Films about father and daughter relationships often explore the dynamic and complex bonds that can exist within a family. These movies can range from heartwarming stories of love and support to intense dramas about conflict and resolution. They are powerful narratives that can provoke a deep emotional response and offer insights into the challenges and joys of the father-daughter relationship.
Here is a list of films that focus on the relationship between fathers and daughters, along with brief descriptions of each:
“Taken”, 2007
Director: Pierre Morel
This action-thriller stars Liam Neeson as Bryan Mills, an ex-CIA operative who goes to great lengths to rescue his daughter after she is kidnapped while traveling in Europe.
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Olivier Rabourdin, Leland Orser, Xander Berkeley, Holly Valance, Jon Gries, David Warshofsky, Gérard Watkins;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: action, thriller, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Taken” on the website imdb.com
“Leave No Trace”, 2018
Director: Debra Granik
A deeply moving drama about a father and his teenage daughter who live a secluded and undetected life in a vast urban park in Portland, Oregon.
Starring: Thomasin McKenzie, Ben Foster, Jeffery Rifflard, Derek John Drescher, Michael Draper, Peter Simpson, Erik McGlothlin, Dana Millican, Alyssa McKay, Ryan Joiner;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Leave No Trace” on the website imdb.com
“The Descendants”, 2011
Director: Alexander Payne
Set in Hawaii, this comedy-drama features George Clooney as a father who has to reconnect with his two daughters after his wife is involved in a boating accident.
Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause, Beau Bridges, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer, Robert Forster, Rob Huebel, Mary Birdsong;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Descendants” on the website imdb.com
“Brave”, 2012
Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell
An animated fantasy film from Pixar about Princess Merida, who defies an age-old custom, causing chaos in her kingdom and forcing her to mend her relationship with her father, King Fergus.
Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson, Sally Kinghorn, Eilidh Fraser, Peigi Barker;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: animation, fantasy, comedy, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 93 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Brave” on the website imdb.com
“Hearts Beat Loud”, 2018
Director: Brett Haley
In this musical drama, a father and his daughter form an unlikely songwriting duo in the summer before she leaves for college, strengthening their bond.
Starring: Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Blythe Danner, Toni Collette, Sasha Lane, Ted Danson, Jesse Patch, Alex Reznik, Rafael Poueriet, Linda Lee McBride;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, comedy, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Hearts Beat Loud” on the website imdb.com
“Logan”, 2017
Director: James Mangold
Although not biologically related, the film explores a father-daughter-like relationship between an aging Wolverine and a young mutant girl, Laura, as they embark on a dangerous journey together.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Richard E. Grant, Eriq La Salle, Elise Neal, Quincy Fouse;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: science fiction, action, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 137 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “Logan” on the website imdb.com
“A Quiet Place”, 2018
Director: John Krasinski
In this horror-thriller, a family lives in silence to avoid mysterious creatures that hunt by sound. The father, played by John Krasinski, shares a special bond with his deaf daughter as they communicate through sign language.
Starring: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Cade Woodward, Leon Russom, Rhoda Pell;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: horror, science fiction, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “A Quiet Place” on the website imdb.com
“On Golden Pond”, 1981
Director: Mark Rydell
An elderly couple spend each summer at their home on Golden Pond, and this year they are visited by their estranged daughter, played by Jane Fonda, who brings a lot of family tensions to the surface.
Starring: Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, Doug McKeon, Dabney Coleman, William Lanteau, Christopher Rydell, Troy Garity;
Production year: 1981;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “On Golden Pond” on the website imdb.com
“Lady Bird”, 2017
Director: Greta Gerwig
While the focus is often on the mother-daughter relationship, this coming-of-age film also beautifully captures the gentle, understanding bond between Lady Bird and her father as she navigates her senior year of high school.
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein, Lois Smith, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Odeya Rush, Jordan Rodrigues;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Lady Bird” on the website imdb.com
These films are just a few examples that showcase the rich and varied stories that can be told about fathers and daughters, illustrating the depth and complexity of this special family relationship.
In closing, films centered on the father-daughter dynamic offer a profound look into one of life's most pivotal relationships. Whether navigating the intricate dance of growing pains in “Eighth Grade,” embarking on fantastical quests in “Interstellar,” or unraveling complex emotions amidst tragedy as seen in “The Descendants,” these narratives not only entertain but also evoke a deep sense of empathy and understanding. They challenge viewers to reflect on the essence of parental bonds, the resilience of human connections, and the enduring love that, despite conflicts and complexities, defines the father-daughter relationship. As cinema continues to explore these stories, it provides a mirror to our own experiences, serving not only as a source of reflection but also as a guiding light that can illuminate the nuances of our journeys through family, love, and self-discovery.
