Two years ago, Marc Wahlberg starred in the totally forgettable live-streaming action comedy The Family Plan for Apple TV. Despite its scathing reviews, it became a success for the streamer, even becoming Apple’s most-streamed film for a while. It’s no surprise that a sequel has been ordered, although it’s a bit ironic that this is Wahlberg’s second Christmas-themed sequel, following Dad’s house 2 in 2017.
Still, putting up tinsel for a follow-up film feels like cheating, especially if you’re one of the many who will simply love a film that gets you into the holiday spirit, regardless of its quality. After all, who would dare to click play The Family Plan 2 I’m waiting for one of the best films of the year?
What is “The Family Plan 2” about?
The Family Plan 2 begins two years after the first film, when Dan Morgan’s (Wahlberg) wife, Jessica (Michelle Monaghan), and the children, Nina (Zoe Colletti), Kyle (From Crosby), and little Max (Rock & Theo Lindsey), are now fully aware of his past as a mercenary for his crime lord father. Right from the jump, we learn that Dan’s father died in prison and, honestly, our heroic family man is doing just fine. Even though Jessica tells him that it’s completely normal to feel things about loss.
But Dan is more concerned about the news that Nina, who is studying at university in London, will not be coming home for Christmas. Dan, despite his gruff past, has always been a believer in tradition and family. So, through his job as the head of a security company, he books a client in the UK so he can still be with his daughter for the holiday season.
Upon their arrival, Dan is immediately upset when he learns that Nina has a boyfriend, Omar (Reda Elazouar), and even worse, the guy keeps calling him “daddy”. It’s not just a detour that Dan encounters on his journey; Actually, Something far worse and more deadly awaits him on the streets of London: his vengeful half-brother Aidan (Kit Harington).
“The Family Plan 2” is more of the same
If you didn’t like the first one Family Package movie, this sequel is not going to make you a fan. Of course, on the surface it’s slightly better. It’s a little less generic and the stakes have risen as the Morgan family has gone international, but quality-wise it’s still pretty much exactly what you’d expect, just a little better.
Wahlberg and Monaghan clearly strengthened their chemistry as Dan and Jessicawhere their married couple dynamic actually comes across as genuinely charming instead of forced. In fact, the sequel actually allows Monaghan to have a lot more to do outside of just being an unassuming wife. In the opening moments of the film, we see Dan climbing a hotel in order to meet Jessica for a date. It’s actually kind of cute, especially since the director returned Simon Cellan Jones and screenwriter David Coggeshall apparently have realized they needed to try something a little new.
Of course, The Family Plan 2 brings the Morgan family back on vacation, but it’s not exactly the same as the first film, beat for beat. Especially with the introduction of Harington’s Aidan, who actually turns out to be a mildly convincing villain. The sequel never fully portrays Aidan as a cold-hearted, mustache-twirling villain, as it did with Ciaran Hinds‘ McCaffrey in the first film. Instead, we see him as someone who reeks of jealousy, especially since Dan got the life he never had. Yes, it’s very cliché and generic, but at least it’s really trying.
However, as an action comedy, The Family Plan 2 is much more interested in repeat some of the same unfunny jokes as its predecessor. Elements like Dan and Jessica embarrassing their kids by singing top 90s pop hits in the car or complaining about phones are still present, and they’re still not hilarious. A lot of the movie is just going through the same motions as the first movie telling so-called jokes. It all comes down to, “Mom and Dad just don’t get it. But also, I feel like I’m becoming them.” It follows the same motions as the first, as Nina and Kyle are often bothered by their secretly badass action hero father’s lack of cool. The inclusion of Elazouar’s Omar attempts to shake things up, but even this subplot revolving around Dan’s disapproval feels tired and exhausted from its introduction.
“The Family Plan 2” Holiday Cheer carries the sequel
As cheap as that that is to say, sometimes injecting a little Christmas spirit into a film can go a long way. In his first act, The Family Plan 2 has a lot to do. Hell, it even gives reason to the tradition of putting up your Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving, when most holiday movies show families putting up their tree on the same day. Granted, it’s not the greatest of compliments, but Dan’s need for a family Christmas makes it an enjoyable first act.
As the film goes on, things become more and more stale. Most of the action scenes are mundane. While the first film took place in unexpectedly violent locations that seemed at odds with the family-friendly tone, the sequel plays things too safe. A notorious example is a crucial fight scene between Wahlberg and Harington, facing off on a double-decker bus. Instead of having close-ups of the fight, the film chooses to have the fights take place primarily in wide shots of the streets of London, so that the two stars’ fist fight takes place away from the camera.
There’s nothing about The Family Plan 2 which particularly stands out outside the European context of Christmas. Despite a slightly different premise from the original, much of the film plays out like a sitcom. Yes, it’s an improvement over the first film, that’s not saying much when your predecessor was already lackluster. For those looking for a disposable Christmas movie to watch while putting up your tree, then maybe The Family Plan 2 will do the trick. Otherwise, don’t consider streaming this sequel.
The Family Plan 2 premieres on Apple TV+ on November 21, 2025.
- Release date
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November 21, 2025
- Runtime
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106 minutes
- Director
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Simon Cellan Jones
- Writers
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David Coggeshall
- The chemistry between Wahlberg and Monaghan has improved.
- The first act exudes holiday cheer.
- The action seems dull.
- Most of the jokes seem tired and too sitcom-like.
- The film plays it even safer than the first film.
