<Tr> <Th> Budget </Th> <Td> $37 million </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $96.5 million </Td> </Tr> <P> 13 Going on 30 (released as Suddenly 30 in some countries) is a 2004 American fantasy romantic comedy film written by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa and directed by Gary Winick . Starring Jennifer Garner, the film was produced by Revolution Studios for Columbia Pictures, and was released on April 23, 2004 . It follows a 13 - year - old girl who dreams of being popular . During her birthday party, she is humiliated by classmates and wishes that she was 30 years old . When she eventually does emerge, she finds herself five days shy of her 30th birthday, uncertain how she got there . </P> <P> The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising Garner's performance and its nostalgic environment . It was also praised for its humorous plot and self - empowering message . The film was also a commercial success, earning $22 million in its first week and grossing over $96 million, becoming one of the year's biggest - selling DVD rental titles . Its soundtrack features songs spanning from the 1980s to the 2000s, with a range of hits from famous recording artists such as Billy Joel, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Pat Benatar and Whitney Houston . Additionally, the soundtrack charted inside the top 50 on the US Billboard 200 chart . Garner's acting earned her nominations from both the MTV Movie Awards and the Teen Choice Awards, and the film was also re-released in DVD in 2006 as "Fun and Flirty Edition", and on Blu - Ray in 2009 . </P>

Who plays the main character in 13 going on 30