There are about a million different kinds of dads. There's your Clark Griswold type, who are always forcing you to, like, get outside and enjoy nature. And then there are dads who are happiest just hanging out with you on the sectional sofa, enjoying the bowl of Chex Mix on their dad bellies and watching a DVD with their issue.

Sure, brunches and botanical gardens are fun for moms, but personally, we think there's nothing better than treating your dad to a glorious day of Doin' Squat. In that spirit, we've assembled some of the best dad films we've ever seen -- from those that star dads who kick butt to those that will make you and pops mist up -- as well as a helpful list of a few to avoid on that most paternal of days.

Check out our picks below, and then leave your own in the comments. Feliz día de los padres, team!

THE BEST

"Three Men and a Baby"
An utterly re-watchable classic. What's better than having Ted Danson as your father? Having Tom Selleck and The Gutt as a Triforce of swinging bachelor co-dads. Win x3.

"The Professional"
Sure, Jean Reno isn't really Natalie Portman's dad, but the father-daughter dynamic here is one of the best ever captured on film. There's a lot of shooting, so this one is best for Action Dads.
"Raising Arizona"
Nicolas Cage will knock over a convenience store to get his (borrowed) baby diapers. That's love, there.


"Paper Moon"
Just pretend you don't know what their relationship was like in real life. Ryan and Tatum O'Neal were pretty kick-ass onscreen.
"The Kid"
Quite possibly the best dad film ever made. If you don't cry at this incredible Chaplin film, you are probably a Dalek.
"Contact"
Kind of long, and not a really that killer of a movie, but definitely one of the most dust-in-your-eye movies about the bond between a father and daughter.
"To Kill a Mockingbird"
Atticus Finch is quite possibly the best movie dad ever. He taught us so much about justice and being nice to the creepy albino neighbor.
"Regarding Henry"
Despite his occasional tendency to misplace his family, Harrison Ford is the ULTIMATE film dad. This movie is awesome. If you don't catch it on Father's Day, don't worry, it's on TNT like every three hours.

THE WORST

"My Father the Hero"
Putting aside the obvious "Holy NO" factor of fake incest, this movie just blows. Also, have you ever tried to pronounce "Gerard Depardieu" without sounding either stupid or pretentious? You can't, because it's impossible.
"Radio Flyer"
The maaaaaaaaaaaaaaan... punted Baaaaaaaaaxter.
"Say Anything"
Not only do you not want to watch teenagers having sweaty sex with your parents, but the "you turned out to be disappointing so I ran to the arms of my loser boyfriend" plot point is kind of the ultimate dad nightmare.
"Armageddon"
Without giving away too many spoilers here, the worst thing a dad can do for you is to explode.
"American Beauty"
In the running for the most overrated film of its decade. Not only that, but we don't care how much Kevin Spacey loved Thora Birch and her weird, misshapen boobs -- going after her high school girlfriend was enough to tickle our gag reflex for the full 122 minutes.
"My Girl"
Yeah, so it would be awesome if Jamie Lee Curtis were our stepmother, but the kind of sweet dad-struggling-with-his-daughter-growing-up theme is overshadowed by painful, anaphylactic death. JUST GIVE THOMAS JOHN HIS GLASSES! HE CAN'T SEE WITHOUT HIS GLASSES!
"The Wrestler"
Sorry, Dad can't hang out. He overslept because he was doing blow with a crazy lady. Also he dance-fights grown men and cuts his face for money.
"Kill Bill"
Bill's pretty sweet with his daughter. You know, after he shot her mother in the face. Which is why she has to murder him. Family!
"Mrs. Doubtfire"
There's loving your kids, and then there's criminal insanity. There's a line, dads.
Share