In an unexpected twist, the 2018 comedy-drama “Instant Family,” starring Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, has enjoyed revitalized popularity on Netflix seven years after its initial release. The film, which also stars DCU actress Isabela Merced, has been trending in the Netflix charts, capturing the hearts of a new audience. “Instant Family” follows the story of Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie Wagner (Rose Byrne), a couple looking to expand their family through the foster care system.
Instead of a single child, they end up adopting three siblings: Lizzy (Isabela Merced), Juan (Gustavo Quiroz), and Lita (Julianna Gamiz). The movie explores both the humorous and challenging aspects of fostering and adoption, grounding its narrative in the emotional realities faced by families in similar situations. Directed by Sean Anders, who co-wrote the screenplay with John Morris, “Instant Family” is inspired by Anders’ own life.
The director and his wife Beth adopted three siblings, a journey that deeply informed the film’s authentic take on the adoption process. Upon its release, “Instant Family” received favorable reviews, holding a Certified Fresh 82% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and an 83% approval rating from the general audience.
Resonating family dynamics in adoption
Financially, it was also a success, grossing $119.7 million worldwide against its $48 million budget. The renewed interest in the film on Netflix has been impressive. Since its addition to the streaming platform, “Instant Family” has garnered 8.6 million views over two weeks, with 6.6 million hours watched in its debut week.
Particularly notable is its performance in the United States, where it debuted in third place on Netflix’s domestic chart and reached second place in the following week. In interviews, Sean Anders has shared insights into the challenging yet rewarding journey depicted in the film. He revealed that “Instant Family” provided a realistic portrayal of foster and adoptive parents’ experiences, from the initial “tough times” to the heartwarming moments of becoming a family.
“Hopefully it will demystify all of that, and you’ll just realize they’re just family,” Anders commented, emphasizing the movie’s goal of offering a heartfelt and authentic view of adoption. With its rich blend of humor and emotional depth, “Instant Family” continues to resonate, proving that great stories have the power to touch audiences, even years after their initial release. “Instant Family” is currently streaming on Netflix.
