A Cinderella Story is a 2004 American romantic comedy film directed by Mark Rosman, written by Leigh Dunlap and stars Hilary Duff, Chad Michael Murray, Jennifer Coolidge and Regina King. A modernization of the classic Cinderella folk lore, the film's plot revolves around two Internet pen pals who plan meet in person at their high school's Halloween dance. The film was followed by five direct-to-video sequels, Another Cinderella Story (2008), A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song (2011), A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits (2016), A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019), and A Cinderella Story: Starstruck (2021). The sequels using the themes and situations but not containing any characters from the first film. Unlike the first film, the sequels also include musical, dance, and holiday themes.