Instant Family

(7,084)IMDb 7.31h 58min2018X-RayPG-13

Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) must learn the ropes of instant parenthood when they bring in three foster children. Inspired by a true story, discover this must see family comedy from the creators of Daddy's Home.

Directors: Sean Anders

Starring: Mark Wahlberg Rose Byrne Isabela Moner

Genres: Comedy

Subtitles: English [CC]

Audio languages: EnglishEnglish [Audio Description]

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Supporting actors: Margo Martindale Julie Hagerty Octavia Spencer

Producers: Mark Wahlberg Steve Levinson Sean Anders John Morris Marc Evans

Studio: Paramount Pictures

MPAA rating: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)

Content advisory: Violencesexualityfoul languagedrug use

Purchase rights: Stream instantly Details

Format: Prime Video (streaming online video)

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Customer reviews

5 star		75%
4 star		14%
3 star		6%
2 star		2%
1 star		3%

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Clay

Good, but they always have to...

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2019

Verified Purchase

The movie is generally good, promoting adoption.

I'm not sure what benefit hollywood feels is given by repeatedly taking the Lord's name in vain. Why put this in the movie? Who would say 'gee, there just wasn't quite enough blaspheming the Lord in this movie. I shouldn't have watched it.'? That language added absolutely nothing to the movie. I can't think of anyone who would not go see it because you didn't use enough bad language. But I can think of a lot who will avoid it because you did.

Secondly, we see the lgbt activists and lobbyists have struck again in promoting their lifestyle on screen for all to see.
Trying to normalize the lifestyle by inundating us with it, hoping to numb us into acceptance and approval. That does not change God's view of it. He loves the homosexual, and commands all men everywhere to repent.

603 people found this helpful

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Faith

Disappointed with the language

Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2019

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Love the story, hate the language...it says it is a film for the whole family...I am so disappointed that they use a lot of foul language including the f bomb more than once. How is that a family film? Very disappointed.

412 people found this helpful

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Dan and Bonnie Schwartz

BEWARE Christians, don't watch this movie

Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2019

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I would have rated this movie 0 if I could. I saw the previews of this movie while at the Theatre watching a Christian movie. I know many Christian families that do foster care and adoption. I made the mistakes of just assuming it was a Christian movie, but boy was I wrong! This movie has cursing through out the movie. This movie has a much bigger agenda to push besides adoption. This is a very liberal, worldly movie that goes against all of God's teaching.

355 people found this helpful

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Favorite movie of the year!

Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2018

I can't remember the last time I laughed so much! We LOVED this movie. They took a heavy subject and made a movie with so much heart and passion and humor. The actors were amazing--not just Wahlberg, Octavia Spencer, and Rose Byrne, but the kids were fantastic too. We found ourselves rooting for the characters, even while cringing and groaning over their actions. If you need a laugh, a smile, or just to take your mind off something, watch this!!! We walked out of the theater happier than when we walked in. That's what I call good entertainment.

232 people found this helpful

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Gsims

Great movie!

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2019

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We are foster parents and this movie touched every base and emotion about what foster parents go through

176 people found this helpful

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Natalie

unnecessary foul language

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2019

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Unfortunately after renting this movie for $5 we had to turn it off in first quarter of the movie due to the foul language. Too bad because it looks like a good story line.

172 people found this helpful

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Instant Classic, and New Holiday Perennial

Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2018

The laughter and tears come in roughly equal measure in “Instant Family,” but rarely where you think they’ll be. While the picture eventually arrives more or less where you think it will, it rarely travels in the directions you expect. In the process, “Instant Family” becomes a special picture indeed, not only an audience-pleasing family comedy, but also likely an entertainment classic as well as an instant holiday perennial.

Pete and Ellen are a childless couple in their early forties. Partners in business and in marriage, in approximately that order, the couple purchase and renovate houses for sale to affluent families. Having put off starting a family because each always felt the other wasn’t ready, when the couple purchases and begins to rehabilitate a home containing five bedrooms across the street from a playground, they begin to consider the possibility of foster parenting.

