Movies About Rich Families

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather is a 1972 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by Albert S. Ruddy. The film stars Marlon Brando and Al Pacino as the leaders of a fictional New York Mafia family. It chronicles the family's rise to power and eventual fall from grace. The story spans the years 1945 to 1955, and touches on themes of loyalty, family, greed, and power. The film is widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made and it won the Academy Award for Best Picture. The Godfather is a classic, epic tale of loyalty and betrayal, honor and dishonor, love and loss. The film follows the life of the Corleone family, led by patriarch Vito Corleone (Brando). His sons - Michael (Pacino), Sonny (James Caan), Fredo (John Cazale), and Tom (Robert Duvall) - all become involved in the family's criminal activities, and eventually Michael is forced to take over as head of the family when Vito becomes ill. Michael's conflict with other, more powerful crime families, ultimately leads to all-out war, and his ruthless ambition threatens to tear the Corleone family apart.

From Bong Joon Ho, starring Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-sik
Rated R

Parasite is a dark comedy thriller about the contrast between two South Korean families - the wealthy Parks and the impoverished Kims. The Kims, a struggling family of four, scheme to take advantage of the wealthy Parks by infiltrating their home, posing as unrelated, highly qualified individuals. However, when the Kims start to become more and more entrenched in the Parks’ lives, class warfare ensues and their deception is threatened to be exposed. Directed by Bong Joon ho, Parasite is an exploration of economic inequality, family ties, and the lengths to which people will go to survive.

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

The Celebration is a 1998 Danish film directed by Thomas Vinterberg. It follows the story of a family gathered together to celebrate the 60th birthday of their patriarch, Helge, at a large country estate. However, during the festivities, the eldest son, Christian, reveals a dark secret from the past, causing a stir among the family members. As memories and emotions resurface, the atmosphere of the party takes a sharp and unexpected turn. With an ensemble cast and a complex and intense narrative, The Celebration examines the themes of family dynamics, the burden of secrets, and the strength of familial bonds.

From Rian Johnson, starring Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis
Rated PG-13

Knives Out is a 2019 American murder mystery film written, co-produced and directed by Rian Johnson. The film follows renowned detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) as he investigates the suspicious death of wealthy crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). When evidence suggests that Harlan's death was not a suicide, but rather a murder, Blanc must unravel a web of lies and deceit in order to discover the truth. With the help of Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas), the nurse who found Harlan's body, and the Thrombey family, Blanc is able to piece together a shocking tale of greed and betrayal. With a star-studded cast including Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Toni Collette and Don Johnson, Knives Out is a thrilling and stylish must-see.

From Luca Guadagnino, starring Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer, Michael Stuhlbarg, Amira Casar
Rated R

Call Me by Your Name is a 2017 romantic drama directed by Luca Guadagnino. The film follows the romantic relationship between seventeen-year-old Elio Perlman and his father's research assistant, Oliver, during a summer in northern Italy in 1983. As Elio and Oliver bond over their common interests and cultural differences, an intimate relationship begins to develop. Through a summer of romance, music, and self-discovery, the two characters experience first love and its bittersweet joys. The film explores themes of youth, identity, and love, with a story that resonates with many long after the credits roll.

From Directors: Orson Welles, Fred Fleck, Robert Wise, starring Tim Holt, Joseph Cotten, Dolores Costello, Anne Baxter
Rated Not Rated

The Magnificent Ambersons is a 1942 drama film directed by Orson Welles, based on the 1918 novel of the same name by Booth Tarkington. The film tells the story of the wealthy but dysfunctional Amberson family as they struggle to keep their status in a rapidly changing America. The patriarch, Major Amberson, neglects his family’s finances, leading to their eventual downfall. Meanwhile, his son, George, is in love with his childhood friend, Lucy. As the family’s fortunes take a turn for the worse, George’s behavior becomes increasingly selfish and destructive, culminating in a tragic event that forever changes the course of his life. The film stars Joseph Cotten, Dolores Costello, Anne Baxter, and Agnes Moorehead. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

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

The Royal Tenenbaums tells the story of the eccentric Tenenbaum family, composed of Royal (Gene Hackman), his children Chas (Ben Stiller), Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), and Richie (Luke Wilson), and their adopted brother Eli (Owen Wilson). Set in a crumbling mansion in New York City, the family comes together after years of separation, when Royal announces he is dying. As the family reunites, old patterns of rivalry and dysfunction begin to emerge, and the family is forced to confront their past. Through the story of the Tenenbaums, the film explores the complicated nature of family relationships, and the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.

From Billy Wilder, starring Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, William Holden, Walter Hampden
Rated Passed

Sabrina is a romantic comedy set in the 1950s that follows the story of two wealthy brothers, Linus and David Larrabee, from Long Island's North Shore. Linus is the serious, business-minded brother, while David is a playboy. Sabrina Fairchild is the charming daughter of the Larrabees' chauffeur, who has been in love with David for years. When David returns from a trip to Paris, he is captivated by Sabrina and she is sent to Paris for a makeover. Upon her return, Sabrina is transformed from a sweet girl-next-door into a sophisticated young woman. Linus also begins to take notice of Sabrina and the two fall in love. A triangle ensues between Sabrina, David, and Linus, with the brothers competing for her affections. In the end, Sabrina chooses Linus, and the two are married.

From Edward Zwick, starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Aidan Quinn, Julia Ormond
Rated R

Legends of the Fall is a drama set in the early 20th century in the wilds of Montana. The movie follows the lives of three brothers, Alfred (Aidan Quinn), Tristan (Brad Pitt), and Samuel (Henry Thomas). After their father (Anthony Hopkins) returns from World War I, the brothers deal with the harsh realities of life, love, and their relationships with each other. Tristan falls in love with Susannah (Julia Ormond), a beautiful English woman with a mysterious past, while Alfred is sent away to war. Samuel stays on the ranch and struggles to understand the world around him. As the brothers struggle against the harshness of their environment, they must confront the secrets of their past in order to find peace in their future.

From Luca Guadagnino, starring Tilda Swinton, Flavio Parenti, Edoardo Gabbriellini, Alba Rohrwacher
Rated R

From Barry Sonnenfeld, starring Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Hedaya
Rated PG-13

From Ridley Scott, starring Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Romain Duris
Rated R

From Nicholas Jarecki, starring Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Brit Marling, Tim Roth
Rated R

From James Ivory, starring Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Saundra McClain, Margaret Welsh
Rated PG-13

From Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, Helena Bonham Carter
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini, starring Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney, Paul Giamatti, Donna Murphy
Rated PG-13