Shubhabrata Dutta
From being secondary parents to friends to secret sharers to even rivals, siblings are a complete package. The unique blend of love, hate, connection, and detachment creates a unique emotional rollercoaster deemed to last a lifetime. In a nutshell, siblings are both the bane and boon of life, and life is better for them. Here, we bring you the best sibling movies on Hulu that will remind you of your adventurous childhood experiences with your brothers and/or sisters and the life-altering adulting memories you made together.
10. Hanging Up (2000)
‘Hanging Up’ centers on a trio of sisters, Georgia, Eve, and Maddy, each of whom has a different lifestyle, carrying within them the scar of their parents’ divorce, following which their mother abandoned them. With their womanizer of a father hospitalized, the three must come together and take care of him. This, however, begins with bonding with each other, something that might be a little difficult due to their personal reservations. Starring Meg Ryan, Diane Keaton, Lisa Kudrow, and Walter Matthau, ‘Hanging Up’ is a fun-to-watch chick-flick doubling down as a sibling drama underscored by the unusual bond of sisterhood. Based on Delia Ephron’s novel, the film is directed by Keaton. You can watch it here.
9. The Secret Kingdom (2023)
A sibling movie for young viewers, ‘The Secret Kingdom’ follows 12-year-old Peter (Sam Everingham) and his little sister Verity (Alyla Browne), who move to their new spooky countryside house. However, the spook turns to scare and then to astonishment and awe when two siblings are pulled under their home and into a secret underground kingdom. Peter is addressed as a king by an army of talking pangolins who believe he can rid the kingdom of an evil force.
A child’s version of ‘Chronicles of Narnia,’ ‘The Secret Kingdom’ is a visually attractive action adventure fantasy drama directed by Matt Drummond. This film is an apt choice if you have young kids, especially more than one, as there is not much that has to be interpreted but enjoyed. Special mention needs to be made of the visual effects, which are pretty good. The movie can be streamed here.
8. Fresh Kills (2023)
Directed by Jennifer Esposito, ‘Fresh Kills’ centers on contrasting sisters Connie (Odessa A’zion) and Rose (Emily Bader), who are born into the Larusso crime family. In a world where unspoken rules constantly change and dictate who they shall become, the girls, led by their mother, Francine (Esposito), have to fend for themselves in Staten Island, where they are supposed to have a better life. While life can be better for them, it cannot be safe, especially considering what and whatnot their family does for a living. Carrying a women-centric Goodfellas-esque tone, ‘Fresh Kills’ is a fresh addition to the gangster genre while providing us with a true-to-form sibling movie, one that is dark, gritty, and emotional. You can watch it here.
7. We Have Always Lived in the Castle (2018)
Based on Shirley Jackson’s 1962 novel of the same name, ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’ tells the story of two peculiar sisters who serve as each other’s emotional support systems. 18-year-old Merricat (Taissa Farmiga) knows magic and uses it to protect her elder sister Constance (Alexandra Daddario), who has gone into flight mode after being wrongfully accused of poisoning and killing their parents. It’s been six years since Constance left the house. Meanwhile, Merricat is mistreated and taunted by the villagers whenever she goes out.
Their dynamic is soon affected by the arrival of their estranged cousin, Charles (Sebastian Stan), who has ulterior motives. While Merricat doesn’t like him, Constance becomes subservient to him. This arrangement takes the shape of a disaster that pushes Merricat to her limit but only for the sake of her sibling. Appreciated for how it carries the unsettling nature of Jackson’s novel, ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’ does a good job of exploring a sibling relationship with horror undertones that are humane and thus more effective. You can watch the film here.
