Movies About Single Dads

From Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello
Rated R

Léon: The Professional is a 1994 action-thriller film written and directed by Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, and Natalie Portman. The story follows Léon, a professional hitman, who takes in Mathilda, a 12-year-old neighbor girl, after her family is killed by corrupt DEA agents. As Mathilda trains with Léon to become a professional assassin herself, the two develop a close bond that leads to a dramatic confrontation with the corrupt agents. The film is noted for its iconic cinematography, editing, and soundtrack, as well as its realistic violence and vivid characters.

From Robert Mulligan, starring Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy
Rated Approved

To Kill a Mockingbird is an Academy Award-winning classic American drama film directed by Robert Mulligan and based on Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The film follows a young white girl, Scout (Mary Badham), and her father, Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck), as they navigate issues of race, class, and justice in a small southern town during the 1930s. Through moral and ethical dilemmas, Atticus is a role model of courage and integrity, defending a black man falsely accused of rape. As Scout begins to understand the prejudices and hypocrisy of her community, she learns valuable life lessons that will stay with her forever.

From Directors: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, starring Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe
Rated G

Finding Nemo is an animated adventure comedy-drama directed by Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich. The plot follows the journey of a clownfish named Nemo, who is captured by a diver and taken to a dentist's office aquarium in Sydney. His father, Marlin, teams up with a forgetful fish named Dory to journey across the ocean in an effort to rescue him. Along the way, they encounter sharks, jellyfish, turtles, and seagulls, as well as make new friends such as the water-skiing squirrel, Crush. Marlin and Dory eventually reach Sydney and find Nemo, but must then protect him from the dentist's assistant, who wants to keep him as a pet. In the end, Nemo is safely reunited with his family.

From Jim Sheridan, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite, Alison Crosbie, Philip King
Rated R

In the Name of the Father is a 1993 biographical drama directed by Jim Sheridan and starring Daniel Day-Lewis. The film chronicles the struggles of the Guilford Four, who were wrongfully convicted of the Guildford Pub Bombing in 1974, in their fight for justice and exoneration. Gerry Conlon, an Irishman living in London, is arrested along with his three friends and his father Giuseppe, and sentenced to life in prison. While in prison, Gerry and his father come to terms with the injustice of the situation and seek to clear their names. With the help of a human rights lawyer, they manage to prove their innocence and are released. The film is a powerful and emotional story of struggle, perseverance and triumph.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Hitoshi Takagi, Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, Shigesato Itoi
Rated G

My Neighbor Totoro is a classic animated family film directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The story follows two young girls, Satsuki and Mei, who move with their father to a new home in the countryside. There, they discover magical creatures called Totoros who live in the nearby forest. With the help of the Totoros and a magical Cat Bus, the girls explore the wonders of nature and learn the importance of family and friendship. Through their adventures, they learn to appreciate and protect their new home. With its captivating visuals and heartwarming story, My Neighbor Totoro has become a beloved classic of Japanese animation.

From Gabriele Muccino, starring Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith, Brian Howe
Rated PG-13

The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino, written by Steve Conrad, and starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman. The film is based on the true story of Gardner's struggle to achieve his dream of becoming a successful stockbroker. Despite facing numerous obstacles, such as homelessness, financial hardship, and a lack of family support, Gardner strives to overcome these obstacles to provide a better life for himself and his young son. Through hard work and determination, he eventually achieves great success and is able to provide a comfortable life for his son. The Pursuit of Happyness is an inspiring story of hope and resilience, demonstrating the power of will and determination to create a better life.

From Yôjirô Takita, starring Masahiro Motoki, Ryôko Hirosue, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Kazuko Yoshiyuki
Rated PG-13

Departures is a 2008 Japanese drama film directed by Yôjirô Takita and starring Masahiro Motoki and Ryoko Hirosue. It tells the story of a recently unemployed cellist, Daigo Kobayashi, who decides to take a job as a "nokanshi" (a funeral professional) and encounters an entirely different side of life. After making the decision to move back to his hometown and take the job, Daigo soon begins to learn more about himself, his late father, and the meaning of life and death. The film follows Daigo's journey as he learns to accept his new job and to appreciate the beauty of life, death, and the cycle of life. The film received critical acclaim and won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

From Robert Benton, starring Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander, Justin Henry
Rated PG

Kramer vs. Kramer is a 1979 drama directed by Robert Benton and starring Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Justin Henry. The film tells the story of a married couple, Ted and Joanna Kramer (Hoffman and Streep), whose relationship is put to the test when Joanna suddenly decides to leave the family and pursue her dream of becoming an independent woman. Ted is left to take on the full responsibility of being a single parent to their young son, Billy (Henry). As Ted struggles to adjust to his new role, he and Joanna must confront each other in a bitter custody battle for Billy's future. The film follows the two as they work through their issues and explore the roles of father and mother, as well as the idea of what it means to be a family. In the end, both Ted and Joanna learn the true value of their relationship and the importance of the bond between parent and child.

From Sam Mendes, starring Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin, Rob Maxey, Liam Aiken
Rated R

Road to Perdition is a 2002 American crime drama film directed by Sam Mendes and starring Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, and Jude Law. Set during the Great Depression, the story follows a mob enforcer and his son as they seek revenge against a mobster who murdered the rest of their family. On their journey, the two bond and discover the importance of family and loyalty. The film explores themes of violence, guilt, and retribution, and is considered by some to be a modern film noir.

