Top 10 Perfectly Cast Movie Siblings
#10: Michael & Sam Emerson
“The Lost Boys” (1987)
These two brothers think they’re starting over in Santa Carla, but little do they know they’re entering a haven for vampires. Michael and Sam are teenagers who have enough on their plate before they try to fight off monsters. Jason Patric and Corey Haim are compelling as the big and little brothers, with a complicated relationship that fuels this iconic 80s story. One character falls under the influence of the enemy gang while the other tries to defeat the latter. Viewers have to believe that these two could be siblings and protect their mom from bloodsuckers. Patric and Haim effectively play into the action, horror, and drama of every moment.
#9: Ferris & Jeanie Bueller
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)
This brother and sister have something of a contentious relationship. Ferris Bueller seems to get away with anything, while his sister Jeanie struggles to get attention. John Hughes’ film might have some fantasy in it, but it does manage to capture a realistic dynamic about siblings. Matthew Broderick gives his role all the carefree energy he can muster. Not to be outdone, Jennifer Grey gives an underrated performance as the one family member out to reveal the hero’s schemes. Even with their limited screen time together, the two performers give you the sense that they could have a whole other film built around their feud.
#8: Bob & Doug McKenzie
“Strange Brew” (1983)
Comedians Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas popularized these characters on their highly influential series “SCTV.” Fans of the original sketch will love this transition to film, watching the McKenzie brothers come up against a nefarious Brewmeister. Bob and Doug are two siblings united by a common love of beer who find themselves in a complicated scheme. Moranis and Thomas give these Canadian legends noticeable and identical accents, playing the perfect pair of unlikely heroes. “Strange Brew” might seem like an excuse to have a good time, but it ultimately works because of the central performances of two comedy greats.
#7: Elinor & Marianne Dashwood
“Sense and Sensibility” (1995)
From the mind of Jane Austen, these sisters have been part of literary history since the 19th century. Elinor and Marianne Dashwood both juggle their family obligations and romantic life. With Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet playing the siblings, these characters jump off the screen and feel timeless. They’re able to capture the complexity of the relationship while sharing the screen. Ang Lee’s direction allows for both actresses to fully explore their roles, letting each of them command the story at different times. Thompson and Winslet are at the top of their game here, with the former writing the script and the latter proving herself as a future star.
#6: T’Challa & Shuri
“Black Panther” (2018)
For this groundbreaking Marvel project, T’Challa takes center stage as the titular hero. “Black Panther” also makes room for some awesome supporting roles such as Shuri. The younger sister is the tech expert who loves to mess with her brother. Letitia Wright feels perfectly cast to spar with her cinematic family member Chadwick Boseman. Even with the fate of Wakanda at stake, these two find a way to banter in the movie’s funniest sequences. The lead character’s more reserved personality pairs well with his sibling’s more playful energy. Not only that, they make a fantastic team when a battle breaks out. The film wouldn’t be complete without these two stars adding some lighthearted and sometimes heartwarming scenes.
#5: Dale Doback & Brennan Huff
“Step Brothers” (2008)
These step-siblings don’t necessarily love each other at the start of this comedy. After some fighting, the two come to be one of the most lovable brother duos in recent memory. This is all possible thanks to the efforts of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. Both performers bring a childlike energy to every moment, playing middle-aged boys as well as anyone. They can make a number of music videos, pranks, and operatic performances entertaining. Their comedic charisma is unquestioned throughout this 2000s favorite. After a film like “Talladega Nights,” this duo couldn’t be contained to just one hilarious project.
#4: Charlie & Raymond Babbitt
“Rain Man” (1988)
Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman don’t seem like an obvious fit to play family. The beauty of this film is that these two come together and become compelling on-screen siblings. Cruise plays Charlie as a self-centric man, with the latter taking on a road trip with his newly found brother Raymond. They’re an underappreciated duo, with the younger performer holding his own opposite Hoffman’s Oscar-winning role. They create a believable bond that’s full of all the love and anger that comes with brotherhood. The power of “Rain Man” comes from these two stars being together, building an unforgettable relationship.
#3: The Corleone Family
“The Godfather” (1972)
In the first film of this series, the incredible cast makes for one of cinema’s most famous families. The interplay between the Corleone siblings creates some powerful and tense scenes. With Al Pacino and James Caan alone, the lives of Michael and Sonny forever change in this classic gangster tale. There’s also the pivotal supporting work of Talia Shire and the underrated John Cazale. Altogether, the movie wouldn’t work without the eclectic and immortal performances from this ensemble. Each of them creates fully realized people who deal with the violent, turbulent, and uneasy world of mob life.
#2: Terry & Charley Malloy
“On the Waterfront” (1954)
It’s certainly not easy for either of these characters to be brothers. Terry and Charley Malloy are on opposite ends of the law, but still have an undeniable bond. Marlon Brando and Rod Steiger are in top form here in some of their finest work. They might also have one of the more famous scenes together from the film, or any other project for that matter. Their conversation in the back of a car comes with several choice quotes delivered by Hollywood legends. Brando won an Oscar for his performance, but Stieger holds his own as the enforcer trying to reason with his conflicted sibling. It’s the sort of pairing that only the Golden Age could’ve dreamed up.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Loki & Thor, “Thor: Ragnarok” (2017)
The Enduring Chemistry of These Demi-Gods Comes Courtesy of Two Talented Performers
The Weasleys, “Harry Potter” franchise (2001-11)
The Red-Headed Family Are Reliably Fun & Endearing with the Help of an Awesome Cast
The Tenenbaums, “The Royal Tenenbaums” (2001)
Wes Anderson’s Excellent Ensemble Brings Together an Intricate Family Drama
The March Sisters, “Little Women” (2019)
Greta Gerwig’s Acclaimed Adaptation Isn’t Complete Without a Talented Cast
The Ludlow Brothers, “Legends of the Fall” (1994)
Brad Pitt, Aidan Quinn & Henry Thomas Give This Epic About Brothers a Heartbreaking Edge
#1: Jake & Elwood Blues
“The Blues Brothers” (1980)
During their days on “SNL,” Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi created these blues-loving siblings. This helped them establish the stage presence and family connection of the fictional characters. With the making of this film, the two performers were more than ready to take their vision to the big screen. Their coolness, musical prowess, and natural dynamic are undeniable from one hilarious scene to the other. Along with their matching outfits, these brothers are iconic thanks to the chemistry of the two leads. It’s hard to imagine anybody else shepherding this idea from TV to film better than Aykroyd and Belushi.
Which on-screen siblings did we forget to mention? Let us know in the comments below.