Instant Family (2018)
Kernel Score: 85% · 3,180 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Released: 2018-11-13
Runtime: 118 minutes
Is Instant Family worth watching?
Worth watching. A warm, funny family comedy about a couple who foster three kids, based loosely on the director's own life. It handles foster care with more honesty than most comedies, and the laughs and tears mostly land.
Watch it if you
- like family comedies with real emotion
- want a feel-good film about foster care
Skip it if you
- dislike sentimental, tidy endings
- want edgier comedy
Best for: Family movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Instant Family
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla
- Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
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.
Instant Family parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Instant Family is a PG-13 comedy-drama about a couple navigating foster care adoption with three siblings.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Some — Substance abuse is referenced as part of the foster children's backstory.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Instant Family
If you liked Instant Family, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Short Term 12 (2013) — 86%: Honest, touching drama about kids in foster care
- Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) — 86%: Funny, heartfelt story of a foster kid and an unlikely guardian
- Fatherhood (2021) — 86%: Warm comedy-drama about an unexpected parenting challenge
- The Specials (2019) — 86%: Moving true story about caring for vulnerable people
- Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009) — 88%: Gentle, tear-jerking story of loyalty and love
- Life Is Beautiful (1997) — 93%: Funny and moving story of a father's love
Director
Sean Anders
Cast
- Mark Wahlberg as Pete Wagner
- Rose Byrne as Ellie Wagner
- Allyn Rachel as Kim
- Isabela Merced as Elizabeth “Lizzy” Viara
- Julie Hagerty as Jan
- Tig Notaro as Sharon
- Octavia Spencer as Karen
- Gustavo Escobar as Juan Viara
- Margo Martindale as Sandy Wagner
- Julianna Gamiz as Lita Viara
Instant Family FAQ
Is Instant Family worth watching?
Worth watching. A warm, funny family comedy about a couple who foster three kids, based loosely on the director's own life. It handles foster care with more honesty than most comedies, and the laughs and tears mostly land.
Where can I watch Instant Family?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is Instant Family OK for kids?
Instant Family is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Instant Family is a PG-13 comedy-drama about a couple navigating foster care adoption with three siblings.
What movies are like Instant Family?
If you liked Instant Family, try Short Term 12, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Fatherhood and The Specials.