Wish Upon a Star

Two sisters collide over popularity and attention in a small town family setup. Alexia, the confident older teen, is used to being the center of her world, while Hayley, the younger sibling, feels eclipsed and tired of being ignored. After a spur of the moment wish and a strange twist of fate, the sisters wake to find they have swapped lives, complete with different schools, friends, and responsibilities. They stumble through each other’s schedules, misjudge social cues, and scramble to keep up the charade without tipping off Nan Wheaton or the family. What starts as a prank grows into a chance to understand one another and the true price of popularity. Together they learn that cooperation makes everyday life kinder.

Directed by Blair Treu, this 1996 TV movie adapts Jessica Barondes' warm premise for the screen and showcases a breakout performance by Katherine Heigl, supported by Danielle Harris and Donnie Jeffcoat. It leans into set pieces and family friendly fantasy.

As a television feature Wish Upon a Star did not garner major nominations or wins, and it generally played as light hearted fare rather than a prestige project. It aired to modest ratings on its initial network run and found a small, loyal audience later through repeats.

The film has little footprint in modern pop culture, but it marks an early screen credit for Heigl that fans of 90s family fare sometimes rediscover. Its gentle premise and wholesome humor reflect a era when TV movies stitched together familiar lessons with simple magical twists.

Reception emphasized its friendly tone and predictable but comforting beats. The core themes center on sisterhood and empathy, as swapping lives forces the characters to rethink popularity, chores, and family obligations. It offers a breezy message about valuing who you are while learning from someone else’s perspective.