Instant Family
Paramount Pictures | Release Date: November 16, 2018 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
57
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews
Positive:
15
Mixed:
12
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
The Observer (UK)Simran HansFeb 21, 2019
The tone is weird, seesawing between broad comedy (Tig Notaro and Octavia Spencer as hardened adoption agency workers) and manipulative melodrama (I hate to admit it, but a standoff between Pete, Ellie and Lizzy moved me to tears). Read full review
60
The GuardianMike McCahillFeb 15, 2019
Instant Family retains the obvious appeal of watching basically nice people attempt a fundamentally decent thing for a few hours. The shamelessly optimistic finale may even leave you with something in your eye, dammit. Read full review
60
EmpireIan FreerFeb 13, 2019
For all its formula, Instant Family is a winning confection, unafraid to go to unexpected dramatic places and elevated by Byrne’s gift as a comedy foil and Moner’s lively but subtle turn. Read full review
60
Total FilmJamie GrahamFeb 5, 2019
It’s no Parenthood. It’s tonally messy. But Instant Family’s made with excellent intentions and chunks of it work. Read full review
58
IndieWireDavid EhrlichNov 14, 2018
Never as hackneyed as it is heartfelt, Instant Family takes the stuff of real life and turns it into a touching reminder of what love can do for the people who need it. Read full review
50
Arizona RepublicBarbara VanDenburghNov 16, 2018
The result is too well-meaning and sincere to truly dislike, but too frictionless and manufactured to do right by the complicated scenario. Read full review
50
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperNov 16, 2018
Instant Family has heart and good intentions. It’s a shame the journey is such a bumpy ride as it takes us all over the map. Read full review
50
New York Magazine (Vulture)Bilge EbiriNov 15, 2018
Instant Family is a surprisingly foul-mouthed, filled-to-bursting roller coaster of a comedy-melodrama that tosses you in eight different directions before leaving you a teary, conflicted mess. And when it works, it’s genuinely funny and moving. But when it doesn’t, hoo boy, it’s atrocious. Read full review
50
The New York TimesGlenn KennyNov 15, 2018
Instant Family isn’t a hellish movie, although it is very much a Hollywood one. Read full review
50
Film Journal InternationalStephen Whitty Nov 14, 2018
The switch between moods—obvious comedy and sermonizing message—comes often, and clumsily. Read full review
40
Time OutMichael GingoldNov 18, 2018
If Instant Family manages to land more emotional and amusing moments than it deserves to, that’s thanks in large part to two of the performances. Read full review
40
Rolling StoneTim GriersonNov 14, 2018
It’s a shame that Instant Family reduces the complexity, pain and joy of parenthood to a multiplex-palatable family comedy. The real story is probably far more interesting … and hopefully funnier. Read full review
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