Movies About Terrible Fathers

From Irvin Kershner, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Rated PG

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, directed by Irvin Kershner in 1980, is the second installment of the Star Wars saga. The story begins three years after the events of the original film, with the Rebel Alliance on the run from the Galactic Empire. Led by Darth Vader, the Empire is determined to crush the Rebellion and find the secret base of the Rebels. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker continues his Jedi training, seeking out the mysterious Jedi Master Yoda. As the Empire closes in, Luke and his friends must find a way to survive and outwit their powerful enemy. Along the way, Luke must face his fears and confront Darth Vader in a climactic lightsaber duel. With the help of his friends, Luke defeats Vader and escapes, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion in the final installment of the trilogy.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Rated R

The Shining is a 1980 horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. It stars Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, a writer and recovering alcoholic who takes a job as the off-season caretaker of an isolated hotel in the Colorado Rockies. Jack takes his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and young son Danny (Danny Lloyd) with him to the hotel. Danny is a psychic and is able to "shine," or see horrific events before they happen. As the months go by, Jack slowly begins to lose his sanity, becoming increasingly violent and paranoid. He is influenced by the sinister presence of the hotel's former caretaker, who had gone mad and killed his family. Danny, meanwhile, is terrorized by visions of a ghostly woman in Room 237. The Shining culminates in a terrifying climax as Jack attempts to murder Wendy and Danny. They are able to escape, but Jack is frozen to death by the hotel's evil forces. The Shining is an iconic horror film, praised for its psychological horror, cinematography, and soundtrack.

From Sam Mendes, starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley
Rated R

American Beauty is a 1999 drama directed by Sam Mendes and starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, and Thora Birch. The film follows the life of Lester Burnham, a middle-aged man going through an existential crisis. Burnham's life is upended when he begins to develop a crush on his teenage daughter's friend, Angela. His newfound appreciation for beauty and longing for a new life leads him to make drastic changes in his life that have consequences for his family and community. The film explores themes of beauty, suburban decay, and redemption, as Burnham comes to terms with his mortality and finds a newfound appreciation for life.

From Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans
Rated PG-13

Avengers: Infinity War is a 2018 superhero film directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. It is the sequel to the 2012 Marvel Studios movie The Avengers and the 19th film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film follows the Avengers, a group of superheroes, as they attempt to stop the powerful intergalactic warlord Thanos from collecting all six Infinity Stones. With the help of their allies from other galaxies, the Avengers must stand together and use their combined powers to defeat Thanos, save the universe, and protect Earth from destruction. The film stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Josh Brolin, among others.

From Roman Polanski, starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez
Rated R

Chinatown is a 1974 neo-noir mystery film directed by Roman Polanski, starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. Set in 1937 Los Angeles, the film follows a private eye, J. J. Gittes (Nicholson), who is hired to expose an adulterer. His investigation, however, leads him to uncover a web of deceit, corruption, and murder in the city, involving the wealthy and powerful businessman Noah Cross (John Huston). Gittes must battle the forces of power and corruption to reveal the truth and protect a vulnerable woman, Evelyn Mulwray (Dunaway).

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Ciarán Hinds, Martin Stringer
Rated R

There Will Be Blood is a 2007 American drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The film stars Daniel Day-Lewis as oilman Daniel Plainview and Paul Dano as preacher Eli Sunday. The plot follows Plainview's journey as a prospector as he builds an oil empire in Southern California during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The film is an adaptation of Upton Sinclair's novel Oil! and was inspired by the life of early 20th century oil magnate Edward L. Doheny. The film follows Plainview as he chooses ruthlessness and greed over compassion in order to gain wealth and power. Along the way, Plainview clashes with Eli Sunday and his family, as well as other potential rivals. His quest for power is intertwined with his growing paranoia and mental instability, leading to a conclusion with devastating consequences. The film received acclaim from critics and was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Day-Lewis. It won two, for Best Actor and Best Cinematography.

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Tom Cruise, Jason Robards, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Rated R

Magnolia is an ensemble drama that tells the interconnected stories of a group of people living in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. In the film, characters are faced with issues of love, loss, and redemption. The film follows the lives of multiple characters, including a game show host, an ex-child star, a motivational speaker, an estranged couple, and a dying father. Through intersecting storylines, these characters are all linked together, and ultimately must face the consequences of their past actions. Magnolia features stunning performances from an impressive cast and a powerful score from Aimee Mann. It is considered a modern classic and has been widely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike.

From Wes Anderson, starring Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller
Rated R

The Royal Tenenbaums is a 2001 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Wes Anderson. The film follows the lives of three gifted siblings—Chas, Margot, and Richie—who experience great success in youth, only to suffer difficult setbacks as adults. The children's eccentric father Royal (Gene Hackman) has been absent for years, but suddenly decides to move back in with them. The family must then confront their past, and the emotional complexities of their relationships with each other. Along the way, the understanding of how each family member has contributed to their shared dysfunction is revealed, helping them to eventually come to terms with their individual failings. Despite a sometimes dark tone, the film is filled with humor, and explores themes of love, loyalty, and redemption.

From Michael Caton-Jones, starring Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Barkin, Jonah Blechman
Rated R

From David Silverman, starring Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Rated PG-13

From Andy Muschietti, starring Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Martell, Finn Wolfhard, Sophia Lillis
Rated R

From Bill Paxton, starring Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe, Matt O'Leary
Rated R

From Oliver Stone, starring Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore, Rodney Dangerfield
Rated R

From Tom Shadyac, starring Jim Carrey, Maura Tierney, Amanda Donohoe, Jennifer Tilly
Rated PG-13

From Joseph Ruben, starring Terry O'Quinn, Jill Schoelen, Shelley Hack, Charles Lanyer
Rated R

From Adam McKay, starring Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Gary Cole
Rated PG-13

From Frank Coraci, starring Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken, David Hasselhoff
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Brian Koppelman, David Levien, starring Jennifer Baxter, Dennis Hopper, Vin Diesel, Barry Pepper
Rated R

From Dennis Dugan, starring Adam Sandler, Salma Hayek, Kevin James, Chris Rock
Rated PG-13

From Sean Anders, starring Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Leighton Meester, Susan Sarandon
Rated R

From Tim Hill, starring Russell Brand, James Marsden, Elizabeth Perkins, Kaley Cuoco
Rated PG

From Dennis Dugan, starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade
Rated PG-13