From Shona Auerbach, starring Emily Mortimer, Jack McElhone, Gerard Butler, Mary Riggans
Rated PG-13

Dear Frankie is an emotional drama about a single mother, Lizzie (Emily Mortimer), who is trying to protect her deaf son, Frankie (Jack McElhone), from the truth about his father. Lizzie moves from town to town, inventing stories about Frankie’s father who is always away at sea. When Frankie writes a letter to his father, Lizzie enlists the help of a kind-hearted stranger, Tommy (Gerard Butler), to play the role of his dad. As Tommy helps Lizzie and Frankie bond, they find the courage to confront their past and embrace a hopeful future.

From Jessie Nelson, starring Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning, Dianne Wiest
Rated PG-13

I Am Sam is a 2001 drama directed by Jessie Nelson and starring Sean Penn as Sam Dawson, a single dad with a developmental disability. Sam is a gentle and loving father who is determined to raise his daughter, Lucy, with the same love and understanding he has for her. As Lucy grows, Sam's limitations become more apparent, and social services threatens to take her away. With the help of a high-powered lawyer and some newfound friends, Sam fights for custody of his daughter, and must prove that despite his limitations, he is still a competent father. Ultimately, the two maintain their bond of unconditional love, and Sam is able to prove to the court that he can care for his daughter. The film is an inspiring story of the power of love, and the strength of the human spirit.

From Matthew Vaughn, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Chloë Grace Moretz, Garrett M. Brown
Rated R

Kick-Ass is a 2010 British-American superhero black comedy film directed by Matthew Vaughn. It is based on the comic book series of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. The film follows Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), an ordinary teenage boy who sets out to become a real-life superhero, calling himself "Kick-Ass". He soon meets up with a pair of veteran costumed vigilantes, Big Daddy (Nicholas Cage) and Hit-Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz), who are on a mission to take down the crime lord Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong). As Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl take on D'Amico's henchmen, their notoriety sparks the interest of a group of amateur superheroes. Together, they must battle D'Amico's armies to save the city and foil his sinister plans. The film is noted for its humour, action, and message of heroism. It was met with positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success. It also spawned a sequel, Kick-Ass 2, released in 2013.

From Richard Curtis, starring Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney
Rated R

Love Actually is a romantic comedy that follows the lives of nine interconnected couples in London during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Through these stories, the movie explores the complexity of love in all its forms, whether it's between family, friends, lovers, or strangers. At the center of the movie is the Prime Minister of England, who falls in love with his newly appointed housekeeper. Love Actually features an all-star cast, including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, and more. It is a heartwarming and funny exploration of the many different kinds of love that exist in the world.

From Directors: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud, starring Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews
Rated PG

Despicable Me (2010) is a computer-animated comedy film directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud. It tells the story of Gru, a super-villain who adopts three orphaned girls in order to pull off the greatest heist in the world and become the most notorious villain of all time. However, his plans are derailed when he grows to love the girls and they start to influence his life in unexpected ways. The film features the voices of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, and Miranda Cosgrove. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $543 million worldwide and winning numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

From Irwin Winkler, starring Hayden Christensen, Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jena Malone
Rated R

Life as a House is a 2001 American drama film directed by Irwin Winkler, starring Kevin Kline and Kristin Scott Thomas. It tells the story of a man's struggle with his family and his past life. George (Kevin Kline) is a middle-aged man who is fired from his job of 20 years, and soon discovers he is terminally ill. He decides to move his family out of their suburban home and rebuild his life, literally and figuratively, by building a house from the ground up. Through the process of constructing their home, George and his son, Sam (Hayden Christensen), confront their issues with each other and their estranged relationship. Meanwhile, George's ex-wife Robin (Kristin Scott Thomas) and her new husband (Jamey Sheridan) attempt to help the family heal. Along the way, George learns to open his heart and his family discovers the true meaning of home.

From Eugenio Derbez, starring Eugenio Derbez, Karla Souza, Jessica Lindsey, Loreto Peralta
Rated PG-13

Instructions Not Included is a Mexican comedy-drama directed by Eugenio Derbez. The film tells the story of Valentin (Derbez), a Mexican playboy, who is suddenly left to care for his daughter, Maggie (Loreto Peralta), after the mother, Julie (Cassandra Ciangherotti), leaves without a trace. Forced to grow up fast, Valentin takes on the responsibility of being a single father and learns how to raise Maggie over the course of seven years. Along the way, Valentin and Maggie form an unbreakable bond, endure the ups and downs of life, and finally discover the identity of Maggie’s mother.

From Lasse Hallström, starring Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron, Michael Caine, Delroy Lindo
Rated PG-13

From Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Javier Bardem, Maricel Álvarez, Hanaa Bouchaib, Guillermo Estrella
Rated R

From Yimou Zhang, starring Ken Takakura, Kiichi Nakai, Shinobu Terajima, Ken Nakamoto
Rated PG

From Alexander Payne, starring George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause
Rated R

From Chris Weitz, starring Demián Bichir, José Julián, Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo, Joaquín Cosio
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz, starring Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, Sharon Small
Rated PG-13

From Chris Columbus, starring Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein
Rated PG-13

From Adam Brooks, starring Ryan Reynolds, Rachel Weisz, Abigail Breslin, An Nguyen
Rated PG-13

From Cameron Crowe, starring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Elle Fanning
Rated PG