Father's Day movies to watch with your dad

Father’s Day: 10 Heart warming movies about fatherhood

Diya-Maya Tsering Bhalla

04 Jun 2014

updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:59

1/10
The Life Aquatic
A Wes Anderson movie made a decade ago, that continues to be amongst his best works. Starring Bill Murray as the main character alongside Owen Wilson and Cate Blanchett, the movie is a typical obscure-but-relatable-Wes-Anderson storyline with a father-child story at its root.
2/10
Father of the Bride
This comedy is one that will be close to the hearts of many fathers, fiercely protective of their daughters and only wanting the very best for them, especially on their wedding day. The 1991 remake of the original film is more of a comedy and will make for more laughs but the 1950 original will give dad a chance to reminisce about the old times and watch some of his favourite actors of yesteryear. Be prepared for a big tight hug afterwards and some great laughsin between.
3/10
Taken
Although the movie is fast-paced and action-packed, Liam Neeson does a fantastic job of showing you the extreme lengths a father would go to protect his daughter, despite the odds. And pretty much every dad loves a movie with a good storyline and some good fight scenes. It’ll remind you how there’s no challenge to big for a dad to take on when it comes to you.
4/10
I am Sam
Named after the iconic Dr. Seuss poem for children, this classic movie features Sean Penn, possibly at his best. He plays a mentally challenged man named Sam, who has emotional maturity of a 7-year old boy, despite being a grown man. He is left to care for a daughter he unknowingly fathered, played by a very young Dakota Fanning. Utterly touching and is something you and dad could watch over and over.
5/10
The Pursuit of Happyness
We couldn’t possibly emphasise how much we love this movie. Based on the heartbreaking and inspiring true story of Chris Gardner and his struggle through life and poverty, whilst relentlessly caring for his young son - this movie will stick with you much after you’ve watched it. It shows you the undying love a father has for his child and to what lengths he will go to, to ensure he can provide the best life for him, no matter how hard the journey is. It’ll give you a chance to really appreciate how much your father has done for you, to help shape the person you are today.
6/10
Big Fish
A beautifully artful movie with a great plotline, which features a storytelling father and his skeptical son - and lots of fantasy and action. At the heart of the movie is a tear-inducing story of father and child and without wanting to give too much of it away, we implore you to watch it with dad. Perhaps the most sentimental of the lot.
7/10
Forrest Gump
This cult classic will always be a favourite and Tom Hanks' iconic performance as Forrest can never get old. Although the father-figure role is largely absent from Forrest’s life, it shows him instinctively becoming a great father to his own son, despite his shortcomings. The brotherhood aspect and the protectiveness of the people he loves can paint a parallel with how much daddy loves you too.
8/10
Kramer vs. Kramer
This classic movie, featuring the stellar combination of Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep, tells the story of a father who has to play both the role of the mother and the father, after the wife takes off. It’s a definite tear jerker but pulls at your heartstrings in all the best ways.
9/10
Extremely loud and Incredibly Close
Another pick featuring the incredibly talented Tom Hanks, this movie, based on the best-selling book of the same name, is about a young boy, who is an amateur inventor. The plot revolves around his extensive search in New York city for a specific lock that matches a mysterious key that his late father, who died in the World Trade Center plane crash on September 11,2001, left behind. Heartwrenching and raw, it tells a deep story about a child’s bond to his father and his relentlessness in searching for some solace as a way to cope with his death. It tugs at your heartstrings and you’ll realize just how lucky you are to have your favourite man by your side as you watch it.
10/10
After the Wedding
This academy award-nominated movie is about a man running an orphanage in India who discovers a life-changing family secret after he sent back to his home in Copenhagen, Denmark. An emotionally compelling movie, with the most unexpected twists, debates on true parenthood and the stereotypes we all harbour about good and evil natures - watching it with dad will only make it even better!

Pick one of these flicks and bond with dad over a laugh or a tear. Don’t forget the popcorn!

With our busy schedules, finding enough time to spend with our fathers has become a not so easy task. Blame it on work, school or just the fact that we sometimes take the people closest to us for granted – but this is what Father’s Day is here to remind us of. What to do? Simply give up the best spot on that couch to your old man, make him some popcorn and sit through one of these movies which we’ve picked for you.

From comedies to dramas – take a look at our favourite movies which deal with fatherhood from all varying perspectives and enjoy some bonding time with pops.