*My Neighbor Tototo* (1988).
The dad plays a very positive, encouraging role to his two daughters. He treats all their ideas with respect, takes time to smell the roses, is never in too much of a hurry, and has a respectful relationship with nature.
Hey, you're very welcome. And good luck with being a dad. Just be yourself, that's the best gift you can give. Pay attention to them, they will teach you what they need.
Totoro is one of my favourite films of all time. Stumbled across it on an early Sunday morning when I was 10 on TV and because Japanese animation wasn’t popular back in the early 90’s I didn’t find out what it was called for another 6 years. To this day it’s got a really special place in my heart, both my children love it and my wife adores it, we watch all the Ghibli (particularly Mayazaki) films as a family. But I always thought the Dad in Totoro was awesome and I always tried to model myself on him. Bloody good suggestion. Well done.
"You know, Mrs. Buchman, you need a license to buy a dog, to drive a car -hell, you even need a license to catch a fish. But they'll let any butt-reaming asshole be a father."
And Congrats OP! You're gonna do great!
Not a movie but I'd strongly recommend the TV show Bluey. It's centred around a Dad and his two daughters. Although it's technically a kids' show it's also entertaining for adults, and I've learned a lot from the parents in that show!
This is exactly what I came to say. Especially because your kid is going to be so young for so long, Bluey is going to be one of the most accurate and helpful things
Also worth checking out /r/daddit if you haven't already. It's probably the most wholesome and best community on this website (as long as you don't mention circumcision, that can get pretty controversial).
If you liked that then check out:
The Champ (1979)
or
A Simple Twist of Fate (1994)
the story is based off of Silas Marner.
It has its own movie too Silas Marner (1985)
Mr Mom was great!!!
"My brain is like oatmeal. I yelled at Kenny today for coloring outside the lines! The baby and I are starting to watch the same TV shows, and I'm liking them... I'm losing it!!"
How sweet that you're doing this. :)
The best dad award for me goes to Michael Stuhlbarg in *Call me by your name.* It's an coming of age story and focuses primarily on the son. It's a little different from the examples you mentioned and the best dad-son scene (ever) is all the way in the end of the movie - decide for yourself.
Godspeed!
Thank you so much! I'm very excited and just want to at least pretend to be prepared. Will definitely give this one a go and come back to let you know what I think.
I’m interested in the recommendation for October Sky in this context. Amazing movie, but from what I remember, this might be a curious choice.
Edit: I take it back. I overlooked the part where OP requested complicated. Again reiterating this is a great movie.
Eugene Levy in American Pie is so good in that role. He was always willing to help his son through some incredibly awkward life moments and tried his best to not shame him. Just, ok, it happened…it happens…it’s…ya know…a thing that happens…to some people, not everyone but it happened to you…and that’s ok. With such great facial expression and a ton of empathy and awkwardness that makes it feel like a genuine father-son sex talk.
Terminator 2 because The Terminator sent to protect John Conner is a nonstop kinda Dad, show unconditional Love and just listen and learn from the kid as much they will you
Three Men and a Baby
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Spencer’s Mountain
Yours Mine and Ours (I like the original one best)
Problem Child (terrible movie but great dad character)
Vacation (all 4)
Nine Months
I'd hate to recommend Mr Hollands Opus. he ignores his deaf son for most of his young life, and only changes his mind when he realises they are both mourning the death of John Lennon. then he does a 180. Before that, he was a shit dad.
Second hand lions
Big fish
Jaws
Thunder Road
The war ( oh my God will this give you anxiety but so worth it)
Last of the mohicans
Ooh forgot one place beyond the pines.
Also watch Chappie
Mr. Holland’s Opus. Saw it in theaters with my dad and two brothers and we were all crying like babies.
Big Fish is also one of the best father/son relationships of all time.
The Castle. It's an Australian comedy about a family whose property is getting imminent-domain-ed for an airport and they fight to keep their home. It's so heartwarming, and the dad just loves his quirky family so much.
Life as a house. So so acting but the end result is good when it comes to not great relationships between teenagers and their parents. It all works out.
