I'm a single Dad and going through a tough time right now. I'm looking for a movie that depicts an imperfect Dad, not a Dad that's abusive, but a Dad who maybe isn't as financially secure as he would like to be, or a Dad who struggles with depression from past trauma but still tries his best to provide and be the best Dad he can be for his kids even if he fails sometimes.
This is a legitimately great suggestion.
Also a great movie, one of my favorite pre-Pixar Disney movies. Soundtrack is a banger too.
Damn. Who hurt Goofy?
Finding Nemo
Absolutely watch Aftersun but it’s not a happy watch but emotionally committed and about deep parental love
Aftersun is one of the best movies I've ever seen. I could relate to the Dad, the film had a major affect on me and changed my perspective for the good
Came to suggest this. I'll be a first-time dad in 30-ish days, and this was like a horror movie for me. I cried so hard. My dad/childhood was top-notch A+, but I have all the flaws I never saw in a father figure. Wish me luck, I guess.
Best of luck friend. I recommend you revisit Aftersun once your child is around Sophie's age. It's even more heart-wrenching and impactful
I haven't thought about a movie so often long after watching for like a decade I think.
It's the soundscape and cinematography for me. The sound of ocean waves layered over the breath and the wind. The sky. The ocean. The gliders. The yellow bracelets.
The dad is struggling with his sexuality and depression, and his daughter has some of the same struggles. And yet, they're so far apart. So anguishingly separated.
That rings home for me. My mom had the same issues I did. But instead of helping me with them, she gave more of hers to me, and left me to grow up and deal with them on my own.
Neither of my parents parented me. Do you know what acts of parenting most trigger anguished pangs from the depths of my breast?
Talking. Parents just chatting with their kids. Super honestly. Answering their questions directly. Being curious. Just...parenting. Nothing fancy. Just telling them stuff. How the world works. How they think. Why they make decisions. Mistakes. Talking to their kids about their kids' thoughts and feelings. Ideas. Hopes. Dreams. Day.
I never had anyone to talk to honestly. I can't tell you what a difference that makes. So many kids grow up without a parent they can really talk to, on a pretty basic level. Most of those kids find someone to talk to. If not an adult, then a peer.
I got unlucky on that account, which isn't itself anyone's fault.
But I can tell you, as a living example of how extremely you can physiologically/neurologically/developmentally ruin your kids with bad parenting alone, that talking is more than enough.
If that talking is honest. It has to be honest. Honesty is everything. Trust is everything else. Promises are sacrement. If you can't make promises, then you can't parent. If you can't keep promises and your operly atone for broken ones and avoid repeating them, then you won't be able to parent.
But if you can? If you make only promises you can keep? If you take responsibility for all of your own behavior and don't defend yourself against or compete with or blame your child? If you are honest--withholding or not, but honest? If you are there for them? They feel safe with you? They feel seen by you? They feel like you know them? Like you know what they want and feel about things and what's easy and hard for them? And what they're afraid of and what they're proud of themselves for?
Then nothing else matters. Not at all, by comparison. It really doesn't. I'm telling you, I figured everything other than basic needs out for myself, and I did a shit job, but that's not where my parents failed me. They failed me because I never did a childhood. I never did a thing where someone parents me, and teaches me to parent myself. So now I gotta do that, by myself, figuring out both sides while doing both sides at the same time, while also working on life and working and everything else. That's ridiculous.
So however much you fuck up, if your kids are happy when they hear your voice in their head? If they picture your face with fondness? If they kiss your smell?
You're fine.
Somewhere by Sofia Coppola also has Aftersun-style vibes.
Oh mosquito coast! Harrison Ford is the dad River Phoenix the sun and it is just a really beautiful story
River Phoenix really shines in this one.
War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise.
He doesn’t even like hummus!!
I meant order food.
Dragon ball Z fan and nothing horrified me more then his asshole son landing the Goku role.
Kramer vs. Kramer
correct answer
Dan in real life.
I really liked this film. Never hear about it.
Really good film. Great cast and dealt with different family dynamics. Truly underrated film but worth the watch.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines, the dad in this fits the bill and it is a very fun weird movie.
I want to second this one. The dad in this is a great depiction of a dad. He doesn't get it, but he wants what's best for his family, and he tries so hard.
It was a pleasant surprise for how good and funny it is! Strongly recommend
Honestly, Ant Man. I'm not big into Marvel movies - to me Ant Man is just a dad doing his best so he can support his daughter.
I liked that it has a pretty healthy depiction of a step family
Liar liar !
Big Daddy is right there
The Pursuit of Happyness
I just posted and then I saw this. Yes.
First one that came to my mind as well
Mr. Mom
Parenthood with Steve Martin. Chock-full of parents trying to do the best they can.
The television series loosely based on the film is also great.
Chef 2014
OP, this is the one. Good luck in your journey.
Beware - you will want a Cubano sandwich after viewing though!
World's Greatest Dad of course with Robin Williams
Run All Night
Captain Fantastic
Yes! Came to say Captain Fantastic, great film.
