The Best Movies About Men Raising Kids

Over 300 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies About Men Raising Kids
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Vote up the best movies about a man raising a child, even if it's not his own.
Latest additions: After Earth, Hanna, Logan
Most divisive: Jungle 2 Jungle

A wide range of hilarity and emotion can be found in films about men raising kids as single parents. The best single father movies have a lot of heart as the lead characters bond with children over the course of the movie. This is a list of the top movies about raising children including everything from The Pursuit of Happyness to Mr. Mom to The Family Man.

What films will you find on this list of the best movies about men raising children? Not all of these flicks aim for the heartstrings – Big Daddy sets its sights on the funnybone. Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler) didn't have any intentions of becoming a father, but a series of unexpected circumstances finds him fighting for custody of a 5-year-old boy. About a Boy, starring Hugh Grant, is another one of the best movies about men raising children. In Captain Fantastic, a single-father employs some quirky methods to raise his large family. Other good films featured on this roundup include Daddy Daycare, The Boys are Back, and Delivery Man.

Do you have a favorite single father movie? Give the best films a thumbs up and add any great films that are missing.

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  • Uncle Buck
    1
    John Candy, Amy Madigan, Jean Louisa Kelly
    17 votes
    • Released: 1989
    • Directed by: John Hughes

    In this beloved comedy, John Candy stars as the titular Uncle Buck, a lovable but irresponsible bachelor who is called upon to look after his nieces and nephew when their parents face an emergency. As he navigates the trials and tribulations of caregiving, the film humorously explores the growth of both Buck and the children, highlighting the importance of family bonds while showcasing Candy's comedic talents as an unconventional father figure.

  • Three Men and a Baby
    2
    Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, Ted Danson
    78 votes
    • Released: 1987
    • Directed by: Leonard Nimoy

    This classic 1980s comedy follows three bachelors – Peter (Tom Selleck), Michael (Steve Guttenberg), and Jack (Ted Danson) – who are unexpectedly thrust into fatherhood when a baby girl is left on their doorstep. As they navigate the challenges of raising an infant together, Three Men and a Baby became a box office hit and a beloved comedy for its charming story and strong chemistry among its lead actors.

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  • Gifted
    3

    Gifted

    Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan
    64 votes
    • Released: 2017
    • Directed by: Marc Webb

    Starring Chris Evans as Frank Adler, Gifted tells the story of a single man raising his mathematically gifted niece, Mary (Mckenna Grace), after the death of her mother. As they navigate a fierce custody battle with Frank's domineering mother, the film poignantly explores themes of family, the sacrifices made for love, and the importance of nurturing a child's unique talents. This critically acclaimed drama earned accolades for its compelling narrative and exceptional performances from its lead actors.

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  • The Game Plan
    4
    Dwayne Johnson, Madison Pettis, Kyra Sedgwick
    73 votes
    • Released: 2007
    • Directed by: Andy Fickman

    In this family comedy, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stars as Joe Kingman, a self-absorbed professional football player who discovers he has an 8-year-old daughter, Peyton (Madison Pettis). As Joe adjusts to his newfound role as a father and learns to balance his career with parenthood, The Game Plan charmed audiences with its heartwarming story and Johnson's comedic performance as a bumbling but devoted dad.

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  • Kick-Ass
    5
    Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Mark Strong
    12 votes
    • Released: 2010
    • Directed by: Matthew Vaughn

    This action-packed black comedy features Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Dave Lizewski, an ordinary teenager who becomes the titular superhero, Kick-Ass, while also exploring the relationship between vigilante Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and his skilled, young daughter Hit-Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz). As they team up to fight crime, Kick-Ass delves into the complexities of unconventional fatherhood, the lengths a father will go to protect his child, and the importance of instilling values and skills in one's offspring.

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  • The Pursuit of Happyness
    6
    Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton
    102 votes
    • Released: 2006
    • Directed by: Gabriele Muccino

    Based on a true story, this inspiring drama stars Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who becomes homeless with his young son, Christopher (played by Smith's real-life son, Jaden Smith), after losing everything. The film follows their journey as Chris fights to secure a better life for them both, earning widespread acclaim for its touching portrayal of fatherhood and the resilience of the human spirit, as well as Smith's Academy Award-nominated performance.

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