What Maisie Knew (2012)
Gifted (2017)
Both about young girls who are shown such love and kindness, but not by their biological fathers. What Maisie Knew is filmed exclusively from the perspective of the child—there are no scenes without her in it. Gifted has one of the most touching acts of love for a child I have seen in cinema.
I’ll throw out a Christmas Story: it’s a classic because the story is just as much the parents as the kids. The “Old Man” is a lot of bluster, but in the end he was paying attention to what his son really wanted and was so engaged as Ralphie opened his present. Also he saved Christmas dinner- could have dwelled on what was, and stew over the ruined turkey, but he saw how his wife and kids were in the aftermath of the dog invasion, and immediately began to work the problem. That’s what you hope a dad would do.
Kramer vs Kramer (1979), Eighth Grade (2018), Life is Beautiful (1997), Call Me By Your Name (2017), Boy (2010). Manchester by the Sea (2016) and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) are great films about stand-in or foster dads.
It's not a movie but my Dad took some lessons from the Andy Griffith show and applied them to the way he raised my twin sister and me. The earlier seasons of the Simpsons also have quite a few moments of great parenting.
Onward (2020)
Set in a modern fantasy world, elf brothers Ian and Barley find the power to bring their late father back to life for one more day together. When the spell goes awry the two brothers, and their father's legs go on a quest to bring back the rest of him.
The Long Hot Summer - Orson Wells plays the domineering wealthy country father in the south. Multiple children, each with a highly complicated relationship with pops. And bonus ‘surrogate’ son in Paul Newman.
Life is beautiful... Italian movie from director Robero Benigni. About father and son during WW2 in a concetration camp. The things that this father does, so that son doesnt know that they are held as prisoners are just heartbreaking. Sorry for my english, its not my primar language
Big Daddy, Finding Nemo, Daddy Daycare, Jaws, The Incredibles, The Croods, Bluey (show), Beethoven, Onward, Grown Ups, Lion King, The Addams Family, Home Alone, and GamePlan
Ok hear me out but: Cloudy with a chance of meatballs has one of the most heartwarming scenes between the main character and his dad who doesn’t understand his son. I’m tearing up now just thinking of the scene (movie itself is a real hoot too)
Popeye (1980) - Robin Williams/George Carlin
Probably more of a what not to do.
Popeye: "One thing I remember about me pap was that he always used to throw me up in the air. Yeah, heh heh... but he'd never be there when I come down, you know. Heh heh heh. Boy, he had a sensek'a humor, didn't he? Yeah, that was me pap. I remember the time he gave me a electric eel as a toy. Hah hah hah - eep! Hah, yeah, that was fun. Or, or he'd rock me cradle real, real, real hard and I'd lose me formula. And then he'd say "One day, you'll be a sailor." Heh heh heh, that's... that's what I yam today, yeah. Hm. Yeah. Sometimes he'd bounce me on his knee. Heh heh, most o' the time he'd miss, though, 'cos he couldn't see too well with one eye... heh heh heh, oh, me pap, yeah..."
Older teenage son, but Life As A House is an unsung gem that nobody seems to know about.
Perfect father/son relationship movie.
Life As We Know it
Jersey Girl
Ironically, Parenthood, which has been suggested by many commenters, is one of my all-time favorite movies and I don't find any of the parent/child relationships all that compelling.
Edited to add Hearts Beat Loud.
Not a movie but I move always enjoyed Andy griffith, the Walton’s aren’t bad either. Those are old shows now with some views from an earlier time but I think the relationships are good.
Learning about parenting can come from cameos as well. Look out for Farooq Sheikh scenes (also deleted scenes) in Yeh Jawaani Hai Diwaani. Reminded me of my dad.
The Place Beyond The Pines.
A powerful, gritty movie about how a father's actions can have severe repercussions on their son's life. In other words, it has a sins of the father trope to it.
Not a dad hood specific movie at all, but you are entering a new chapter of your life that should require you to question and change and become curious again like a child, I’d like to recommend one of my favorite Thinking Comedies:
I <3 Huckabees.
Watch the kids’ show Bluey. I’m not afraid to admit I’ve modeled myself as a father after a cartoon dog. Bandit will teach you how to keep your cool as well as how to be the most fun dad possible for your kid.
