17 Again

The pivotal moment for 17-year-old Mike O'Donnell (Zac Efron) arrives in 1989 when his high school sweetheart Scarlet (Allison Miller) reveals her pregnancy during a crucial basketball game. With the stakes of his future hanging precariously, Mike abandons the championship match to confront Scarlett, sacrificing his potential for a professional basketball career and the promise of a full college scholarship offered by Coach Murphy (Jim Gaffigan).

Fast-forward 20 years to 2009, where Mike's life has stagnated. Now a 37-year-old, he finds himself divorced from Scarlet (Leslie Mann) due to his lingering regrets about forgoing college. The couple's separation prompts Mike to move in with his childhood friend and tech mogul, Ned Gold (Thomas Lennon), who made a fortune by creating software that enabled P2P music sharing, only to pivot and develop the technology to stop it.

Scarlet's harsh words pierce Mike's heart, as she suggests every failure in his life can be traced back to his decision not to attend college. She retorts that she never asked him to marry her, leaving a divorce date of mere weeks away. Naomi (Nicole Sullivan) serves as Scarlet's confidante and a constant reminder of their complicated history.

At his pharmaceutical company job, Mike faces another source of frustration: the stark reality of being significantly older than his colleagues and repeatedly passed over for promotions in favor of younger workers. Despite boasting exceptional sales numbers on his team, he's been with the company for 16 years yet was overlooked for a promotion in favor of someone who has only been part of the team for two months.

As Mike navigates the fallout from his job loss (following an impulsive outburst involving his boss's Bluetooth earpiece), he's met with further rejection from his own high school-age children, Maggie (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Alex (Sterling Knight). They've lost interest in their father's involvement in their lives.

During a nostalgic visit to his alma mater, Mike encounters an enigmatic janitor (Brian Doyle-Murray) who somehow triggers a mystical transformation. As he gazes into the mirror, Mike realizes he's reverted back to his 17-year-old self.

Convincing Ned of his true identity requires proof in the form of a photograph from their shared past. After discounting time travel and gamma ray exposure as possible explanations, Ned hypothesizes that Mike's situation is the result of basic spirit guide magic, intent on guiding him toward his own path.

As Mike (Mike) endeavors to recapture the essence of his youth by re-enrolling in high school under the pseudonym Mark Gold, he sets out to secure a basketball scholarship and eventually attend college. His ruse is met with instant attraction from principal Jane Masterson (Melora Hardin), who views Ned as a nerd - a stark contrast to her own perception of Mike. However, as Mike forges connections with his children, his mission begins to shift; he becomes invested in helping them navigate the complexities of adolescence.

One particular challenge presents itself when Mike discovers Alex duct-taped to a toilet seat, pining for Nicole (Josie Loren), the head cheerleader. He learns that Alex's tormentor, Stan, is simultaneously dating Maggie - who, incidentally, plans to move in with him after graduation, as he's on the management track at Home Depot and she'll attend community college.

As Mike's paternal instincts kick in, he finds himself comforting Maggie when her boyfriend Stan (Hunter Parrish), the captain of the basketball team, callously dumps her. This newfound empathy for his children sparks a transformation within Mike; he begins to focus on helping Alex overcome Stan's bullying and secure a spot alongside him on the basketball team - as well as win the heart of his crush, Nicole.

Meanwhile, Ned continues to woo Jane with an array of tactics, from "peacocking" to showering her with expensive gifts. His efforts, however, are met with resounding rejection. On the home front, Mike finds himself struggling to resist Scarlet's charms, despite the apparent inappropriateness of their relationship - a dynamic further complicated by his remarkable resemblance to her husband during his high school days.

As if navigating these personal and emotional minefields weren't enough, Mike must also contend with Maggie's amorous advances, blissfully unaware that he is her father. The stage is set for a series of events that will test Mike's mettle as a parent, a friend, and a man trying to recapture his youth.

In the midst of these challenges, Ned throws a party to celebrate a basketball game victory at his house. It's here that Mike confronts Stan, who has recently dumped Maggie after she refused to succumb to his advances. In the ensuing chaos, Mike finds himself knocked out and awakens to find Maggie attempting to seduce him - an overture he politely rebuffs, sending her packing.

As the party winds down, Scarlet arrives on the scene, and Mike proudly showcases Alex's triumph in winning Nicole's heart. In a moment of vulnerability, Mike becomes caught up in the emotion and makes a pass at Scarlet - only to be met with disgust as she storms off. As he attempts to explain his true identity, it becomes clear that this impromptu confession has left a lasting impact on their relationship.

As the divorce proceedings come to a head, Mike Seeks One Final Chance to Salvage His Marriage

In a desperate bid to rekindle the flames of love and save his marriage, Mike (as Mark) takes a last-ditch approach by reading aloud a supposed letter from himself. However, Scarlet's curiosity is piqued when she discovers that the "letter" contains directions to the courtroom, rather than words of ardent passion. Her resolve begins to waver, and she decides to delay the divorce proceedings for an additional month, giving Mike a glimmer of hope.

Disheartened by his failure to save his marriage, Mike chooses to redirect his energies towards securing a scholarship and embarking on a new chapter in his life. However, this newfound sense of purpose is short-lived, as Mike soon finds himself consumed by the urge to reconnect with Scarlet once more.

This unrelenting desire for closure ultimately leads Mike to reveal his true identity during a high school basketball game, where he confronts Scarlet once again. As she makes her hasty exit down the hallway, Mike seizes the opportunity to give chase, but not before entrusting his son with the responsibility of handling the basketball. With this momentous decision made, Mike is suddenly transformed back into his 37-year-old self and reunited with Scarlet.

As he prepares for his inaugural day as the new basketball coach at his children's school, Mike receives a thoughtful gift from Ned - a whistle that symbolizes their shared desire for fresh starts. Both men are thrilled to be embarking on this new chapter in their lives, filled with hope and anticipation for what the future may hold.