Instant Family

Play trailer

2:27

Instant Family

PG-13

2018

1h 59m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

Feb 16, 2019

I was surprisingly taken by it.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Faye T

@ftbambi Aug 18, 2026

Beautiful movie, loved it, emotional funny meaningful.

See more

Samuel P

@TheFabulousWatcher Jul 15, 2026

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

See more

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!

See more

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.

See more

Jim W.

@weaverbooks May 10, 2026

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

See more

Evan I.

@WhyteTiger Mar 5, 2026

It's perfect. Funny and emotional

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Sean Anders

Director

Mark Wahlberg

Pete

Rose Byrne

Ellie

Octavia Spencer

Karen

Isabela Merced

Lizzy

Tig Notaro

Sharon

Instant Family: Official Clip - Nail Gun Emergency

2:12

Now Playing

Instant Family: Official Clip - She's Not Coming

2:09

Now Playing

Instant Family: Official Clip - Naked Selfies

2:13

Now Playing

Instant Family: Official Clip - Daddy for the First Time

1:16

Now Playing

Instant Family: Official Clip - Pervert Punishment

2:13

Now Playing

Instant Family: Official Clip - You Were What Was Missing

2:03

Now Playing

Instant Family: Official Clip - Cool Grandma

2:13

Now Playing

Instant Family: Official Clip - Christmas Dinner Hell

2:13

Now Playing

Instant Family: Official Clip - Smashing Therapy

2:11

Now Playing

Instant Family: Official Clip - Drug-Using Teenagers

2:02

Now Playing

View more videos

Tyler Perry's The Single Moms Club

19%

58%

Tyler Perry's The Single Moms Club

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Tyler Perry's The Single Moms Club

Ya veremos

0%

68%

Ya veremos

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Ya veremos

Summer Night

55%

22%

Summer Night

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Summer Night

The Upside

43%

81%

The Upside

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Upside

Please Stand By

58%

69%

Please Stand By

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Please Stand By

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

10 Breakout Stars of 2018

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Could Use a Bit More Magic

Instant Family: Trailer 1

2:27

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

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)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings