Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily Entertainment GuideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Instant Family

  • 2018
  • PG-13
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
128K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
538
448
Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Gustavo Escobar, Isabela Merced, and Julianna Gamiz in Instant Family (2018)
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 and Ellie must try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family.
Play trailer1:00
36 Videos
99+ Photos
Coming-of-AgeComedyDrama

A couple find themselves in over their heads when they foster three children.A couple find themselves in over their heads when they foster three children.A couple find themselves in over their heads when they foster three children.

  • Director
    • Sean Anders
  • Writers
    • Sean Anders
    • John Morris
  • Stars
    • Mark Wahlberg
    • Rose Byrne
    • Isabela Merced
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    128K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    538
    448
    • Director
      • Sean Anders
    • Writers
      • Sean Anders
      • John Morris
    • Stars
      • Mark Wahlberg
      • Rose Byrne
      • Isabela Merced
    • 741User reviews
    • 164Critic reviews
    • 57Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos36

    Now Playing
    Trailer 1:00
    Now Playing
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:28
    Trailer #1
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:28
    Trailer #1
    Instant Family: Potato Chip Fight
    Clip 1:04
    Instant Family: Potato Chip Fight
    Instant Family: Three Kids (Extended)
    Clip 1:04
    Instant Family: Three Kids (Extended)
    Instant Family: Leather Interior
    Clip 0:51
    Instant Family: Leather Interior
    Instant Family: Break Things
    Clip 0:54
    Instant Family: Break Things

    Photos112

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 105
    View Poster

    Top cast89

    Edit
    Mark Wahlberg
    Mark Wahlberg
    • Pete
    Rose Byrne
    Rose Byrne
    • Ellie
    Isabela Merced
    Isabela Merced
    • Lizzy
    • (as Isabela Moner)
    Gustavo Escobar
    Gustavo Escobar
    • Juan
    • (as Gustavo Quiroz)
    Julianna Gamiz
    Julianna Gamiz
    • Lita
    Octavia Spencer
    Octavia Spencer
    • Karen
    Tig Notaro
    Tig Notaro
    • Sharon
    Tom Segura
    Tom Segura
    • Russ
    Allyn Rachel
    Allyn Rachel
    • Kim
    Britt Rentschler
    Britt Rentschler
    • Linda
    • (as Brittney Rentschler)
    Jody Thompson
    Jody Thompson
    • Jim
    Margo Martindale
    Margo Martindale
    • Grandma Sandy
    Julie Hagerty
    Julie Hagerty
    • Jan
    Michael O'Keefe
    Michael O'Keefe
    • Jerry
    Joan Cusack
    Joan Cusack
    • Mrs. Howard
    Gary Weeks
    Gary Weeks
    • Dirk
    • (as Edson Gary Weeks)
    Joy Jacobson
    Joy Jacobson
    • Dana
    Andrea Anders
    Andrea Anders
    • Jessie
    • Director
      • Sean Anders
    • Writers
      • Sean Anders
      • John Morris
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews741

    7.3127.5K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    9madisonlboehm

    Really funny, feel good, genuinely great movie

    Instant Family is an instant hit. It was so fun to watch. I found myself actually laughing out loud during the course of the movie. Usually, I don't like movies where everything ends up okay but I liked this one. As a child who's experienced adoption and family court, I felt like this movie, albeit a little dramatic, saw how it felt to be a part of the system. A great movie!
    7muchiemix

    Left me welling with emotions.

