List Rules Films about parents and the ups and downs of parenting. Vote up the best movies about parenting.
Becoming a parent is both the scariest and most rewarding event of a person's life. All of one's hopes, dreams, and greatest fears are summed up in the life of their child. Parents want the best for them, and overcome all obstacles to make sure they succeed in life. Some of the most heartwarming stories of all time are centered on the bond between a parent and child, and the struggles of parenting. What are the best movies about parenting? Vote up the best films below and see where your favorites rank!
The movies on this list tell stories of parenting in one way or another. Many are based on true events about parents beating incredible odds to protect their children. Some are completely fictional accounts and give viewers an inspirational message. Others take a comedic approach to the complications of raising a child.
This list features the best movies about parenting including, Big Daddy, Marley and Me, We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Kids Are All Right, Kramer vs. Kramer, Little Fockers, and Three Men and a Baby. Vote up the best parenting movies below or add one that isn't already on the list.
list ordered by
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ParenthoodKeanu Reeves, Steve Martin, Bryce Dallas Howard Parenthood is a 1989 comedy-drama film with an ensemble cast that includes Steve Martin, Tom Hulce, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Joaquin Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, ...more
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119 35
Father of the BrideSteve Martin, Diane Keaton, Martin Short Father of the Bride is a 1991 American comedy film starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Kimberly Williams, George Newbern, Martin Short, B.D. Wong and Kieran Culkin. It is a remake of the 1950 ...more
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Mrs. DoubtfireRobin Williams, Pierce Brosnan, Sally Field Mrs. Doubtfire is a 1993 American comedy film, starring Robin Williams and Sally Field and based on the novel Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine. It was directed by Chris Columbus and ...more
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brotydoty added Mary PoppinsJulie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Elsa Lanchester Mary Poppins is a 1964 American musical fantasy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney, with songs written and composed by the Sherman Brothers. The screenplay is by Bill ...more
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Mr. MomMichael Keaton, Christopher Lloyd, Teri Garr Mr. Mom is a 1983 American comedy film directed by Stan Dragoti and written by John Hughes about Jack Butler, a stay-at-home dad. It stars Michael Keaton, Teri Garr, Jeffrey Tambor, Ann Jillian, ...more
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Cheaper by the DozenHilary Duff, Ashton Kutcher, Steve Martin Cheaper by the Dozen is a 2003 American family comedy film which takes its title from the autobiographical book of the same name by Frank Bunker Gilbreth and Lillian Moller Gilbreth, but despite ...more
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cuddlytart31 added The Pursuit of HappynessWill Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American biographical drama film based on Chris Gardner's nearly one-year struggle with homelessness. Directed by Gabriele Muccino, the film features Will ...more
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Look Who's TalkingJohn Travolta, Bruce Willis, Joan Rivers Look Who's Talking is a 1989 romantic comedy film written and directed by Amy Heckerling and starring John Travolta and Kirstie Alley. Bruce Willis plays the voice of Mollie's son, Mikey. The ...more
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StepmomJulia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Ed Harris Stepmom is a 1998 comedy-drama directed by Chris Columbus and starring Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, and Ed Harris. Sarandon won the San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress and ...more
10
79 41
Three Men and a BabyTom Selleck, Ted Danson, Steve Guttenberg Three Men and a Baby is a 1987 comedy film directed by Leonard Nimoy, and starring Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, Ted Danson and Nancy Travis. It follows the mishaps and adventures of three ...more
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caileighjoy added MatildaDanny DeVito, Mara Wilson, Paul Reubens Matilda is a 1996 American fantasy comedy children's film directed and narrated by Danny DeVito. The screenplay by Nicholas Kazan and Robin Swicord is based on Roald Dahl's novel of the same ...more
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sgelfeld added Little Miss SunshineSteve Carell, Bryan Cranston, Toni Collette Little Miss Sunshine is a 2006 American comedy-drama road film and the directorial film debut of the husband-wife team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. The screenplay was written by ...more
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Big DaddyAdam Sandler, Jon Stewart, Steve Buscemi Big Daddy is a 1999 American comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan and starring Adam Sandler. The film was produced by Robert Simonds and released on June 25, 1999, by Columbia Pictures where it ...more
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sgelfeld added Daddy Day CareEddie Murphy, Lacey Chabert, Elle Fanning Daddy Day Care is a 2003 American comedy film starring Eddie Murphy and co-starring Jeff Garlin, Steve Zahn, Regina King, Anjelica Huston and Lacey Chabert. Written by Geoff Rodkey and directed ...more
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How to Train Your DragonGerard Butler, Kristen Wiig, David Tennant How to Train Your Dragon is a 2010 American 3D computer-animated action-fantasy film by DreamWorks Animation loosely based on the British book series of the same name by Cressida Cowell. The ...more
AnnieTim Curry, Bernadette Peters, Greta Garbo Annie is a 1982 American musical comedy-drama film adapted from Broadway musical of the same name by Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin and Thomas Meehan, which in turn is based on Little Orphan ...more
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dee123 added Big FishMiley Cyrus, Ewan McGregor, Marion Cotillard Big Fish is a 2003 American fantasy drama film based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace. The film was directed by Tim Burton and stars Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy ...more
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Raising ArizonaNicolas Cage, John Goodman, Holly Hunter Raising Arizona is a 1987 American comedy film directed, written, and produced by the Coen brothers, and starring Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, William Forsythe, John Goodman, Frances McDormand, ...more
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cuddlytart31 added Sleepless in SeattleTom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Rosie O'Donnell Sleepless in Seattle is a 1993 American romantic comedy-drama film directed and co-written by Nora Ephron. Based on a story by Jeff Arch, it stars Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin and Meg Ryan as Annie
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The Family ManNicolas Cage, Téa Leoni, Don Cheadle The Family Man is a 2000 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Brett Ratner and starring Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni. Cage's production company, Saturn Films, helped produce the ...more
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Kramer vs. KramerMeryl Streep, Dustin Hoffman, JoBeth Williams Kramer vs. Kramer is a 1979 American drama film adapted by Robert Benton from the novel by Avery Corman, and directed by Benton. The film tells the story of a married couple's divorce and its ...more
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Raising HelenParis Hilton, Hayden Panettiere, Kate Hudson Raising Helen is a 2004 American comedy-drama film directed by Garry Marshall and written by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler. It stars Kate Hudson, John Corbett, Joan Cusack, Hayden Panettiere, ...more
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Baby BoomDiane Keaton, James Spader, Harold Ramis Baby Boom is a 1987 comedy film starring Diane Keaton. The film also launched a subsequent television show, running from 1988 to 1989. The original music score was composed by Bill Conti and the ...more
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cuddlytart31 added Life as We Know ItChristina Hendricks, Katherine Heigl, Steve Nash Great movie Life as We Know It is a 2010 comedy film written by Ian Deitchman, Kristin Rusk Robinson, Jon Harmon Feldman and Michael Green and directed by Greg Berlanti.
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About a BoyRachel Weisz, Hugh Grant, Toni Collette About a Boy is a 2002 British-American comedy-drama film co-written and directed by brothers Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz. It is an adaptation of the 1998 novel of the same name by Nick Hornby. ...more
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Happy FeetNicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Robin Williams Happy Feet is a 2006 Australian-American computer-animated musical family film, directed, produced and co-written by George Miller. It was produced at Sydney-based visual effects and animation ...more
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August RushRobin Williams, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers August Rush is a 2007 drama film directed by Kirsten Sheridan and written by Nick Castle, James V. Hart, and Paul Castro, and produced by Richard Barton Lewis. Deciding to run away to New York ...more
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Step BrothersWill Ferrell, Seth Rogen, Mary Steenburgen Step Brothers is a 2008 American buddy slapstick comedy film starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. The screenplay was written by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, from a story written by them ...more
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Curly SueSteve Carell, Jim Belushi, Kelly Lynch Curly Sue is a 1991 American romantic comedy-drama film and starred Jim Belushi, Kelly Lynch and Alisan Porter as the titular character. It was the final film directed by John Hughes and the ...more
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The Odd Life of Timothy GreenJennifer Garner, Common, David Morse The Odd Life of Timothy Green is a 2012 American fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Peter Hedges. A magical pre-adolescent boy (CJ Adams) uses his personality and naïveté to have ...more
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cuddlytart31 added Riding in Cars with BoysDrew Barrymore, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Brittany Murphy Riding in Cars with Boys is a 2001 film based on the autobiography of the same name by Beverly Donofrio about a woman who overcame difficulties, including being a teen mother, and who later ...more
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The Little PrincessMary Pickford, ZaSu Pitts, Theodore Roberts The Little Princess is a 1917 American silent film directed by Marshall Neilan based upon the novel A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This version is notable for having been adapted ...more
