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Instant Family

Name: Instant Family
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Family
Released: November 16, 2018
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Allyn Rachel, Britt Rentschler, Carson Holmes, Charlie McDermott, Eve Harlow

2018

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 90 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	Your Score
7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 90 Ratings

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Instant Family: Grandma Sandy

Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: November 16, 2018 | PG-13

Starring: Allyn Rachel, Britt Rentschler, Carson Holmes, Charlie McDermott, Eve Harlow, Gustavo Quiroz, Iliza Shlesinger, Isabela Moner, Julianna Gamiz, Julie Hagerty, Margo Martindale, Mark Wahlberg, Octavia Spencer, Rose Byrne, Tig Notaro, Tom Segura

Summary: When Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) 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 (Isabela Moner), they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete andWhen Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) 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 (Isabela Moner), they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must hilariously try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family. [Paramount Pictures]… Expand

Director: Sean Anders

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Family

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 118 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Critic Reviews

William Bibbiani

Nov 14, 2018

Instant Family is a decent, involving, endearing story, with funny performances and heartfelt, entirely earned dramatic crescendoes. Read full review

Chris Nashawaty

Nov 14, 2018

At its heart (and it’s a big corny heart, for sure), the film’s message is one of unconditional love and embracing family wherever you find it. It’s hard to argue with. Especially when it’s served up with such spiky laughter-through-tears sweetness. Read full review

Matthew Monagle

Nov 15, 2018

The challenge – the one this film proves incapable of overcoming – is how you marry a broad family comedy with the endless complexity of the adoption process. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Nov 14, 2018

In the roller coaster between serious and silly that Instant Family bounces along on, Byrne is the Fast-Pass holder, and she makes this uneven dramedy a hoot, and more importantly, makes it work. Read full review

Ian Freer

Feb 13, 2019

For all its formula, Instant Family is a winning confection, unafraid to go to unexpected dramatic places and elevated by Byrne’s gift as a comedy foil and Moner’s lively but subtle turn. Read full review

Barbara VanDenburgh

Nov 16, 2018

The result is too well-meaning and sincere to truly dislike, but too frictionless and manufactured to do right by the complicated scenario. Read full review

Consequence of Sound Michael Roffman

Nov 14, 2018

If you’re going to tackle serious subject matter, maybe don’t run it through tacky fluff that amounts to a fleeting sugar high. Sure, this movie will get all the right oohs and aahs, sighs and sobs — it certainly won over the freebie test audience at my screening, good god — but it won’t linger. Read full review

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User Reviews

manningn15

Nov 20, 2018

This movie was beautiful and hilarious at the same time. I got teary eyed and cried a few times in this movie. The writing, story, and screenplay were hilarious, beautiful, and sad. The entire cast performances were stupendous especially Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Moner, MargoThis movie was beautiful and hilarious at the same time. I got teary eyed and cried a few times in this movie. The writing, story, and screenplay were hilarious, beautiful, and sad. The entire cast performances were stupendous especially Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Moner, Margo Martindale, Tig Notaro, Octavia Spencer, Gustavo Quiroz, Julianna Gamiz, and Julie Hagerty. Instant Family is my 2nd favorite comedy movie ever, my 3rd favorite drama movie ever, one of my top 5 favorite movies of 2018, and one of my favorite movies of all time. A+.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

clarkaddison

Nov 29, 2018

This is such a strong movie. I will not say great movie, because it does have it`s flaws. Possibly the greatest adoption movie ever. It feels real, the emotions, the high and lows. But it`s message is strong and truly makes you think about your life. I love all the main cast. Mark and RoseThis is such a strong movie. I will not say great movie, because it does have it`s flaws. Possibly the greatest adoption movie ever. It feels real, the emotions, the high and lows. But it`s message is strong and truly makes you think about your life. I love all the main cast. Mark and Rose and especially the kids.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mark_Swan

Dec 11, 2018

Instant Family - 92% Funny, fast-paced, has some emotional moments, but overall terrific!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

JumpCut_Online

Feb 24, 2019

You can’t help but feel enamoured by its happy-go-lucky feel, reinforced more by Michael Andrews’ breezy, almost Ferris Bueller-esque composition; both airy and poppy. While the running time stretches out just a little too much and some jokes don’t feel as natural as others, Anders’ endlessYou can’t help but feel enamoured by its happy-go-lucky feel, reinforced more by Michael Andrews’ breezy, almost Ferris Bueller-esque composition; both airy and poppy. While the running time stretches out just a little too much and some jokes don’t feel as natural as others, Anders’ endless optimism takes over in a film that, honestly, not many really expected to be such a success. Any moment of gooey schmaltz by the end feels completely earned, triggering a flutter of the heart rather than a roll of the eyes – including a near sinful use of Starship.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Mar 4, 2019

Who would have said that Mark Whalberg would come to offer a more satisfactory film in the one story in which no one expected it?

Ironically his most recent entries in the action genre had been rather simplistic and in the drama field he had done nothing substantial in a couple of years. AsWho would have said that Mark Whalberg would come to offer a more satisfactory film in the one story in which no one expected it?

Ironically his most recent entries in the action genre had been rather simplistic and in the drama field he had done nothing substantial in a couple of years. As it turns out, this modest family flick was all he needed.

But unfortunately, it went unnoticed. Itbarely made twice it budget at the box office and yet I would choose it any day over films like Mile 22 or Daddy's Home 1 & 2.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

AceZachRocks2

Nov 21, 2018

Alright film about family and separation. You have seen this before trust me I knew everything before the movie started and I predicted it exactly. It sometimes is really funny and sweet, best performance from Rose Byrne, but it never goes to some amazing comedic and new place. Its the sameAlright film about family and separation. You have seen this before trust me I knew everything before the movie started and I predicted it exactly. It sometimes is really funny and sweet, best performance from Rose Byrne, but it never goes to some amazing comedic and new place. Its the same cliched fun family film that you parents can take your 15 year old's to if they are to old for Ralph breaks the internet. Which trust me see Ralph Breaks the internet instead. But this one is always there for a matinee. 6/10… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

omid-farshi

May 27, 2019

I can't imagine what more can be done to show that this is a propaganda movie. There is everything leftwing progressives need.
Moviewise one of the irritating parts was about quick cuts to just roll the movie like to show the necessary things and at the end to get you emotional.
To be fair,I can't imagine what more can be done to show that this is a propaganda movie. There is everything leftwing progressives need.
Moviewise one of the irritating parts was about quick cuts to just roll the movie like to show the necessary things and at the end to get you emotional.
To be fair, the movie does show some of the difficulties of adopting kids but if they made a little less perfect and rich families, it would be more realistic.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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