A Family Thing (1996): cast, story & where to watch
1996 · Film · ★ 6.3
Released in 1996, A Family Thing is a comedy and drama film directed by Richard Pearce, running about 109 minutes. “With family, everything is relative.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Earl Pilcher Jr., runs an equipment rental outfit in Arkansas, lives with his wife and kids and parents, and rarely takes off his gimme cap. His mother dies, leaving a letter explaining he's not her natural son, but the son of a Black woman who died in childbirth; plus, he has a half brother Ray, in Chicago, she wants him to visit. Earl makes the trip, initially receiving a cold welcome from Ray and Ray's son, Virgil. His birth mother's sister, Aunt T., an aged and blind matriarch, takes Earl in tow and insists that the family open up to him.
Who’s in it. A Family Thing stars Robert Duvall as Earl Pilcher Jr., James Earl Jones as Ray Murdock, Michael Beach as Virgil and Irma P. Hall as Aunt T., among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, A Family Thing has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch A Family Thing page.
If you liked it. Fans of A Family Thing tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch A Family Thing (1996)?
- In US, A Family Thing is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is A Family Thing worth watching?
- A Family Thing holds an audience score of 6.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy and drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in A Family Thing?
- A Family Thing stars Robert Duvall, James Earl Jones, Michael Beach, Irma P. Hall and Grace Zabriskie.
- When was A Family Thing released?
- A Family Thing was released in 1996, with a runtime of about 109 minutes.