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Little FockersJessica Alba, Robert De Niro, Barbra Streisand Little Fockers is a 2010 American comedy film directed by Paul Weitz, and the third movie in the Meet the Parents franchise. Jack Byrne (Robert De Niro) is still reluctant about making ...more
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Tom Islava added CoralineTeri Hatcher, Dakota Fanning, Ian McShane Coraline is a 2009 American stop-motion animated 3D dark fantasy film based on Neil Gaiman's 2002 novel of the same name. It was produced by Laika and distributed by Focus Features. Written and ...more
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Tom Islava added The Secret of NIMHShannen Doherty, Wil Wheaton, Derek Jacobi The Secret of NIMH is a 1982 American animated fantasy adventure drama film directed by Don Bluth in his directorial debut. It is an adaptation of Robert C. O'Brien's 1971 children's novel Mrs. ...more
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brotydoty added Gran TorinoClint Eastwood, Dreama Walker, Scott Eastwood Gran Torino is a 2008 American drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also starred in the film. The film co-stars Christopher Carley, Bee Vang and Ahney Her. This was Eastwood's ...more
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Darryl V Michaluk added Martian ChildAmanda Peet, John Cusack, Anjelica Huston Martian Child is a 2007 American comedy-drama film about a writer who adopts a strange young boy who believes himself to be from Mars. Martian Child was released on November 2, 2007. The film ...more
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Tom Islava added The Little MermaidJodi Benson, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Pat Carroll The Little Mermaid is a 1989 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Based on the Danish fairy tale by Hans ...more
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The Land of Steady HabitsBen Mendelsohn, Edie Falco, Thomas Mann The Land of Steady Habits is a 2018 American film directed by Nicole Holofcener, based on the novel by Ted Thompson. Into his mid fifties and newly retired, Anders Hill (Ben Mendelsohn) decides ...more
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Look Who's Talking NowJohn Travolta, Kirstie Alley, Charles Barkley Look Who's Talking Now is the third and final installment in the film series that began with Look Who's Talking in 1989. Released in 1993, it finds John Travolta and Kirstie Alley reprising ...more
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The Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonBrad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Elle Fanning The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a 2008 American romantic fantasy drama film directed by David Fincher. The storyline by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord is loosely based on the 1922 short ...more
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Les MisérablesJohn Malkovich, Gérard Depardieu, Virginie Ledoyen Les Misérables is a 2000 French television miniseries based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo. The miniseries was broadcast in four parts. A three hour English version was also
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caileighjoy added We're the MillersJennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts, Molly Quinn We're the Millers is a 2013 American comedy film directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber. It stars Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Emma Roberts, Will Poulter, Nick Offerman, Kathryn Hahn, and Ed ...more
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Lisaswg22 added Losing IsaiahHalle Berry, Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Lange Losing Isaiah is a 1995 American drama film starring Jessica Lange and Halle Berry, directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal. It is based on the novel of the same name by Seth Margolis. The screenplay is ...more
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BoundariesVera Farmiga, Christopher Plummer, Lewis MacDougall Boundaries is a 2018 Canadian-American road trip comedy-drama film directed by Shana Feste. Laura (Vera Farmiga), along with her teenaged son Henry (Lewis MacDougall), is forced to drive her ...more
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Not Without My DaughterSally Field, Alfred Molina, Roshan Seth Not Without My Daughter is a 1991 drama film depicting the escape of American citizen Betty Mahmoody and her daughter from her husband in Iran. The film was shot in the United States, Turkey and ...more
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Problem ChildGilbert Gottfried, Michael Richards, John Ritter Problem Child is a 1990 American comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan and produced by then-first timer Robert Simonds. It stars John Ritter, Amy Yasbeck, Gilbert Gottfried, Jack Warden, Michael ...more
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slaft added A River Runs Through ItBrad Pitt, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Robert Redford A River Runs Through It is a 1992 American film directed by Robert Redford and starring Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, Brenda Blethyn, and Emily Lloyd. It is a period drama based on the ...more
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The Kids Are All RightJulianne Moore, Annette Bening, Mark Ruffalo The Kids Are All Right is a 2010 American comedy-drama film directed by Lisa Cholodenko and written by Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg. A hit at 2010 Sundance, it opened in limited release on ...more
not on the list? add item #65
List Rules: Films about parents and the ups and downs of parenting. Vote up the best movies about parenting.
