Best Father’s Day Movies for Dad and Kids

DEFINITELY, MAYBE, from left: Abigail Breslin, Ryan Reynolds, 2008 — Abigail Breslin and Ryan Reynolds in 'Definitely, Maybe.' Andy Schwartz/Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

Father’s Day is approaching: Sunday, June 19. What better way to spend the holiday than watching your favorite father-daughter and father-son movies?

Follow the journey of a clown fish searching for his son in the classic animated adventure Finding Nemo, laugh along with a father giving his daughter away in Father of the Bride or cry watching a man struggling to protect his son in Pursuit of Happyness and Beautiful Boy.

From dramas to comedies, here is a list of 14 movies to watch with your dad this Father’s Day.

'Paper Moon'

Based on the novel Addie Pray by Joe David Brown, the black-and-white film is set during The Great Depression. A con man meets a young girl who may or may not be his daughter. The two forge an unlikely partnership when he agrees to deliver the girl to her aunt. The film stars real-life father and daughter Ryan O’Neal and Tatum O’Neal.
'Father of the Bride'

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George’s (Steve Martin) eldest daughter (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) is getting married, but his nerves kick in before the wedding: George isn’t ready to let his little girl go. He must learn to trust his daughter and realize she will always be his daughter. The sequel, Father of the Bride II, follows George as he copes with his daughter’s pregnancy.
'On Golden Pond'

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Real-life father and daughter Henry and Jane Fonda star in this drama. Norman Thayer (Henry Fonda) and his wife, Ethel (Katharine Hepburn), spend their summers at their vacation home on Golden Pond. This year, their daughter, Chelsea (Jane Fonda), visits with her new fiancé and his son, Billy (Doug McKeon). Chelsea attempts to repair her relationship with her aging father before it’s too late. The film won three Academy Awards: Henry Fonda for best actor in a leading role, Katharine Hepburn for best actress in a leading role and Ernest Thompson for best screenwriting.
'My Girl'

Image Credit: Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky) can’t help be obsessed with death. Her mother passed away, and her father (Dan Aykroyd) owns a funeral parlor. Her father starts to fall in love with a new woman, but Vada is outraged and does everything she can to split them up.
'Mrs. Doubtfire'

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Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) is an actor who files for divorce and can only see his three children once per week. In order to see them more, he disguises himself as a female housekeeper named Mrs. Doubtfire. His love shows he will do whatever it takes to be around his children just a little more.
'John Q'

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John Quincy Archibald’s (Denzel Washington) son is diagnosed with a fatal heart condition. His only hope for survival is a heart transplant. Unfortunately, John’s insurance won’t cover the costs. Out of options, John Q. takes the emergency room staff and patients hostage until hospital doctors agree to do the surgery.
'What a Girl Wants'

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Daphne (Amanda Bynes) is a 17-year-old girl from New York who learns her father (Colin Firth) is a wealthy British politician running for office. She travels to England to surprise him but realizes the scandal could cost her father the election.
'Finding Nemo'

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This animated film tells the story of a clown fish named Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) who loses his son, Nemo (voiced by Alexander Gould), to the open sea. He teams up with Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres), a blue fish suffering from short-term memory loss, to bring his son home. Their journey through the ocean includes sharks, sea turtles, jellyfish and other sea creatures. Marlin is forced to get out of his comfort zone and travel across the ocean to be with his son once again.
'Jersey Girl'

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Ollie Trinkie (Ben Affleck) is a busy publicist whose wife, Gertrude (Jennifer Lopez), died while giving birth to their first daughter. His big-city dreams are put on hold in order to be a single parent. He quit his job and moves back in with his father and soon realizes that nothing is more important than raising his little girl and being the best father he can be.
'Pursuit of Happyness'

Image Credit: Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Based on a true story, this film centers on Christopher Gardner (Will Smith), who struggles to find a steady job. Everything seems to go wrong as he loses his wife, house and money. When he can’t afford to pay the bills, Chris is forced to live on the streets with his young son (played by Smith’s real-life son Jaden Smith). He’s motivated to give his son a better life and will do anything it takes to get there.
'Definitely, Maybe'

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Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) is in the middle of a divorce when his 11-year-old daughter asks him to share all the details his marriage with her mother. She wants to know the story of when they met and how they fell in love. He recounts his past relationships with three different women, which makes him question his future.
'Gifted'

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The 2017 drama from director Marc Webb follows a custody battle between Frank (Chris Evans) and Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan), uncle and grandmother to 7-year-old child prodigy Mary (McKenna Grace), who is intellectually gifted in the field of mathematics. The film sees Evans’ character become a father figure, and also stars Octavia Spencer and Jenny Slate.
'Beautiful Boy'

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Based on the companion memoirs of Nicolas Sheff and his father David, Beautiful Boy tells the story of a father (Steve Carell) who does everything he can to save his son (Timothee Chalamet) from the perils of his drug addiction. The film also stars Maura Tierney and Timothy Hutton.
'Big Daddy'

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This 1999 classic from director Dennis Dugan stars Dylan and Cole Sprouse as the adorable 5-year-old Julian, who gets adopted by Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler), a 32-year-old guy who hasn’t quite matured — and is basically adopting Julian to impress his girlfriend. But nothing goes as planned, and Sonny becomes a lovable and utterly devoted father figure.