Best Movie Dads
What makes a good dad? Seems simple, but in the movies, being a great dad sometimes requires fending off hostile aliens, taking a hospital staff hostage, or dressing up like an old woman.
We polled users to find out who they think is the best movie dad of them all. Click through to see the results.
Sony / Everett (2) / Universal
18. Ray Ferrier, 'War of the Worlds' (2005)
Played by: Tom Cruise
Why He's a Good Dad: He was a deadbeat dad ... until the day gigantic alien tripod machines began emerging from the ground and killing everyone. Then Cruise made it his mission: possible to ensure his kids' survival at any length.
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Paramount
17. Gil Buckman, 'Parenthood' (1989)
Played by: Steve Martin
Why He's a Good Dad: Now a parental pro (see also 'Father of the Bride,' 'Cheaper by the Dozen,' etc), Martin shed his "wild and crazy guy" persona to play this stressed suburban dad from a dysfunctional clan who finally realizes that flaws are what make a family.
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Everett Collection
16. Mr. Parker, 'A Christmas Story' (1983)
Played by: Darren McGavin
Why He's a Good Dad: In addition to not destroying Ralphie for beating the snot out of bully Scott Farkus, "the old man" comes through like a real champ on Christmas morning, delivering into his son's hands that most coveted of gifts: a Red Ryder BB gun.
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Everett Collection
15. Henry Jones Sr., 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' (1989)
Played by: Sean Connery
Why He's a Good Dad: Henry Sr. may not have been around while Indiana was growing up, but he sure makes up for lost time in his old age, sharing a Holy Grail quest, multiple Nazi-pummeling sessions, a quiet drink and a love interest with "Junior."
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Paramount
14. Peter, Michael and Jack, 'Three Men and a Baby' (1987)
Played by: Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson
Why He's a Good Dad: They all gave up their wild bachelorhoods to care for a little baby girl with hilariously dirty diapers, despite the odds being only 33 percent that she was one of theirs. Paternity tests, be damned.
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Everett Collection
13. Stanley Banks, 'Father of the Bride' (1950)
Played by: Spencer Tracy
Why He's a Good Dad: Dear old dad may be a grump when it comes to the chaos -- and expense -- of throwing a wedding, but it's just a cover for the bittersweet pain of giving his little girl away.
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Everett Collection
12. Mac MacGuff, 'Juno' (2007)
Played by: J.K. Simmons
Why He's a Good Dad: Sarcastic, hilarious and understanding to a fault, Mac doesn't judge his pregnant daughter Juno (Ellen Page) but offers her support and counsel. Bonus: Next time he sees her impregnator, Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera), he doesn't punch him in the wiener.
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Doane Gregory
11. Marlin, 'Finding Nemo' (2003)
Played by: Albert Brooks
Why He's a Good Dad: Although he starts out as a neurotic, overbearing mess (no wonder they cast Brooks), Marlin learns how to strike that tricky parental balance of guiding and letting go while on a quest to find his missing son, lost in the deep blue sea.
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Getty Images / Disney
10. Ted Kramer, 'Kramer vs. Kramer' (1979)
Played by: Dustin Hoffman
Why He's a Good Dad: After his wife (Meryl Streep) leaves him, not only does this workaholic learn to take care of their son, but he also loses his job (happily!) in the process. And in the ultimate measure of success, he FINALLY cooks a decent French toast.
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Everett Collection
Reader Comments (21)
TrueConserv4Obama at 12:30AM on Jun 15th 2008
No No NO! Atticus Finch was, is, and ever shall be the #1 BEST daddy on the big screen or in a book! I demand a revote! There HAD to be some hanging chads.
cinderr575 at 1:03AM on Jun 15th 2008
How about Sean Penn in "I am Sam"? I thought Penn played an inspiring father.
Bobby G at 1:33AM on Jun 15th 2008
I go with Atticus too! Absolutely Atticus! The movie, the book, the role helped the cause that paved the way for future actors like Will Smith. How can most people's favorite movie of all time about a dad and his kids NOT have the #1 dad? Recount!
BBanks at 3:34AM on Jun 15th 2008
OMG!!! WTF!!!! No way did Wil Smith beat out Gregory Peck as bestmovie dad. I don't care what anybody says Atticus Finch is the best movie dad. I would totally want Atticus Finch as my dad. Recount.....
gina at 4:25AM on Jun 15th 2008
LOL that scene from mr mom made me laugh! XD
Tony at 4:27AM on Jun 15th 2008
Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird was and will always be the best dad. Watch the movie.
larry zixx at 5:52AM on Jun 15th 2008
what bull s. for news !
Chris Kedrowski at 5:01PM on Jun 15th 2008
Just an FYI, Pursuit of Happiness isn't totally based on reality, many of the "motivational" aspects were made up.
The things he sold weren't invented at the time, he DID get paid for the intership, his son was too young to talk in real life at the time of the movie, and he never had a Rubix Cube, lol
sean at 8:11PM on Jun 19th 2009
Cuz Hollywood is always so real?!?
Ed Willis Was the man!
BRYan at 7:13PM on Jun 15th 2008
um can anyone say big daddy? adam sandler should deftly be on this list for his role.
TERRY CROW at 12:11PM on Jun 27th 2008
HOW COULD YOU FORGET JAMES STEWART IN "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE"?
M.Young at 1:29PM on Jul 7th 2008
I wish the writers would get things right. There was no question of parentage in Three Men and a Baby. They always knew it was ...I believe his name was Jack...the Ted Danson character. And what idiot chose Tom Cruise from War of the Worlds? STUPID.
Tengku Ismawi at 2:41PM on Jul 13th 2008
I would vote for billy's dad in Billy Elliot
redheadedmcfriel at 9:59PM on Jul 15th 2008
best dad is definetly Atticus Finch no way anyone else comes close
Lucy at 11:21PM on Jul 24th 2008
I'm really glad that Guido got number 3 even though I think he deserves higher. I've seen Life is Beautiful at least 5 times and each time I learn something new. Guido did a brave thing for Joshua by telling him it was a game when they were at the concentration camp. He gave his life up for his son.
ffixitrite at 11:02PM on Jul 26th 2008
In the movie "Liar Liar" Jim Carrey should've been the child. Do you remember the movie "Big" and "Vice
Verser"? Maybe Jim Carrey should've swich places with the child and the movie should've been called, "Liar
Liar Your Pants on Fire"!The boy in "Liar Liar" was very mature for his age.
cskilleremt at 8:56PM on Aug 6th 2008
How could they not include Rick O'Connell from the second Mummy?! He was the best dad EVER
arcee at 6:33PM on Aug 11th 2008
You missed Tom Hanks' Michael Sullivan in Road to Perdition, not a popular choice and he was not-so-good from the beginning that led the family to a tragedy. But definitely it was one of the touching but underrated father performance...
will at 11:59PM on Nov 1st 2008
the reason he beat him out is because his was a portrayal of a real life story.
Evangelina at 3:40PM on Feb 18th 2009
Ok, so this movie just came out I realize, but still whatever I don't care. The guy who played the dad in Taken should totally be #1. He traveled around France and killed a bunch of people to save his daughter. I think that's #1 dad material.