Movies About Family Reunions

From Brian De Palma, starring Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Rated R

Scarface is a 1983 American crime epic film directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone. The film stars Al Pacino as Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who arrives in 1980s Miami with nothing and rises to become a powerful drug lord. The story follows his rise to power, his violent and tragic downfall, and his ultimately tragic death. Along the way, Tony faces off against a variety of corrupt figures and powerful Cuban drug lords, including his former friend, Manny Ribera (Steven Bauer) and drug kingpin Alejandro Sosa (Paul Shenar). As Tony gains power, he also gains enemies, including enemies within his own organization. Through his rise and fall, Tony is able to gain control of much of the cocaine trade in Miami, but his ambition and recklessness ultimately lead to his downfall.

From Steve McQueen, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt
Rated R

12 Years a Slave is a 2013 biographical period drama film directed by British director Steve McQueen. The film is based on the 1853 autobiographical novel of the same name by Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. The film follows Northup's journey over the course of 12 years, as he endures physical and psychological abuse while attempting to fight for his freedom and reunite with his family. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong'o, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Alfre Woodard, and Fassbender's X-Men: First Class co-star, Michael K. Williams. The film was a critical and commercial success, and won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for Nyong'o, and Best Adapted Screenplay for John Ridley.

From William Wyler, starring Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet
Rated G

Ben-Hur is a 1959 epic drama film directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston as the titular character. The film tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a rich Jewish prince and merchant in Jerusalem who is betrayed by his childhood friend Messala and is falsely accused of treason. He is then sent into slavery aboard a galley, but eventually escapes and reunites with his family. He seeks revenge on Messala, and ultimately finds redemption and reconciliation. Along the way, he encounters Jesus Christ and is inspired by his teachings. The film was the most expensive ever made up to that point and went on to become the second highest-grossing film of all time after Gone with the Wind. It won a record 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Heston.

From Thomas Vinterberg, starring Ulrich Thomsen, Henning Moritzen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Paprika Steen
Rated R

The Celebration is a 1998 Danish family drama film directed by Thomas Vinterberg. It tells the story of a family gathering to celebrate their patriarch's 60th birthday. As the celebration progresses, long-held family secrets and lies come to the surface, resulting in a series of confrontations and revelations. It stars Ulrich Thomsen, Henning Moritzen, Thomas Bo Larsen, and Paprika Steen. The film explores themes of trust, lies, and familial bonds, as members of the family struggle to accept the truth and confront the consequences of their past actions. The Celebration was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, among other awards.

From Ingmar Bergman, starring Bertil Guve, Pernilla Allwin, Kristina Adolphson, Börje Ahlstedt
Rated R

Fanny and Alexander is a multi-award winning drama directed by legendary Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. It tells the story of two siblings, 10-year-old Alexander and his elder sister Fanny, whose comfortable life in a large, cultured Swedish home is abruptly changed when their father dies and their mother remarries a strict bishop. As their new step-father tightens his grip on their household, the children are plunged into a harsh and oppressive environment. Fanny and Alexander must rely on their imaginations and courage to confront their new lives and ultimately find freedom. The film is an exploration of childhood and family life, with themes of faith, death, and the power of love.

From Garth Davis, starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara, Sunny Pawar
Rated PG-13

Lion is a 2016 biographical drama directed by Garth Davis and starring Dev Patel, Rooney Mara, and Nicole Kidman. The film tells the true story of Saroo Brierley, a five-year-old Indian boy who, after being separated from his family, is adopted by an Australian couple. Twenty-five years later, Saroo sets out on a journey to find his lost family. Along the way, he experiences the harsh realities of poverty and discrimination, but also discovers the true meaning of home. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Nicole Kidman.

From John Ford, starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond
Rated Passed

The Searchers is a classic Western directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne. Set in the Texas frontier of the mid-1800s, the film follows the story of Ethan Edwards, a former Confederate soldier and loner, who is determined to find his niece Debbie, who was kidnapped by Comanche Indians. Along with his adoptive nephew Martin, Ethan embarks on a five-year journey to find Debbie and bring her back home, but is also driven by a darker and more dangerous obsession. As the search continues, Ethan's inner demons and prejudice towards Native Americans become increasingly apparent. The Searchers is an epic and timeless exploration of racism, morality, and the myth of the American West.

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

Hannah and Her Sisters is a 1986 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Woody Allen. The film depicts the intertwined lives of three sisters—Hannah, Lee, and Holly—over the course of a year. The story follows each of the sisters, as well as the relationships they have with the men and women around them. Hannah (Mia Farrow) is married to Elliot (Michael Caine), but is having an affair with Lee's (Barbara Hershey) former art dealer, Frederick (Max von Sydow). Meanwhile, Lee is unhappily married to Hannah's TV producer brother, Mickey (Woody Allen), and Holly (Dianne Wiest) is separated from her husband, uptight chef, Paul (Lloyd Nolan). As the year progresses, their lives intertwine with one another in unexpected ways, and each one makes a profound emotional and spiritual transformation.

From Richard Brooks, starring Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burl Ives, Jack Carson
Rated Not Rated

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is a 1958 American drama film directed by Richard Brooks, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name by Tennessee Williams. The film stars Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, and Burl Ives. Set in the plantation home of Big Daddy Pollitt in the Mississippi Delta, the film follows the tumultuous interaction between family members as they attempt to deal with their secrets, lies, and infidelities. Brick, a former football star, is in a loveless marriage to Maggie and is an alcoholic; Big Daddy and Big Mama are struggling to deal with their wealth and mortality as they grapple with the fact that their beloved son, Gooper, and his wife, Mae, are angling to take control of the family business. The film deals with issues of truth, love and betrayal as the family struggles to come to terms with their family dynamics and the extent of Big Daddy’s illness. The film is ultimately a powerful and moving portrayal of the human condition, with a heartbreaking ending.

From Chris Columbus, starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard
Rated PG

Home Alone is a classic 1990 Christmas comedy film directed by Chris Columbus. The film follows eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), who is mistakenly left behind when his family leaves for a Christmas vacation in France. Kevin fights off two bumbling burglars, Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), with a series of booby traps and hilarious hijinks. In the end, Kevin’s family returns just in time for him to save Christmas for them all. Home Alone has become a beloved holiday classic and launched the career of Macaulay Culkin.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Avery
Rated PG-13

The Color Purple is a 1985 American period drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The film tells the story of a young African-American woman named Celie Johnson (played by Whoopi Goldberg) who faces racism, poverty, and sexism in the segregated South during the early 20th century. Throughout the film, Celie is denied basic rights and liberties by those around her, including her abusive husband and her father. With the help of her sister, Nettie, and her new friend and lover, Shug Avery, Celie eventually overcomes all of these obstacles and finds love and acceptance. This film is seen as a coming-of-age story that highlights the discrimination and struggles of African American women in the early 1900s.

From Damien O'Donnell, starring James McAvoy, Steven Robertson, Romola Garai, Alan King
Rated R

Rory O'Shea Was Here is a 2004 Irish drama directed by Damien O'Donnell. It tells the story of Rory O'Shea (James McAvoy), a rebellious and witty young man with muscular dystrophy, who enters a group home for the disabled. He quickly befriends a similarly disabled resident, Michael Connolly (Steven Robertson). With Rory's help, the two embark upon an adventure to gain control of their own lives. Along the way, they discover the power of friendship, self-acceptance, and recognizing their own worth. With the help of Rory's no-nonsense friend, Siobhan (Romola Garai), the two overcome obstacles and live life on their own terms.

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

The Royal Tenenbaums is a 2001 comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson and co-written with Owen Wilson. The film follows the lives of the eccentric and highly dysfunctional Tenenbaum family, made up of former child prodigies Chas, Margot, and Richie, and their parents Royal and Etheline. After separating for many years, the family reunites when Royal announces he has a terminal illness. As Royal attempts to patch things up with his family, his children must confront the issues they had previously buried. The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. It features an ensemble cast that includes Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Danny Glover, Bill Murray, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, and Owen Wilson.

From Tim Wardle, starring Robert Shafran, Michael Domnitz, Howard Schneider, Ellen Cervone
Rated PG-13

Three Identical Strangers tells the extraordinary story of three identical triplets who were separated at birth and adopted by three different families. As young adults, the brothers discovered each other by chance and their incredible story made headlines around the world. The film follows the brothers as they confront their astonishing past, unravel a complex web of lies and half-truths, and ultimately attempt to answer the burning question: why were they separated at birth? Along the way, the film reveals a deeply unsettling secret experiment and reflects on the power of nature versus nurture.

From Jeremiah S. Chechik, starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki
Rated PG-13

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a 1989 American comedy film from director Jeremiah S. Chechik. The movie follows the Griswold family, lead by Clark and Ellen, as they attempt to have the perfect family Christmas. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned, with each member of the family experiencing their own personal struggles and the Griswolds struggling to keep it together. In the end, despite all their misfortunes, they come together to enjoy a chaotic, but fun, holiday. The movie stars Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, and Randy Quaid.

From Kirsten Sheridan, starring Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard
Rated PG

From Don Bluth, starring Pat Hingle, Gabriel Damon, Helen Shaver, Bill Erwin
Rated G

From Raymond De Felitta, starring Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Steven Strait, Emily Mortimer
Rated PG-13

From Mamoru Hosoda, starring Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Nanami Sakuraba, Mitsuki Tanimura, Takahiro Yokokawa
Rated PG

From Directors: Andrew Stanton, Angus MacLane, starring Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O'Neill, Kaitlin Olson
Rated PG

From Denzel Washington, starring Denzel Washington, Derek Luke, Joy Bryant, Malcolm David Kelley
Rated PG-13

From John Wells, starring Meryl Streep, Dermot Mulroney, Julia Roberts, Juliette Lewis
Rated R

From David Swift, starring Hayley Mills, Maureen O'Hara, Brian Keith, Charles Ruggles
Rated Passed

From Chris Columbus, starring Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein
Rated PG-13

From Kirk Jones, starring Robert De Niro, Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore
Rated PG-13