A Family Thing_
"With family, everything is relative."
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.
Starring
Robert Duvall, James Earl Jones, Michael Beach
Box Office
$10.1M
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
Tubi
2 countries
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Year context
A Family Thing was released 30 years ago in 1996.
Overview
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, ...
A Family Thing is a Comedy, Drama film with a runtime of 1h 49m.
CAST (20)
Robert Duvall
Earl Pilcher Jr.
James Earl Jones
Ray Murdock
Michael Beach
Virgil
Irma P. Hall
Aunt T.
Grace Zabriskie
Ruby
Regina Taylor
Ann
David Keith
Sonny
Xander Berkeley
Sunburned Man
Jacqueline Williams
Woman at Hospital
Mary Jackson
Carrie
Paula Marshall
Karen
Phillip Edward Van Lear
Club Manager
Meg Thalken
Doctor
RL
Richard Lexsee
Truckjacker
James N. Harrell
Earl Pilcher Sr.
LL
Lauren Leigh Phillips
Kindra
AJ
Ashleigh Jordan
Danielle
SQ
Saundra Quarterman
Young Aunt T.
Rufus Thomas
Tommy
Reggie Hayes
Virgil's Friend
BOX OFFICE
$10.1M
Revenue
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
109 min (1h 49m)
Language
English
Country
Rating
6.4/10 (72 votes)
Popularity
3
Box Office
$10,125,417
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is A Family Thing 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.
How long is A Family Thing?
A Family Thing has a runtime of 109 minutes (1h 49m).
Who stars in A Family Thing?
The cast of A Family Thing includes Robert Duvall, James Earl Jones, Michael Beach, Irma P. Hall, Grace Zabriskie.
How much did A Family Thing make at the box office?
A Family Thing earned $10,125,417 worldwide at the box office.
What is the rating of A Family Thing?
A Family Thing has a rating of 6.4 out of 10 based on 72 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (2)
Comedy
Drama