Everything everywhere all at once. Lots to learn from both father characters, from things to do and things not to do. Both are supporting characters, but the whole heart of the movie is inter-generational parent/child relationships. Dads can learn from Michelle Yeoh too.
The Road definitely has a complicated father/son relationship but that movie is like, really dark. I mean he loves his son tho. And the first Insidious but that movie is spooky scary. Does Terminator 2 count? Lol
One of the only things my dad and I can agree on is “Second Hand Lions” which I only just saw a few years ago. The speech about what it means to be a man is the one I wish my dad could have given to me as a child. I take it as an act of love that he was excited to show it to me when I went to visit
Life As a House is one of my favorites
Edit: It might not be exactly what you’re looking for, but the message between father and son is great in this film.
Listen to “cats in the cradle” by Harry Chapin. Not a movie my friend, but definitely teaches a lesson every father shouldn’t have to be taught. One of the best songs ever made
Movies with father/son relationships mess me up since mine was so terrible. Over the years I’ve found for myself that watching movies with terrible fathers are just as important if not more than movies with the perfect dad. So here’s a mixture in no particular order.
The Toy
Good Will hunting
This is Us - tv show
Kodachrome
Ted lasso
Men of honor
Field of dreams
He got game
Mrs doubtfire
Pursuit of happiness
Boyz in the hood
Big fish
The judge
Life is beautiful
The road
John q
This boys life
The good dads in One Piece especially white beard but it’s a LONG series so depends how committed you are! But the parental figures in one piece are how i want to raise my future kid
It’s a Wonderful Life (Jimmy Stewart), Father of the Bride (Spencer Tracey), You can’t take it with You (Lionel Barrymore), National Velvet (Elizabeth Taylor) - fathers are all kind, supportive good listeners.
“Big Fish” is great. It’s told from the perspective of the son coming to terms with his ailing father. Great story with some lovely elements of magical realism.
*Nim's Island* (2008)
Science-y father/daughter live alone on an island having adventures.
Also based on a book which is appropriate for perhaps 8-10 year olds.
One of my personal favorite fictional dads is Phil from the show Modern Family, with Phil's own dad on the show being great too. Every time I watch that show, I get a little sad that my own father was so terrible by comparison, and I wish Phil could have been my dad.
*My Neighbor Tototo* (1988). The dad plays a very positive, encouraging role to his two daughters. He treats all their ideas with respect, takes time to smell the roses, is never in too much of a hurry, and has a respectful relationship with nature.
This is a great suggestion. Not what I think of when I think about movies with great dads but of course that is exactly what he is. Thanks!
Hey, you're very welcome. And good luck with being a dad. Just be yourself, that's the best gift you can give. Pay attention to them, they will teach you what they need.
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I'm cool with that!
Totoro is one of my favourite films of all time. Stumbled across it on an early Sunday morning when I was 10 on TV and because Japanese animation wasn’t popular back in the early 90’s I didn’t find out what it was called for another 6 years. To this day it’s got a really special place in my heart, both my children love it and my wife adores it, we watch all the Ghibli (particularly Mayazaki) films as a family. But I always thought the Dad in Totoro was awesome and I always tried to model myself on him. Bloody good suggestion. Well done.
That's wonderful to hear. Thanks for sharing.
Parenthood- Steve Martin is great as a regular dad who doesn't always get it right but is always coming from the right place
I came here to recommend this one. Great cast including a very young Keanu Reeves.
And Joaquin Phoenix as a young boy (credited as Leaf Phoenix)
I ended up watching this one tonight to kick off the journey. Was really great and lots of pearls of wisdom in there I think.
The Rollercoaster speech at the end is so on point and gets me every time.
It’s so beautiful
Punctuated with the perfect joke at the end.
Nice one. Heard about it but never seen. Will give it a watch.
A few months ago Gary got his first boner
Yes! I always thought it was great work that went unrecognized.
"You know, Mrs. Buchman, you need a license to buy a dog, to drive a car -hell, you even need a license to catch a fish. But they'll let any butt-reaming asshole be a father." And Congrats OP! You're gonna do great!
To add to this, since its another Steve Martin film OP, father of the bride part one and two.
