Celebrate Father’s Day with Memorable Movie Dads
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Our Top 3 Favorite Movie Dads
As society's perceptions of both manhood and fatherhood expand, modern films are increasingly showcasing multidimensional dads. Rather than the classic stoic, all-knowing authority figure, fictional fathers of all kinds are finding their way into the spotlight. This Father's Day, we'll be celebrating some of our favorite movie dads who break the mold and show that fathers can be so much more than just a trope.
1) Dill Penderghast - Easy A (2010)
Played by Stanley Tucci, Dill's character establishes a healthy, communicative form of parenting. While he has limited screen time in the film, the main character's father plays a significant role in supporting her through the turbulent scandal she must navigate. We love Dill because he perfectly balances humor and love in his dedication to his children. Brilliantly delivered by Tucci, his words of support are both hysterical and compassionate. In one of our favorite Dill moments, he says, "I'd take a bullet for you, you know that. Right between the eyes. I would slit my throat rather than say something to someone that you didn't want me to say!" For Olive's character to have any chance at redemption, she needed loved ones on her side. Rather than either omitting a father or making him part of the angry mob, the film showcases Dill as a dad who is nurturing, funny, and emotionally available every step of the way.
2) Pacha - The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
Pacha, played by John Goodman, is a dedicated family man who does the unthinkable when is home is in jeopardy: He defies Emperor Kuzco. His fight to save his family's way of life kicks off the events of the animated film. We never once doubt Pacha's dedication to his family. In fact, he and his children share such a deep bond that they dream about the exact misadventures their dad is experiencing. The way they talk both about and to Pacha demonstrates the tremendous role he plays in their happiness; the kids clearly love and admire Pacha just as much as he does them. Even more, we love that Pacha becomes a father figure to Emperor Kuzco. Throughout their journey, Pacha risks his life to save the emperor's multiple times, all while encouraging him to be the best version of himself. He pushes past Kuzco's selfish exterior and guides him towards a path of empathy and growth. In one of our favorite Pacha moments, he's speaking to a herd of llamas, telling the story of how Kuzco saved his life. Brimming with pride, he says, "You know, call me crazy for following this guy all the way out here--but as much as he tries to deny it, I know there's some good in him." Pacha's dedication to his family saved their village, and his dedication to supporting Kuzco made the emperor a new man.
3) Mark Day - Eighth Grade (2018)
Like Easy A, Eighth Grade primarily follows the story of a young girl struggling through social experiences in school. However, in this film, the protagonist's father is a single parent, unsure of how to navigate supporting his daughter. While Mark, played by Josh Hamilton, is imperfect and sometimes fumbles in his approach, he is deeply compassionate and emotionally dependable. His unwavering love for his daughter Kayla is self-evident, as he consistently offers his support and quiet reassurance. In our favorite scene of the movie, his daughter, who has been distraught and battling anxiety for the length of the film, asks Mark if she makes him sad. He launches into an unforgettable monologue that leaves us misty-eyed every time: “You don't know; you don't know how happy you make me. It's beyond... I can't describe it. It's so easy to love you. It's so easy to... to be proud of you [...] I am always so unbelievably happy that I get to be your dad.” Without Mark's dedication, Kayla would not be able to cope with her anxiety and move past the nightmare that is middle school and puberty.
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