Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family

Movie review by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Predictable but occasionally funny comedy has adult themes.

PG-13 2011 105 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 14+

Based on 6 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 17 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family is a dramedy very similar to its predecessors, with lots of family dysfunction and some fairly adult themes amid the jokes -- including questions about paternity, drug abuse, and drug dealing, marital woes, and references to rape. There's a fair amount of swearing, though no F-bombs, and one character loves to smoke weed. Nevertheless, there are also a lot of discussions about faith, forgiveness, and the importance of family.

Community Reviews

TheTrillonaire
TheTrillonaire Adult
August 9, 2014
age 13+

Another Funny Tyler Perry Movie

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
joshua martinez
joshua martinez Adult
September 5, 2011
age 14+

14 and up.

this comedy movie Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family stars with Tyler perry is an average movie about mature themes and with that being said this movie is only for your older teens and parents you need to know that Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family has some mild language used and some smoking and drugs used overall besides the mature themes this movie does have a positive message it's about that love and faith can see families through the worst circumstances.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In TYLER PERRY'S MADEA'S BIG HAPPY FAMILY, Madea's (Tyler Perry) niece, Shirley (Loretta Devine), needs her help. Her cancer is back, and the prognosis isn't good. Shirley would like to tell her children the news over dinner, but they all seem embroiled in their own personal dramas. Shirley's youngest, Byron (Shad ''Bow Wow" Moss), is trying to steer clear of drug dealing and make a go of it with a legit job, but his son's mother (Teyana Taylor) and his girlfriend (Lauren London) are both hassling him to make more money. Shirley's daughter Tammy (Natalie Desselle Reid) can't stop haranguing her husband (Rodney Perry) even as they let their sons run amok. And Shirley's other daughter, Kimberly (Shannon Kane), a perpetually frustrated real estate broker, won't make time for her husband, her son, or the rest of her family. Madea to the rescue!

Is It Any Good?

You've seen it all in other Perry movies: juvenile jokes, marital woes, family strife, uplifting singing, and the pushy, bombastic, and sometimes wonderful Madea. Refreshing and surprising this movie is not, so if innovation and vision are what you're looking for, you'll have to move on. What's more, feminists may be taken aback by the shrewish portrayal of most of the women, and how their deference toward their husbands is not-so-subtly advised as the key to marital bliss.

Madea's Big Happy Family feels a bit schizophrenic: Serious issues are fodder for jokes, while funny moments suddenly take a dramatic turn. Still, there's something appealing about Perry's freewheeling style. Anything can happen, and anything does happen: cancer, skeletons in closets, drug deals, Maury Povich leading paternity fights, a rousing church service. For Madea fans, it's just another day at the movies.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the messages about family in Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family. What does family mean to you? What faults can you accept among family members? Which are harder to go along with?

  • What is the film saying about the role of faith in helping people face hardships?

  • Does the movie reinforce or undermine any stereotypes?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate