairy tale structure, which lacked originality and depth, resulting in a formulaic narrative that failed to elevate the inspirational elements beyond surface level.[52] Despite the critical panning, the movie proved a box office success, grossing over $70 million worldwide against a $19 million budget.
Box office
A Cinderella Story opened in fourth place at the North American box office, earning $13.6 million from 2,625 theaters during the weekend of July 16–18, 2004.[5] The film ultimately grossed $51.4 million domestically, $18.7 million internationally, and $70.1 million worldwide.[5] Produced on a budget of $19 million, it achieved profitability by returning more than 3.6 times its production costs.[5] This success contributed to Warner Bros.' strong performance that year, as the studio ranked second domestically with $1.22 billion in grosses.[55]The movie peaked during its opening weekend amid the competitive summer 2004 season, where it trailed blockbusters like I, Robot and Spider-Man 2.[56] In its second weekend, it earned $7.8 million, reflecting a 42% decline, followed by $4.9 million in the third weekend with a further 38% drop.[5] Despite these declines, the film demonstrated solid legs with a 3.78 multiplier on its opening weekend gross, resonating particularly with its target teen audience of adolescent females.[5][1]
Accolades
A Cinderella Story earned recognition primarily in categories celebrating teen films and performances at various award ceremonies in 2005.At the Teen Choice Awards, the film secured two wins from five nominations. It won Choice Movie Blush Scene for the kiss shared by leads Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray, and Choice Movie Sleazebag for Jennifer Coolidge's portrayal of Fiona. Nominations included Choice Movie Actress: Comedy for Hilary Duff, Choice Movie Actor: Comedy for Chad Michael Murray, Choice Date Movie for the film itself, and Choice Movie Chemistry for Duff and Murray.[57][58]Hilary Duff received the Blimp Award for Favorite Movie Actress at the 2005 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards for her starring role as Sam Montgomery.[58]The film and its cast did not receive nominations from major industry awards such as the Academy Awards or Golden Globe Awards.
Legacy
Cultural impact
A Cinderella Story has achieved cult status among audiences nostalgic for 2000s teen cinema, with its blend of fairy-tale romance and early digital communication resonating in retrospectives on the era's pop culture. The film's portrayal of anonymous texting as a modern courtship device helped pioneer tropes in subsequent teen rom-coms, emphasizing hidden identities and virtual connections that influenced later entries in the genre.[59][60]In 2024, the movie marked its 20th anniversary with celebratory discussions and events, including interviews with star Chad Michael Murray teasing a surprise for fans and reflections from screenwriter Leigh Dunlap on inspirations like Britney Spears.[61][62] The iconic "waiting for you" voicemailscene from the film's rain-soaked climax has become a quotable moment in fan communities, capturing the frustration of unrequited digital romance and amplifying the movie's dialogue online.The film significantly boosted Hilary Duff's career trajectory, solidifying her as a leading teen idol during the mid-2000s and leading to high-profile roles amid her rising stardom.[63][64] While direct parodies are limited, its elements have echoed in broader media satire of Cinderella adaptations.In July 2025, Chad Michael Murray pitched a sequel idea in an exclusive interview, envisioning Sam and Austin as amicably separated co-parents in a contemporary twist on their story, reflecting modern relationship dynamics. As of November 2025, no official production has been announced for the project.[65]
Film series
The A Cinderella Story franchise, created by screenwriter Leigh Dunlap, consists of the original 2004 theatrical film and five subsequent direct-to-video sequels released between 2008 and 2021, all produced by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.[66][67] Each entry offers a modern retelling of the classic Cinderellafairy tale, featuring entirely new characters and standalone stories with no narrative continuity or returning cast from the original film.[68] The sequels emphasize contemporary teen romance, music, and holiday themes, targeting young audiences through home media distribution.[69]The franchise's sequels are as follows:
Another Cinderella Story (2008), starring Selena Gomez as the aspiring dancer Mary Santiago and Drew Seeley as her love interest Joey Parker.
A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song (2011), starring Lucy Hale as songwriter Katie Gibbs and Freddie Stroma as her composer counterpart Luke Morgan.
A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits (2016), starring Sofia Carson as aspiring singer Ella and Thomas Law as shoe designer Toby.
A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019), starring Laura Marano as jingle writer Finley Ellsworth and Gregg Sulkin as tech CEO Victor.
A Cinderella Story: Starstruck (2021), starring Bailee Madison as performer Finley Tremaine and Michael Evans Behling as actor Jackson Stone.[70]
These films collectively generated revenue primarily through video-on-demand and physical sales rather than theatrical releases. In July 2025, original film star Chad Michael Murray pitched an unconfirmed sequel concept involving a reunion of his character Austin Ames and Hilary Duff's Samantha Montgomery as divorced parents navigating modern dating, but no production has been announced.[65]