Best movies like Cheaper by the Dozen (2022)
The last Cheaper by the dozen the reboot updates the familiar premise for new audiences with a cast led by Zach Braff and Gabrielle Union. As has been the case with previous versions of the story, the film revolves around a couple struggling to raise their various children from various marriages. Each child offers a different set of challenges that unlikely parents must overcome to lead a stable family.
The Disney+ original is perfect for aficionados of the family comedy genre. From parenting misadventures to life lessons, movies like Cheaper by the dozen are perfect for family viewing.
Parenthood (1989) – Rent on Amazon Video
As is apparent from the name itself, this 80s classic directed by Ron Howard is a film par excellence when it comes to parent-child relationships in cinema. Steve Martin stars as the protagonist, a middle-aged man struggling to manage his personal and professional life while raising three children with his wife. With another on the way, he must set a precedent for being a good father.
Kinship captures the fears and anxieties that parents may have while being a good role model for their children. This image may vary for different age groups. Thus, while the children of Cheaper by the dozen are mostly about the same age, the three children of Kinship are each at different stages of life, ranging from kindergarten to college.
Parental Guidance (2012) – Stream On Max Go
Starring Billy Crystal and Bette Midler as a pair of awkward grandparents, the film deals with their tumultuous efforts to win over their grandchildren. The generation gap obviously interferes with their old-school ways, but they eventually find common ground.
A little like Cheaper by the dozenthe protagonists of parental guidance are not glorified as perfect parental figures. There’s an obvious conflict of values, but ultimately the narrative is about finding merit on both sides and coming together as a family.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006) – Stream on Hulu
Wholesome family movies can be about either a perfect family or a dysfunctional family. Little Miss Sun falls into this latter category. In order to take an optimistic girl to a beauty pageant, her entire family embarks on an interstate road trip. Therefore, the comedy-drama easily belongs in the pantheon of movies with heartwarming character growth.
The journey proves to be life changing as all the members begin to face their worst fears and insecurities. Cheaper by the dozen proves that such outings and family interactions can have an impact on both parents and children. Little Miss Sun offers similar themes but with a more mature approach.
Garden State (2004) – Stream on Amazon Prime Video
JD in Scrubs might be considered one of Zach Braff’s best roles, but the actor and director has also proven his dramatic prowess in films such as his directorial debut, garden condition. Alongside Natalie Portman, Braff plays a troubled man who returns to his hometown to attend his mother’s funeral. The journey turns out to be quite a journey of self-realization as he comes to terms with his depression and his strained relationship with his parents.
Braff’s protagonist carries a lot of emotional depth as he introspects the distance he shares with his father. This contrasts with his lighter character in Cheaper by the dozen. Both characters are interesting case studies for Braff’s game; one shows him as a confused son while the other shows him as a responsible parent.
Papa Day Care (2003) – Stream on HBO Max
When two unemployed dads start a daycare for a little extra cash, they not only have to deal with chaotic children, but also competition from a very controlling rival facility.
Anchored by the comedic energy of Eddie Murphy and Jeff Garlin, the film explores the difficulties of raising children much like Cheaper by the dozen. In both cases, the protagonists resort to unconventional parenting methods to save the day.
The Pacifier (2005) – Stream on Disney+
Featuring one of Vin Diesel’s comedic roles, the pacifist revolves around an ex-Marine tasked with protecting a family of five misfit children, each with their own set of tantrums. The way the hardened military bows to the whims and fancies of these spoiled brats makes for wholesome comedy.
Whether it’s the characters of Braff and Union in Cheaper by the dozen or the titular protagonist of Diesel in the pacifist, some people are not naturally suited to be good role models. But with time and patience, they could end up being surprisingly good parents.
Instant Family (2018) – Stream on Paramount Plus
Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne star as a married couple who decide to adopt a reckless teenager. But when it’s revealed that she has two more siblings, the duo do more than they bargained for.
Instant Family follows a very disorganized family much like that of Cheaper by the dozen. The differing interests of parents and children may collide on more than one occasion, but the narrative ultimately sets up for a heartwarming resolution. The two films end up celebrating their differences to find common ground.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) – Rent On Vudu
The main characters of Cheaper by the dozen are initially separated and have different children from their different marriages. Mrs. Doubtfire plays with familiar tropes of divorce to show an estranged father’s desperate attempts to buy time with his children.
Disguised as a nanny, the protagonist of Robin Wiliams indulges in several hilarious antics. But despite being a 90s movie that made viewers laugh, Mrs. Doubtfire also has its wistful moments that offer the grim reality of divorce, serving as a contrasting parallel to feel-good parenting comedies such as Cheaper by the dozen.
Fatherhood (2020) – Stream on Netflix
Based on a true story, Netflix’s comedy-drama film Paternity explores the ups and downs of single parenthood. After a recently widowed man embraces the birth of his daughter, he must change his life in order to accept the new responsibilities that life offers him.
One of Kevin Hart’s most dramatic films, Paternity is an emotional coming-of-age journey for father and daughter. If viewers need a more emotional alternative to parenthood after Cpile by the dozen, Paternity is an ideal watch.
King Richard (2021) – Stream on HBO Max
Some cinematic parents can be tender caregivers while others can be tough as nails. The main character of Will Smith in King Richard is a mix of the two in his obsessive quest to turn his daughters Venus and Serena Williams into future tennis stars. The film covers the tennis players’ early days and the impact their parents Richard Williams and Oracene Price had on their careers.
Adding a touch of realism, the film doesn’t shy away from exploring the different approaches to parenthood that Richard and Oracene might sometimes have when it comes to their family of five daughters. In the end, their goals are the same but their different personalities lead to different solutions. Although with a more laughable approach, Cheaper by the dozen features a similar scenario with his family of ten children causing all sorts of emotional conflict for both parents.
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