The recently released A24 film Everything Everywhere All at Once has been making waves among fans and critics alike, in large part due to its tear-jerking story that revolves around a messy family. Those who have seen the already critically-acclaimed film may be looking for more movies centered on dysfunctional households.
From Mirabel’s powerful but complicated family in Encanto to Miguel’s secretive and hurtful household in Coco, there’s no shortage of entertaining and poignant films that tell similar stories about complex familial relationships. These are must-see movies for viewers looking for relatable moments, important life lessons, and happy endings.
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
Everything Everywhere All At Once gives audiences its own version of the multiverse where the seemingly ordinary protagonist Evelyn Wang discovers she’s the only one who can save the world. In the process of learning how to use her powers, she sees versions of what could have been, further complicating her already unstable relationships with her incompetent husband, strict father, and angsty daughter.
The visually-stunning movie is as much about Evelyn’s attempts at fixing familial connections as it is about the incredible multiverse. In fact, the multiverse serves more as a tool to teach Evelyn and her daughter Joy important lessons about unconditional love and forgiveness.
Encanto (2021)
Available to stream on Disney+.
Disney’s Encanto is centered on the tale of the magical Madrigals who have been blessed with astonishing abilities that they use to help their community. It’s told from the perspective of the only person skipped by the blessing, Mirabel, who soon finds that she may be the only one who can stop an evil force from destroying everything they’ve built.
Animated movies like Encanto appeal to audiences of all ages, as younger viewers can appreciate the magical elements and adults will understand the emotional complexity behind its unforgettable story. As Mirabel learns more about herself and her place in the household, she goes on an important personal journey towards self-love and acceptance.
Knives Out (2019)
Available to rent on Apple TV.
The sudden and mysterious death of a wealthy family’s patriarch opens up a can of worms in Knives Out. Detective Benoit Blanc is determined to get to know the dysfunctional household’s members to figure out exactly what happened on the night after the victim’s 85th birthday. As his investigation progresses, it becomes clear that there’s more to the puzzling story than meets the eye.
The award-winning whodunnit takes the best aspects of the mystery genre to create a genuinely entertaining viewing experience from start to finish. The comical messiness within the family is integral to the plot, as their storied relationships with each other affect the way they react to and play a part in the detective’s work.
The Farewell (2019)
Available to rent on Apple TV.
The criminally underrated comedy-drama film The Farewell is centered on a Chinese-American family’s controversial decision to hide their grandmother’s terminal diagnosis from her. A younger family member, Billi Wang, has a hard time accepting their plan to stage a wedding so that they can all gather one last time to see her.
The poignant movie may be humorous, but it delivers hard-hitting lessons about honesty and communication within families. Its cultural references and setting play an important role in how its unique story plays out, as there’s a clear clash between tradition and modernity that influences the central conflict its protagonist experiences.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Available to stream on Hulu.
The classic comedic masterpiece Little Miss Sunshine arguably gave audiences the most dysfunctional but hilarious movie family from the early 2000s. The messy household is made up of the overworked mother Sheryl Hoover, her unemployed brother Frank, unsuccessful motivational speaker and husband Richard, angsty teenager Dwayne, grumpy ex-husband Edwin, and young daughter Olive.
They all experience some much-needed heartwarming character growth in the movie when they go on a road trip in their now-iconic yellow Volkswagen. The journey becomes less about the goal of getting Olive to a beauty pageant and more about forming stronger relationships as they bond with each other.
Turning Red (2022)
Available to stream on Disney+.
Disney’s Turning Red took the world by storm when it was released earlier this year, mostly thanks to the charming 13-year-old Mei Lee’s bizarre predicament: she turns into a red panda whenever she’s embarrassed. This results in some humiliating situations in school, while also causing friction in her already complicated relationship with her mother.
The saddest quotes in Turning Red almost always reflect the protagonist’s conflict with her strict mother Ming, who’s unintentionally repeating the same mistakes that Grandma Wu made while raising her. It’s up to Mei and Ming to find a way to break the unhealthy cycle and figure out what they should do about the red panda in the room.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Available to rent on Apple TV.
Although the Tenenbaum children were once unmatchable prodigies in their own fields in The Royal Tenenbaums, they’ve grown up knowing more failures than successes. A sudden family reunion unearths decades of resentment, with their eccentric father’s alleged terminal illness forcing the household to confront old grudges.
With its distinctive style and odd characters, the critically-acclaimed film is a memorable one. The difficult relationships the characters have to deal with are mostly comical, but also emotionally complex connections that grow and change in satisfying ways over the course of the movie.
The Mitchells Vs. The Machines (2021)
Available to stream on Netflix.
Just when teenager Katie Mitchell thinks she can finally escape her dysfunctional family in The Mitchells vs. The Machines, their awkward road trip is interrupted by the robot uprising. They have to work together to defeat Roombas, evil Furbys, and more when they realize they’re the last line of defense against the intelligent machines.
Viewers who can relate to the creative outsider, Katie, will definitely appreciate the way she manages to connect with her overbearing parents and eccentric brother. Their family’s relationship is key to saving the world, which is a task that places unimaginable pressure that changes their lives and perspectives forever.
Lady Bird (2017)
Available to stream on Netflix.
The comedy-drama Lady Bird follows the eponymous high school student’s experiences in the sleepy town of Sacramento, California. She’s sick of her annoying mother and is desperate to move away to better and bigger things in New York, but she soon finds that growing up too fast isn’t the answer to her problems.
Often cited alongside some of the best coming-of-age movies ever made, the film’s poignant portrayal of the confusion and pain that comes with young adulthood will look familiar to its target audience. Fans can’t be blamed for shedding a tear or two as the well-written protagonist learns some hard lessons about her life and chaotic relationship with her loving mother.
Coco (2017)
Available to stream on Disney+.
Coco’s lovable young protagonist, 12-year-old Miguel, has big dreams of becoming a successful musician like the legendary Ernesto de la Cruz. His family’s bizarre ban on music makes this challenging, but everything changes after he ends up in the Land of the Dead where he discovers a shocking family secret.
Since it’s told from the perspective of the innocent and naive Miguel, viewers will likely find themselves feeling sympathetic towards him. He’s caught up in the effects of his family’s storied past, which is not as idyllic as they make it appear. There are some truly heartfelt scenes in the popular Disney movie, which is worth checking out for Pixar fans who may have missed it.