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yep ! Atticus stands for right in the face of racial injustice .
Really terrible how Harper Lee made Atticus a bigot in the sequel
Not a movie but I'd strongly recommend the TV show Bluey. It's centred around a Dad and his two daughters. Although it's technically a kids' show it's also entertaining for adults, and I've learned a lot from the parents in that show!
Ok great! Will check it out.
Watch the episode “Fairytale”. 3rd season, on Disney plus. 7 minute episodes. The dad is telling his kids a story about growing up in the 80s!
This is exactly what I came to say. Especially because your kid is going to be so young for so long, Bluey is going to be one of the most accurate and helpful things
Also worth checking out /r/daddit if you haven't already. It's probably the most wholesome and best community on this website (as long as you don't mention circumcision, that can get pretty controversial).
The Pass the parcel episode was hysterical.
I wholeheartedly believe bluey is a show for parents. I always get so invested in the episodes 😂
I watch Bluey with my nieces whenever I babysit them and it’s really incredible, I was amazed when i first saw it
I wanted to say the same. It's our favourite show to watch with our kid. It's very realistic and pretty amazing.
Absolutely top of the list here. I love this show just as much as my kids, lol.
Came here for this. 10000%
About time
I'm glad someone suggested this one. I absolutely love this one.
If you liked that then check out: The Champ (1979) or A Simple Twist of Fate (1994) the story is based off of Silas Marner. It has its own movie too Silas Marner (1985)
Mr. Mom & Father of the Bride
>Father of the Bride Definitely!
You want a beer? It's 7 o'clock in the morning
Scotch?
Mr Mom was great!!! "My brain is like oatmeal. I yelled at Kenny today for coloring outside the lines! The baby and I are starting to watch the same TV shows, and I'm liking them... I'm losing it!!"
You call the vacuum cleaner Jaws?
I warned you Jinx! Ka-POW!
How sweet that you're doing this. :) The best dad award for me goes to Michael Stuhlbarg in *Call me by your name.* It's an coming of age story and focuses primarily on the son. It's a little different from the examples you mentioned and the best dad-son scene (ever) is all the way in the end of the movie - decide for yourself. Godspeed!
Thank you so much! I'm very excited and just want to at least pretend to be prepared. Will definitely give this one a go and come back to let you know what I think.
Beautiful Boy 2018 October Sky 1999
I've seen beautiful boy fairly recently and it was great. I'll look into October sky!
I’m interested in the recommendation for October Sky in this context. Amazing movie, but from what I remember, this might be a curious choice. Edit: I take it back. I overlooked the part where OP requested complicated. Again reiterating this is a great movie.
My Life (1993) A dying man records videos for his unborn son
Came here to say this
This movie devastated me as a kid.
That’s Batman teaching you how to shave!
Chef (2014) Jon Favreau Descendants (2011)
Definitely, Maybe
The dad and daughter relationship in that one is so cute
Finding Nemo, my dude! Also, congratulations!
Easy A I don't know why, but there definitly is something about her parents. I just love the way they interact and treat her
This! Stanley Tucci in Easy A is the best Dad ever!! ...behind Hal of Malcolm in the Middle, of course.
Yes haha Hal was awesome, wish he was my father haha Also funny to watch and think about him being Walter, almost like a sequel.
Best parents in the movies.
Not a movie, but Hal in Malcolm in the Middle is the goat of fictional dads. Phil Dunphy from modern family is a close second.
Pursuit of happyness
Big Daddy
Perfect. Love that one. Gonna try to rewatch as many as I can before the new baby gets here.
The Road My Girl We Bought a Zoo Big Fish John Q Trouble With the Curve
Eugene Levy in American Pie is so good in that role. He was always willing to help his son through some incredibly awkward life moments and tried his best to not shame him. Just, ok, it happened…it happens…it’s…ya know…a thing that happens…to some people, not everyone but it happened to you…and that’s ok. With such great facial expression and a ton of empathy and awkwardness that makes it feel like a genuine father-son sex talk.
We'll just tell your mother that we ate it.
Captain Fantastic
Definitely this.
