6 Secret Identities Action-Comedies Like The Family Plan
The Family Plan (2023) delivers a perfect blend of high-stakes action and family-driven humor, following a reformed assassin forced to juggle suburban life with a dangerous past. If you loved its mix of secret identities, witty banter, and chaotic road trips, here are six films that capture similar themes of hidden lives colliding with domesticity. From explosive spy missions to undercover dads, these picks balance heart and humor while keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.
1. True Lies (1994)
Director: James Cameron | Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis
Harry Tasker (Schwarzenegger) is a globe-hopping spy who hides his dangerous career from his wife, Helen (Curtis), and daughter. When Helen grows suspicious of his absences, Harry drags her into a mission to rescue her from terrorists, leading to explosive helicopter chases, undercover stings, and a iconic tango scene that hilariously tests their marriage.
Why It Matches The Family Plan:
Like Dan Morgan (Mark Wahlberg) in The Family Plan, Harry struggles to reconcile his secret life with family obligations. The film’s genius lies in blending over-the-top action (e.g., a Harrier jet battle) with relatable marital tension. Helen’s transformation from bored housewife to accidental spy mirrors the “ordinary person in extraordinary circumstances” theme that makes The Family Plan so fun.
Don’t Miss: The scene where Helen, believing she’s role-playing, seduces Harry while wired for sound—a perfect mix of comedy and suspense.
2. Nobody (2021)
Director: Ilya Naishuller | Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen
Hutch Mansell (Odenkirk) is a mild-mannered dad stuck in a monotonous routine—until burglars break into his home. When the justice system fails, Hutch’s suppressed rage (and lethal skills from a shadowy past) erupts. He unleashes vengeance on Russian mobsters, leading to a brutal bus fight and a climactic home invasion showdown.
Why It Matches The Family Plan:
Both films explore the fallout of a violent past resurfacing. Hutch’s journey from “nobody” to unstoppable protector mirrors Dan Morgan’s struggle to shield his family. The dark humor—like Hutch calmly disposing of evidence while his son watches—echoes The Family Plan’s balance of laughs and thrills.
Standout Moment: Hutch’s confession to his son: “I used to be… the opposite of a cop.”
3. Game Night (2018)
Directors: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein | Starring: Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams
Competitive couple Max and Annie’s weekly game night goes sideways when Max’s brother stages a fake kidnapping that turns real. Their quest to solve the “game” involves stolen Fabergé eggs, double-crossing criminals, and a blood-soaked Jason Bateman improvising a bullet wound remedy.
Why It Matches The Family Plan:
Like The Family Plan, Game Night pairs ordinary characters with outrageous stakes. The couple’s banter (“How hard did you throw the phone?!”) and chaotic teamwork mirror Dan and Jessica’s dynamic. Its mix of mystery and physical comedy (e.g., a Fabergé egg hidden in a dog’s stomach) keeps the tone light yet thrilling.
Highlight: McAdams’ gleeful “I’m gonna Memento this!” as she scribbles clues on her arm.
4. Central Intelligence (2016)
Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber | Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart
Calvin Joyner (Hart), a former high school star turned bored accountant, reconnects with Bob Stone (Johnson), a bullied classmate now a rogue CIA agent. Their mission to recover a stolen satellite code involves shootouts, a prom-themed safehouse, and Bob’s obsession with unicorns.
Why It Matches The Family Plan:
The buddy-comedy energy between Hart and Johnson mirrors Dan’s reluctant partnership with his family. Bob’s hidden identity (and tragic backstory) adds emotional depth, while Calvin’s midlife crisis parallels Dan’s suburban dissatisfaction.
Must-See Scene: Bob’s over-the-top takedown of villains at a high school reunion.
5. The Spy Next Door (2010)
Director: Brian Levant | Starring: Jackie Chan, Amber Valletta
Retired spy Bob Ho (Chan) quits espionage to win over his girlfriend’s skeptical kids. But when his old nemesis resurfaces, Bob must protect the family using household gadgets (think vacuum cleaner flamethrowers) and his signature martial arts.
Why It Matches The Family Plan:
Bob’s struggle to balance babysitting and spy work mirrors Dan’s parenting challenges. The slapstick comedy—like Bob fighting goons while the kids livestream him as a “video game”—keeps the stakes family-friendly yet exciting.
Best Moment: Bob defusing a bomb with a soda can and gum.
6. Date Night (2010)
Director: Shawn Levy | Starring: Tina Fey, Steve Carell
Bored married couple Phil and Claire Foster (Carell and Fey) steal a restaurant reservation meant for criminals, thrusting them into a night of car chases, corrupt cops, and pole-dancing escapes.
Why It Matches The Family Plan:
The Fosters’ ordinary-couple-in-over-their-heads energy mirrors Dan and Jessica’s road trip chaos. Their witty banter (“We’ll just tell them we’re drug dealers!”) and relatable marital struggles ground the absurd action.
Unforgettable Scene: A shirtless Mark Wahlberg (yes, that Wahlberg) casually offering the Fosters guns and advice.
Conclusion
From Arnold Schwarzenegger’s helicopter stunts (True Lies) to Tina Fey’s pole-dancing escape (Date Night), these six films deliver the same mix of family humor and explosive action as The Family Plan. Whether you’re craving spy missions, marital mayhem, or undercover dads, this list guarantees laughs, thrills, and maybe even a few parenting tips (though we don’t recommend battling assassins IRL).
