Metro Picks: Our Favorite Movie Dads
These fictional dads show us what it means to be unconditionally loved, supported, and protected by the greatest hero one could ever have—our fathers
Father's Day weekend is coming right up and we can think of no better way to celebrate dad than with a movie marathon! But where to start? It's good thing is that there's no shortage of wonderful father figures in film, so you have plenty to choose from when selecting some flicks that celebrate the man of the house.
In case you're looking for a no-fail selection, we've rounded up the best movie dads that we've come to love and adore. (Hey, they practically raised us alongside our own real-life fathers!) Below, click through the gallery to find our edition of Metro Picks: 16 favorite on-screen dads of all time.
Metro Picks: Our Favorite Movie Dads
Metro Picks: Our Favorite Movie Dads
Brian Mills (Taken)
"Who says overprotective dads are the worst? Not if they’re Liam Neeson in Taken! In the movie, he is seen as an overly strict dad, thanks to his former CIA officer background, reluctant to allow his daughter to go to Paris as her high school graduation trip. His worst nightmare came to life: His daughter gets abducted by a group sex trafficking women in Europe. Overnight he flies to Paris and hunts the abductors, all the while knowing nothing too little about the incident. His fatherly instincts plus CIA skills leads him to her daughter—going full circle that, sometimes, overprotective dads are coming from somewhere. This is such an unconventional dad to admire but the action-packed thriller is indeed a must-watch. And at the heart of it, it’s just a dad willing to do what it takes to save his only daughter. Who wouldn’t want a dad like that?"—Randz Manucom, Fashion Editor
Evan Baxter (Evan Almighty)
"I recently watched Evan Almighty and I love how Steve Carell portrayed his role as a dad in the movie. From a career-obsessed dad, to a modern-day Noah who hopes to change the world and do good, he learns how to prioritize his family and answer God's purpose for his life. It was a hilarious movie, surely a feel-good pick for the entire family!"—Kate Paras-Santiago, Beauty and Wellness Editor
Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird)
"Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird for modeling what a decent human being should be. His sense of fairness, compassion, his willingness to let his children make and learn from their mistakes."—Troy Barrios, Food Editor
Daniel Hillard (Mrs. Doubtfire)
"For me, it’s Mrs. Doubtfire. That’s love! He went to the extreme just to be with and have a relationship with his estranged children. All the laughs are a bonus, too!"—Anna Rosete, Living Editor
Mr. Miyagi (The Karate Kid)
" If you think about it, Mr. Miyagi is the epitome of a masculine role model. He is strong, shrewd, funny, handy etc. Everything that an "alpha male" should be. But you remember him for his tenderness, and his ability to nurture."—Anna Rosete, Living Editor
Guido Orifice (Life is Beautiful)
"There’s also Guido Orifice from Life Is Beautiful who protects his child’s innocence with his goofy antics even in their lowest, darkest days in the concentration camp."—Anna Rosete, Living Editor
Mufasa (The Lion King)
"Mufasa wasn't just a 2D lion. He was terrifying and big and imposing, but he was also warm and an embodiment of paternal protection and love. With just the firmness in his tone, you knew he was the leader of a kingdom who meant business, yet lying hidden in that regal bass of a voice was a softie of a dad. He may be a top predator to some, but Simba and all the kids who rewound their Lion King VHS tapes endlessly know better; that tough love is just an exterior protecting the tender heart that lies within."—Sara delos Reyes, Metro writer
Chris Gardner (The Pursuit of Happyness)
"One of my favorite movie dads is Will Smith's Chris Gardner in 'The Pursuit of Happyness.' This movie is an absolute tearjerker mainly because of all the struggles Chris had to overcome, the sacrifices he had to make, and all the hard work he needed to put in to single handedly raise his son. He is not a perfect father (no one is, after all), but his unconditional, bottomless love and selflessness highlighted what it truly means to be a father or a parent: it's about doing whatever it takes to raise a happy child and give him the best life possible."—Grace Libero-Cruz, People Editor
Chris Gardner (The Pursuit of Happyness)
