Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the release of Fast X, and since the Fast franchise is known for its ongoing theme of family, we’re counting down our favorite found family movies! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
Delightful. That’s all you can say about Paddington. Everything about the experience is just a pure delight: the visuals, the humor, the story, and the characters. I especially love the clear British style to the wit, the shenanigans Paddington (Ben Whishaw) gets up to have a Mr. Bean vibe to them, and other jokes, such as Mr Brown (Hugh Bonneville) pretending he had a fake arm, remind me of Blackadder. There’s some charming visual storytelling using a doll house, a toy train, and a heavily emotional sequence when Paddington is looking for someone that shows handwritten notes over the London skyline. Visuals of Peru are also a joy to behold, making me wish more of the story took place there. The Rube Goldberg-style marmalade machine is probably my favourite visual gag of all. I also like how the climax doesn’t overstay its welcome, and there are just a couple of character growth moments, and a payoff to a running gag, which I honestly didn’t expect. There’s a good message here about how your family can be anyone if you care about them. Family’s value comes from accepting others into your care, whoever and whatever they are. (John Tillyard)
One of my absolute favorite Disney animated movies is Lilo and Stitch. It’s a beautiful story of belonging and found family, with a stunning Hawaiian backdrop. Lilo, a 6-year-old girl, and Stitch, an alien science experiment, are both outcasts: They’re not understood by those around them, have a pension for mischief, and are very much alone. Lilo is one of the most creative and original characters that Disney has ever brought to life. She is dark and hilarious, and has a strange infatuation with obese tourists. Stitch is insane, destructive, and adorable. Every five minutes, this movie has a hilarious joke or sight gag that repays you on multiple viewings; I am always finding something new to love. But the movie is also deep with emotion: Lilo’s parents were killed in a car accident, and she and her older sister Nani are a broken family who have to try and survive on their own, lest Lilo be taken away by child services. This movie is a story about rebuilding your family with those you love around you and helping those you love to heal. I consider Lilo and Stitch to be an all-time classic with a ton of heart. Remember, “Ohana means family, family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.” (Nick Ferro)
The first three films in the Fast franchise are all variations of underground street-racing, introducing audiences to colorful cars, and characters existing mostly independent of each other. And while the fourth film does fulfill the promise of being a new model with original parts, it’s an admittedly dower affair that threatened to leave the series dangling in a joyless limbo. Thankfully, Fast Five crashed through the doldrums with a bank vault in tow, racing into theaters with a reinvigorated identity: These movies are about fast cars, absolutely, but they only matter because the people in the driver’s seats are a family. The movie brilliantly brings together the players from each of the previous entries, in several cases with a soft rebranding of their characters — Tej (Ludacris) is now the computer guy, Han (Sung Kang) is a chameleon who can fit in anywhere, and Gisele (Gal Gadot) is a weapons expert. It’s a heist film at its core, but it’s the found family and their unique skills that is the much welcome rerouting of the Fast roadmap. The action is noticeably bigger and more exciting than anything we’d seen to that point, and introducing Dwayne Johnson as a foil/future member of team family was an inspired decision. Fast Five remains to this day the best in the series, due in large part to its understanding that family and explosions should share the screen equally, rather than bombastic stunts and unrealistic physics overshadowing the ties that bind. (Jonathan Fedee)
Zombieland is like getting two prizes in the cereal box when you were only expecting one. It’s a fun and gory zombie movie, but I bet no one really expected that it would actually be good. Our found family of Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) come together in dire circumstances: The human population is dwindling down, and most people are reluctant to even team up with someone due to the risk of betrayal, but also the greater risk of attachment. Columbus has a set of rules to live by, and one of them is, don’t be a hero. Assuming that being a hero is a one-way ticket to being killed, against his better judgment, Columbus breaks the rule in order to save his new family. It’s a powerful reminder that no family is perfect, but family is also a choice. Each one of them has been saved by the others, even spawning a sequel due to a rabid fanbase who wants to see more from this group. Zombieland sets a new standard for zombie movies and horror comedies. It also is one of the best found family movies because the chemistry between all the performers is off the charts. I can see them all getting a beer together after shooting was done, and still having a text chain together. (Mike Hilty)
Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Broker came out in 2022, but it feels quite reminiscent of classic indie dramedies from the 2000s or 2010s. That it’s a road trip movie makes it feel particularly like Little Miss Sunshine, but instead of being about a biological family bonding, it’s about a found family doing so. And this found family, made up of Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won, Ji-eun Lee, and Seung-soo Im, is in the business of selling unwanted babies, which are dropped off on the doorstep of a church, to the highest bidder for adoption. Don’t worry; it’s not as horrifying as it sounds. Because in the pursuit of the sale of a particular baby, our main characters form a bond that’s as endearing and fun as it is deeply emotional. And the themes of loneliness, belonging, parenthood, and connection are just icing on the cake for a movie that’s just plain fun to watch.(Robert Bouffard)
Do I make a joke like Shrek about Snow White and her house full of men? When it comes to talking about found families… that doesn’t seem appropriate! Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is as classic animation as animation can be. This is one of the original tales told by Walt Disney, as well as being a classic fairy tale. A young princess escapes from an evil queen and finds herself in the company of a group of mining dwarfs. They classically consist of a whole range of moods, and each brings a specific attitude to the table. We have laughs, and we sing along with this band of pals and their beautiful new roommate. The songs are also classic as classic can be, creating some of the most iconic moments in the history of cinema. It is easy to take this legacy for granted, but Snow White is so deeply ingrained in our culture that we will never forget this ragtag crew of best buddies and the charming woman who melts their hearts. (Shane Conto)
Now that the Guardians’ story has concluded with Volume 3, we must take a trip back to where it all began. Guardians of the Galaxy follows Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), who was taken from Earth as a boy after his mother died. 26 years later, Peter is a rogue thief who steals an orb he plans to sell. After being arrested, he forms a reluctant alliance with some outlaws he met in prison: Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), the tree-like Groot (Vin Diesel), and Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), the adopted daughter of big bad Thanos. They battle against the madman Ronan (Lee Pace), who wants to use the orb to destroy the planet. The movie is fun and has humor; compared to the previous Marvel films before it, writer/director James Gunn pulls no punches on the comedic vibes. What’s fascinating is that no one starts out as a hero; the Guardians learn to work together as a team. Gunn does an excellent job of focusing on the characters themselves. Each has their moment to shine, so no one is left out. Ronan and Nebula, Gamora’s sister (Karen Gillan), are good antagonists to the Guardians. Ronan is sinister, and Nebula seeks revenge against Gamora, but the film doesn’t make the hero-villain dynamic the central focus. Instead, the focus is on the Guardians themselves, who become a great team. The film showcases a lot of confidence and laughs throughout, and it pays off well in the MCU. (Christian Grullon)
When I heard that the theme this week was found family, the film I immediately thought of was Almost Famous. The 2000 film, directed by Cameron Crowe, takes us into the world of early-‘70s rock journalism when a teenage reporter named William Miller (Patrick Fugit) goes on tour with the up-and-coming band Stillwater, based on Crowe’s own experience writing for Rolling Stone in his youth. William slowly makes friends and gets closer to some of the band members, while also befriending the quirky groupie Penny Lane (Kate Hudson). Some might say the found family element in this movie stems from William finding community with Stillwater as they tour together, and that would be true. But I think the true found family element comes from the relationship between Penny and William. They’re both in difficult phases of their life; Penny is an aging groupie who is trying to hang on to her relationship with the band’s guitarist, Russell (Billy Crudup), and William is struggling to find a balance between friend and journalist on this newfound adventure. Even if the relationship ends up being William pining for Penny, it’s clear that both characters have plenty of love for each other, and show that support when it’s needed the most. They happened to find each other when they needed someone to lean on, and that’s what family is for. (Jacob Kinman)
