The Challenge: The Top 5 Sets Of Brothers In Movie History
‘The Challenge’ is a new series where Greg Ehrhardt, editor and columnist for the blog, challenges Ken Jones on his cinematic knowledge to better inform readers about the deep catalog of movies we can enjoy today.
In light of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ releasing in theaters this week, the challenge to Ken was coming up with the top 5 sets of brothers in movie history!
I directed Ken to pick only from sets of 3 brothers/step-brothers or more.
Read Ken’s answer below and tell us on Twitter (@onscreenblog) how well you think he did.
5. RAISING ARIZONA (1987)
The Brothers: The “Arizona Quints”
The Coen Brothers’ zany 80s comedy may not be considered their best movie, but it is absolutely beloved by many fans of the brother directors. Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter play a couple who cannot conceive, so they hatch a hair-brained plan to steal one baby from a wealthy family that just had quintuplets and raise the baby as their own because who needs five kids, and they’ll still have four left to love, right?
The brothers are not the main characters; they are the catalyst for everything that happens. Simon Pegg astutely described this movie as a “living, breathing Looney Tunes cartoon. The chase at the movie's end is one of the most iconic in Hollywood history.
4. TOMBSTONE (1993)
The Brothers: Wyatt, Virgil, & Morgan Earp
The shootout at the O.K. Corral is the stuff of legend and one of the most well-known stories of the Old West. Tombstone is a classic 90s film that tells the tale of the O.K. Corral gunfight and the larger story of Wyatt Earp and his brothers bringing law and order to Tombstone, Arizona. The Earps are well-served by this movie, casting some acting legends in these roles: Kurt Russell, Sam Elliott, and Bill Paxton.
3. STEP BROTHERS (2008)
The Brothers: Brennan Huff, Dale Doback, & Derek Huff
Brennan and Dale (Will Ferrell & John C. Reilley, respectively) are the titular stepbrothers of this movie whose parents re-marry one another, and these two man-children fluctuate between being friendly and trying to kill each other. But Ferrell’s Brennan also has a broken relationship with his younger brother, Derek, portrayed by Adam Scott, and it is a vital part of the movie too. Most of the movie is about the frenemy dynamic between Brennan and Dale (“Did we just become best friends?” “Yep!”), but Brennan’s relationship with Derek also provides plenty of laughs. Their awkward hug at the end is hilarious. This movie is so funny; it’s hard to say which is funnier, Step Brothers or Talladega Nights.
2. THE HARRY POTTER FRANCHISE (2001-2011)
The Brothers: The Weasleys
Ron Weasley is the best friend of Harry Potter. His wizard family takes Harry as one of their own. Ron has a very big family, including several older brothers: Bill, Percy, and the twins Fred and George. It’s tough to pick just one movie from the franchise that best captures the value of the Weasley brothers in the series, but perhaps the best one is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which counts Ron, Fred, and George as members of the Order. Bill and Percy don’t get as much screen time as the mischievous twins, beloved supporting characters in the franchise. Overall, the Weasley family plays a vital role in the Harry Potter story.
1. THE GODFATHER (1972)
The Brothers: Michael, Sonny, and Fredo Corleone, Tom Hagen
We can haggle over the order of 2-5 on this list and whether other brothers are more deserving of being listed, but there is no denying that the Corleone brothers are the most famous in movie history. Sonny (James Caan), the eldest, is the hothead. Fredo (John Cazale) is the screwup. Michael (Al Pacino) is the baby of the family who became a war hero and will eventually take over for their father as Don of the family.
Michael has the brains and poise his older brothers lack, making his story even more tragic. Additionally, Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall) is an unofficially adopted brother and the consigliere to their father, Don Vito Corleone. They’re all great actors and have distinguishing scenes, but their small interactions, like around the dinner table, establish their deep ties.