6. All My Puny Sorrows (2021)
‘All My Puny Sorrows’ takes tightly packed childhood trauma and throws it at the viewers in the form of tête-à-têtes between two sisters, one of whom tried to kill herself. Based on Miriam Toews’ Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize-winning novel, the film revolves around Elf (Sarah Gadon), a concert pianist, and Yoli (Alison Pill), a novelist. Elf has made multiple suicide attempts, and Yoli leaves her work to visit her to remind her that life is meant to be lived and not enjoyed. Amid pain and endurance, the two sisters find refuge in each other but to what end? ‘All My Puny Sorrows’ offers an intimate portrayal of sisterhood at its most vulnerable, thanks to an incredible story and brilliant storytelling. You can watch it here.
5. In the Summers (2024)
Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio’s ‘In the Summers’ is divided into four parts, each exploring a different facet of sisters Eva and Violeta’s relationship with their father, Vicente. From kids to adults, Eva and Violeta undergo a radical change of emotions toward their father, and for good reason. As the story moves forward, the film paints an intimate portrait of a sibling relationship overshadowed by the presence of their father despite the latter being of pseudo-influence. Starring Sasha Calle, Lio Mehiel, and René Pérez, ‘In the Summers’ is a must-watch sibling drama doubling as an exploration of human relationships. The film won the Grand Jury Prize U.S. Dramatic at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. You can watch it here.
4. Montana Story (2021)
‘Montana Story’ is a visually stunning and profoundly moving story about a brother (Owen Teague) and a sister (Haley Lu Richardson), half-siblings, who return to their childhood ranch in Montana after their father goes into life support. They were both abused by their father, and this contributed to the emotional distance that was eventually formed between them, leading them to move away from each other.
Now, however, with their father on his deathbed, can they forgive their past, their father, and themselves? Directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, the film is a subtly layered drama that keeps you waiting to see what happens next and to know more about the siblings. The cinematography captures the ranch in a manner that almost makes it a character in the film, adding another layer to the organic narrative underscored by the brother-sister conversations. You can watch the film here.
3. Quiz Lady (2023)
Awkwafina and Sandra Oh star in the comedy-drama as estranged sisters Anne and Jenny, whose mother has run away. Now, the sisters have to clear their mom’s debt of $80,000 to a dangerous loan shark who has taken Anne’s pet dog as ransom. Brainstorming how to get that much money, they land on getting Anne on a game show and applying her general knowledge skills to win the money. What follows is a thrilling adventure as the two leave for their new destination, setting off a hilarious string of situations, all of which have an underlying current of sisterhood in its myriad forms. Awkwafina and Sandra Oh are perfect for the roles and bring a fun-laced charm to their characters, thereby adding to Anne and Jenny’s chemistry which in turn makes the film a laughter riot. You can watch the Jessica Yu directorial right here.
2. The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
Winner of the Favorite Independent Movie award at the 35th People’s Choice Awards, ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ explores the relationship of the Boatwright sisters, August, May, and June, from the POV of a young girl named Lily (Dakota Fanning). She has arrived at their house in Tiburon, South Carolina, after escaping with her caregiver, Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson), from the former’s abusive father. She finds out that August Boatwright (Queen Latifah) is the owner of Black Madonna Honey. It is the same name written on a honey jar that Lily has as her mother’s memento.
How the bees and the Boatwright siblings help Lily overcome her traumatic past is set against the backdrop of racism in the 1960s United States. The bits and pieces of happiness are thus scattered on a canvas of hatred in a manner that is bittersweet, if not painful, and, therefore, effective. Adapted from the 2001 novel by Sue Monk Kidd, ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. You can watch the film here.
1. A Real Pain (2024)
Starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, ‘A Real Pain’ follows two brothers on a trip to their childhood home in Poland. Mismatched cousins David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Culkin) meet after a long time. Though the camaraderie is crystal clear, there is underlying tension and trauma that shows up every now and then in unexpected ways. Both men have their issues, and the only way to avoid letting them get in their way is to resort to fun and humor. Brutally honest in its depiction of pent-up anxiety and how it sometimes takes an absurd form, ‘A Real Pain’ is a powerfully poignant drama fueled by brilliant performances. You can watch the Jesse Eisenberg directorial right here.
Read More: Best Sibling Movies on Netflix
You must be logged in to post a comment.