You beat me to it with captain fantastic
Crazy that movies like Liar Liar and Big Fish are higher here than Captain Fantastic, it perfectly fits OP's request
The Climb (1997). It’s a coming-of-age movie set in the late ‘50s, and the secondary adult protagonist is a single dad who’s looked down upon as a coward because he’s the only man in the neighborhood of his generation who didn’t fight in WWII. He’s doing his best, but his reputation does cause some tension with his kids. The movie overall has some nice messages about fatherhood, mental health, and positive masculinity. It flew way under the radar on release and may be a bit hard to find, but I’m pretty sure you can watch it on Tubi.
Kramer v Kramer
Three Men and a Baby / Little Lady.
Watch Shrinking, I currently am and as one dad to another, it's up your alley. It's made by the creator of Scrubs and Harrison Ford is fantastic in it. Everyone is.
Maybe Boyhood?
Definitely
I loved both the parents’ arcs in Boyhood. It 100% felt like watching real people that you would know in real life.
Matchstick Men
This movie will really fuck you up, especially if you’re in the middle of a custody battle
Hang in there. Being a dad can be tough and lonely at times. Your strength has to be doing the right thing when times get tough. Now that my kids are out of the house I can feel the rewards.
I really appreciate that. Thanks for your comment
I mean,… Mrs Doubtfire could be the lighthearted, back-up movie you need.
Poor James Bond. Just wanted to take in a neglected wife and her kids
I think he still marries her. He was never depicted as a bad guy, and Miranda had no reason to not marry him.
Big Fish.
User deleted comment
21d
Murph!
Overboard
- The Royal Tenenbaums
- Aftersun
- Beginners
Thunder Road (2018) is a heartfelt film that fits the bill
the sitcom My Two Dads. The whole series is on Tubi.
Big Daddy!
Yes! Esp the courtroom scene
The Weather Man. Nic Cage.
Roberto Benigni in Life Is Beautiful
Harrison Ford in Regarding Henry
Robert De Niro in A Bronx Tale
Laurence Fishburne in Boyz n the Hood
Josh Hamilton in Eighth Grade
Greg Kinnear in Little Miss Sunshine
Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness
Nick Nolte in Warrior
Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire & Hook
Denzel Washington in He Got Game
Ray Liotta in Corrina, Corrina & Blow
Jim Carrey in Liar Liar
Richard Dreyfuss in Mr. Holland's Opus
Adam Sandler in Big Daddy
Matt Damon in We Bought a Zoo
Michael Keaton in Mr. Mom
Martin Short in Captain Ron
Johnny Knoxville in Action Point
Life is Beautiful will end in a weird combo of hysterical sobs and hysterical laughter. I still remember walking out of the theater feeling like an absolute lunatic.
Little Miss Sunshine is a great answer.
Aftersun
Pursuit of Happiness.
Thunder Road
👀
Despicable Me
Despicable Me 2
Despicable Me 3
Despicable Me 4
Thunder Road
Leave No Trace
Leave no trace fits so well and it's one of the best movies I've seen in a long time, watch it OP
I know it's a TV show, but you should check out Raising Hope on Prime Video.
Kramer vs Kramer
Pursuit of Happiness for sure
I don't have a movie recommendation that isn't already listed. I just wanted to say that I was raised by a single dad and we were poor for most of my childhood, but my dad made me feel loved and cared for and made time to do things with me when he could. We have a great relationship as adults. Just keep letting your kid(s) know you love them as that's what they will remember when they become adults.
The Great Santini, very imperfect dad. And Smoke Signals was promoted as an independent film about Native Americans, but was really an amazing movie about imperfect dads.
The Descendants. Basically about a man played by George Clooney who has to step up being a father after his wife enters a permanent coma. Also, he learns It's a really well done movie and has a great relationship between the father and his troubled daughter after some initial turbulence.
I am Sam is a big, old, sappy tear-jerker. But it might be perfect for you.
I don’t think I seen this listed on here yet but I could have just overlooked it- or it might be one of those movies I didn’t realize people hated lol, either way this was what I thought of first
Jersey Girl with Ben Affleck
Kinda weird I remembered it first because it’s been so long since I’ve watched it, but I think I remember liking it lol
Definitely, Maybe with Ryan Reynolds. It feels like an under appreciated one.
I Stand Alone
Oldboy
Visitor Q
Dan in Real Life!
Steve Carrel. A widow with children. No abuse. Wholesome, depth & comedy. Has a romcom plot, but also about family and life.
He’s a caring father. He’s melancholy with life, and he’s a little strict or reserved in some ways, but for good intentions. He makes some flaws but is good. No spoilers but it’s a film where everyone learns a little from each other, including him learning and growing too. underrated film.
Simple. I enjoyed it
Unbreakable
Pursuit of happyness. The wife leaves early on I think.
War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise
Logan Lucky
Daddy's Home. Comedy that tackles the issue of a dad (Mark Wahlberg) who isn't perfect or financially stable but who wants to be in his kids' lives.
Thomas Haden Church’s character has his own unique stepdad experience, that’s for sure.
Not a movie, but ‘boy swallows universe’ certainly fits the bill.
read Danny Champion of the World
After the Promise (1987) starring Mark Harmon based on a true story.
