Who is the best movie dad?
And no Darth Vader, isn’t one. He may had some redemption at the end, but he still killed a lot of people.
If films taught us something as children, it’s that movie dads can be pretty awesome. Some of them we like to have so typical father characteristics. Others, fighting the whole world to save your life.
I decided to make a personal top 10 movie dads list!
10. Jim’s Dad – American Pie
I went to IMDB to see what Jim’s Dad’s name was, but apparently it just says “Jim’s Dad”. So I guess his name wasn’t mentioned during the movie.
It’s also been years since I’ve seen this film, but will never forget the akward conversations between the two of them. You know which conversation. “THE TALK.”
As hilarious as it is, and he is. He remains a great father who was set up with a teenager in his rebel years. However, he still tries to be the perfect father.
9. Henry Jones – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
I doubted for a moment whether I would add him to the list of my top 10 movie dads.
Henry Jones is also played by the iconic Sean Connery. The reason I had my doubts was mainly because during the movie, it felt like Indiana (Harrison Ford) wasn’t that important to him. He was so focused on his discoveries that he forgot his own son. So I can’t call him father of the year either. This is also the reason why he’s number nine on the list.
However, he did put his passion aside at the end because he realized that his son was the most important part of his life. And that’s why he’s one of the best movie dads. Also, seeing him on screen as a dad is a blast.
Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade is just amazing!
8. John Quincy Archibald – John Q.
I bet many people don’t know this movie. Personally, I’ve only seen it once, but it’s gotten to me. Denzel Washington plays a father who has a son with heart problems.
His insurance doesn’t cover the costs, which ultimately means that his son can’t be saved for financial reasons. But, John Q can’t help and won’t give up. Therefore he takesan entire hospital ward hostage so he can make his demands to save his son.
You may think it’s criminal, but even the people that are being hostage sympathizes with the man. In the end, it’s a father who is trying to save the life of his son. Even if that means destroying his own future.
7. Howard Langston – Jingle all the way
Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is hard worker but due that he almost didn’t pay enough attention to his son. However, this Christmas he came up with the idea of basically buying his child’s love back with a toy. Off course, this may send out the wrong message at first. But, the toy is hard to get as everyone wants it and he’s dedicated to find one for his son.
However, his simple gesture turned into an all-out comic adventure involved in infiltrating a fake toy ring, confronting and threatening a radio DJ, and rescuing his son through a superhero costume jet pack that for some reason.
6. Mufasa – Lion King
Remember who you are.
– Mufasa
Who doesn’t love Lion King? And, I’m talking about the animated movie. Mix a Lion with the voice of James Earl Jones and you have the most recognizable father figure in animated movies ever.
I simply love everything about it, the lessons he teaches his son Simba, that will become the future king. But also the concern of a father when his son is in danger. Without any doubt, he jumps into a stampede and does everything he can to save his son. Unfortunately, we all know how that ends.
5. Daniel Hillard – Mrs. Doubtfire
I know that for some Mrs. Doubtfire is number one, but for me there are just fathers I’d rather see in movies.
Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) loved his children so much that he was willing to dress in an elaborate drag costume, invent a new character, and be hired as their nanny to spend time with them. Okay, this may sound creepy, but it remains a classic!
However, this shows how committed a father can be to see his children. That’s one heck of a devotion. And who can be angry on a dad who does everything to see his kids.
4. Mr. Incredible – The Incredibles
He is the head of the Incredibles family, together with his wife of course. What I love is that he has powers but still feels like a father. At the beginning of the first movie, they don’t do superheroes stuff anymore, but his desire is there. And yes, he quietly steps back into that superhero world.
Although when it comes down to it, he puts everything aside because he knows that his family comes first. It’s this family bond what makes this superhero movie special.
3. Chris Gardner – The Pursuit of Happyness
My favorite Will Smith movie is The Pursuit of Happyness.
Chris Gardner is a struggling man who is broke and takes custody of his son. He was doing his best to get back on his feet, and to find a better job. It’s a sad, but inspiring story.
Despite all his misfortune in life, he continues to teach his sons wise lessons. He may not always be able to give him a decent shelter, but his love for him is unconditional. There a lot of sweet moments between him and his son.
2. Bryan Mills – Taken
You know what I really love about movie dads. It is when they go full on in action to save their loved ones. No enemy or other person can stop them until they know their child is safe. And that is the case with Brian Mills (Liam Neeson).
The father is a retired CIA agent traveling through Europe, relying on his old skills to save his estranged daughter, who was kidnapped during a trip to Paris. Even before the trip, he was a dad with a lot of worries. Sometimes even too much. However, now his worst nightmare comes true and he alone can stop them.
You can tell that the confrontation in this fights are all personal to him. He has no boundaries, because in the end, all that matters is his the well-being of his daughter.
1. Marlin – Finding Nemo
You might not have expected this to be number one, also because this is actually an animated movie. Finding Nemo just has the best movie dad ever. It’s also one of my favorite Pixar movies.
Let’s start at the beginning. So the opening scene is really tragic. You see Marlin with Coral and their many eggs. There are too many that I can count. However, one day they get confronted with a barracuda who kills the mom and all the eggs except one. Yeah, pretty dark for a kids movie. Marlin is therefore, left with one kid.
Now Marlin is an overprotective father, but as a viewer you understand where he comes from with his tragic past. One day, his son is captured in the Great Barrier Reef and brought to Sydney. Marlin then goes on a big search for his son and goes to Sydney. He goes the great distance, encountering various dangerous sea creatures with only his son on his mind. Hence the name, Finding Nemo.
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