An Unexpected Family poster
Where to stream

An Unexpected Family

5.819961h 32mMovieDramaTV Movie

When Ruth Whitney abandons her two children with her sister Barbara is left to take care of them, at first none of them like it but soon they grow to like each other. Then over a year later Ruth comes back saying she wants her kids and Barbara goes to court to fight for custody.

DirectorLarry Elikann
WriterLee Rose
ProducerLee Rose

Where to watch

Not streaming yet
Check back soon

An Unexpected Family was released on December 4, 1996 but we couldn't find it on any streaming service yet. Rights can change — try again later.

Get the app to be notified

Cast · Directed by Larry Elikann

SCStockard Channing
Stockard Channing
Barbara Whitney
SCStephen Collins
Stephen Collins
Sam
CEChristine Ebersole
Christine Ebersole
Ruth Whitney
NFNoah Fleiss
Noah Fleiss
Matt Whitney
JOJenny O'Hara
Jenny O'Hara
Harriet Rothman
FCFulvio Cecere
Fulvio Cecere
Det. Barry Fox
KPKen Pogue
Ken Pogue
Judge Whitlock
BIBen Immanuel
Ben Immanuel
Harry Weinstock
MH
Michael Hirano
Waiter

More from Stockard Channing · Lead actress

Sesame Street
Sesame Street
1969 · 7.1
King of the Hill
King of the Hill
1997 · 7.4
The Good Wife
The Good Wife
2009 · 7.6
The West Wing
The West Wing
1999 · 8.3
NOVA
NOVA
1974 · 7.0
Practical Magic 2
Practical Magic 2
2026 · 6.5
Nature
Nature
1982 · 7.9
Practical Magic
Practical Magic
1998 · 6.8
Love, American Style
Love, American Style
1969 · 6.2
The Cleveland Show
The Cleveland Show
2009 · 5.9
See all fromStockard Channing

More from Stephen Collins · Co-star actor

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999 · 8.0
The Office
The Office
2005 · 8.6
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
2005 · 8.3
Scandal
Scandal
2012 · 7.2
Great Performances
Great Performances
1971 · 6.1
The Waltons
The Waltons
1972 · 7.1
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels
1976 · 6.7
Brothers and Sisters
Brothers and Sisters
2006 · 7.1
Private Practice
Private Practice
2007 · 7.5
Devious Maids
Devious Maids
2013 · 7.1
See all fromStephen Collins

More from Larry Elikann · Director

Falcon Crest
Falcon Crest
1981 · 5.5
T. J. Hooker
T. J. Hooker
1982 · 6.5
ABC Afterschool Special
ABC Afterschool Special
1972 · 6.5
Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy
1985 · 6.0
I Know My First Name Is Steven
I Know My First Name Is Steven
1989 · 6.7
The Great Los Angeles Earthquake
The Great Los Angeles Earthquake
1990 · 6.7
A Stoning in Fulham County
A Stoning in Fulham County
1988 · 5.6
An Inconvenient Woman
An Inconvenient Woman
1991 · 5.8
Spraggue
Spraggue
1984 · 7.0
The Great Wallendas
The Great Wallendas
1978 · 6.3
See all fromLarry Elikann

More like this

Black or White
Black or White
2015 · 6.8
Starving in Suburbia
Starving in Suburbia
2014 · 6.5
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
2008 · 6.5
A Home of Our Own
A Home of Our Own
1993 · 7.0
Girl in the Box
Girl in the Box
2016 · 6.7
Where the Red Fern Grows
Where the Red Fern Grows
2003 · 6.5
The Glass House
The Glass House
2001 · 6.0
The Killing of Two Lovers
The Killing of Two Lovers
2021 · 6.5
Twitches Too
Twitches Too
2007 · 6.7
A Good Woman Is Hard to Find
A Good Woman Is Hard to Find
2019 · 6.1
Ray Donovan: The Movie
Ray Donovan: The Movie
2022 · 6.8
TalhotBlond
TalhotBlond
2012 · 6.3

An Unexpected Family — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams An Unexpected Family?

An Unexpected Family isn't streaming anywhere in Canada yet.

Is An Unexpected Family on Netflix?

No, An Unexpected Family is not on Netflix in Canada as of September 2026.

Is An Unexpected Family on Amazon Prime Video?

No, An Unexpected Family isn't on Amazon Prime Video in Canada right now.

Where can I watch An Unexpected Family for free?

An Unexpected Family isn't streaming in Canada yet, so there's no way to watch it free at the moment.

What is the OTT release date for An Unexpected Family?

An Unexpected Family hasn't started streaming in Canada yet. Based on the typical 6–8 week theatrical-to-streaming window, we estimate it will arrive around January 22, 1997. This is a prediction, not a confirmed date.