As a child, having a healthy bond with your parents is crucial; it promotes mental, emotional, and linguistic development and is ultimately one of the most powerful connections two people can share. Many remark that a daughter’s first love is her father. While this isn’t always the case, it actually happens a lot. It’s always heartwarming to witness these strong relationships translated into film, especially when a movie highlights how safe and secure a child feels with her caregiver.
Throughout the years,many touching features have successfully depicted beautiful father-daughter relationships, showing how inspiring, unconditional, and encouraging a father’s love can be. To celebrate this unique bond, we look back at some of the best movies about fathers and daughters, ranking them by how accurately they depict this strong connection as well as their entertainment value.
30’The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001)
Directed by Wes Anderson
Image via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Another great watch for those into unconventional, quirky comedies,Wes Anderson’sThe Royal Tenenbaumscenters around the members of a dysfunctional family who reluctantly gather under the same roof for various reasons.Gene Hackmanportrays the family’s patriarch — a flawed and complex but ultimately redemptive character.
Royal’s relationship with his children is complicated; this, of course, includes his dynamics with his daughter Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow). The two are emotionally distant, with the fact that Margot was adopted and his making light of it often creating even more detachment between the two. However, their relationship eventually evolves and Royal’s attempt to reconcile with his children causes Margot’s demeanor to soften.While thisThe Royal Tenenbaumsfather-daughter relationship is far from perfect, its flaws make it compelling and real.
The Royal Tenenbaums
29’Poor Things' (2023)
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Yorgos Lanthimos' latest film has captured the attention of critics and general audiences alike thanks to its eccentric visuals and dark humor. Based onAlasdair Gray’s novel, it chronicles the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, played byEmma Stonein an Award-winning performance, as she is brought back to life by the brilliant scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe).
Many striking elements makePoor Thingsone of a kind and its unconventional father-daughter relationship is at the top of the list. The film provides audiences with a compelling reimagining of the dynamics between the two family members, offering audiences an unconventional take that evolves as the story progresses. WhilePoor Thingsis not an incredibly touching film like others mentioned on this list,Bella and God’s bond is easily one of the most meaningful in recent cinema.
Poor Things
28’Father of the Bride' (1991)
Directed by Charles Shyer
Steve Martin’s George Banksis devastated when his beloved daughter (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) decides to marry a wealthy man, as he can’t imagine what life is going to be like without her. When their wedding takes place at their home, George finds himself descending into a nightmare.
This romantic comedy byCharles Shyermay not be fit for everyone’s liking, but it is still a charming and well-executed movie; the average moviegoer who’s keen on the genre may actually enjoy it.On top of featuring one of the most iconic father-and-daughter duos in film,Father of the Brideis funny and even touchingat times. Its depiction of a father realizing that his baby daughter is not a baby anymore is precise and makes the movie a relatable picture to some.
Father of the Bride
27’Definitely, Maybe' (2008)
Directed by Adam Brooks
Starring Ryan Reynolds in the lead roleand set in New York City,Definitely, Maybeis anAdam Brooksromantic comedy that follows 30-something political consultant Will Hayes as he attempts to explain to his 11-year-old daughter, played byLittle Miss Sunshine’s talented child actorAbigail Breslin, his divorce, past relationships, and how he ended up marrying her mother.
While it doubles as a romantic comedy,Definitely, Maybeis an incredible father-daughter movie, featuring a believable bond between a dad and his kid at its center. What’s so great about this all-around nice and enjoyable film is, too, its well-cast characters and the funny, emotional moments. Furthermore,Definitely, Maybedoes not shy away from tackling serious themes such as divorce and politics.
Definitely, Maybe
26’Hearts Beat Loud' (2018)
Directed by Brett Haley
InHearts Beat Loud, a single dad and record store owner (Nick Offerman) and daughter (Kiersey Clemons) form an unlikely songwriting dynamic duo in the summer right before she leaves for college.
