The Family Plan 2 (2025) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
If there’s one thing I’ve learned digging through new releases—both theatrical and streaming—it’s this: sequels rarely find the magic their predecessors stumbled into. And in the case of The Family Plan 2, that lesson rings louder than ever. As someone who loves digging into family-action films with comedic flare, I came in hoping for a fun holiday-season ride, the kind that Apple TV+ occasionally nails. Instead, I found myself watching a film that feels both predictable and strangely hollow.
Still, The Family Plan 2 isn’t entirely without charm. It’s the kind of movie that will entertain casual viewers who simply want background noise while wrapping Christmas gifts. But for anyone looking for tight action choreography, sharp humor, or narrative stakes—you won’t find them here.
Plot: Another Run, Another Chase, Fewer Thrills
The Family Plan 2 picks up after the events of the first film, following Dan Morgan (Mark Wahlberg), the reformed government assassin who now just wants a peaceful family Christmas. But peace never lasts long in this franchise.
This time, the central conflict emerges when Dan’s daughter has her own holiday plans, and his attempt at a spontaneous family trip to London inadvertently puts the Morgans straight into danger. The twist: Dan discovers the existence of a long-lost half-brother, Aidan (Kit Harington), whose motives are… well, exactly what you expect from a sequel villain: convoluted, predictable, and not nearly menacing enough.
From there, the family is on the run—again—racing across London, Paris, and finally Las Vegas for the “big” showdown. If it feels familiar, that’s because it is. The film heavily recycles the beats of the first movie, just with different international backdrops and weaker stakes.
Direction & Writing: A Sequel Lacking Spark
Director Simon Cellan Jones returns, along with writer David Coggeshall, but something feels off this time. You can sense the attempt to balance family bonding, Christmas atmosphere, comedy, and action—but the mixture never quite gels.
Many viewers described the film as “a hundred minutes of nothingness,” and honestly, I understand why. The script suffers from:
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Flat comedic timing
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Predictable action beats
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Artificial emotional moments
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Dialogue that doesn’t sound human
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ADR issues that make certain scenes feel awkwardly stitched together
At times, the movie genuinely feels like it was assembled out of leftover plot ideas from the first film… and then fed into a machine to stretch it into a sequel.
And I have to agree with one of the user comments: some scenes feel so sloppily constructed that they barely seem to pass the standard of a “writers’ room,” let alone a major platform release.
Performances: Chemistry Up, Excitement Down
Let’s talk performances.
Mark Wahlberg
Wahlberg looks exhausted—physically and emotionally. His performance feels like a tired retread of the “protective dad” archetype without the comedic spark that made him fun to watch in earlier roles. Some even described his delivery as “wet blanket energy,” which, brutally, is not far off.
Michelle Monaghan
Once again underused. Her character exists, but that’s about the extent of it.
Kit Harington
Surprisingly, Kit Harington is the film’s most dedicated player. He seems genuinely invested in giving Aidan some depth, even if the script does not support him. He’s the only one who brings charisma to an otherwise mechanical sequel.
Supporting Cast
The teenage characters—Nina (Zoe Colletti) and Kyle (Van Crosby)—are arguably the movie’s saving grace. Their chemistry feels natural, and their character growth since the first film is actually noticeable. Omar (Reda Elazouar), the parkour-loving boyfriend, injects some humor—though the parkour sequences feel forced into the plot.
Action & Cinematography: Underwhelming and Often Distracting
Where the first film delivered at least some fun, simple action sequences, The Family Plan 2 struggles.
The fight scenes have been compared to late-era Liam Neeson action editing: choppy, over-cut, and lacking physicality. The rooftop jumps? I couldn’t suspend disbelief enough to imagine Wahlberg pulling any of that off.
The globe-trotting visuals—London pubs, Paris streets—are pretty at times, but they often feel like sanitized tourist-brochure versions of Europe. It’s more “EPCOT International Pavilion” than the real deal.
Tone & Pacing: A Film That’s… Just There
The movie isn’t offensively bad. It isn’t embarrassingly campy. It’s just incredibly average.
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Not as funny as it wants to be
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Not as emotional as it thinks it is
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Not as thrilling as the first film
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Not as Christmassy as the marketing suggests
If you forget the plot five minutes after watching, you’re not alone. Many viewers reported the same.
Is It a Christmas Movie? Technically… Yes. Spiritually… No.
The story takes place during the holidays, with London and Paris decked in winter lights. But the “Christmas spirit” feels thin. Many scenes—especially the sequences in France—feel as festive as “a wet weekend in Bradford,” as one reviewer joked.
Where to Watch The Family Plan 2 Online
Right now, The Family Plan 2 is available exclusively on Apple TV+.
Watch here: Apple TV The Family Plan 2
There are no U.S. streaming alternatives at this time. No Netflix, no Hulu, no Prime Video, no Peacock.
If you’re already an Apple TV+ subscriber, the film won’t cost you extra. If not, the cheapest way is their free trial or monthly subscription.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?
The Family Plan 2 isn’t unwatchable—it’s simply forgettable. And in the world of streaming, forgettable may be worse than bad.
Watch it if:
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You enjoyed the first film and want to see the family dynamic evolve
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You want a low-stakes, background movie
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You appreciate Kit Harington and want to see his villain performance
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You already have Apple TV+ and want something new
Skip it if:
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You want sharp action
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You crave unique storytelling
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You’re looking for a holiday film with actual heart
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Mediocre sequels drain your soul
In the end, Apple TV+ has delivered something that sits firmly in the “middle of the streaming bin”—a movie that doesn’t aim to be great, but simply to exist.
If you go in expecting light, average family-action entertainment, you may enjoy it. If you expect more… this sequel might leave you cold.
