The 10 Best TV and Movie Dads of All Time, Ranked

The best TV and movie dads aren’t perfect, but they still try

There’s no better day than Father’s Day to celebrate our favorite onscreen dads!

Whether they were protecting their families, offering advice, or just trying their best, these TV and movie fathers deserve a little recognition.

Here are my picks for the 10 best TV and movie dads of all time, counting down to No. 1.

Honorable Mention: Ned Stark (“Game of Thrones”)

In a world full of betrayal and political games, Ned Stark stood out because of his honesty.

He taught his children the importance of honor, loyalty, and doing what’s right — even when it came at a personal cost.

If you loved “Game of Thrones,” check out our list of 10 shows like it.

10. Goofy (“A Goofy Movie”)

Goofy might be embarrassing, but few dads care more than he does. “A Goofy Movie” perfectly captures the awkwardness of growing up and drifting apart from your parents while showing how much effort Goofy puts into connecting with his son, Max.

If you haven’t seen this movie yet, you’re about 30 years behind, but better late than never. Check out the trailer here and get ready to fix that gap in your movie history.

9. Stoick the Vast (“How to Train Your Dragon”)

Stoick starts out as a tough Viking chief who doesn’t really understand his son Hiccup, but that’s what makes his arc so good.

Watching Stoick go from “You’re not my son” to “I’m proud to call you my son” as he learns to accept Hiccup for who he is makes this one of the most rewarding father-son journeys on screen.

8. Joel Miller (“The Last of Us”)

Joel may not be a traditional dad, but his relationship with Ellie became one of the most compelling bonds in recent television.

Though he didn’t always show it in the best way (dads, lying extensively to your kid to “protect” them can backfire on you), no one can deny that he was fiercely protective.

7. Marlin (“Finding Nemo”)

Sure, Marlin was overprotective, but after crossing the entire ocean to rescue Nemo, it’s hard to question his dedication.

There’s a scene where he says, “I promised I would never let anything happen to him,” and Dory replies, “Then nothing would ever happen to him.”

That’s the moment you start to see Marlin shift from trying to control everything to realizing Nemo has to face the world to grow. That’s what his journey is really about: growth, trust, and letting kids find their own way.

Check out the full scene here.

6. Jim Hopper (“Stranger Things”)

Jim Hopper starts “Stranger Things” as a grumpy small-town sheriff barely holding his life together, but his bond with El transforms him into one of television’s best dads.

Protective, stubborn, and willing to fight literal monsters for his kids, Hopper balances tough-love parenting with emotional growth.

5. Bob Belcher (“Bob’s Burgers”)

Bob may not always have everything under control and he might get a little salty in the early seasons, but he consistently supports his kids’ weird passions and personalities.

Bob lets his children be themselves without judgment, and that’s what makes him so great.

Check out our ranking of the best FOX cartoons of all time.

4. Phil Dunphy (“Modern Family”)

Phil Dunphy mastered the art of embarrassing dad energy. He’s goofy, overly enthusiastic, and constantly trying too hard — but he also loves his family unconditionally.

Beneath all the dad jokes is a genuinely supportive father who always shows up when it matters.

Take a look at his collection of life lessons, also known as “Phil’s-osophies.”

3. Din Djarin (“The Mandalorian”)

If I had a nickel for every time Pedro Pascal starred in a popular series as a gruff loner who becomes emotionally attached to a child and turns into their devoted protector, I’d have two nickels — which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice.

Din Djarin starts as a solitary bounty hunter, but once he meets Grogu, he quickly becomes the galaxy’s most devoted space dad.

His armor is cool, but his emotional development during his parenting journey is what puts him so high on my list.

If you’re interested in more Star Wars content, check out our official Star Wars viewing order guide.

2. Mufasa (“The Lion King”)

Few movie dads have left a bigger impact than Mufasa. Wise, brave, and patient with Simba, he taught generations of kids about responsibility, courage, and of course, the circle of life.

While I’ll never forgive Scar for what he did to him, the fact that Mufasa still connects with his son even after he’s gone is what really locks in his legacy and proves he deserves this ranking.

For more family favorites, check out our guide to the best shows and movies on Disney+.

1. Bandit Heeler (“Bluey”)

Bandit is the blueprint (pun intended) for what a modern parent should look like. He somehow balances patience, creativity, humor, and emotional intelligence while turning everyday life into adventures for his kids.

Bandit has parents everywhere wondering how he still has the energy to play keepy uppy after a long day of work.

What solidifies his No. 1 spot for me is that he shows up every time, meets his kids in their world, and makes even the ordinary moments feel like something special.

Check out some of his best moments.

Final thoughts

The best TV and movie dads aren’t perfect. They make mistakes, embarrass their kids, and sometimes lose their cool — but what sticks is how much they care.

Whether they’re ruling Pride Rock, running a burger shop, or protecting a tiny green child across the galaxy, these dads make fictional families feel real.

Happy Father’s Day to the ones who did it best.