Movies likeInstant Familyblend humor with heart, many of them telling similar stories of the ups and downs of parenting and dysfunctional family dynamics.Instant Family’scastis led by Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, who play a couple who suddenly get the urge to start a family and begin to look at adopting kids in foster care. This leads to them not only taking in the rebellious teenager Lizzy (The Last of Us' Isabela Merced) but also her younger siblings, Juan (Gustavo Escobar) and Lita (Julianna Gamiz).
The movie is a mix of big laughs as Pete and Ellie struggle with this massive change in their lives, while also being a sweet and moving story of a new family coming together. WithInstant Familybecoming a hit on streaming recently, there are likely a lot of fans looking for similar movies. Luckily, there are many options for the kind of movies that tell emotional stories of parenting and family while also being hilarious at the same time.
Kramer vs. Krameris not often seen as a comedy, and there are some very heavy moments in the comedy-drama. However, they are also mixed with a lot of humor that gives the movie a very authentic feel. Dustin Hoffman stars as Ted Kramer, a work-obsessed family man whose wife,Jonna (Meryl Streep), suddenly leaves him, forcing Ted to become the primary parent to their young son, Billy, for the first time in the boy’s life.
The movie differs fromInstant Familyin an interesting way, as it is about a parent who has not been involved in his child’s life suddenly having full responsibility. While Ellie and Pete struggle to raise these kids they have just met, Ted’s son is almost a stranger to him in many ways.Kramer vs. Krameralso deals with a similar plot point of a mother fighting to win back her child, only to admit that she is not ready for the role.
In a lot of the movies likeInstant Family, there are those willing parents who find themselves struggling with the responsibilities, and then there are the people who have become parents completely against their own plans.Delivery Manfalls into the latter category as Vince Vaughn stars as David, an aimless middle-aged man who discovers that a sperm bank he donated to decades ago made an error, resulting in him becoming the father of over 500 kids.
Delivery Manis a remake of the Canadian movieStarbuck.
The premise of the movie is rich for comedy with Vaughn’s rapid-fire delivery and a hilarious supporting turn from Chris Pratt. However, there is also a lot of charm to it as David begins to seek out the kids he’s fathered and help them out in whatever small ways he can.These small adventures showcase the movie’s mix of comedy and dramaas some of these connections are wacky, while others are surprisingly moving.
The first ofAdam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston’s moviestogether makes for a hilarious and sweet rom-com.Just Go With Itstars Sandler as a plastic surgeon who lies about being married, only to be stuck in the lie when he meets his dream girl. Needing to invent a fake wife and convince his new girlfriend that he is getting a divorce, he asks his loyal assistant, Katherine (Aniston), to pose as his soon-to-be ex-wife, bringing her young kids into the lie as well.
While the setup is a bit convoluted,it makes for a fun, madcap comedy with Sandler putting on this charade as the fake family man. Of course, it doesn’t take long for him to develop some real feelings for Katherine, while also seeing the beauty in being a father. It does not quite deliver on the heartwarming aspects as well asInstant Familydoes, but the chemistry between Sandler and Aniston elevates it.
Instant Familyis surprisingly able to balance the heart of the story with its more adult humor at times. However,Blockerspushes that even further with its full-blown R-rating while still finding some sweetness in this story. John Cena, Leslie Mann, and Ike Barinholtz star inBlockersas a trio of concerned parents who discover that their daughters all plan to lose their virginity at prom and set out on a mission to stop them.
It is a lot of fun to see this teen comedy told from the perspective of the parents, with the three main actors delivering hilarious performances. However,as much as the over-protective nature of the parents is funny, it also touches on parents' struggles as seen inInstant Family. From Cena worrying about losing his baby girl, Mann lamenting the disconnect with her daughter, and Barinholtz trying to prove himself a real father, it makes for a relatable comedy about parenting.
One of the best and most authentic aspects ofInstant Familyis Ellie and Pete trying to deal with the teenage Lizzy.The Mitchells vs. the Machinesalso looks at this relatable dynamic at the center of a wild animated adventure. The movie follows the Mitchell family on a cross-country road trip to drop their eldest daughter, Katie, off at college. As they deal with this monumental moment in their family, they also find themselves fighting for survival amid the robot uprising.
