Best Movies About Family

From Tim Burton, starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange
Rated PG-13

Big Fish is a 2003 fantasy drama directed by Tim Burton starring Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney. The film follows the story of Edward Bloom (Finney), a man whose exaggerated stories have kept him at a distance from his son, Will (McGregor). When Edward is diagnosed with a fatal illness, Will sets out to find the truth behind his father's tales and learn more about the man he never really knew. Along the way, Will discovers the magical stories of Edward's life and the power of imagination, learning that it's the simple moments that make life extraordinary. Ultimately, Will and Edward reconcile, and Will discovers the magic of life and storytelling.

From Woody Allen, starring Mia Farrow, Dianne Wiest, Michael Caine, Barbara Hershey
Rated PG-13

Hannah and Her Sisters is a 1986 romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Woody Allen. The film follows the lives of three sisters—Hannah (Mia Farrow), Lee (Barbara Hershey), and Holly (Dianne Wiest)—over the course of a year, from Thanksgiving to Thanksgiving. The sisters are dealing with various issues in their lives; Hannah is married to Elliot (Michael Caine), Lee is having an affair with Elliot, and Holly is trying to make it as an actress. Meanwhile, Hannah's ex-husband Mickey (Woody Allen) is trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life. The movie follows how the sisters navigate their relationships and their lives amidst the chaos. As their year progresses, each of them learns lessons about love, family, and life, while finding that they can rely on each other for support.

From Robert Redford, starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton
Rated R

Ordinary People is a 1980 drama film directed by Robert Redford and starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Timothy Hutton, and Judd Hirsch. The film follows the Jarrett family, a middle-class family in suburban Chicago, who are struggling to cope with the aftermath of a tragic accident that took the life of the older son, Buck. The youngest son, Conrad (Hutton), is deeply affected by the tragedy and is gradually becoming more and more withdrawn and depressed. At the same time, his parents (Sutherland and Moore) are trying to cope with their own personal issues and are unable to connect with Conrad. In the end, Conrad is able to come to terms with his emotions and begins to heal, while his parents also come to terms with their own issues.

From Lasse Hallström, starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen
Rated PG-13

What's Eating Gilbert Grape is a 1993 drama directed by Lasse Hallström and starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Juliette Lewis. The film follows Gilbert Grape (Depp), a small-town grocery clerk struggling with the responsibility of caring for his obese mother (Darlene Cates), his emotionally unstable younger brother Arnie (DiCaprio), and his two younger sisters. As Gilbert's frustrations with his home life and town come to a head, he embarks on an unlikely relationship with a free-spirited traveler named Becky (Lewis). Through their relationship, Gilbert learns to accept responsibility and face his fears, ultimately finding the courage to move on with his life and make a lasting change.

From Wes Anderson, starring Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller
Rated R

The Royal Tenenbaums is a 2001 American comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson. The film centers on the lives of a dysfunctional, once-prominent New York family. Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) and his wife Etheline (Anjelica Huston) had three children—Chas (Ben Stiller), Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), and Richie (Luke Wilson)—each of whom developed a unique talent at an early age. When the family reunites after a long estrangement, they must come to terms with the past and present of their collective idiosyncrasies. Their estranged father Royal returns to the family after 20 years away, with his adopted son Ari (Jonathan Hyde). Royal attempts to rekindle his relationship with them by buying them expensive gifts, but his unorthodox behavior soon leads to conflict with his family. The film also stars Danny Glover, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and Seymour Cassel.

From Woody Allen, starring Mia Farrow, Dianne Wiest, Mike Starr, Paul Herman
Rated PG

From Noah Baumbach, starring Owen Kline, Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg
Rated R

From Robert Redford, starring Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, Brenda Blethyn
Rated PG

From Sam Mendes, starring John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Allison Janney, Carmen Ejogo
Rated R

From Lisa Cholodenko, starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska
Rated R

From Jay Roach, starring Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner
Rated PG-13

From Ron Howard, starring Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest, Jason Robards
Rated PG-13

From Lasse Hallström, starring Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Josh Lucas
Rated PG-13

From Derick Martini, starring Rory Culkin, Alec Baldwin, Jill Hennessy, Emma Roberts
Rated R

From Peter Hedges, starring Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Alison Pill
Rated PG-13

From Christine Jeffs, starring Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Jason Spevack
Rated R

From Mike Binder, starring Joan Allen, Kevin Costner, Erika Christensen, Evan Rachel Wood
Rated R

From Jonathan Demme, starring Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Debra Winger, Sebastian Stan
Rated R

From Michael Clancy, starring Ray Romano, Jesse Bradford, Hank Azaria, Rip Torn
Rated R

From Charles Shyer, starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Martin Short, Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Rated PG

From Jodie Foster, starring Holly Hunter, Anne Bancroft, Robert Downey Jr., Charles Durning
Rated PG-13

From Thomas Bezucha, starring Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes, Diane Keaton
Rated PG-13

From Andy Tennant, starring Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Dempsey, Josh Lucas, Candice Bergen
Rated PG-13