My three dads Mr Dad
This is both the best and worst answer to this question: Tsai Ming-Liang’s The River.
Prepare to be traumatized. Beautiful movie though.
Thunder Road
“A Texan police officer delivers a moving eulogy for his late mother. The divorced officer suffers a psychological breakdown while trying to save his relationship with his daughter”
It’s really good. First thing I saw Jim Cummings in and he’s quickly become a favorite to see.
Nobody's fool
An indie movie from the Safdie Brothers called Daddy Long Legs.
Instructions not Included.
He does everything he can for his daughter.
Return of the Jedi
I am Sam
Eighth Grade
Small Engine Repair
Bye Bye Love (1995)
Good movie for people who’ve experienced divorce
Small Town Wisconsin (2020) is about a single dad who genuinely loves his son, while at the same time struggling with his own personal struggles and adapting to life after a divorce.
It’s funny, heartbreaking and heartwarming, with great performances from a great ensemble cast.
This movie has so much heart.
Aftersun
Mr Mom
It's not the best movie ever, but The Croods fits your criteria.
The dad cares for his family, he's just stubborn and set in his ways.
The Descendants (2011)
Getting even with dad was entertaining
maybe not a perfect match but Kramer vs Kramer might be ok
Honey I Shrunk The Kids
People Places Things, starring Jemaine Clement. Very sweet indie comedy, I believe it’s available on Peacock.
Terms of Endearment.
Every Disney Original Movie. The parents were always negligent or careless, didn't trust their children's talents enough, etc.
Not a movie, but you have to watch Ted Lasso if you haven't already. You've got Ted himself who's a dad going through a separation (both legal and physical) as well as a massive subtly recurring theme of the impact (good and bad) of fathers on their children that comes up again and again throughout the series. It's an amazing show.
The Family Man starring Nic Cage
Blockers
One Fine Day
Real Steel. A: it’s a great movie, and B: the dad fits exactly what you’re looking for.
call me by your name has one of the best monologue’s i’ve ever heard from a father character
warrior
Superman (1978). Biodad giving advice through space and time and adaptive dad trying to do what's best.
Mr. Mom - Michael Keaton.
Describing the new electrical work he wants to do:
Ron: “Well, you going to make it all 220?”
Jack: (Confused). “Yeah, 220. 221. Whatever it takes.”
I love this line. If you don’t get it, our power supply is typically 110v or 220v, the 220/221 is a reply for someone who doesn’t have a clue.
Ethan Hawke in Boyhood hit me like a ton of bricks.
Hook
Click. Funny first half but cried in the second
October Sky.
Not a dad, but dadesque. Uncle buck.
Booksmart has a couple of em. Hilarious movie btw.
Edit: OOOPS I meant Blockers. I always do that…
Bill Murray in Osmosis Jones
We Bought A Zoo
Mr Mom , seems appropriate
Aftersun
Father of the Bride! Woot woot!!
Crazy stupid love kind of?
The road
Hook
8th grade
Terminator 2, Arnold wasn't perfect but he really tried to raise John and don't even wanna bang his mom. That's a good dad
Road to Perdition. Might not be the genre your after but it's all about dad's recognising their failings but doing their best to look after their sons.
Juno
Eighth Grade
Guardians of The Galaxy 3 is about fatherhood. My husband and I chose it for our first date after our son was born, and we both cried a lot.
Coco kinda works, helps that i just love the movie and like suggesting it.
Not a movie but the show Shrinking.
Any movie with Clark Wilhelm Griswold, Jr.
Guardians of the Galaxy II
Beautiful Boy
The Road
The Croods
Ghostbusters Afterlife
A Goofy Movie
The Land Before Time X
Titan AE
The Netflix show, Arcane certainly fits the bill.
Hearts Beat Loud for me as another single Dad . Watch it before your kid goes to college if you want to be reduced to a blubbery mess (in a good way).
Jungle 2 Jungle
Boyhood
Dan in Real Life
Father Hood with Patrick Swayze
Old dads
Real Steel!
Catch me if you can
Big Daddy
Interstellar
About Time
Not a lot of people like this film, but the way Bill Nighy and Domhnall Gleeson depicts their father-son relationship is heartwarming and funny. At least my dad and I think so, we've watched it multiple times :)
Not a movie, but there’s a ton of well-meaning, flawed fatherhood from John Goodman in the original Roseanne.
Agreed. I don’t want to spoil anything but the final few seasons of the original series were such a heartbreaking watch.
Even earlier/in the middle when Darlene’s interests change and Dan has no clue what to do.
Ant Man.
Moonfall (2022)
Marriage story
Daddy Longlegs by the Safdie bros
Marriage story
- 6 baloons
- the glass castle
- keane
- old dads -Nebraska
- the whale
Louie (the show)
Talladega nights
Inside Out
Return of the Jedi
Most Dads in films are bastards. Especially in modern films.
Bluey. The kids' tv show.
Just watched the movie Blended with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore .. I feel like that would resonate with both dads and moms.
It also has some good humor if you are feeling down.
The Stepfather, Happiness, The Shining.
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A Goofy Movie