Katie is not a rebellious or emotionally scarred teen like Lizzy is inInstant Family,but the animated comedy does a great job examining the struggles when a parent and child no longer understand each other. The relationship between Katie and her father is hilarious in how little they now have in common, but also sweet in how they try to find that connection again.
In the midst of his blockbuster era of filmmaking,director Jon Favreaureturned to his low-budget roots with this charming, entertaining, and heartwarming comedy.Chefstars Favreau as Carl, a celebrated chef at a fine dining restaurant who is fired following a public meltdown. Wanting to reconnect with his love of cooking, he decides to buy a food truck and head out on a road trip with his son, Percy (Emjay Anthony).
LikeKramer vs. Kramer, Chefis a story about a parent who has an opportunity to reconnect with the child that they have been ignoring because of their focus on work.
LikeKramer vs. Kramer, Chefis a story about a parent who has an opportunity to reconnect with the child that they have been ignoring because of their focus on work. However,it is much closer in tone toInstant Family, with Favreau keeping things light while also having some touching momentsin which this father learns how to bond with his son through his own passions as well as the things his son cares about.
Before leading the cast ofInstant Family, Mark Wahlberg starred in another comedy about unique family dynamics.Daddy’s Homestars Will Ferrellas Brad, a mild-mannered guy who is desperately trying to get his new stepchildren to like him. However, those plans are made a lot more difficult as their bad boy father, Dusty (Wahlberg), re-enters the picture and looks to be a real father to them once again.
Daddy’s Homeis directed by Sean Anders, who also directedInstant Family.
This time around,Ferrell is in the position of the non-biological parent finding themselves competing with the birth parent for the attention of the kids. This mirrors Ellie and Pete inInstant Familywhen Lizzy’s mother comes back. However, it is also interesting to see the parenting struggles of Wahlberg’s character inDaddy’s Homeas he has his own self-conscious thoughts about his ability to be a good parent. Of course, as inThe Other Guys, Ferrell and Wahlberg are also a hilarious comedic team.
While Ellie and Pete find themselves in over their heads as sudden parents inInstant Family, they have their own strong relationship to fall back on.Life As We Know Itexamines a similar situation without the help of that strong central relationship. Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel star as Holly and Eric, two people with very different personalities who are forced to become parents together when their deceased friends name them as the guardians of their baby daughter.
LikeInstant Family,the characters are suddenly thrown into this life-changing situation with hilarious results. Holly’s perfectionist approach and Eric’s immaturity clash in how to raise the child, while they struggle with how to be partners in this situation. However, there is also a lot of sweetness in how they defy the odds and come together as an unexpected family.
When it comes to movies that can make audiences cry while also being tearjerker crowd-pleasers, the Best Picture winnerCODAis one of the best movies in recent memory to achieve this balance.CODA’s uplifting storyfollows Ruby (Emilia Jones), a young high school kid whose parents and older brother are all deaf. While spending her time helping out with her dysfunctional family, Ruby also begins pursuing her passion for singing.
CODAis a remake of the French movieLa Famille Bélier.
CODAis another movie that examines how biological family members can feel as disconnected at times from the foster family dynamic ofInstant Family. LikeInstant Family,it also examines the struggles of parents and children not seeing eye-to-eye. Ruby’s mother and father, while loving, are simply unable to share her love of music. It makes for some emotional moments, but also packs a surprising amount of laughs with her family’s bluntness.
For fans looking for a movie likeInstant Family, Big Daddymight be the best option of them all. Adam Sandler stars in the movie as Sonny Koufax, an immature adult who decides to prove to everyone that he is responsible by taking care of a young orphaned boy named Julian (Dylan and Cole Sprouse). It is another hilarious comedy from its star, but also hints at themore serious roles Sandlerwould take on later in his career.
Big DaddyandInstant Familyshare a very similar structure as they follow the main characters impulsively becoming guardians, feeling that they have a natural talent for it, facing the realities of parenting hardships, and finally coming to realize how much these relationships mean to them. While Pete and Ellie are more mature than Sonny from the beginning, there are big laughs in both movies as these characters discover that parenting is not easy.