With a wry notion that they can bring a disadvantaged older child into their home and pretend they started earlier, the couple begins an eight-week orientation class in foster parenting, among other like-minded couples and individuals with their own motivations. But when Ellen and Pete find themselves faced with the challenge of simultaneously hosting three young siblings with a tragic shared background, they quickly learn that parenting is not quite as simple as renovating homes.

Written by John Morris and Sean Anders, and based on the actual real-life experiences of writer and director Anders, “Instant Family” is one comedy that steps up to the plate and bats a grand slam home run in just about every possible way. Despite its often maudlin subject matter, this picture is a sharply observant, perceptive and heartwarming comedic masterpiece from its first frame until its last. Never aiming for cheap laughs, “Instant Family” instead mines affectionate humor from believable characters in credible situations, and in the process produces the kind of satisfied laughter that usually only can be found in real life.

Led with virtuoso, heartfelt performances by Rose Byrne and Mark Wahlberg as Ellen and Pete, there are no slackers or small performances in this perfectly-cast picture. Special standouts include the by-the-book Tig Notaro and plain-spoken Octavia Spencer as social workers who train the rookie foster parents and ease their transition into parenthood. Notaro and Spencer work together like old pros, and their scenes together are a highlight in a picture filled with memorable moments.

Likewise the wonderful Margo Martindale as Wahlberg’s gregarious and sometimes overbearing mother, Iliza Shlesinger as another prospective foster parent, and Javier Ronceros and Rosemary Dominguez as a veteran adoptive couple who both inspire and challenge Byrne and Wahlberg. Julie Hagerty and Michael O’Keefe as Byrne’s parents also figure prominently into what is likely the most side-splittingly funny Thanksgiving holiday family dinner ever captured on film.

But during a year filled with strong characterizations from young performers such as Isla Fisher in “Eighth Grade” and Amandla Stenberg in “The Hate U Give,” the real breakout star of “Instant Family” is 17-year-old Isabela Moner as Lizzy, the oldest of the trio of siblings who come to live with Pete and Ellen. Far from being just a comedic foil for the antics of the other performers, Moner builds a full-blooded characterization as a child who’s seen so much of the sad part of life that she’s unable to recognize the good parts.

Opening in 3258 theaters across North America, “Instant Family” is writer and director Anders’ third collaboration with Mark Wahlberg following 2015’s “Daddy’s Home” and its 2017 sequel. Originally scheduled for release on February 15, 2019, the picture was moved forward by three months to coincide with the holiday season. The picture’s gala Los Angeles premiere was cancelled due to the continuing wildfires in the region, and the film was instead screened in an evacuation center for victims of the fires.

It probably won’t win any major motion picture awards, but “Instant Family” is a movie not even a Grinch can dislike. And if you aren’t moved to tears by the picture’s denouement, consult a physician--you don’t have a heart.

The picture is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual material, adult language, and numerous references to substance abuse.

171 people found this helpful

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Rich Whitcomb

One Of The Best Feel Good Movie's Of The Year

Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2019

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I absolutely loved this movie and had to give it 5 stars! When I first saw the previews for it, I knew it was going to be good and then when I watched it last night, it was even better than expected. The previews didn't show all the good parts either like they usually do. The acting by everybody was excellent! This movie will make you laugh and pull on your heartstrings too. This is the kind of movie that makes a perfect dramedy in my opinion. I would like to say something about the movie, but I don't want to ruin anything and if you're interested in this movie, you most likely already know what it's about. I love feel good movie's like this and if you do too, hurry up and watch this whether you rent or buy! It's also based on a true story which makes the movie even more enjoyable.