"There were a lot of moments that resonated with me. But overall, it was such a beautiful and inspiring true story that tackles integrity, perseverance, grit, and believing in one's self. This is a good movie to watch if you're looking for something inspirational."—Bria Cardenas, Metro Video Editor
Nick Parker (The Parent Trap)
"Nick Parker from Parent Trap just because he's charming, he's cute, he owns a vineyard, and he marked the day he met his wife with a special bottle of wine."—Troy Barrios, Food Editor
Nick Parker (The Parent Trap)
"Nick Parker is the type of dad you’d want to go on fun adventures with. Though he may have made some questionable decisions (cue Meredith Blake), the way Hallie and Annie look up to him and love him so much is a testament to how he really is one of the best dads in film!"—Aisha Anwar, Social Media Manager
George Banks (Father of the Bride)
"Steve Martin in Father of the Bride. George Banks leads the perfect life with his wife, daughter and son. However, when Annie, his daughter, decides to get married, he has a hard time letting go of her."—Raul Manzano, Editor-in-chief of Metro Society
Sam Dawson (I Am Sam)
"One of my favorite fictional movie dads is Sean Penn’s role as an autistic father in the movie, I AM SAM. It tore my heart to pieces, watching him struggle to raise and keep his 7-year old daughter, Lucy. It’s an incredible, heart-wrenching story that demonstrates the powerful capacity of a father’s love."—Lala Ventura, Metro Channel Head
Marlin (Finding Nemo)
"If I had to choose my favorite movie dad, it would have to be Marlin from Finding Nemo. In the film, Marlin literally swam the entire ocean just to be reunited with his son Nemo. Marlin's determination to find Nemo proves that there really is nothing a father wouldn't do for his child. That, for me, is an ideal father." - Cara Tirona, Deputy Managing Editor
James Lake (About Time)
"My favorite movie dad is James Lake from About Time (played by Bill Nighy!!) I just love how he’s so wise, eccentric, and he loves his children so much! He’s a time traveler too which makes him 2x cooler. He mastered the art of time traveling by not using it for fame or greed but to better understand life itself. In the film, he lives every day twice, once to experience the joys and sorrows of existence and again to appreciate how important they are. Just wow!"—Carla Buyo, Fashion Writer
Sam, Bill, and Harry (Mamma Mia)
"My favorite movie dads — yes, dads! — are Sam, Bill, and Harry from the Mamma Mia movies. (My favorite among the three is Harry, but don’t tell the others I said that.) I love how supportive they are of Sophie (and Donna!), how lasting their love is for those women, and how there was absolutely zero beef among the three of them, given their situation! Just fun vibes all around."—Renee Nuevo, Metro writer
Mr. Levenstein (American Pie)
"His role in American Pie may have been the “nerdy,” dad who sometimes shows up in the wrong place at the wrong time, but we can all agree that he was one of the most supportive father figures in cinema! No matter what crazy situation Jim and his friends got into, Mr. Levenstein was always there with lots of advise and funny moments to make light of every *cringey* situation."—Aisha Anwar, Social Media Manager
Captain Crewe (A Little Princess)
"A Little Princess was an absolute favorite film of mine growing up. I loved the relationship between Sara and her father, Captain Richard Crewe, because they just loved each other so much and literally only had each other as family. When he needs to leave and answer his duty in the war, he leaves Sara in a magnificent private school in New York with headmistress, Miss Minchin. When news about his alleged passing came back, Miss Minchin stripped Sara of all her prior luxuries (because she no longer can afford them) giving her the worst time, and treating her so poorly. Sara must be strong, continue dreaming, and live each day with courage despite her trials. At the end of the movie, Sara's father miraculously comes back, and regains his memories of her and the life he lived... Despite watching it a million and one times, it never fails to make me weep when father and daughter reunite. It made me believe that no matter what, fathers will find their way back to their daughters and always care for them in the best way they can. There's a line he says, that stuck to me even now in my adult age: 'Magic has to be believed. It’s the only way it’s real.' And it was that very magic that brought them back together,! Magic, love, and HOPE!"—Justin Convento, Culture Editor
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