Rental Family OTT release date in India: Here's when and where you can stream Brendan Fraser's dramedy film
Brendan Fraser stars in Rental Family, a drama about a Tokyo expat playing surrogate roles. After global praise, it streams in India on JioHotstar starting February 18, 2026.
Last Updated: 01.48 PM, Feb 17, 2026
On February 18, 2026, Oscar winner Brendan Fraser's critically acclaimed comedy-drama Rental Family will formally debut on OTT in India. After a successful run in theatres around the world and premieres at various prestigious film festivals, the film will soon be accessible for streaming exclusively on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium).
Who is the creative team behind Rental Family?
| Film Title | Rental Family |
| OTT Release Date (India) | February 18, 2026 |
| Streaming Platform | JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium) |
| Director | Hikari |
| Lead Cast | Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Akira Emoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman |
Japanese director and screenwriter Hikari (known for her work on the critically acclaimed Netflix series Beef and the feature film 37 Seconds) delves into the Japanese "rental family" niche market in her new film, Rental Family. For clients going through tough times in their personal or social lives, there are agencies that offer experienced actors to play the part of friends, family, or coworkers. Stephen Blahut co-wrote the screenplay.
Phillip Vanderploeg, played by Fraser, is an American expat residing in Tokyo. Even though his acting career peaked years ago in a single toothpaste ad, Phillip is now a struggling actor. He takes work at a rental family agency run by Shinji, portrayed by Takehiro Hira (Shōgun), despite his financial problems and psychological isolation. Despite his initial scepticism about the job's premise, Phillip quickly becomes emotionally invested in his clients' lives.
Which surrogate roles does Phillip play for his clients?
He plays several surrogate roles throughout the story. For example, he plays the role of a fiancé to appease Yoshie's (Misato Morita) parents and stands in for Mia's (Shannon Mahina Gorman) biological father when her mother (Shino Shinozaki) needs a paternal figure to get into an exclusive school. As Phillip assumes these roles, he blurs the boundaries between his professional responsibilities and his personal feelings, forcing him to confront his own sense of belonging.
Veteran agency employee Aiko (Mari Yamamoto) and retired actor Kikuo Hasegawa (Akira Emoto), who is coping with memory loss, are part of the supporting cast. At its 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) premiere, Rental Family received rave reviews for its sympathetic tone and Fraser's "vulnerable and grounded" performance, among other things. The film also received high marks for its ensemble chemistry and subtle depiction of Tokyo's urban loneliness. The critics have praised the film for its insightful examination of the human desire for connection and its deft handling of dry comedy. The film has garnered several accolades from global festivals and is currently enjoying a comfortable position on review aggregators.
When and where can you stream Rental Family in India?
With its debut on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium), the platform's collection of foreign films has grown substantially. The movie will be available to Indian subscribers at midnight on February 18, 2026. There will be subtitle options available in addition to the original English and Japanese audio for this 110-minute film.
For Indian audiences, Fraser's Rental Family is still a highly awaited prestige film, especially in light of his recent comeback.
Rental Family FAQs:
Q: When is the Rental Family OTT release date in India?
A: Rental Family is scheduled to premiere on OTT in India on February 18, 2026. It will be available for streaming exclusively on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium), following its theatrical and international digital rollout.
Q: Who is in the cast of the movie Rental Family?
A: Rental Family stars Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser in the lead role. He is joined by a prominent international cast including Takehiro Hira (Shōgun), Mari Yamamoto (Pachinko), Akira Emoto, and newcomer Shannon Mahina Gorman. The film is directed by Hikari, the filmmaker behind the hit series Beef.
Q: In what languages is Rental Family available?
A: Rental Family is a bilingual production featuring dialogue in both English and Japanese. On JioHotstar, the film will be available in its original audio format with English and localized Indian language subtitles.