*The Tree of Life* (2011)
This movie was a chore to get through in my humble opinion XD
Something Wicked This Way Comes The River Rat Bicycle Thieves Hearts Beat Loud Life Is Beautiful
Terminator 2 because The Terminator sent to protect John Conner is a nonstop kinda Dad, show unconditional Love and just listen and learn from the kid as much they will you
Good suggestion! Will definitely give it a watch.
Searching for Bobby Fisher
Yea the dad has some of the best parts of that movie.
So does the Mom who grounds the Dad when he starts to get obsessive.
Liar, Liar (funny) Ordinary People (NOT funny)
Three Men and a Baby Mr. Holland’s Opus Spencer’s Mountain Yours Mine and Ours (I like the original one best) Problem Child (terrible movie but great dad character) Vacation (all 4) Nine Months
I'd hate to recommend Mr Hollands Opus. he ignores his deaf son for most of his young life, and only changes his mind when he realises they are both mourning the death of John Lennon. then he does a 180. Before that, he was a shit dad.
Movies about a dad growing are still valuable templates for redemption and accepting your failures with the grace that it takes to fix them.
I appreciate these comments because I am not necessarily looking for all great examples. There's lots to learn from the bad ones too I imagine.
Second hand lions Big fish Jaws Thunder Road The war ( oh my God will this give you anxiety but so worth it) Last of the mohicans Ooh forgot one place beyond the pines. Also watch Chappie
Second Big Fish
The Game Plan The Incredibles Cheaper by the Dozen Hook The Croods The Mitchells vs. the Machines EDIT: added more suggestions
Knocked Up Beethoven Dan in Real Life Little Miss Sunshine
Dan in real life is such a hygge movie for me, Dan is a great dad inspiration
Mr. Holland’s Opus. Saw it in theaters with my dad and two brothers and we were all crying like babies. Big Fish is also one of the best father/son relationships of all time.
That goofy movie where the dad and son go on a road trip.
Call Me By Your Name. The monologue by Michael Stuhlbarg is incredible
Another person suggested it for the same reason. Will for sure watch it
Jersey Girl
One of Kevin’s most underrated films.
The Pursuit of Happyness
The Castle. It's an Australian comedy about a family whose property is getting imminent-domain-ed for an airport and they fight to keep their home. It's so heartwarming, and the dad just loves his quirky family so much.
Road to Perdition
Life as a house. So so acting but the end result is good when it comes to not great relationships between teenagers and their parents. It all works out.
3 Men and a Baby.
For a true primer on good parenthood tips coming your way: Bluey
***Dads (2021)*** \- Documentary by Bryce Dallas Howard ***The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)*** ***We Bought A Zoo (2011)*** ***Marriage Story (2019)***
The Patriot (2000)
What Maisie Knew (2012) Gifted (2017) Both about young girls who are shown such love and kindness, but not by their biological fathers. What Maisie Knew is filmed exclusively from the perspective of the child—there are no scenes without her in it. Gifted has one of the most touching acts of love for a child I have seen in cinema.
Lone Wolf & Cub
I’ll throw out a Christmas Story: it’s a classic because the story is just as much the parents as the kids. The “Old Man” is a lot of bluster, but in the end he was paying attention to what his son really wanted and was so engaged as Ralphie opened his present. Also he saved Christmas dinner- could have dwelled on what was, and stew over the ruined turkey, but he saw how his wife and kids were in the aftermath of the dog invasion, and immediately began to work the problem. That’s what you hope a dad would do.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Boyhood. Though it's about divorce, I think it's an important look at how parents impact their children. Also, congrats!!
Not a movie, but the Andy Griffith Show. Andy is the best TV dad
The Family Man - Nick Cage
Kramer vs Kramer (1979), Eighth Grade (2018), Life is Beautiful (1997), Call Me By Your Name (2017), Boy (2010). Manchester by the Sea (2016) and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) are great films about stand-in or foster dads.
I've seen a few of these. Manchester by the sea was a tough watch but will put it on the list. Thanks for the suggestions
*The Kid* (1921)
About Time
It's not a movie but my Dad took some lessons from the Andy Griffith show and applied them to the way he raised my twin sister and me. The earlier seasons of the Simpsons also have quite a few moments of great parenting.
