10 Best Movies Like Instant Family

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Movies such as “Instant Family” skillfully intertwine humor with emotional depth, often recounting tales that mirror the joys and challenges of parenthood, along with complex family dynamics. The primary characters in “Instant Family” are portrayed by Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, who depict a duo eager to establish a family, eventually considering foster care as an option. This decision leads them to welcome not only the rebellious teenager Lizzy (Isabela Merced from “The Last of Us”) but also her younger siblings, Juan (Gustavo Escobar) and Lita (Julianna Gamiz).

The film offers a blend of hearty laughter, as characters Pete and Ellie navigate a significant life shift, alongside a tender and poignant tale about a freshly formed family bonding. With Instant Family gaining popularity on streaming platforms, it’s clear that many viewers are seeking comparable films. Fortunately, there is an abundance of movies in the genre that strike a balance between evoking emotions related to parenthood and family life, while still delivering plenty of humor.

10. Kramer Vs. Kramer (1979)

Directed By Robert Benton

In the film titled “Kramer vs. Kramer,” people may not typically categorize it as a comedy, but there are indeed some heavy scenes intermingled with humor that make it feel genuine and authentic. The story revolves around Dustin Hoffman’s character, Ted Kramer, who is deeply engrossed in his career and family life. His wife, Joanna (played by Meryl Streep), unexpectedly abandons him, leaving Ted to assume the primary caregiver role for their young son, Billy, for the first time ever.

The movie we’re discussing differs from “Instant Family” in an intriguing manner, since it focuses on a parent who was previously absent in his child’s life, now facing the challenge of full responsibility. In contrast, Ellie and Pete are grappling with kids they have just met, while Ted’s son is practically a stranger to him in various aspects. Interestingly, Kramer vs. Kramer tackles a similar theme, with a mother battling for custody of her child, eventually admitting that she may not be ready for the role yet.

9. Delivery Man (2013)

Directed By Ken Scott

In many films such as “Instant Family,” you’ll encounter parents who take on responsibilities they weren’t expecting, while others, like in “Delivery Man,” find themselves unexpectedly parenting due to unplanned circumstances. Vince Vaughn plays David, a man without direction in midlife, who learns that a sperm bank he donated to years ago made a mistake, making him the father of over 500 children.

The film’s plot is a blend of humor and emotion, with Vaughn’s quick-witted performance and Chris Pratt adding side-splitting humor. Yet, it also possesses an endearing quality as the protagonist, David, embarks on finding the children he fathered and assisting them in various minor ways. These journeys highlight the movie’s unique combination of comedy and drama, as some of these relationships are quirky, while others evoke unexpected emotions.

8. Just Go With It (2011)

Directed By Dennis Dugan

The initial film featuring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston as a duo offers an amusing and endearing romantic comedy experience. Titled “Just Go With It“, this movie casts Sandler in the role of a plastic surgeon who fabricates a marital history, leading to complications when he encounters his ideal woman. To maintain this false narrative, he enlists his trustworthy assistant, Katherine (Aniston), to impersonate his impending divorcee, with her children also being drawn into the deception.

Although the plot may seem complex, it results in an entertaining, chaotic comedy where Sandler skillfully portrays a pretender to family life. Inevitably, he starts to cultivate genuine emotions for Katherine, and finds value in fatherhood too. Compared to Instant Family, it might not be as heartwarming, but the connection between Sandler and Aniston makes it stand out.

7. Blockers (2018)

Directed By Kay Cannon

The film “Instant Family” skillfully combines its emotional core with occasional mature humor. On the other hand, “Blockers” takes this balance to another level with its R-rated content while maintaining a touch of sweetness throughout the narrative. In “Blockers“, John Cena, Leslie Mann, and Ike Barinholtz play the roles of anxious parents who learn that their daughters intend to lose their virginity at the prom and decide to prevent this from happening.

The humor in this teen comedy comes from portraying the story through the parents’ point of view, resulting in side-splitting performances by the three leads. While their overly protective natures are comical, they also reflect the challenges faced by parents, similar to those depicted in Instant Family. For instance, Cena frets about losing his baby girl, Mann mourns her estrangement with her daughter, and Barinholtz strives to prove his worth as a father. As such, it offers a relatable take on the complexities of parenthood wrapped in laughter.

6. The Mitchells Vs. The Machines (2021)

Directed By Mike Rianda & Jeff Rowe

One standout feature of “Instant Family” is the heartfelt portrayal of Ellie and Pete navigating their relationship with the teenage character Lizzy. Similarly, “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” explores a relatable family dynamic in the midst of an exciting animated escapade. This film chronicles the journey of the Mitchell family as they embark on a road trip to drop their eldest child, Katie, off at college. Amidst this significant family milestone, they must also battle for survival during a robot uprising.

