Our favourite dysfunctional families from TV and film

From The Simpsons to the Mitchell family of Albert Square, here are our favourite squabbling siblings, disastrous dads and matriarchs from the big and small screens.

Be honest - how close are they to your family?

More on Parentdish: Our favourite screen mums and dads

Favourite on-screen dysfunctional families

The Wilkersons, Malcom in the Middle
<p> Mum and dad Lois and Hal try to keep their four boys - ladies man Francis, loveable rogue Reece, boy genius Malcom and never-misses-a-trick Dewy – in check as they run riot at home, school and work. Problem is, the two ‘grown ups’ of the family are anything but…</p> <p> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong><br /> “I did the maths once; it turns out, every 17.4 dinners, my family actually has a pleasant meal together.”</p>
Basil and Sybill Fawlty, Fawlty Towers
<p> Family Fawlty is made up of Basil, who has zero charisma and charm, and Sybill, a social butterfly who flirts her way through problems with guests at their shabby hotel on the coast. How they ended up together is anyone’s guess, but luckily honorary members of the family include Spanish waiter Manuel, chef Terry (who has been to catering college), and super-organised Polly.</p> <p> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong><br /> <strong>Basil Fawlty:</strong> “Do you remember when we were first manacled together? We used to laugh quite a lot.”</p> <p> <strong>Sybill Fawlty: </strong>“Yes, but not at the same time, Basil.”</p>
The Fockers, Meet the Fockers
<p> A family with a surname like that is bound to have problems - and that’s just the case. Cue cringe-making scenes when Greg Focker and fiancée Pam Byrnes decide to introduce their parents to one another. Anyone who has met the in-laws will feel their pain. </p> <p> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong></p> <p> <strong>Pam Byrnes:</strong> “This weekend is going to be fun, and your parents are great.”<br /> <br /> <strong>Greg Focker: </strong>“They're great in small doses.”</p>
The Griffins, Family Guy
<p> This little gem features a talking dog (called Brian, no less) and a baby who can’t bear his mother. Throw in two tricky teens going through that, you know, awkward phase, a dad who just can’t quite to grips with that thing called growing up, and a desperate mum trying to hold it all together and you have comedy cartoon gold. </p> <p> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong><br /> <strong>Lois:</strong> “How could you do this? You have a family!”</p> <p> <strong>Peter:</strong> “For once, could you visit me in jail and not criticise me?”</p>
The Gallaghers, Shameless
<p> A model family (for broken Britain), the Gallaghers run riot on the Chatsworth Estate. Deadweight dad Frank drinks more beer than Homer, motor-mouth mum Monica doesn’t know when to button it, and their six kids well and truly rule the roost. </p> <div> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong></div> <div> “You’re Frank’s kid? And this is your first felony bust? Getting’ a little late start for a Gallagher, aren’t ya.”</div>
The Burnhams, American Beauty
<p> A mid-life crisis turns this clan, and their friends’ lives, upside down and inside out. And there’s a really pretentious scene with a bag blowing in the wind which is best avoided.  </p> <div> <strong>Our favourite quote: </strong></div> <div> </div> <div> <div> “Both my wife and daughter think I'm this gigantic loser and they're right, I have lost something. I'm not exactly sure what it is but I know I didn't always feel this... sedated. But you know what? It's never too late to get it back.”</div> <div> </div> </div>
The Kardashians, Keeping up with the Kardashians
<p> This can-they-be-real family has taken the public’s heart overnight with a love story here and a lot of phone conversations there.</p> <div> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong></div> <div> </div> <div> “When we have fights in our family, they usually don't end with an apology. Instead, you just make up by getting back to normal. Like you'll call and say, "You want to go shopping?"</div>
The Addams Family
<p> Children Wednesday and Pudsey are into some pretty gruesome things (even for teenagers) and mum, dad and extended family members Uncle Fester and Cousin It aren’t any more palatable. </p> <p> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong></p> <div> “And our credo: “Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc,” We gladly feast on those who would subdue us. Not just pretty words.”</div>
The Mitchells, EastEnders
<p> From the ‘Who shot Phil?’ storyline to the ‘Who did Phil shoot?’ plot straight after, there’s never a dull (or legal) moment with the Mitchells. Pregnancies, affairs, murders and more - they never disappoint on the drama factor.</p> <div> </div> <div> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong></div> <div> “Sometimes I think I married the wrong brother.”</div>
The Osbournes
<p> A show about a stoned heavy metal singer and his family was a disaster waiting to happen. But what an entertaining disaster it was. With Ozzy bumbling around looking lost, Kelly shouting and Sharon introducing more and more incontinent pets to the family home, this family was made for MTV.  </p> <p> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong></p> <p> “I love you all. I love you more than life itself, but you're all f****** mad.”</p>
The Royal Tenenbaums
<p> When three former child prodigies turned screwed-up adults are brought back together by their controlling father, it's going to be funny.</p> <p> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong></p> <p> “I know but dammit, I want this family to love me.”</p>
The Conners, Roseanne
<p> Life was never easy for the Conners. But mum Roseanne never took any rubbish, from kids Darlene, Becky or DJ, or from her husband Dan, who always got it in the neck. </p> <div> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong></div> <div> “Experts say you should never hit your children in anger. When is a good time? When you're feeling festive?”</div>
The Heslops, Muriel's Wedding
<p> Muriel and her siblings weren’t going anywhere fast. So Muriel took matters into her own hands, stealing a shed load of cash and starting a new life in the city. Of course it all caught up with her, but when she returns to help her family out, she realises how much she can help them find their feet (and their long-lost self-esteem).</p> <div> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong></div> <div> <p> “All the guests are on her side. I should have bought you more friends.”</p> </div> <div> </div>
The Harpers, My Family
<p> Ben, a dentist, and Susan, the worst cook in the world, are certainly loving, caring parents - they just have a problem showing it. With 11 years of screen time, the Harpers have certainly been a hit, just a shame it wasn’t with each other.</p> <div> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong></div> <div> <strong>Susan:</strong> “I have decided to put an end to this madness that is ruining all our lives.” </div> <div> <strong>Michael:</strong> “You're going to kill dad?” </div> <div> </div>
The Simpsons
<p> The Simpsons never fail to fail: Homer trying his best to not try; Marge pushed to the limits by her hapless husband, over-achiever Lisa, under achiever Bart, a baby that never, ever misses a trick. </p> <p> <strong>Our favourite quote:</strong></p> <p> “It’s not easy to juggle a pregnant wife and a troubled child, but somehow I managed to squeeze in eight hours of TV a day.”</p>