Few things bring me as much joy as finding the project that served as the primary launching point for a now-huge actor. It feels like the ultimate puzzle piece falling into place, as you understand why this person is as famous as they are. The white whale of those projects are those that served as a launching point for several incredibly talented people. Short Term 12 is one such white whale. The directorial debut by Destin Daniel Cretton, who is one of premier up-and-coming directorial talents, Short Term 12 features the likes of Brie Larson, Kaitlyn Dever, LaKeith Stanfield, Rami Malek, and Stephanie Beatriz, all people who are now certified stars in the modern era. And beyond the incredible talents involved, it’s also just a really interesting view of an often underseen world. It’s a slice of life for a very particular area of the world, and it brings a great deal of respect and honesty to the people who both work in, and stay in, group homes. In her first lead role, Larson is magnetic, tapping into an emotional center of a complex character, one who is both experiencing trauma and attempting to assist teenagers with it. It’s also just a wonderful depiction of the power of community and the importance of finding the people who actually make your life a better place. For a film with as many current A-listers in it, Short Term 12 needs to be seen by far more people. (Nashua Doll)
There’s no such thing as a bad Toy Story movie, and it’s basically all about found family in one way or another. They’re a cobbled together group of anthropomorphized toys, first owned by Andy and later Bonnie, that function largely as a family, though one that’s constantly evolving as their owners grow and change. The idea of the crew as found family is never more central to the franchise’s plot than in Toy Story 2. All you have to do is look at the plot lines for our two main characters: Woody must reconnect with his past in a way that could challenge the status quo and have a lasting impact on the franchise. Meanwhile, Buzz has his Empire Strikes Back moment, and is forced to reconcile his family with the one he has made for himself. That’s not even mentioning the entire song that will rip your heart out of your chest about how a character had to find their family after being abandoned. It’s a franchise that always has something to say about family dynamics, and found family in particular, but it’s never more front and center than in this followup to the original Pixar classic. (Jake Bourgeois)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
The one that started it all. Whether talking about the Harry Potter books or movies, both have become a true, worldwide phenomenon, taking the world and not letting go… well, we still live with it. You can argue until MCU came around, we did not have anything as long-lasting in our pop culture since Star Wars. And we would not have it if the first film was just meh. But Chris Columbus knew how to work with kids, the casting was spot-on, and they stayed pretty faithful to the book, which isn’t that difficult as this is one of the shortest books in the Harry Potter saga. As a result, The Sorcerer’s Stone is the perfect family adventure film with a bit of everything. A bit of drama, a bit of excitement, a lot of magic, and we get a 152-minute movie that flies by and doesn’t feel long. I still remember seeing it in the cinemas when I was 10 and loving it. And nothing has changed since. Of course, we know now this might not be the best Harry Potter film, but honestly? Many things had to be set up correctly here, and people don’t give the movie enough credit for what it helped to launch. And as we have seen lately (*cough,* Fantastic Beasts), many things can go wrong quickly with your magical movie. I wouldn’t hesitate to call this film a classic as it solidified its place in history as the one that started it all. (Luke Burian)
Cruella
In 101 Dalmatians, Cruella De Vil’s story is focused on her frenzied, and fortunately failed, attempt to flail the fur from spotted pups. Cruella, however, is centered around the formation of her found family and her doggedness (yeah that was intentional) to overcome adversity as a young orphan, pursuing a career in fashion. Estella (Emma Stone) “found friends in unlikely places” that would go on to become her future family, a “family that’s good at stealing stuff.” The familial bonds they form in childhood go on to influence their future decision-making in some big ways. To support her fashion dreams, adopted brothers Horace (Paul Walter Hauser) and Jasper (Joel Fry) use their nefarious talents to wangle her a job, even though it means losing her as a key player in their more lucrative schemes. Later, when she begins to go off the rails as Cruella, they assume the roles of older brothers again, but this time, confronting her in an attempt to rein in the madness. Even though this causes a temporary rift, Estella soon realizes her error, and they reunite to pull off their biggest heist yet. If this terrible trio had failed to bond as siblings in their youth, there’s no telling how evil Cruella could have truly become. Imagine how vile and vengeful the Queen of Mean would be if she hadn’t been supported and encouraged growing up. Kinda scary that wanting a puppy skin coat is the best case scenario. (Patrice Downing)
