It’s Father’s Day, so rent a movie to watch with your dad. Here’s my list of my 5 favorite classic and 5 favorite contemporary Father’s Day movies.
Top 5 Classic Father’s Day Movies:
1. Cheaper By the Dozen
Released 1950
Directed by Walter Lang
Starring: Clifton Webb, Myna Loy, Jeanne Crain, Betty Lynn
This is the best Father’s Day movie of them all. It’s touching, funny, sad, and nostalgic. If you haven’t watched this earlier version, you’re in for a treat.
2. The Courtship of Eddie’s Father
Released 1963
Directed by Vincente Minnelli
Starring: Glenn Ford, Shirley Jones, Ron Howard, Stella Stevens
After his mother dies, a young boy plays matchmaker for his father. This is a great movie, but don’t watch it unless you have tissues handy. It’s a real tearjerker.
3. Three Godfathers
Released 1948
Directed by John Ford
Starring: John Wayne, Harry Carey Jr., Pedro Armenderez
This is a wonderful classic John Wayne movie where Wayne is an outlaw running from the law. He comes across a baby in the desert and becomes the child’s adoptive father. He risks his life and his freedom to save the child.
4. Life With Father
Released 1947
Directed by Michael Curtiz
Starring: William Powell, Irene Dunne, Elizabeth Taylor
Funny movie about the exasperations of fatherhood at the turn of the century. William Powell is a hoot in this, and Irene Dunne should have been a blond.
5. The Champ
Released 1979
Directed by Franco Zeffirelli
Starring: Rick Schroder, Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway, Jack Warden
This version of the classic movie about a father of a boxer is better than the original 1938 version. Keep tissues handy. This is a tearjerker.
5 Favorite Contemporary Father’s Day Movies:
1. Courageous
Released 2011
Directed by Alex Kendrick
Starring: Alex Kendrick, Ken Bevel, Kevin Downs, Ben Davies, Robert Amaya, and Renee Jewel
When tragic loss hits, police officers learn what it means to be real men and real fathers to their children.
2. Pursuit of Happyness
Released 2006
Directed by Gabriele Muccino
Starring: Will Smith
The best movie about a father and son and about the perseverance of the human spirit ever made. This is based on the true story of Chris Gardner who went from rags to riches to make a life for his son.
3. Frequency
Released 2000
Directed by Gregory Holbilt
Starring: Dennis Quaid, James Caviezel
A great thriller movie about a father and son with a little sci-fi and time travel mixed in.
4. The Incredibles
Released 2004
Directed by Brad Bird
Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter
Great kid’s movie about the struggles of raising a family when you’re a superhero.
5. Daddy Day Care
Released 2003
Directed by Steve Carr
Starring: Eddie Murphy
Comedy about a father who starts a day care.
Bonus: The Hardy Family Movies
Another series of father/son movies not mentioned in the top ten list are The Hardy Family Movies made in the 1930’s and 1940’s. They star Mickey Rooney and are well worth seeing.
Starring:
Lewis Stone as Judge James K. Hardy
Cecilia Parker as Marian Hardy
Fay Holden as Mrs. Emily Hardy
A couple of the movies also star Judy Garland as a family friend and love interest of Andy Hardy.
You’re Only Young Once (1937)
Judge Hardy’s Children (1938)
Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)
Out West with the Hardys (1938)
The Hardys Ride High (1939)
Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever (1939)
Judge Hardy and Son (1939)
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940)
Andy Hardy’s Private Secretary (1940)
Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941)
The Courtship of Andy Hardy (1942)
Andy Hardy’s Double Life (1942)
Andy Hardy’s Blonde Trouble (1944)
Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946)
Andy Hardy Comes Home (1958)
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