Honestly, nobody does a send-off quite like Tyler Perry. When people start looking for where to watch A Madea Family Funeral, they usually expect the standard slapstick routine—wig slightly askew, a giant purse, and some aggressive wisdom. But this 2019 flick hits a bit differently because it was originally billed as the grand finale. The end of an era.
It's loud. It's messy.
If you're hunting for it right now, you’ve likely noticed it bounces around the streaming platforms like a pinball. One month it's on Hulu, the next it’s tucked away on a premium add-on like BET+ or Max. Currently, for most viewers in the US, the most reliable way to catch the chaos is through Lionsgate’s various licensing partners or via a straight-up digital rental on Amazon or Apple TV.
The Weird History of Madea’s "Final" Bow
Tyler Perry is a workhorse. He famously wrote, directed, and produced this entire thing, while playing four different characters. That’s a lot of prosthetics. The plot kicks off with a family reunion in backwoods Georgia that—surprise, surprise—turns into a literal funeral when a family patriarch dies in a highly "compromising" position at a hotel.
Most critics absolutely hated it. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a dismal 11% from critics, but the audience score sat much higher. Why? Because the people who want to watch A Madea Family Funeral aren't looking for Citizen Kane. They want to see Joe (the grumpy, weed-smoking brother) say things that would get anyone else canceled in five minutes.
The movie actually sat on a shelf for a while. Perry finished it two years before it hit theaters. He wanted to wait until the "Farewell Tour" was in full swing. It’s funny how "final" is rarely final in Hollywood, though. While this was marketed as the end, we all know Madea eventually popped back up on Netflix a few years later with A Madea Homecoming.
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Why the Streaming Rights are a Headache
You’d think a massive franchise like this would have a permanent home. It doesn't.
Because Tyler Perry transitioned his massive content library over to his deal with ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) and BET, the older Lionsgate-era films are often caught in a tug-of-war. If you can’t find it on your basic Netflix subscription, check the "Live TV" sections of apps like Sling or Fubo. They often have it on-demand because it airs on cable channels like VH1 or MTV basically every other weekend.
What Actually Happens in the Movie?
Let’s get into the weeds of the story. A 40th anniversary party turns into a funeral for Anthony, a man whose death is as ridiculous as the movie's pacing. The humor is anchored by the "Holy Trinity" of Perry characters: Madea, Joe, and Aunt Bam. Hattie is there too, played by the hilarious Patrice Lovely.
The funeral itself? It’s two hours long in "movie time."
Madea is trying to keep a lid on a dozen different affairs and secrets while literally trying to get the body in the ground. There is a specific scene involving a casket that won't stay closed that is peak Perry physical comedy. It’s low-brow. It’s repetitive. And yet, if you’re in the right mood, it’s strangely comforting.
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- Verna (Cassi Davis): She brings that specific brand of "Auntie" energy that keeps the movie grounded when the plot goes off the rails.
- The Secret: The whole movie hinges on the fact that everyone is cheating on everyone. It’s basically a soap opera with a laugh track.
The Production Reality
Perry filmed this at his massive Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. He’s known for shooting at a breakneck pace. We’re talking about finishing a whole feature film in a week or two. This efficiency is why he’s a billionaire, but it’s also why some scenes feel a little unpolished. You can sometimes catch the actors almost breaking character because they’re improvising so much.
If you are planning to watch A Madea Family Funeral, pay attention to the character of Joe. He is arguably the highlight of the entire film. While Madea provides the structure, Joe provides the unfiltered, politically incorrect commentary that feels like a throwback to 1970s sitcoms.
Is it actually a "Funeral" for the Franchise?
Not really.
The movie grossed over $75 million against a $20 million budget. In the world of cinema, those numbers mean you don't stay retired for long. Perry admitted later that he missed the character. The "funeral" was more of a marketing hook than a narrative necessity.
How to Get the Best Viewing Experience
If you’re watching this for the first time, don’t go in solo. These movies are designed for a crowd. Or at least a very loud living room.
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- Check your existing subscriptions first. Use a search aggregator like JustWatch because the licensing deals for Perry’s Lionsgate catalog change on the first of every month.
- If you're a die-hard fan, the physical DVD/Blu-ray is actually worth it for the bloopers. With Perry, the outtakes are often funnier than the scripted scenes because you see him arguing with himself in different costumes.
- Turn on the subtitles. Joe mumbles a lot of his best lines under his breath. If you aren't paying attention, you'll miss the best insults.
The movie deals with heavy themes—infidelity, grief, family resentment—but it treats them with a very light touch. It’s about the absurdity of family. We’ve all been to that one gathering where you’re just praying no one starts a fight. Madea is the person who starts the fight just to get it over with.
Final Verdict on the 2019 "Ending"
While it’s not the "best" Madea movie (that’s probably still Madea Goes to Jail or The Family That Preys if you want actual drama), it’s a solid entry in the canon. It represents the end of the Lionsgate era before Perry moved his operations fully into the streaming wars.
When you sit down to watch A Madea Family Funeral, expect the unexpected. Expect a casket that won't close. Expect a lot of screaming. Most importantly, expect Madea to have the last word, because she always does.
Next Steps for the Viewer
If you can't find the film on your primary streaming service, verify if you have access to the BET+ app, as it currently houses the most extensive collection of Perry's work. If you are looking for a more "serious" take on the creator's style, consider pairing this with a viewing of A Fall from Grace to see the stylistic contrast in his direction. Check your local listings for "BET" or "VH1" on-demand sections, as they frequently cycle the Madea films through their free-with-cable rotations.