Instructions Not Included

Play trailer

Instructions Not Included

PG-13

2013

1h 55m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

An irresponsible playboy must grow up quickly when a former lover gives him their daughter to raise and then leaves without a trace.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Louis Black

Austin Chronicle

09/06/2013

2.5/5

Charming and entertaining, if overlong and a bit too melodramatic, Instructions ultimately works because of the cast.

Go to Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post

09/05/2013

2.5/4

The film's counterintuitive success is largely due to Derbez, who demonstrates why he is beloved, both south and north of the border.

Go to Full Review

Joe Leydon

Variety

09/03/2013

This sporadically amusing but unduly protracted dramedy devolves into a shameless tearjerker in its third act.

Go to Full Review

Bernard Boo

Way Too Indie

04/15/2019

7/10

Instructions Not Included's humor, while effective, feels confused as to who it's aimed at. The physical gags are unapologetically slapstick and cartoony.

Go to Full Review

Carlos Arias

Chilango.com

11/06/2015

3/5

Derbez, even as a debutant filmmaker, shows his solid formation in movies and proves himself as an able narrator. [Full Review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Mikel Zorrilla

Espinof

11/06/2015

An endearing comedy with that can captivate all kinds of moviegores.[Full Review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Mariana T

@M.Tezeta 5d

It touches on central themes from a perspective that resonates with many Latinos. How can you not sympathize with Derbez (after hating him at first). There were many moments where I genuinely laughed. But I spent 50% of the movie rolling my eyes and just waiting for it to end. I didn't like the little girl, and the way her father hid the truth from her was ridiculous. Yes, 50% of it seemed ridiculous to me, with weak supporting performances and a script that at times tried to seem sophisticated, but failed. Honestly, the only sophisticated thing about it was saying "zha, zha." The wolf element was good, and some of the symbolism was clever, but it didn't quite fit the absurd scenes that unfolded. I give it 2.5 (a movie that's neither good nor bad) because I have mixed feelings: when I remember the ending and the emotions it caused me, I say it's more or less heading towards good; but, when I remember that the movie was Derbez defending a basic girl, the movie points towards bad.

See more

Sharon C

@RT12407210 Jul 15

It is a very beautiful film and leaves great reflections, but it is very sad. I learned very valuable things in this film, and how important it is to love the person while they are alive, And that we learn from others and the way we learn is valuable. Sharon Contreras.

See more

Sara R

@RT03175687 Jul 15

This movie in my opinion is very good because it shows the courage of the main character, since he overcame all his fears for his daughter, it also has a very sad ending for me, since he did everything he did for a girl who was not his daughter. Sara Rubiano

See more

Luis R

@RT12841608 02/20/2025

That was a really difficult movie to watch.

See more

David C

@David617 02/18/2025

Está entretenida la película y la actuación de Eugenio Derbez es buena

See more

Valerie D

@VDTJ87 01/03/2025

I am in shambles from how beautiful the movie was and the ending was so unexpected 💯😥 great acting, light hearted and deep - such a gem!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Eugenio Derbez

Director

Eugenio Derbez

Valentin

Jessica Lindsey

Julie

Loreto Peralta

Maggie

Daniel Raymont

Frank Ryan

Alessandra Rosaldo

Renee

View more videos

Girl in Progress

34%

53%

Girl in Progress

Watchlist

St. Vincent

78%

78%

St. Vincent

Watchlist

The Way, Way Back

83%

84%

The Way, Way Back

Watchlist

Admission

37%

32%

Admission

Watchlist

My Old Lady

61%

43%

My Old Lady

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

An irresponsible playboy must grow up quickly when a former lover gives him their daughter to raise and then leaves without a trace.

Director: Eugenio Derbez
Producer: Eugenio Derbez, Lorenzo O'Brien
Screenwriter: Guillermo Ríos, Leticia Lopez Margalli, Eugenio Derbez
Distributor: Pantelion Films
Production Co: Alebrije Cine y Video
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 30, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 17, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $44.5M
Runtime: 1h 55m

Most Popular at Home Now