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. 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.
9. 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.
8. Marrowbone (2017)
Sergio G. Sánchez’s psychological horror flick ‘Marrowbone’ shows how a group of siblings deals with a ghost that has been living in their home’s loft. They have just lost their mother and have only each other as support. A local girl named Allie befriends them and finds out their missing father was a serial killer. As Allie discovers more about the Marrowbone residence and the siblings, the viewers are provided with a horrifying truth rooted in a painful tragedy, whose proof also lies hidden inside the house. With a captivating take on the processes of the human mind and its dark crevices, ‘Marrowbone’ stars George MacKay, Matthew Stagg, Charlie Heaton, Mia Goth, and Tom Fisher. You can watch the movie here.
7. 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.
6. 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.
5. 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.
4. 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.
3. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Wes Anderson’s quirky drama ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ centers on a trio of adult siblings forced to move in with their father, who returns to their lives after 22 years. Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) feigns terminal illness and manages to get back his family life with his ex-wife Etheline and their children Chas, Margot, and Richie. However, 22 years’ worth of unresolved issues, accompanied by separate sets of personal issues, will take a lot of time to get sorted out, if at all. However, Royal does his best while spending time with his kids and grandkids, while Chas, Margot, and Richie grapple with the sudden get-together that is no less than an emotional shock in more ways than one. Deep, humorous, and moving, ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ is a signature Wes Anderson drama about old wounds and reconciliation, one that is as eccentric visually as it is story-wise. The cast includes Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, and Gwyneth Paltrow. You can watch it here.
2. The Brothers McMullen (1995)
‘The Brothers McMullen’ offers a modern take on life, love, and family from the POV of three brothers: Jack (Jack Mulcahy), Barry (Edward Burns), and Patrick (Michael McGlone). Jack is married but is also having an affair, Patrick garners doubts over his engagement, and Barry feels ill at ease because he is slowly falling in love. The decisions the siblings make and the conversations and experiences that bring them to the decisions form the premise of the cult classic film. The Edward Burns directorial can be streamed right here.
1. Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
Steve Martin stars as Tom Baker in Shawn Levy’s remake of the 1950 classic. Baker has to navigate household work and his 12 children while his wife is away on a book tour. He also has to coach his alma mater’s football team. Manageable, yes, but he soon realizes how tough it can get to put the children in check. With an insatiable hunger and innumerable pranks, the youngsters seem to be bent on taking over the house. Can Baker take back control? Inspired by the semi-autobiographical book by Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ boasts Martin’s brilliant comic timing and is a great binge for you and your siblings, who, we can tell, were of the same kind as the ones in the movie. It can be streamed here.
Read More: Best Sibling Movies on Netflix
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