98 people found this helpful

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Top international reviews

rbmusicman/and/movie-fan'

A SUPRISINGLY 'MOVING' STORY

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2019

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The film is billed as a comedy-drama/ family movie, however as an earlier reviewer points out there is fairly frequent use of strong language throughout, though it seems these days anything-goes, I would advise caution when it comes to younger viewers.
The story itself is quite an intensely moving story which tells of how married couple Pete Wagner (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) who were never seen as parental prospects by their relatives become interested in learning more about adopting a child who had perhaps never known a loving parental figure that they could rely upon.
When attending an event where prospective parents can view a number of children, Pete and Ellie happen across a group of teens who are seen by many as too old to consider, they are taken with one of them Lizzy (Isabela Moner) and ask the authorities about her, however it turns out that Lizzy has two younger siblings also in the system Jaun (Gustavo Escobar) and young Lita (Julianna Gamiz)
Well after some thought Pete and Ellie agree to take all three in to look after, well, each have issues because of their early experiences in life, with one or two unexpected complications emerging that will have to be faced.
Inexperienced parents Pete and Ellie often seem out of their depth, they have much to learn, the children, of course, have to learn to trust, perhaps for the first time in their lives.
Though there are many moments of humour along the way, it is, in essence, a very human and hugely watchable story
certainly, the film is most certainly worthy of a viewing.

13 people found this helpful

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David B

Films great. Amazon no longer is.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 12, 2019

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We really enjoyed the film as it’s funny and light hearted. Well worth a watch.
I pre ordered this film from Amazon and it never arrived. I had to contact them and ask where it was and was fobbed off with excuses. I ended up cancelling the dvd and buying from Tesco. This has had several times now. Most recently with the Liverpool season review DVD and now Jo Nesbit new book. I’m also waiting for a gift card my son sent me for my birthday at the beginning of this month. They are looking into that as well. We don’t live out in the middle of nowhere, so not sure why the bad service. Once I can understand and maybe twice but it’s nearly all the time now. We pay for Prime as well. Which is pretty much pointless now. Do we get a refund from that service as they fail to obligate it..... no chance. So yes the film is 5star rated. Amazon as a company now would barely get a two. From what I have heard from others I am not alone in the shoddy service now. Dare say they won’t print this, be good if they did.

6 people found this helpful

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mal

An inspiring film

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2019

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A realistic portrayal of fostering children which was funny and heartfelt. It pulls at your heart strings. This film was based on the director Sean Anders real experiences of fostering 3 children with his wife. Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne and the 3 kids did a great job portraying both sides of the family. An inspiring film.

One person found this helpful

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em411

Love this film

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2019

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I love this film, it takes you through all the emotions.
Overall it’s a feel good, funny, family film!
Highly recommended

2 people found this helpful

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Maz Madge

A thoroughly uplifting film

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 29, 2019

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My partner wasn't too sure he would like it but we settled down for the evening and thoroughly enjoyed . We certainly experienced a range of emotions and there were many similarities to raising our own children so YES, definitely worth watching.

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G Vaduva

bad movie

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 20, 2019

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A waste of time,

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Brilliant film

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2019

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Amazing film, laughed most the way through although does have some tear jerker moments.......most definitely worth a watch

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mel54

A fun family film

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2020

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My daughter saw this dvd and reccomended it to me. Not watched if yet.

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Hayley Geach

Fabulous film, need to put your sound up high.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2020

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It was a great film although we did have to put the volume on the TV very loud as it was very quiet. Not sure if others have noticed this!

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Micksu46

Instant family

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2019

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Great easy to watch film ,funny and serious,highly recommend

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alison house

Top 10 comedy

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 20, 2019

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Brilliant film laughed so much, great to see a different side to mark walburg

One person found this helpful

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M. A. Thomson

Nice little film

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2020

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Nice little funny film. Enjoyable and watchable funny

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rrpu

Good entertainment

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 9, 2019

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Great movie with some funny scenes. Also has an element of reality in it.

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dave

Good Film

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 24, 2019

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Good Film to watch especially when nothing on TV

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instant family dvd

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2020

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this is a good film fast delivery good price

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