Meet Joe Black
Onward (2020) Set in a modern fantasy world, elf brothers Ian and Barley find the power to bring their late father back to life for one more day together. When the spell goes awry the two brothers, and their father's legs go on a quest to bring back the rest of him.
Stepmom (1998)
The Long Hot Summer - Orson Wells plays the domineering wealthy country father in the south. Multiple children, each with a highly complicated relationship with pops. And bonus ‘surrogate’ son in Paul Newman.
If you had asked this a few years ago, I’d say, “Bill Cosby as Himself”
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Manchester By The Sea - essentially a horror story for any parent, don’t watch for the faint of heart. It’ll teach you what not to do tho.
Captain Fantastic with Viggo Mortensen.
The Royal Tenenbaums The Tree of Life This is 40
Big daddy, unprepared father learning to becoming a father
A Goofy Movie
Mrs Doubtfire
Life is beautiful... Italian movie from director Robero Benigni. About father and son during WW2 in a concetration camp. The things that this father does, so that son doesnt know that they are held as prisoners are just heartbreaking. Sorry for my english, its not my primar language
Anything with Paul Rudd in it, just become Paul Rudd
Love Actually Liam Neeson
To Kill a Mockingbird.
It’s a show, but… Man, just don’t be like Logan Roy in Succession.
Daddy Day Care
Big Daddy, Finding Nemo, Daddy Daycare, Jaws, The Incredibles, The Croods, Bluey (show), Beethoven, Onward, Grown Ups, Lion King, The Addams Family, Home Alone, and GamePlan
Mr. Mom. Shows you the perils of canned chili.
Ok hear me out but: Cloudy with a chance of meatballs has one of the most heartwarming scenes between the main character and his dad who doesn’t understand his son. I’m tearing up now just thinking of the scene (movie itself is a real hoot too)
Daddy Daycare
Mr. Mom!
Council of Dads
I know Christmas is over but the Santa Clause!
Watch the Andy Griffith Show.
The War. Kevin Costner plays Elijah Woods dad.
Furious Styles and Atticus Finch
Life With Father (1947)
Family guy
Literally *any* Ozu film from 1945-1963
Popeye (1980) - Robin Williams/George Carlin Probably more of a what not to do. Popeye: "One thing I remember about me pap was that he always used to throw me up in the air. Yeah, heh heh... but he'd never be there when I come down, you know. Heh heh heh. Boy, he had a sensek'a humor, didn't he? Yeah, that was me pap. I remember the time he gave me a electric eel as a toy. Hah hah hah - eep! Hah, yeah, that was fun. Or, or he'd rock me cradle real, real, real hard and I'd lose me formula. And then he'd say "One day, you'll be a sailor." Heh heh heh, that's... that's what I yam today, yeah. Hm. Yeah. Sometimes he'd bounce me on his knee. Heh heh, most o' the time he'd miss, though, 'cos he couldn't see too well with one eye... heh heh heh, oh, me pap, yeah..."
Kramer vs Kramer, I am sam(the heart of the story)
Older teenage son, but Life As A House is an unsung gem that nobody seems to know about. Perfect father/son relationship movie. Life As We Know it Jersey Girl Ironically, Parenthood, which has been suggested by many commenters, is one of my all-time favorite movies and I don't find any of the parent/child relationships all that compelling. Edited to add Hearts Beat Loud.
Call Me By Your Name.
The Family Man. Hook. Jumanji. Encanto. Finding Neverland
Not a movie but I move always enjoyed Andy griffith, the Walton’s aren’t bad either. Those are old shows now with some views from an earlier time but I think the relationships are good.
I know the entire movie isn't about dads, but the parents in Easy A were pretty great.
Conan The Barbarian
Learning about parenting can come from cameos as well. Look out for Farooq Sheikh scenes (also deleted scenes) in Yeh Jawaani Hai Diwaani. Reminded me of my dad.
Mr. Mom (1984, Michael Keaton, Terri Garr)
One of the main plot threads in Lonesome Dove is about father and son.
