23 Iconic Movie Families Where You Didn’t Know The Co-Stars Are Actually Related
We may refer to movies as the world of make-believe, but on rare occasions, even stars in these movies aren’t pretending. And each instance is fascinating, especially as the details and background information unravels before our eager eyes.
One typical example is when actors who are related in real life share the screen as characters and have the same relationship they do in the real world. It’s fascinating to get to watch these actors in their natural elements.
While they may still be acting, there is a semblance of similarities between how they relate with their co-star in the movie and how they relate with them in reality. Watching these movies, therefore, feels like a two-for-one ticket.
There are many reasons movie directors do this, but most of the time, the reason is that it gives the movie or TV show an additional degree of authenticity.
Related actors resemble one another in a way Hollywood can't replicate. Additionally, it helps actors provide more convincing performances on set.
Here is a list of some movie families that feature real-life relatives. Some of the names may shock you initially, but you’d find yourself putting the pieces together and agreeing that they had to be related to providing such stellar performances.
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1. Corbin Bleu and his dad, David Reivers, in Jump In
They played father and son, Izzy and Kenneth Daniels.
Disney Channel / © Disney Channel / Courtesy Everett Collection2. Amy Poehler and her husband at the time, Will Arnett, in Blades of Glory
They played siblings, Fairchild and Stranz Van Waldenberg.
Paramount / © Paramount / Courtesy Everett Collection3. Demi Moore and her daughter Rumer Willis in Now And Then
Demi featured as Samantha Albertson, while Rumer Willis played her sister, Angela, in flashbacks to when Samantha was a kid.
New Line Cinema / Courtesy Everett Collection/ New Line Cinema / Via youtube.com4. Rumer Willis and her dad, Bruce Willis in Hostage
They played Amanda and Jeff Talley.
Miramax Films / Via youtube.com5. Benedict Cumberbatch and his parents, Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham in Sherlock
Benedict's parents played Sherlock's dad and mom.
BBC / Via Netflix6. Jennifer Connelly and her husband Paul Bettany in Creation
They featured as Emma and Charles Darwin.
Icon Film Distribution / Via youtube.com7. Meryl Streep and her daughter Mamie Gummer in Ricki And The Flash
They played Julie Brummel and Ricki Rendazzo.
Sony Pictures Entertainment / Via youtube.com
8. Angelina Jolie and her father, Jon Voight, in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
They played Lara and Richard Croft.
Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com
9. Henry Fonda and his daughter Jane in On Golden Pond
They played Norman Thayer Jr. and Chelsea Thayer Wayne.
Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com
10. Sylvester Stallone and his son Sage in Rocky V
They featured as Rocky Balboa and Rocky Balboa Jr.
MGM/UA Communications Co. / Via youtube.com
11. Twin sisters Tia and Tamera Mowry, not forgetting their brother Tahj Mowry in Sister, Sister
The sisters featured as separated-at-birth twins, Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell. Their little brother, on the other hand, played Cousin Tahj.
Walt Disney Co. / © Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy Everett Collection
12. Matthew Perry and his father, John Bennett Perry in Fools Rush In
Matthew featured as Alex Whitman, while his father, John, played Alex's dad, Richard Whitman.
Columbia Pictures / Via youtube.com
13. Jake Gyllenhaal and his sister, Maggie, in Donnie Darko
They played Donnie and Elizabeth Darko.
Pandora Cinema / Via youtube.com
14. Colin Hanks and his father, Tom in The Great Buck Howard
They played Troy Gable and Mr. Gable.
Magnolia Pictures / Via youtube.com
15. John Cusack and his sister Joan Cusack in Say Anything.
John played Lloyd Dobler, and his sister, Joan, featured as Lloyd's sister, Constance.
20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved, Courtesy Everett Collection
16. Ryan O'Neal and his daughter Tatum, in Paper Moon
They played Addie Loggins and Moses Pray.
Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com
17. Jaden and Will Smith in The Pursuit Of Happyness
They played Christopher Gardner Jr. and Chris Gardner.
Sony Pictures Releasing / Via youtube.com
18. Will and Jaden Smith in After Earth
They played Cypher and Kitai Raige.
Sony Pictures / © Sony Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
19. Husband and wife, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, in A Quiet Place
They played Evelyn and Lee Abbott.
Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com
20. Eugene Levy and his son, Dan, in Schitt's Creek.
They played Johnny and David Rose.
CBC / Via Netflix
21. Ben and Jerry Stiller in The Heartbreak Kid
They played Eddie and Doc Cantrow.
Paramount Pictures / Via youtube.com
22. Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray in Hannah Montana
They played Miley and Robby Ray Stewart.
Disney / Via disneyplus.com
23. Leslie Mann and her daughters, Iris and Maude Apatow in Knocked Up.
Leslie played Debbie, while Iris and Maude were her kids in the movie.
Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com
We told you this piece would shock you!
While these actors are fantastic at their jobs, it’s undeniable that acting alongside their family members was a masterstroke by the directors. Indeed, portraying the same relationships they share in real life provided more authenticity in their performances.
Tell us, which movie family shocked you the most?
