Dads—our superheroes, mentors, and best friends! They bring a unique flavor to our world in their own charming and peculiar ways. Every moment with Dad is special. And to celebrate that bond, we’ve compiled a list of the best movie dads.
Being a good father can be hard work—and these movie dads will give you a wholesome view of what fatherhood looks like. From the wise Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird to the playful Gil Buckman in Parenthood, these best dad movies will take you through a spectrum of emotions and experiences.
Even though they are fictional, these best movie dads are very relatable. They’ll go above and beyond for their kids. Each dad on our list goes through challenges and makes sacrifices to provide the best life for their children. They’re not perfect. But they are always there for their children. These movies break the stereotype that fathers don’t play a big role in parenthood.
These best movies for dads are a reminder that even everyday moments can turn into extraordinary memories. Their ability to make us laugh, their warm hugs, and their never-ending dedication are what truly make dads special. You can count on them to teach you important life lessons, from changing a tire to tackling challenges head-on.
So let’s celebrate all the sweet and influential fathers of the big screen. This is our list of best dads in movies. You can rearrange the list by voting for your favorite dads. Also, if you have more recommendations for the best movie dad, let us know in the comments!
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#1 Arthur Weasley - "Harry Potter"
“Now, Harry, you must know all about Muggles. Tell me, what exactly is the function of a rubber duck?”
Arthur Weasley is the kind of father anyone would feel lucky to have. He is full of love and laughter, and encourages his children to pursue their own interests and passions. He is also a father figure to Harry, which makes him even more lovable.
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48points
#2 Gomez Addams - "The Addams Family"
“Fatherhood is the most wonderful thing that could happen to me, and I’m just glad I have enough love in my heart for all my little monsters.”
The Addams Family is a delightfully eccentric film. Gomez Addams, portrayed by Raul Julia, stands out as an extraordinary dad. He’s mischievous, playful and always encourages his kids to explore their curiosities.
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35points
#3 Atticus Finch - "To Kill A Mockingbird"
“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”
Atticus Finch is hands-down the best movie dad ever. He has a strong moral compass and teaches his kids, Scout and Jem, about empathy and compassion. He also encourages critical thinking, even if it means standing up against everyone else.
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31points
#4 Guido Orefice - "Life Is Beautiful"
“You are such a good boy. You sleep now. Dream sweet dreams. Maybe we are both dreaming. Maybe this is all a dream, and in the morning, Mommy will wake us up with milk and cookies.”
Guido, portrayed by Roberto Benigni, is a remarkable dad. He stays strong even in the face of unimaginable adversity. He constructs an alternate reality for his son to give him hope and goes to extraordinary lengths to protect him.
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26points
#5 Mac Macguff - "Juno"
“You know I’ll always be there to love you and support you no matter what kind of pickle you’re in.”
J.K. Simmons’ character stands by his daughter despite being taken aback by the pregnancy. He’s an open-minded, non-judgmental dad who loves his daughter.
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26points
#6 Mufasa - "The Lion King"
“Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of Life.”
Mufasa is a wise and noble father figure in The Lion King. The heart-wrenching scene where he saves Simba’s life is one of the best dad moments in movies.
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26points
#7 Mr. Ping - "Kung Fu Panda"
“To make something special, you have to believe it’s special.”
Mr. Ping loves noodles as much as he loves his adopted son Po in the Kung Fu Panda series. He is nurturing and caring, and guides Po on his journey to become the Dragon Warrior. This is a movie that you can watch repeatedly and still never get tired of.
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23points
#8 Chris Gardner - "The Pursuit Of Happyness"
“Don’t ever let somebody tell you... You can’t do something. Not even me.”
Chris Gardner, portrayed by Will Smith, has an unwavering determination to provide a better life for his son. He is a role model every kid can look up to.
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22points
#9 Daniel Hillard - "Mrs. Doubtfire"
“There are all sorts of different families, Katie. Some families have one mommy, some families have one daddy, or two families.”
Daniel Hillard, portrayed by Robin Williams, would do anything to spend time with his children—even dress up as a woman. His hilarious antics as Mrs. Doubtfire make him one of the best dads in movies.
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22points
#10 Marlin - "Finding Nemo"
“I’m coming, Nemo!”
Marlin, the clownfish in the movie Finding Nemo, is incredibly protective of his son Nemo. When Nemo gets caught, Marlin swims across the vast ocean to find him. He sets aside his fear and anxiety to find his son. As the saying goes, “Love conquers all”!
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21points
#11 Juan - "Moonlight"
“You’re my only. I’m your only.”
Juan has a profound influence on his son Chiron. One of the best dad moments in movies is when he teaches his son to swim. It’s a powerful metaphor for overcoming fear and embracing the unknown. Mahershala Ali won an Oscar for his brilliant performance as Juan.
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18points
#12 Professor Henry Jones - "Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade"
“What happens at 11 o’clock?”
Professor Jones values the pursuit of knowledge. He instills these values in his son, Indiana Jones. His experiences as an adventurer contribute to Indiana’s growth immensely.
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17points
#13 Noah Levenstein - “American Pie” Franchise
“Well, they’re safer than tube socks!”
Eugene Levy portrays Noah Levenstein, or “Jim’s Dad.” He is an iconic movie dad for his unique charm and hilarious nuggets of wisdom.
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16points
#14 Clark Griswold - "National Lampoon’s" Franchise
“We’re gonna have so much fun together, we’re gonna need plastic surgery to remove our smiles.”
Clark is far from a perfect dad, which makes him all the more relatable. However, he exudes boundless enthusiasm and optimism that helps his family get through embarrassing situations. A very heartwarming movie to watch with your dad.
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15points
#15 Gil Buckman - "Parenthood"
You’ll see Gil, portrayed by Steve Martin, often bumbling around and struggling as he navigates the challenges of parenthood. But one thing is clear—he’s always there for his kids.
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15points
#16 Tom Baker - "Cheaper By The Dozen"
“You soaked his underwear in meat. That is so wrong. Funny, but wrong.”
Another Steve Martin movie where he embraces the chaos of raising multiple kids. This time it’s 12 of them! Steve’s character Tom Baker has an infectious energy and perfect comedic timing. An unmissable family movie.
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15points
#17 Bill, Harry And Sam - "Mamma Mia!"
“When you know, you know.”
Three old men attend the wedding of a young woman who they believe might be their daughter. But only one of them is the real father. As the movie progresses, you’ll be cheering for all three of them and hoping they end up as one big family together.
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15points
#18 Dill Penderghast - "Easy A"
“A pocketful of sunshine. That’s what you are.”
Stanley Tucci gives a refreshing take on fatherhood in this movie. He’s a “cool dad” who provides a strong foundation of love and support to his daughter as she navigates a sticky situation in school.
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14points
#19 Sam Baldwin - "Sleepless In Seattle"
“I have these dreams. About your mom. And we have these long talks about you and how you’re doing, which she sort of knows, but I tell her anyway.”
This movie is one of Tom Hanks’ best roles. He is one of the best dads in movies. Tom plays a widower who puts his son Jonah’s needs and happiness above his own. They are on a quest to find a woman who’ll become a part of their family. You’ll be smiling throughout this sweet movie.
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13points
#20 Charlie Hinton - "Daddy Day Care"
“If we can take care of a million-dollar deal, we can take care of a few kids.”
In the movie Daddy Day Care, Eddie Murphy plays a loving father who loses his job and starts a daycare center. He brings plenty of playfulness and creativity to his job as he struggles to manage a bunch of small kids. A fun movie to watch with your kids.
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13points