Rental Family (2025)
A Tokyo-set drama-comedy about an American actor who rediscovers himself by stepping into strangers' lives as a hired family member.
Rental Family - Movie Information
- Original Title: Rental Family
- Release Year: 2025
- Directed by: Hikari
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 20, 2025 (PR - PG-13), November 21, 2025 (United States - PG-13), November 21, 2025 (Canada), January 16, 2026 (United Kingdom - 12A), January 8, 2026 (Germany - 0), February 4, 2026 (France), December 26, 2025 (New Zealand - M), December 26, 2025 (Australia - M), January 8, 2026 (Brazil - 12), January 8, 2026 (Mexico - B), February 19, 2026 (Italy), January 9, 2026 (Spain), February 25, 2026 (South Korea - 12)
- Alternative Titles: レンタルファミリー (JP), Семья напрокат (RU), Familia de alquiler (ES)
- Production Companies: Sight Unseen Pictures, Domo Arigato Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Rental Family - Plot
An American actor in Tokyo struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese 'rental family' agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients' worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality.
Rental Family - Trailer
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Rental Family - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hikari
Main Cast
- Brendan Fraser
- Takehiro Hira
- Mari Yamamoto
- Shannon Mahina Gorman
- Akira Emoto
- Bun Kimura
- Tamae Ando
- Misato Morita
- Shinji Ozeki
- Shino Shinozaki
Writers
- Stephen Blahut
- Hikari
Producers
- Hikari
- Eddie Vaisman
- Julia Lebedev
- Shin Yamaguchi
Rental Family - FAQs
Where can you stream Rental Family (2025)?
Rental Family is available to stream on Hulu with a subscription. It can also be rented or purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region.
What is Rental Family (2025) about?
Rental Family follows an American actor adrift in Tokyo who takes a job with a Japanese rental family agency, stepping into strangers' lives as a stand-in relative. Through these unconventional relationships, he discovers genuine human connection and a renewed sense of purpose.
Is Rental Family based on a true story?
Rental Family is inspired by the real phenomenon of rental family agencies in Japan, where companies provide hired stand-ins for social occasions such as weddings, funerals, and family gatherings. While the characters are fictional, the cultural practice at the film's core is genuine.
Who are the main actors in Rental Family?
Brendan Fraser leads the cast as Phillip Vanderploeg, an American actor struggling in Tokyo. He is joined by Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman, Akira Emoto, Bun Kimura, Tamae Ando, Misato Morita, Shinji Ozeki, and Shino Shinozaki.
Who directed Rental Family (2025)?
Rental Family was directed by Hikari, the Japanese filmmaker known for her award-winning short film 37 Seconds and her feature debut of the same name. She also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Stephen Blahut, drawing on themes of identity and cross-cultural connection.
What is the age rating for Rental Family?
Rental Family is rated PG-13 in the United States, meaning some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. In the United Kingdom it carries a 12A certificate, while Australia and New Zealand classify it M. Germany rates it 0, permitting all audiences.
How long is Rental Family (2025)?
Rental Family has a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes (110 minutes). The film's measured pace allows it to explore its themes of identity, loneliness, and human connection with depth and nuance across its Tokyo setting.
What films are similar to Rental Family?
If you enjoyed Rental Family, you may also appreciate Legends of the Fall (1994), A Tale of Two Sisters (2003), Runaway Bride (1999), Happy Feet (2006), and Practice Space (2024). These films share themes of identity, family dynamics, and emotional self-discovery.
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