Ranker FilmList RulesVote up the best movies about a man raising a child, even if it's not his own.
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.1
5920The Pursuit of Happyness
Will Smith, Thandie NewtonReleased: 2006
Directed by: Gabriele Muccino
The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American biographical drama film based on Chris Gardner's... more on Wikipedia2
3612The Game Plan
Dwayne Johnson, Ashley TisdaleReleased: 2007
Directed by: Andy Fickman
The Game Plan is a 2007 American family sports comedy film directed by Andy Fickman and... more on Wikipedia3
3012Mr. Mom
Michael Keaton, Christopher LloydReleased: 1983
Directed by: Stan Dragoti
Mr. Mom is a 1983 American comedy film directed by Stan Dragoti and written by John Hughes... more on Wikipedia4
3115Three Men and a Baby
Tom Selleck, Ted DansonReleased: 1987
Directed by: Leonard Nimoy
Three Men and a Baby is a 1987 comedy film directed by Leonard Nimoy, and starring Tom... more on Wikipedia5
3115Captain Fantastic
Viggo Mortensen, George MacKay6
182Gifted
Chris Evans, Mckenna GraceReleased: 2017
Directed by: Marc Webb
Gifted is a 2017 American comedy-drama film directed by Marc Webb. An intellectually gifted... more on Wikipedia7
2011Parenthood
Keanu Reeves, Steve MartinReleased: 1989
Directed by: Ron Howard
Parenthood is a 1989 comedy-drama film with an ensemble cast that includes Steve Martin, Tom... more on Wikipedia8
3126Big Daddy
Adam Sandler, Jon StewartReleased: 1999
Directed by: Dennis Dugan
Big Daddy is a 1999 American comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan and starring Adam Sandler.... more on Wikipedia9
2721Daddy Day Care
Eddie Murphy, Lacey ChabertReleased: 2003
Directed by: Steve Carr
Daddy Day Care is a 2003 American comedy film starring Eddie Murphy and co-starring Jeff... more on Wikipedia10
2214Cheaper by the Dozen
Hilary Duff, Ashton KutcherReleased: 2003
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Cheaper by the Dozen is a 2003 American family comedy film which takes its title from the... more on Wikipedia11
2217Yours, Mine and Ours
Miranda Cosgrove, Dennis QuaidReleased: 2005
Directed by: Raja Gosnell
Yours, Mine & Ours is a 2005 American family comedy film about a family with eighteen... more on Wikipedia12
1913Black or White
Kevin Costner, Gillian JacobsReleased: 2014
Directed by: Mike Binder
Black and White is an upcoming American drama film directed and written by Mike Binder. The... more on Wikipedia13
102My Girl
Jamie Lee Curtis, Macaulay CulkinReleased: 1991
Directed by: Howard Zieff
My Girl is a 1991 American comedy-drama film directed by Howard Zieff and written by Laurice... more on Wikipedia14
2017About a Boy
Rachel Weisz, Hugh GrantReleased: 2002
Directed by: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
About a Boy is a 2002 British-American comedy-drama film co-written and directed by brothers... more on Wikipedia15
1816Jersey Girl
Jennifer Lopez, Will SmithReleased: 2004
Directed by: Kevin Smith
Jersey Girl is a 2004 American comedy-drama film written, co-edited, and directed by Kevin... more on Wikipedia16
71The Road
Charlize Theron, Robert DuvallReleased: 2009
Directed by: John Hillcoat
The Road is a 2009 American post-apocalyptic drama film directed by John Hillcoat from a... more on Wikipedia17
72Captain Fantastic
Viggo Mortensen, Frank LangellaDirected by: Matt Ross
Captain Fantastic is a 2016 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Matt Ross and... more on Wikipedia18
52Fly Away Home
Anna Paquin, Dana DelanyReleased: 1996
Directed by: Carroll Ballard
Fly Away Home is a 1996 family drama film directed by Carroll Ballard. The film stars Anna... more on Wikipedia19
21East of Eden
James Dean, Burl IvesReleased: 1955
Directed by: Elia Kazan
East of Eden is a 1955 film, directed by Elia Kazan, and loosely based on the second half of... more on Wikipedia20
1414The Family Man
Nicolas Cage, Téa LeoniReleased: 2000
Directed by: Brett Ratner
The Family Man is a 2000 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Brett Ratner and... more on Wikipedia21
21Road to Perdition
Tom Hanks, Daniel CraigReleased: 2002
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Road to Perdition is a 2002 American thriller film directed by Sam Mendes. The screenplay was... more on Wikipedia22
54The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Noma DumezweniReleased: 2019
Directed by: Chiwetel Ejiofor
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a 2019 British drama film directed by and starring Chiwetel... more on Wikipedia23
42Curly Sue
Steve Carell, Jim BelushiReleased: 1991
Directed by: John Hughes
Curly Sue is a 1991 American romantic comedy-drama film and starred Jim Belushi, Kelly Lynch... more on Wikipedia24
12Silas Marner
Ben Kingsley, Jim BroadbentReleased: 1985
Directed by: Giles Foster
Silas Marner is a 1985 drama television film written by Giles Foster and Louis Marks and...25
1215Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Sam Neill, Rhys DarbyReleased: 2016
Directed by: Taika Waititi
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a 2016 New Zealand adventure comedy-drama film written and... more on Wikipedia
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