Spend Father's Day the Right Way by Watching These Movies With Dad (2024)

It doesn't take much to entertain a dad. So, Father's Day shouldn't have to be about coming up with elaborate plans (though that's not a bad idea, either). A decent Father's Day gift can be as easy as spending the day with him, serving him his favorite meals, and putting on a simple movie to end the night. Ah, a movie night may not have originally been on your radar for Father's Day activities, but now it's sounding like a good idea. Luckily, this list is full of films that are dad-approved and they also happen to be fun for the whole family to enjoy.

There's something on this list to please any guy, including tearjerker classics like Field of Dreams and On Golden Pond, family-friendly films like Cheaper by the Dozen and Coco, and heartfelt dramas like Beginners and Big Fish. Meanwhile, feel-good films like Onward and Little Miss Sunshine also celebrate the important father figures in our lives, like older brothers and grandfathers. Even if you have an action-packed Father's Day planned, you'll still have time for a short film like Canvas, which is about the inspiring bond between a grieving grandfather and his granddaughter.

Whether you're still in your teens or all grown up, each one of these films offers the opportunity to celebrate your special relationship with your father.

Some more Father's Day fun for you to read:

• Funny Father's Day Quotes Will Make Dad Laugh Out Loud
• Best Father's Day Messages for Your Buddies That Are Also Dads
• Lovely Father's Day Quotes to Share With Dad on His Special Day
  

Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep aren't exactly a power couple in this movie. Instead, they're a married couple seeking divorce. Joanna wants custody of their child, sending Ted into a spiral. Ted must show the court why he loves his kid so much, proving to them why he should have shared custody. The ending is pretty wholesome, which will definitely put a smile on every dad's face.

In this film, Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall are a father and son duo who never got along. When the mother in the family passes, the two must come together after years apart. They couldn't be any different, and it's very telling as soon as they reunite. But... something happens where the two come around eventually.

This old time comedy follows a father in the 19th-century as he tries to maintain order in the house. For reference, the house consists of his four sons and his wife (the latter who has the most respect in the home). Knowing this, the father tries to garner a little more authority, but he does so in ways that are a bit silly. You'll laugh out loud watching this one.

I Am Sam is the heartfelt story about a man (named Sam) with autism, and the beautiful life he creates with his daughter, Lucy. As Lucy gets slightly older, those around them seem to question Sam's ability to be a father, threatening to separate them both. Sam seeks the help from those who love him to stop this from happening.

A single dad is heartbroken when he loses custody of his three girls. He seeks out assistance from an attorney, who not only helps him win his case, but falls in love with him in the process. It's a love story and a family flick all in one!

A con man is only focused on two things: tricking people and taking their money. It's a pretty simple life (for him), until a young girl confronts him one day, claiming to be his daughter. He's hesitant to believe her at first, but the more he hangs out with her, the more deceiving she appears to be... which is just like him!

Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg star in this classic trope of the battle of the dad and step dad. One is traditional and the other likes to bend the rules. Which one will the kids like more? Or more importantly, can the two men learn to work together?

Anthony Hopkins won an Oscar for his portrayal of an aging man grappling with dementia and the effect the disease has on his relationship with his daughter (Olivia Colman).

You probably know and love the hilarious 1991 version of Father of the Bride starring Steve Martin. But the charming original film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Spencer Tracy is worth a watch, too!

Keep your Father of the Bride marathon going with this 2022 remake. The modern retelling revolves around a Cuban American family, with patriarch Billy Herrera (Andy Garcia) reluctantly helping plan his daughter’s wedding.

The bond between Simba and Mufasa is legendary! This beloved cartoon classic is a sweet reminder that a father's love and wisdom will always stay with you, even after they're gone.

This one is for all the unconventional dads out there. Captain Fantastic follows a devoted father who raised his children to live off the land as they are forced to reenter society.

Ever longed for a second shot at life? In this delightful fantasy film, father of two Mike O'Donnell seizes the opportunity to relive his teenage years, embarking on a hilarious and heartwarming journey of self-discovery and redemption.

Tom Baker has his work cut out for him when he accepts a high-pressure job as a football coach. But the real challenge will be taking care of his own team of 12 children while his wife is away on business!

What's funnier than Steve Martin playing a dad? Steve Martin playing a dad opposite Eugene Levy playing a dad! Just like the original, this sequel is dozens of laughs.

When identical twin sisters Annie and Hallie are reunited after being separated at birth, they hatch a plan to bring their parents back together. The moments where Annie is getting to know her father, Nick, for the first time are so sweet.

Three sisters come together to care for their curmudgeonly father after he is hospitalized with dementia. This moving film features an all-star cast, including Diane Keaton, Meg Ryan, Lisa Kudrow, and Walter Matthau in his final film role.

Fletcher Reede's life takes a tumultuous—and hilarious—turn when his son's birthday wish magically renders him incapable of telling a lie. In the end, it teaches him an important lesson about honesty, integrity, and the true meaning of fatherhood.

Steve Carell and Timothee Chalamet star in this poignant portrayal of a father, David Sheff, struggling to save his son, Nic, from the grips of addiction.

After his wife passes away, Sam Baldwin's son, Jonah, is all he has. That is, until Jonah tries to set his dad up with a woman who lives on the other side of the country.