Katie doesn’t resemble the rebellious or emotionally damaged teenager character Lizzy portrays in “Instant Family.” Instead, the animated comedy effectively explores the challenges when a parent and child lose touch with each other. The dynamic between Katie and her father is both comically incongruous due to their lack of shared interests and touching as they strive to rekindle their bond.

5. Chef (2014)

Directed By Jon Favreau

Amidst the peak of his blockbuster career in filmmaking, director Jon Favreau went back to his humble beginnings by creating this delightful, amusing, and heartfelt comedy. In the movie Chef, Favreau plays Carl, a renowned chef at an upscale restaurant who gets fired after a dramatic outburst in public. Yearning to rekindle his passion for cooking, he decides to purchase a food truck and embarks on a cross-country journey with his son Percy (Emjay Anthony).

Similar to the film “Kramer vs. Kramer,” Chef portrays a parent who, engrossed in their work, finds themselves with an unexpected chance to rekindle their relationship with a child they’ve neglected. However, it shares more of a likeness with “Instant Family” in terms of tone, as Favreau skillfully maintains a light-hearted atmosphere while incorporating heartfelt scenes where the father learns to connect with his son through shared interests and mutual passions.

4. Daddy’s Home (2015)

Directed By Sean Anders

Before taking on the cast of “Instant Family,” Mark Wahlberg previously shone in another laugh-out-loud movie about unconventional family structures titled “Daddy’s Home.” In this film, Will Ferrell portrays Brad, an easygoing fellow who yearns to win over his new stepchildren. Unfortunately for him, the task proves tricky when their free-spirited dad, Dusty (played by Wahlberg), makes a comeback and vows to be a true parent in their lives once more.

In this particular scenario, Ferrell plays the role of a parent who isn’t biologically related, contending with the biological parent for the children’s affection. This situation echoes Ellie and Pete in “Instant Family,” when Lizzy’s mother re-enters the picture. Additionally, Wahlberg’s character’s parenting struggles in “Daddy’s Home” offer an intriguing perspective, given his personal doubts about being a capable parent. Notably, as seen in “The Other Guys,” Ferrell and Wahlberg make for an amusing comedic duo in this context as well.

3. Life As We Know It (2010)

Directed By Greg Berlanti

In “Instant Family,” Ellie and Pete find themselves unexpectedly thrust into parenthood, but they can rely on their solid relationship for support. Conversely, in “Life As We Know It,” Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel portray Holly and Eric, two individuals with contrasting personalities who are unexpectedly tasked with joint parenting when their deceased friends appoint them as the guardians of their infant daughter; however, they lack a strong central relationship to lean on.

As I sat down to watch “Instant Family,” I found myself drawn into a tale that mirrors my own experience. Just like the characters, I too have been unexpectedly plunged into a life-altering situation, filled with moments of laughter and heartache.

Holly’s meticulous nature and Eric’s youthful exuberance create a fascinating dynamic as they navigate the challenges of parenthood together. Their differing approaches to raising their new family member provide plenty of comedic relief, but also highlight the hurdles they must overcome to become effective partners.

Yet, amidst the struggles, there is an undeniable sweetness in the way they rise to the occasion and form a bond that transcends expectations. This movie serves as a testament to the power of love, patience, and understanding in creating a family, no matter how unconventional the journey may be.

2. CODA (2021)

Directed By Sian Heder

Among the recent films that manage to evoke tears from audiences while still being heartwarming crowd-pleasers, the movie “CODA” stands out as one of the finest examples of striking this delicate balance. The inspiring narrative of “CODA” revolves around Ruby, a high school student (played by Emilia Jones), who is surrounded by deaf family members, including her parents and older brother. As she navigates her life assisting her troubled family, Ruby also nurtures her budding talent for singing.

CODA is another film that explores the sometimes disconnected feelings between biological and foster families, much like Instant Family. Similarly to Instant Family, it delves into the challenges faced by parents and children who don’t always see things the same way. Ruby’s biological parents, despite their love for her, struggle to understand and share her passion for music. This leads to some poignant emotional scenes, but also offers plenty of humor through the family’s blunt interactions.

1. Big Daddy (1999)

Directed By Dennis Dugan

If you’re seeking a film similar to “Instant Family,” then “Big Daddy” could be your top pick! In this movie, Adam Sandler plays Sonny Koufax, a grown-up with an immature streak who decides to show the world he can be responsible by looking after a 7-year-old orphan named Julian, played by Dylan and Cole Sprouse. The film offers plenty of laughs from its comedic star, but also foreshadows the more dramatic roles Sandler would tackle later in his career.

Both “Big Daddy” and “Instant Family” have a similar narrative structure, with their protagonists unexpectedly taking on guardianship roles. They display an innate aptitude for caregiving but quickly encounter the tough realities of parenthood. Over time, they come to deeply value these new relationships, realizing that parenting is more challenging than they initially thought. Despite Pete and Ellie being more mature characters compared to Sonny, both films generate plenty of humor as their characters learn that raising children isn’t always a walk in the park.

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2025-05-23 03:39