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The Family Stone

Play trailer 2:19 Poster for The Family Stone PG-13 2005 1h 44m Holiday Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
52% Tomatometer 160 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) wants to bring his girlfriend, Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker), to meet his bohemian Connecticut family at Christmas. Straitlaced Meredith, feeling she needs backup, asks her sister Julie (Claire Danes) to come along. Hoping to win the approval of her boyfriend's parents Sybil (Diane Keaton) and Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) and the rest of the family, instead Meredith succeeds only in highlighting her uptight personality and making Everett doubt his intentions.
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The Family Stone

The Family Stone

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Critics Consensus

This family holiday dramedy features fine performances but awkward shifts of tone.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek 07/07/2010
The Family Stone works hard to warm the cockles of our hearts. The cast is attractive. The sentiments are commendable. But the love Bezucha wants us to feel for the family couldn't possibly compete with the love they already feel for themselves. Go to Full Review Andrew Sarris Observer 01/05/2006
I can't deny the incidental pleasures of watching these talented players giving it their all, even in such a misguided project. Go to Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom 12/21/2005
B
Like the character of Meredith, the film's bravado cannot mask a messy soul but should be given respect for showing up and sticking it out. Go to Full Review Sebastian Zavala Kahn Me gusta el cine 5d
3.5/5
I finally understand why "The Family Stone" has become a cult classic; it has its flaws, but at the same time, it's comforting to watch it during this Christmas season. [Full review in Spanish]. Go to Full Review Rachel Wagner Hallmarkies Podcast 07/26/2023
I just can't stand this group and the ending is unbelievable Go to Full Review Matt Wilstein The Daily Beast 12/05/2022
By the end of the film...I always find myself tearing up. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Marquis H. @MWNumbers 18h Great movie for the holidays. See more Ovsanna H @ovsseng 2d horrible plot, good actors See more cayla b @Cmcboymum 4d I really like most of this cast but the movie is absolutely f’ing horrible. See more Janyce M @juicyj 6d SJP was bad for the most part in sitc, she's even worse in this movie!! See more Jacob B Dec 12 Has predictable plot beats, dubious sympathy towards the characters (wait, Sarah Jessica Parker expressing homophobic views was meant to vindicate the family's chilly reception rather than it being a simple case of "open mouth, insert foot"?) and an episodic feel with some undercooked subplots. Nevertheless, The Family Stone does have an ensemble cast trying their best, a few poignant moments that I thought genuinely worked (why did Diane Keaton have to die this year? Now I feel bad after seeing her here) and I did gain some amusement out of the occasional cringe comedy. Plus, I suppose deaf people might appreciate being represented in a manner I thought was respectful. This isn't some essential Christmas classic but I surprisingly didn't hate it all that much. Maybe my judge of character leaves something to be desired? See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Dec 12 The Family Stone remains one of the most emotionally grounded holiday films of the 2000s, driven by Sarah Jessica Parker’s heartfelt performance as Julie Stone. She brings vulnerability and authenticity to a character desperate to belong, turning awkward moments into deeply human ones. Parker’s work anchors the film and makes Julie the emotional center of the story. The late Diane Keaton adds warmth and complexity, creating a matriarch who feels real rather than idealized. The screenplay shines through its honest portrayal of family conflict, grief, love, and acceptance, allowing characters to clash, grow, and heal without rushing resolution. Unlike louder Christmas staples, this film relies on emotional truth instead of spectacle, which gives it lasting power. Its exploration of tradition, chosen family, and forgiveness makes it endlessly rewatchable. Quietly underrated, The Family Stone is a holiday classic that resonates because it reflects real families, real flaws, and real love!! See more Read all reviews
The Family Stone

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Cast & Crew

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Thomas Bezucha

Director

Dermot Mulroney

Everett Stone

Sarah Jessica Parker

Meredith Morton

Diane Keaton

Sybil Stone

Luke Wilson

Ben Stone

Claire Danes

Julie Morton

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The Family Stone

The Family Stone: Trailer 1 The Family Stone: Trailer 1 2:19 View more videos
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The Family Stone

It's the calm before the storm when Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker) meets her boyfriend's (Dermot Mulroney) mother, Sybil (Diane Keaton) in THE FAMILY STONE. A scene from the film "The Family Stone." A scene from the film "The Family Stone." A scene from the film "The Family Stone." A scene from the film "The Family Stone." A scene from the film "The Family Stone." A scene from the film "The Family Stone." A scene from the film "The Family Stone." A scene from the film "The Family Stone." A scene from the film "The Family Stone." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) wants to bring his girlfriend, Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker), to meet his bohemian Connecticut family at Christmas. Straitlaced Meredith, feeling she needs backup, asks her sister Julie (Claire Danes) to come along. Hoping to win the approval of her boyfriend's parents Sybil (Diane Keaton) and Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) and the rest of the family, instead Meredith succeeds only in highlighting her uptight personality and making Everett doubt his intentions.
Director
Thomas Bezucha
Producer
Michael London
Screenwriter
Thomas Bezucha
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Michael London Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Some Sexual Content|Drug References)
Genre
Holiday, Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 16, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$60.1M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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