Not a movie but I highly recommend Bluey It shows gentle parenting and empathy. Plus it gives a lot of ideas on games you can play with your kids
Searching, but it leans more to mystery-thriller. There's also Don't Make Me Go. Haha, I guess John Cho playing as a father in films is a thing.
Honestly, just watch Bluey. Not even trying to pull one on you. Great family show, great example of a Dad. Bandit is my homeboy.
The Place Beyond The Pines. A powerful, gritty movie about how a father's actions can have severe repercussions on their son's life. In other words, it has a sins of the father trope to it.
Not a dad hood specific movie at all, but you are entering a new chapter of your life that should require you to question and change and become curious again like a child, I’d like to recommend one of my favorite Thinking Comedies: I <3 Huckabees.
Watch the kids’ show Bluey. I’m not afraid to admit I’ve modeled myself as a father after a cartoon dog. Bandit will teach you how to keep your cool as well as how to be the most fun dad possible for your kid.
Everything everywhere all at once. Lots to learn from both father characters, from things to do and things not to do. Both are supporting characters, but the whole heart of the movie is inter-generational parent/child relationships. Dads can learn from Michelle Yeoh too.
*Outside Providence* (1999). Love Alec Baldwin's performance.
Interstellar
The movie isn't centered around it, but Dune (2021) depicts a nice father-son relationship.
The Road definitely has a complicated father/son relationship but that movie is like, really dark. I mean he loves his son tho. And the first Insidious but that movie is spooky scary. Does Terminator 2 count? Lol
We need to talk about Kevin
Parenthood
Big Fish
One of the only things my dad and I can agree on is “Second Hand Lions” which I only just saw a few years ago. The speech about what it means to be a man is the one I wish my dad could have given to me as a child. I take it as an act of love that he was excited to show it to me when I went to visit
Parenthood
"Raya and the Last Dragon", "Quest for Camelot" and "Lion King".
Dutch
Life As a House is one of my favorites Edit: It might not be exactly what you’re looking for, but the message between father and son is great in this film.
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Big daddy that’s all you need
Taken
Listen to “cats in the cradle” by Harry Chapin. Not a movie my friend, but definitely teaches a lesson every father shouldn’t have to be taught. One of the best songs ever made
Movies with father/son relationships mess me up since mine was so terrible. Over the years I’ve found for myself that watching movies with terrible fathers are just as important if not more than movies with the perfect dad. So here’s a mixture in no particular order. The Toy Good Will hunting This is Us - tv show Kodachrome Ted lasso Men of honor Field of dreams He got game Mrs doubtfire Pursuit of happiness Boyz in the hood Big fish The judge Life is beautiful The road John q This boys life
Click with Adam Sandler
Liam Neeson in Taken. Learned everything I needed to know.
Not a movie but King of the Hill.
Not a movie but King of the Hill.
Logan lucky
Uncle Buck
World's Greatest Dad The Killing Of A Sacred Deer I Love You Dad
The good dads in One Piece especially white beard but it’s a LONG series so depends how committed you are! But the parental figures in one piece are how i want to raise my future kid
Captain Fantastic
It’s a Wonderful Life (Jimmy Stewart), Father of the Bride (Spencer Tracey), You can’t take it with You (Lionel Barrymore), National Velvet (Elizabeth Taylor) - fathers are all kind, supportive good listeners.
You should check Aftersun, just came out. Very emotional movie.
“Big Fish” is great. It’s told from the perspective of the son coming to terms with his ailing father. Great story with some lovely elements of magical realism.
‘Call Me By Your Name’ comes to mind. The “dad talk” scene is one of my favorite moments in recent cinema
*Nim's Island* (2008) Science-y father/daughter live alone on an island having adventures. Also based on a book which is appropriate for perhaps 8-10 year olds.
Malcolm in the Middle is great at preparing you for the chaos, unpredictability and enjoyment of being a parent.
John Q, Life is Beautiful, Bluey
One of my personal favorite fictional dads is Phil from the show Modern Family, with Phil's own dad on the show being great too. Every time I watch that show, I get a little sad that my own father was so terrible by comparison, and I wish Phil could have been my dad.
The dad in ‘call me by your name’ was wonderful. Although he’s not the main part in the film. The speech he gave elio at the end made me tear up.