The Family Stone

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2:19

The Family Stone

PG-13

2005

1h 44m

Holiday

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

159 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) wants to bring his girlfriend, Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker), to meet his bohemian Connecticut family at Christmas. Straitlaced Meredith, feeling she needs backup, asks her sister Julie (Claire Danes) to come along. Hoping to win the approval of her boyfriend's parents Sybil (Diane Keaton) and Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) and the rest of the family, instead Meredith succeeds only in highlighting her uptight personality and making Everett doubt his intentions.

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Critics Consensus

This family holiday dramedy features fine performances but awkward shifts of tone.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

The Family Stone works hard to warm the cockles of our hearts. The cast is attractive. The sentiments are commendable. But the love Bezucha wants us to feel for the family couldn't possibly compete with the love they already feel for themselves.

Jul 7, 2010

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Andrew Sarris

Observer

I can't deny the incidental pleasures of watching these talented players giving it their all, even in such a misguided project.

Jan 5, 2006

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Like the character of Meredith, the film's bravado cannot mask a messy soul but should be given respect for showing up and sticking it out.

Rated: B

Dec 21, 2005

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

I just can't stand this group and the ending is unbelievable

Jul 26, 2023

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Matt Wilstein

The Daily Beast

By the end of the film...I always find myself tearing up.

Dec 5, 2022

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Michael Cuby

them.

The Family Stone flips the script by having Thad be loved and supported by all his siblings and both his parents. Nothing can compete with Diane Lane, as Thad’s mom...

Sep 26, 2022

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Regina F

Interesting characters, funny and sad moments, romantic but not cheesy. Loved all of it. It's my new favourite Christmas movie ♥️

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/01/25

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Paula S

Utterly awful. As a previous reviewer said, I wondered if I’d missed something early on, as the characters were just so utterly horrible to SJPs character. Inexplicable. Just a bunch of nasty people being nasty to each other. I turned off half way through, and from what I’ve read of the ending glad I’d did! Apparently SJP falls for a man who’s been sexually harassing her as brothers and sisters swap partners . Seriously?!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/25

Full Review

Patricia O

Worst movie I have seen so far. Honestly, the script seems to be a quick and zero effort result. Just lazy. Nothing makes sense and just throws every situation around.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/25

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Devin B

Great acting with good laughs and a heart warming message!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/25

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Angie W

Loved this Christmas movie , the acting is terrific, well written poignant but still uplifting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/27/25

Full Review

Audience Member

They try to make you connect with the family "dynamic" but it feels artificial, SJP is given this role that makes you dislike her, but there is no need for the role, her presence solely makes you feel uncomfortable. Finally not clear what is happening in the bar with the Wilson brother and SJP, neither at the inn with the sister. Didn’t enjoy a minute of it and they had a killing cast… waist of time

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/23/25

Full Review

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Thomas Bezucha

Director

Dermot Mulroney

Everett Stone

Sarah Jessica Parker

Meredith Morton

Diane Keaton

Sybil Stone

Luke Wilson

Ben Stone

Claire Danes

Julie Morton

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The Family Stone: Trailer 1

2:19

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Synopsis

Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) wants to bring his girlfriend, Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker), to meet his bohemian Connecticut family at Christmas. Straitlaced Meredith, feeling she needs backup, asks her sister Julie (Claire Danes) to come along. Hoping to win the approval of her boyfriend's parents Sybil (Diane Keaton) and Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) and the rest of the family, instead Meredith succeeds only in highlighting her uptight personality and making Everett doubt his intentions.

Director: Thomas Bezucha
Producer: Michael London
Screenwriter: Thomas Bezucha
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Michael London Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexual Content|Drug References)
Genre: Holiday, Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 16, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $60.1M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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