American Honey
Yeah, it’s alright to not give money to those kids who come to your door selling magazine subscriptions or candy bars. That’s the beauty of capitalism: You spend your money on what you want. But don’t forget that the exploitative side of that economic system may very well have put that kid in a life of nothing. Sasha Lane’s Star has nothing in American Honey. She’ll never have anything. And people will always see her as one thing because of that. But Star is so much more than just a poor southern girl. She has a heart and maternal nature. And she has a fearlessness that isn’t born out of arrogance, but a need to face the unknown, if she wants to escape the reality she lives in. All the traveling salesmen in this movie are like that too. From Shia LaBeouf’s Jake to Riley Keough’s Krystal, they have more to them than meets the eye. The tint of capitalism is what can keep us from seeing that. (Sam Nichols)
The Jungle Book
There are not too many live action Disney films that are on par with their animated counterparts, but The Jungle Book, directed by Jon Favreau, is a film that surpasses the animated version. The film is packed with some of the greatest talent in Hollywood, and the voices fit the characters extremely well, especially Idris Elba as Shere Khan, who is simply terrifying. In a film full of standout talent, Billy Murray as Baloo just works so well, changing the character to be far more lazy, and getting Mowgli to do dangerous tasks to fetch him his precious honey. Neel Sethi, who plays Mowgli, holds his own amongst a cast of juggernauts; his character is the heart of the story, and he shines brightly among the other cast members. Favreau’s direction is spot-on, and to this day, The Jungle Book is still one of Disney’s most highly regarded live action adaptations. It is a great film to watch with the family, and it goes far beyond the Bear Necessities. (Joe Vargas)
Oliver & Company
During Disney’s, “What if we took this classic piece of literature, but replaced the humans with animals?” heyday, they took Oliver Twist and made Oliver & Company, in which the hero is an orange, orphaned cat. In this version, Oliver is an abandoned kitten trying to survive in the Big Apple. He initially falls in with a ragtag group of dogs and their down-on-his-luck owner Fagin, who’s in deep with a loan shark. Watching the movie when I was a kid, I just remember thinking how cool this ragtag group was, despite falling on hard times. They’d found each other and had created a deep bond that comes through in the ease with which they complete tasks, whether that be executing a sausage heist or settling down for a bedtime story. I think it’s also in the rules that having Billy Joel as your crew leader (Dodger) pumps up your cool factor by a significant multiplier. (Jake Bourgeois)
We’re the Millers
Who makes a better family than a drug dealer, stripper, a son of an alcoholic, and a runaway? Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Will Poulter, and Emma Roberts bring to life the most dysfunctional of found families. These people literally hate each other; they are cussing each other out because they want to be anywhere else. But there is clear chemistry between them that leads to the inevitable: falling into a family dynamic. It is easy to love this movie because it feels like the actors are having a blast making this brilliant piece of comedy. I am never bored with anyone on screen. The end is them actually becoming a family, not a pseudo “we are gonna call each other family because we just really like each other, and calling each other best friends does not have the same emotional impact as family,” family. They adopt each other in a way in which only drug smugglers-turned-state’s-witnesses can adopt each other. (Scott Batchelor)
A Man Called Otto
This year marked my best friend and I’s 10-year friendiversary, and we saw A Man Called Otto to celebrate. The movie tells the story of Otto (Tom Hanks), a grumpy, old, bitter man who, after losing his wife and being forced to retire, is at the end of his rope, but life finds a way to help Otto. Through his annoying new neighbor Marisol (Mariana Treviño) who keeps trying to have a friendship with Otto, he begins to find a family again, one he thought was lost. We will never need a live action Up, because this movie is essentially that. This film devastated me which is mostly because found families hit me differently. I even bought it as soon as it was available on VOD. Hanks is phenomenal in this role, and his chemistry with virtually everyone in the film is on point. It is one I was glad to have gotten to see with my best friend. Trigger warning, though: Suicide is a heavy theme in this movie. (Austen Terry)