Parental Guidance
When three unruly grandchildren overwhelm their old-school grandparents, a chaotic babysitting assignment becomes a warm test of family connection.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- witty
- playful
- chaotic
- family movie night
- lazy sunday
What critics said
Critics generally found the familiar family premise predictable and dragging, though Billy Crystal and Bette Midler's comic chemistry supplied much of the film's charm and heart.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Artie and Diane must care for Alice and Phil's three children while their relaxed approach conflicts with Alice's controlled parenting style.
The grandparents' childcare duties unravel through punishment, chores, and the children's disruptive behavior in the family home.
Artie and Diane want to prove to their daughter, son-in-law, and themselves that they can be effective grandparents.
The setup of the house, childcare expectations, chores, and punishments drives progressively more disorderly comic consequences.
Films like Parental Guidance, and why
The In-Laws
family comedy built around grandparents struggling with energetic children and generational differences
Cheaper by the Dozen
warm ensemble family comedy using chaotic household situations and intergenerational conflict
The Game Plan
mainstream comedy about adults overwhelmed by unconventional child-rearing challenges
Movie Details
- Director
- Andy Fickman
- Release Date
- 2012-12-25
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (499)
Cast
- Billy Crystal
- Bette Midler
- Marisa Tomei
- Tom Everett Scott
- Bailee Madison
- Joshua Rush
- Kyle Breitkopf
- Jennifer Crystal Foley
- Rhoda Griffis
- Gedde Watanabe
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Parental Guidance about?
- When three unruly grandchildren overwhelm their old-school grandparents, a chaotic babysitting assignment becomes a warm test of family connection.
- What is Parental Guidance like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Parental Guidance as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Parental Guidance violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Parental Guidance.
- What did critics think of Parental Guidance?
- Critics generally found the familiar family premise predictable and dragging, though Billy Crystal and Bette Midler's comic chemistry supplied much of the film's charm and heart.
- Which films are like Parental Guidance?
- Films with a similar feel include The In-Laws, Cheaper by the Dozen, and The Game Plan.
- How long is Parental Guidance?
- Parental Guidance runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch Parental Guidance?
- In United States, Parental Guidance streams on Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