    One of those simple, low-budget, well-written, well-acted movies which most of us can relate to, one way or another. Who doesn't have a few crazy relatives? Hahaha.
    10amyvsings

    Incredibly accurate

    I grew up in the foster care system and lived in 7 different homes. This film was refreshingly accurate in terms of what it is like in the system and the adjustment periods when moving to a new family. The teenage daughter's rebellion, the honeymoon period, the awkward reactions from the other relatives, all of it is the real deal. I cried my eyes out throughout this film because it brought a flood of memories rushing back to me. I finally have a film that I can show someone when I want them to understand what it was like for me as a foster child. I loved it so much. If you want some insight into how the foster care system works, or you're just looking for a heartwarming film about family, this film is a MUST WATCH.
    7sweidman-28016

    Enjoyable Happy Feel-Good Movie

    Instant Family Review:

    Instant Family is comedy based on the true story of a married couple, Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne), who decide to foster three kids and they must face the challenges that come with it. This was a very enjoyable happy, feel-good movie. The story was very interesting, yet predictable, that made you feel for the people. Both Mark and Rose did a good job. Isabella Moner as Liszt, the oldest child, was probably the best part of the film. She brought so much to the table and gave it all she had. She was also in the recent summer movie sequel Sicario: Day of the Saldado and she did well in that too. The other two kids, Gustavo Quiroz (Juan) and Julianna Gamiz (Lita), we're very good child actors. Octavia Spencer was hilarious and amazing as always. This movie had some great humor. It could also be serious and knew how to switch tones well. It was a little bit long, just about two hours, and I felt that some scenes could've been cut out. Also we didn't know much of a background for Pete and Ellie so I didn't feel as strong as a connection for them as I wanted to. Another thing is the trailer kind of showed the whole movie with some stuff taken out, which I've seen a lot of trailers doing that lately (Welcome to Marwen). This is a very enjoyable film and I think people will like it. It probably won't make as much money with Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald coming out and many more, but I would recommend it.

    My Grade: B+
    8orliesgirl_28

    A blessing in the skies

    What a great film! This movie is so funny and has such a good story. Great cast. Loved that Russ guy. So funny. His wardrobe was on point. His jeans were High and tight. Try it out! Makes you want to be home here now!

    More like this

    Daddy's Home 2
    6.0
    Daddy's Home 2
    Turtles All the Way Down
    6.6
    Turtles All the Way Down
    The Family Plan
    6.3
    The Family Plan
    Sweet Girl
    5.5
    Sweet Girl
    Let It Snow
    5.9
    Let It Snow
    Transformers: The Last Knight
    5.2
    Transformers: The Last Knight
    Instant Family
    6.0
    Instant Family
    Spenser Confidential
    6.2
    Spenser Confidential
    Father of the Bride
    5.9
    Father of the Bride
    Rosaline
    6.5
    Rosaline
    The Edge of Seventeen
    7.3
    The Edge of Seventeen
    Just Go with It
    6.4
    Just Go with It

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      While drawing pictures of their dream children, October draws a football player with the number 74, which was Michael Oher's jersey number in the film The Blind Side (2009). The film is a recurring joke about her character, who tries to emulate Leigh Anne Tuohy.
    • Goofs
      When Pete and Lizzy wreck a kitchen, the glass pane of the top right cupboard door alternates between being broken and intact many times.
    • Quotes

      Grandma Sandy: You get reminded what a sack of shit you are five times a day, after a while, you can't believe *anyone* could ever love you.

    • Crazy credits
      Photos of real-life foster families are seen throughout the end credits, interspersed with footage of Isabela Moner performing the end-credits song "Stay With You."
    • Alternate versions
      For the film's Australian release, the distributor chose to remove a single use of strong language in order to obtain a PG classification. This edited version of the film was later used for its DVD/Video release. An uncut M classification was available.
    • Connections
      Featured in Good Morning Britain: Thursday 14th February 2019 (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Insane in the Brain
      Written by Jerry Corbitt, B-Real (as Louis Freeze), DJ Muggs (as Larry Muggerud) & Sen D.O.G. (as Senen Reyes)

      Performed by Cypress Hill

      Courtesy of Columbia Records

      By arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ19

    • How long is Instant Family?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 16, 2018 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Site
      • Paramount Pictures (United States)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Familia al instante
    • Filming locations
      • Atlanta, Georgia, USA
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Closest to the Hole Productions
      • Leverage Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $48,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $67,363,237
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $14,504,315
      • Nov 18, 2018
    • Gross worldwide
      • $120,989,830
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.