Out of all the father-daughter movies here listed, this is probably one of the lesser known.Brett Haley’s often overlooked film (which deserves all the audiences' love) is still very much worth watching, as it delivers two great performances — especially fromThe Last of Us' Offerman — and provides audiences with a meaningful narrative that is both fulfilling and touching with an incredible duo at its center.
Hearts Beat Loud
25’King Richard' (2021)
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green
Will Smithsteps into the shoes ofRichard Williams, the father and coach of famed tennis playersVenusandSerena Williams(played byDemi SingletonandSaniyya Sidney), in this critically acclaimed film that landedSmith his Best Actor Academy Award in 2021, after getting his first Oscar nomination in 15 years. The biopic follows Williams as he brings willpower and determination to another level, carving his daughters' names into history.
There is no doubt that the highly praised film features heartwarming daughter-father bonds. As it navigates through the Williams' lives,King Richardsheds an important light on the close relationship the family shares, especially the sisters' relationship with their father. It highlights how big of a role Williams played in the girls' lives, both on and off the court.
King Richard
24’Gifted' (2017)
Directed by Marc Webb
Witha super smart kid at the film’s center, 2017’sGiftedis set in Florida and focuseson Frank Adler (Chris Evans), a single man who is responsible for raising his highly intelligent child niece Mary (Mckenna Grace, who has been cast in tons of exciting projects). When the mathematical abilities of prodigy 7-year-old Mary catch the attention of Frank’s mother, Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan), a wild turn of events takes place.
Deeply moving and entertaining, thisMarc Webbfilm touches on very sensitive topics, including suicide and parental abandonment, even if it mostly revolves around a second-grader. Nevertheless,Giftedshowcases the importance of standing up for others all while translating a beautifully writtenand complex daughter-father relationship to the screen.
Rent on Apple TV
23’Somewhere' (2010)
Directed by Sofia Coppola
Although it isn’t as popular as other Sofia Coppola pictures,Somewhereis an interesting entry by the treasured filmmaker. The moviestars a young Elle Fanningas Cleo and explores her relationship with her father (Stephen Dorff), a passionless Hollywood star who reevaluates his life when she steps back into the picture.
Coppola enjoys examining girlhood and father-daughter bonds in her moviesand has successfully done so in the past. The latter is evident not only throughSomewherebut alsoOn the Rocks; while both are great and even a tad underrated movies in this niche category, they are likely to appeal to different age groups, as the nostalgicSomewhereplays like a coming-of-age and features a teenage protagonist whileOn the Rocks, a more mature story, is led by a young woman.
22’Contact' (1997)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Directed byRobert Zemeckis, thisNASA-approved science fictionpsychological thriller starsJodie Fosteras Doctor Ellie Arroway, focusing on her finding of conclusive radio proof of extraterrestrial intelligence after years of searching.
The father-daughter relationship may not be the central aspect of this sci-fi epic. However, it is obvious that Ellie’s father has always been an important figure in her life. The relationship the two shared had a profound impact on her life.David Morse’s character is portrayed in flashbacks and shown to be a supportive parent who happily feeds her interest in science, with his encouragement having a huge impact on her life choices.AtContact’s heart, this beautifully explored father-daughter relationship helps elevate the narrative to higher levels.
21’Beauty and the Beast' (1991)
Directed by Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
While the main focus ofBeauty and the Beastis not Bella’s relationship with her father but rather how she comes to meet a prince cursed to spend his days as a monster, the relationship between the two is still an important part of its narrative — if it weren’t so strong, Belle and the Beast would never even meet.
Belle’s relationship with her father is undoubtedly important because it is one of deep affection and protective love. While the movie begins with Maurice as a protective guardian, their dynamic is eventually shifted by the film’s end, as Belle matures and so does they bond,turning into one of mutual respect and understanding. Despite its narrative being more centered on the two protagonists,Beauty and the Beastcertainly does a great job of portraying the meaningful relationship between the two.
