Try watching some wonderful father-themed movies together as a simple bonding exercise that wouldn’t require any expert-level planning. From The Pursuit of Happyness to Fatherhood, here are a few great movies to watch with your dad and have a good time with.
15. Father of the Year (2018)
Image Source: IMDb
What begins as a lighthearted argument between two recent college graduates turns into a heated argument between their fathers.
Father of the Year is the best option if you want to enjoy a goofy comedy movie that is so terrible that it’s good.
14. Definitely, Maybe (2008)
The divorce between Will Hayes and his wife is currently in progress. Will plans to tell his daughter, Maya, the love stories of the three important relationships in his life and have her guess which lady is her mother after she inquires about how and when they first met.
We bet your father hasn’t ever recounted a tale just like this about the first time he faced your mother, even if you’ve questioned him about it.
13. Big Daddy (1999)
Sonny Koufax, who is 32 years old, is the epitome of a lazy and has no intention of improving. He comes up with a fantastic scheme when his girlfriend rejects him because she thinks he’s too immature. He decides to adopt Julian, a 5-year-old boy to show that he can manage a lot of responsibilities.
His plan (obviously) fails to win over his ex-girlfriend, and he soon comes to terms with the fact that he is now a father and cannot simply go back to his carefree way of life.
12. Daddy’s Home (2015)
As much as Brad Whitaker (Ferrell) wants to be a decent father to his young stepchildren, the return of Dusty (Mark Wahlberg), his wife’s ex-husband, only makes Brad feel more insecure.
Will he surpass Dusty and finally gain the children’s respect?
11. Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
Your dad will be especially appreciative that he doesn’t have more than a dozen children after watching this movie.
With 12 children, Tom and Kate Baker may be a touch overwhelmed, but there’s no denying that their home is a haven of love and fun. The family must leave their home in Midland, Illinois when Tom receives his dream job opportunity to teach football at his former school hundreds of miles away.
The Baker children are, needless to say, not happy, and when Kate gets a countrywide book tour and Tom is left to look after the children by himself, things get considerably more chaotic.
10. Fatherhood (2021)
Based on a true event, Matthew Logelin unexpectedly finds himself raising his daughter Maddy alone after the terrible death of his wife.
As Maddy matures, he juggles fatherhood and everything else that accompanies it on his own. The movie follows Matthew’s joys, anxieties, and worries about being a single parent.
9. Daddy Day Care (2003)
Image Source: IMDb
Anything with Regina King as the family’s main caregiver is welcome in our book. In the movie, her character’s husband Charlie decides to start a daycare business after losing his job.
Charlie, however, finds it difficult to maintain the company, and it certainly doesn’t help when his main rival, Gwyneth Harridan, is attempting to force them out of business.
8. Onward (2020)
Image Copyright: Disney
Two elf brothers, Ian and Barley, go on a magical quest to find their deceased father. When their mother learns what they’re doing, she joins an imaginary being and sets out to retrieve her kids.
It has a star-studded cast and many relevant themes.
7. We Bought A Zoo (2011)
We Bought a Zoo is a family-friendly film that will feel like a warm blanket on your lap. In the movie, Damon plays Benjamin, a widower father who resolves to start over by buying a new house and a zoo.
He moves his two kids away from the bustle of Los Angeles and invests their savings in 18 acres of lush, sunlit greenery that also houses a crumbling zoo with several animals. Before you scoff incredulously, keep in mind that a variation of this tale truly occurred in the English countryside.
6. The Judge (2014)
Living up to your father’s legacy can occasionally feel like a heavy burden. Hank Palmer, a dubious attorney, is shown in The Judge as he becomes entangled in his judge father’s hit-and-run case.
Will his father’s defense spare him something more than prison time—perhaps even their relationship? This movie is for you if you’ve ever battled to fill your father’s enormous shoes.
5. Father of the Bride (1991)
George Banks is overjoyed to welcome his daughter Annie home after a study abroad program in Rome. Annie breaks the news that she’s engaged, and much to his complete surprise (and despair) George receives a crash course in learning to let go and recognize that his baby girl has grown up.
Steve Martin does a good job as the father who must, unhappily, pay for his daughter’s wedding. Martin Short steals the show as Franck Eggelhoffer. He dons one of those hazy European accents, which is both irritating and funny.
4. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Frank Abagnale (Leonardo DiCaprio), a thief in real life, stole millions of dollars in false bank cheques while leading a lavish lifestyle.
The movie does, however, have a lot of heart and two father figures: Frank’s battered biological dad (who is at his most vulnerable) and the FBI agent, who develops feelings of parental affection for the young genius criminal.
3. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Image Source: imdb.com
The film is based on the actual story of businessman Chris Gardner. Will Smith’s real-life son Jaden plays his son in the movie, and they both put on an Oscar-worthy performance.
The film follows Gardner’s struggle to find employment and provide a decent life for his toddler son.
2. Field of Dreams (1989)
Do you recall all the catch games you used to play with your father?
Prepare to experience nostalgia as you see Kevin Costner’s character realize his dream of constructing a baseball field in his Iowa cornfield, which ultimately enables him to rekindle his father’s memories.
1. King Richard (2021)
Will Smith portrays Richard Williams in this gripping biopic, the dad of Venus and Serena who, metaphorically speaking, stepped up to the wealthy, white world of pro tennis and struck it right across the face who underestimated him and his daughters’ potential.
You might not recall that Smith received an Oscar for the performance; it was a fairly understated event *wink*.
Honorable Mentions
- Taken (2008)
- The Lion King (2019)
- Commando (1985)
What are your favorite movies to watch with your dad? Share with us in the comments!
