We all look for role models wherever we can find them, and sometimes they can come from the most unexpected places. Conventional wisdom will tell you to find them in a real-life setting, but often, real life can be disappointing. For me, I found myself gravitating toward the fictional when it came to role models. Specifically, I found comfort in the great movie dads of film.
Some of these movie dads I recently revisited after years, since nostalgia is a powerful thing. What I found most surprising is how awesome a lot of these fictional dads still were, even if some weren’t quite worthy of role model status.
Daniel from Mrs. Doubtfire
Watch Mrs. Doubtfire on Hulu
Okay, so not exactly a role model example to start things off here, but still just a movie dad who I absolutely loved as a kid. A lot of that had to do with the fact that it was Robin Williams in the role of Daniel/Mrs. Doubtfire, but who can really blame me? Williams brought his usual infectious charm and comedy chops to the role, but there’s also something heartfelt about a dad who would do just about anything to be with his children.
Should that “anything” be lying to his estranged wife and assuming a whole new identity in order to do so? Well, no, not really, but fiction can be a strange world where people do things that seem off-kilter. Still, Daniel’s heart is in the right place, and Mrs. Doubtfire is ultimately more sweet than it is problematic.
Bryan from Taken
Watch Taken on Hulu
If your dad doesn’t travel across the planet to save you from dastardly villains, is he even really a dad? That’s a decision that doesn’t even occur to Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) from Taken. Neeson brings a sense of legitimate danger to the role, exuding calm confidence as he searches for his daughter. Say what you will about the ridiculous plot and questionable ethics of pretty much everything going on in the film, but Taken is a wild ride, and Bryan is a dedicated father.
Unlike some of the best movie sequels ever made, it’s not a concept that is as effective in the follow-up films. But the character of Bryan still remains one of the coolest action dads ever put on screen.
Dill from Easy A
Watch Easy A on Hulu
When we were growing up, I think a lot of us wish we had parents who were more understanding. But to go along with understanding, we want that to come with judgment-free acceptance. During the height of my teenage years, I found this kind of acceptance in Dill (Stanley Tucci) from Easy A. Teen comedies aren’t exactly known for producing the most compassionate parents, but Easy A gives us Dill, a chill, hilariously sarcastic father who never judges his children.
The character of Dill is brought to life by smart writing, yes, but it’s Tucci’s suave and charismatic nature that brings the character to life. I remember vividly wishing that Tucci could be my own father, and that’s not a feeling that’s really dissipated in modern times. Dill remains a perfect example of what a good father looks like, and if I were to ever have children, I’d want to be just like him.
Gomez from The Addams Family
Watch The Addams Family on Paramount+
Unlike some of the other entries on this list, Gomez Addams is a double threat as a great father and a loving husband. Specifically, the Raul Julia version from both The Addams Family and the superior Addams Family Values, Gomez is just as bizarre as the other members of his family, but in a very endearing way. He encourages his children to pursue their (often very dangerous) goals and be true to themselves.
He also worships the ground his wife, Morticia Addams (Anjelica Houston), literally and figuratively walks on. It’s become something of a common internet meme over the years that Gomez is the perfect man because of these qualities, but I think the internet is actually on to something. Gomez is exactly what a fictional role model should look like, and Julia’s version is the ultimate example.
Mufasa from The Lion King
Watch The Lion King on Disney+
Mufasa (James Earl Jones) is the perfect example of a father who leaves a lasting impression long after his screen time ends. Sure, he’s also a cartoon lion, but that doesn’t really matter. Mufasa is a wise king and father who tries to impart that knowledge to his son, Simba. While he can be fierce and a little overprotective, he’s also playful and encouraging. There are many facets and depths within Mufasa.
It also doesn’t hurt that Mufasa is voiced by the legendary Jones, whose voice acting work here is nothing short of extraordinary. I probably watched The Lion King a hundred times as a kid, and a lot of that had to do with the relationship between Mufasa and Simba, and how the latter carried his father’s lessons throughout the whole film. The Lion King remains one of those animated movies that you and your kids will adore.
Good movie dads can be a source of comfort
Whether as a small child or as a teen bordering on adult, these movie dads continue to resonate with me well into adulthood. Hopefully, they can bring you a similar sense of emotional response. Of course, if you’re looking for a different type of emotion, we have some recommendations for romance films that will leave you curled up in the fetal position by the time the credits roll.
