Picture from Father’s Day Films
A father (Topol) tearfully gives his daughter (Michele Mars) permission to marry the man of her choice (Paul Michael Glaser) in Fiddler on the Roof. Image ©MGM

Father’s Day Films

If you looking for some movies to share with Dad this Father’s Day, here are some of our favorites:

Fathers and Daughters:

Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story
Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) fears he may have been crazy when he decided to rescue an injured racehorse, but his daughter (Dakota Fanning) thinks he’s a hero.

Nim’s Island
Nim (Abigail Breslin) has two passions: her amazing life on a wild tropical island and reading Alex Rover adventure stories. So when her father (Gerard Butler) suddenly goes missing, the young girl turns to a place she is sure she’ll find help—the author of her favorite novels.

Inkheart
Although Meggie (Eliza Hope Bennett) and her father Mo (Brendan Fraser) love books, he never reads them aloud. That’s because his voice can bring objects and people from the story pages to life. But Mo is forced to use his unique talent when Meggie is kidnapped by some unsavory characters that escaped from a book.

The Game Plan
Joe Kingman (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), a famous quarterback and lady’s man, has to come up with a new game plan when an eight-year-old girl (Madison Pettis) appears on his turf claiming to be his daughter.

Fly Away Home
Helping a gaggle of geese also assists a grieving girl (Anna Paquin) to build a relationship with her estranged father (Jeff Daniels).

Fiddler on the Roof
In this classic movie musical, a poor dairy farmer named Tevye (played by Topol) tries to keep his balance by clinging to his Jewish traditions while providing for his five daughters.

Dan in Real Life
Dan Burns (Steve Carell) writes a parenting column for the local paper, which is based on the widower’s own experience raising his three daughters. But his girls aren’t nearly as impressed as some of his readers—with either his counsel or his awkward attempts to find love again.

Fathers and Sons:

October Sky
A father and son have problems agreeing upon career choices, because the boy has rocket dreams, and the dad thinks he should be a coalminer.

Kart Racer
Still grieving over the death of his wife, Vic Davis (Randy Quaid) has shut out his son Watts (Will Rothhaar). In return, the neglected boy begins to get attention by becoming a troublemaker. Then a caring law officer (Jennifer Wigmore) intervenes and suggests the two fine-tune their relationship by working together to enter a kart racing competition.

The Lion King
In this Disney animation, a young lion (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick) fears his actions have been a disappointment to his father, so he hides away from his family and responsibilities.

Resurrecting the Champ
When Erik Kernan (Josh Hartnett), discovers a homeless man (Samuel L. Jackson) he rescues from a street brawl is actually a former boxing legend, the struggling sports reporter hopes he can get a good story out of the encounter. With any luck, the article could also save his career and make him a hero in his son’s eyes.

The Pursuit of Happyness
Despite severe financial difficulties, a father (Will Smith) does all he can to provide food and shelter for his child (played by Jaden Christopher Syre Smith—the real life son of Will Smith).

Life is Beautiful
When sentenced to a Jewish concentration camp, Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni) uses his unusual sense of humor and perspective to shield his five-year-old son (Giorgio Cantarini) from the terror that surrounds them.

Fatherhood - For Better or Worse:

Because of Winn Dixie
Adopting a stray dog is the heart’s desire of a lonely girl (Annasophia Robb), but a big problem for her overwhelmed father (Jeff Daniels).

Flicka
When Katy Laughlin (Alison Lohman), discovers a wild mustang near her family’s Wyoming ranch house, the headstrong teenager sets out to tame the high-spirited filly—against the wishes of her father (Tim McGraw).

Grace is Gone
When Stanley Phillips (John Cusack) learns that his wife (Dana Lynne Gilhooley) has been killed while serving her country in the Iraq war, he takes his daughters on a road trip while he searches for the words to tell them “Grace is Gone.”

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Matthew Drayton (Spencer Tracey) finds out if he really is as racially tolerant as he claims, when his daughter Joanna (Katharine Houghton) unexpectedly announces her engagement to a “colored” man (Sidney Poitier).

Father of the Bride
The bittersweet struggle of hanging on while letting go is the stuff sentiment and laughs are made of as George Banks (Steve Martin) prepares to walk his daughter (Kimberly Williams) down the isle.

To Kill a Mockingbird
A father’s (Gregory Peck) example is all that he has to teach his children (Phillip Alford and Mary Badham) the importance of treating all men equally. While the youngsters slow to understand his position on this delicate issue, the other residents of their small Alabama town take quick to take offence.

On A Clear Day
When Frank Redmond (Peter Mullan) is cut lose from his long-term employment, he tries to find his identity and self worth by swimming the English Channel. And the lives of his friends and family are caught in the wake of his illogical pursuit.

The Incredibles
The responsibility of providing for his family isn’t easy for a former superhero (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) that has been forced to take a job as cubicle worker.

Father Figures:

Pay it Forward
A fatherless boy (Haley Joel Osment) discovers a worthy role model in a schoolteacher (Kevin Spacey).

Hearts in Atlantis
Although his single mother (Hope Davis) is too preoccupied to pay him much attention, Bobby Garfield (Anton Yelchin) finds a friend in an elderly, eccentric neighbor (Anthony Hopkins).

Secondhand Lions
When his single mom (Kyra Sedgwick) ditches him on the rundown farm of his elderly and grumpy great uncles (Michael Caine and Robert Duvall), Walter (Haley Joel Osment) has no choice but to make the best of the hostile relationship.

More details about the movies mentioned in this post…

Because Of Winn Dixie

Because Of Winn Dixie

A young girl is befriended by a stray dog who has a nose for finding lost souls.

Grace Is Gone

Grace Is Gone

Father Of The Bride

Father Of The Bride

Flicka

Flicka

Secondhand Lions

Secondhand Lions

Two old uncles may be better than one dysfunctional mom.

Hearts In Atlantis

Hearts In Atlantis

Despite growing up, the man's heart still feels the magic and innocence of Atlantis.

The Incredibles

The Incredibles

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward

One person can make a difference.

On a Clear Day

On a Clear Day

Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?

Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?

Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story

Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story

Nim’s Island

Nim’s Island

You can find all the help you need in a book...

Inkheart

Inkheart

The Game Plan

The Game Plan

To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird

Fly Away Home

Fly Away Home

Fiddler On The Roof

Fiddler On The Roof

Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof.

Dan In Real Life

Dan In Real Life

October Sky

October Sky

The sky is the limit.

Kart Racer

Kart Racer

A father and son learn to fine-tune their relationship.

The Lion King

The Lion King

Resurrecting The Champ

Resurrecting The Champ

The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness