Instant Family

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2:27

Instant Family

PG-13

2018

1h 59m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

155 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

When Pete and Ellie decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child, but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15-year-old girl, they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hope of becoming a family.

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Critics Consensus

Instant Family may not quite capture the complexity of real-life adoption, but fittingly for the unconditional bond it honors, this flawed yet well-intentioned dramedy is ultimately worth the investment.

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Feb 22, 2020

It's embarrassing to watch Tig Notaro, Octavia Spencer, Julie Hagerty, and Joan Cusack struggle to find footing in this abyss.

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Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

Feb 17, 2019

3/5

Anders and his wife are parents to three adopted children, and there's a sense of verisimilitude and attention to detail regarding both the joys and the travails of foster care.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

Feb 16, 2019

I was surprisingly taken by it.

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Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

Jul 14, 2024

3/5

The right amount of heart is definitely in the screenplay, and the characters are fleshed out well enough that we find ourselves laughing at the funny moments and empathising with the dramatic moments.

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Charlotte Harrison

Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies

Sep 19, 2022

A real surprise when it came out, a film as full of laughs as it is heart.

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M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

Aug 17, 2022

3.5

Instant Family is a heartfelt mainstream comedy without the gross-out gags, yet is still funny and surprisingly moving.

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Faye T

@ftbambi Aug 18, 2026

Beautiful movie, loved it, emotional funny meaningful.

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Samuel P

@TheFabulousWatcher Jul 15, 2026

Heart warming and humorous with excellent acting and writing—very entertaining

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Darryl R

@Equanimity1961 Jun 29, 2026

As someone who lived in, and then eventually administered foster care programs….No it isn’t exactly realistic with everything. However, I still found the movie to be most heartwarming and very well intentioned. I give great kudos to everyone involved in its production! There is a a dire need for more foster parents. If this film can inspire anyone looking to seek training to become one then it was well worth the effort!

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Adaeze E

@Adaeze May 15, 2026

Watching Instant Family was such an emotional experience for me. The movie made me cry, laugh, and smile all at once. As a social worker, I could deeply relate to the emotional trauma and behavioural struggles the children were going through, and it really highlighted how much patience, love, and understanding foster children need. It also gave me even more respect for foster carers who open their homes and hearts to vulnerable children despite the challenges. The movie was heartfelt, funny, and very realistic in showing both the difficulties and the beauty of building a family through fostering.

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Jim W.

@weaverbooks May 10, 2026

If you pan this movie, you don’t have a heart.

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Evan I.

@WhyteTiger Mar 5, 2026

It's perfect. Funny and emotional

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Sean Anders

Director

Mark Wahlberg

Pete

Rose Byrne

Ellie

Octavia Spencer

Karen

Isabela Merced

Lizzy

Tig Notaro

Sharon

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Synopsis

When Pete and Ellie decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child, but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15-year-old girl, they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hope of becoming a family.

Director: Sean Anders
Producer: Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, Sean Anders, John Morris, Marc D. Evans
Screenwriter: Sean Anders, John Morris
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Closest to the Hole
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Material|Language|Some Drug References|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 16, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 19, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $67.3M
Runtime: 1h 59m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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