The Greatest TV Shows & Movies to Watch with Dad

Father’s Day is right around the corner and people are curious to add valuable moments to this day. After you have presented Dad with a personalized Father’s Day gift, it is time to settle in for some quality screen time! 

With the significant number of streaming options like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Disney+ and HBO Max, you can watch your favorite TV shows and movies to make your day with Dad extra special and memorable. We’ve compiled a list of the best TV shows and movies to watch on this upcoming Father’s Day!

The Best TV Shows to Watch

Here are our top shows to watch with Dad. Most of these shows include the best TV dads of their time. Your father will surely like these shows, staying associated with famous TV dads: 

1. Friends 

Friends is a classic American Television show that comprises entertainment and fun. The show aired from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004; in short, it exactly matches the days when your father might have loved to watch TV shows. Ask your dad who his favorite Friends character is or what Friends character would he be!

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2. Ted Lasso

In this Apple-produced TV series, Ted Lasso – a charming, optimistic football coach from Kansas – takes the role of managing AFC Richmond, a small-time soccer team in England. Will Ted’s kind, compassionate approach to the beautiful game be enough to propel him to the big leagues? You – and your dad – will have fun finding out!

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3. The Flash 

The Flash TV series first premiered in 2014 and was renewed for an eighth season in February 2021. The Flash is a character with super-heroic powers that fights against crimes. If your dad is a big DC Comic fan, he’ll enjoy binging this superhero series! 

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4. Transformers

The Transformers is an animated television series that initially aired from 1984 to 1987. Now, the sequels are back with better animations and technology. It is a great show (and movie!) to watch with Dad and the entire family this Father’s Day weekend.

5. Modern Family

Modern Family is a family sitcom TV series that aired from 2009 to 2020. The main Dad character, Phil Dunphy, is the ultimate TV Dad with his classic dad jokes and humor!

How to watch Modern Family:

• Peacock (FREE)
• ABC (FREE)
• Hulu (Premium Subscription)
• fuboTV (Premium Subscription)

6. Shark Tank

Shark Tank is an American entrepreneurial reality TV series that has been airing on ABC since 2009. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs listen to business pitches in hopes to make an investment in their company!

How to watch Shark Tank:

• ABC (FREE)
• Hulu (Premium Subscription)

7. This Is Us

This Is Us is an American television series that follows a family of triplets throughout their journey from childhood to adulthood. Jack Pearson, played by Milo Ventimiglia, exemplifies a heroic father who would do anything for his kids.

How to watch This Is Us:

• Peacock (FREE)
• NBC (FREE)
• Hulu (Premium Subscription)
• YouTube TV (Subscription)
• fuboTV (Premium Subscription)
• Sling TV (Premium Subscription)

8. How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that aired from 2005 to 2014. It tells the narrative of a father reminiscing on flashbacks with his kids’ mother.

How to watch How I Met Your Mother:

• Hulu (Premium Subscription)
• Amazon Prime Video (Subscription)

9. Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory is a sitcom TV series that gives the leading explanation about how the universe began (with humor and stories and relationships!).

How to watch Big Bang Theory:

• TBS (FREE with cable TV)
• Hulu (Premium Subscription)
• HBO Max (Subscription)
• Sling TV (Premium Subscription)

10. Seinfeld

Seinfeld is the classic Dad show! The American sitcom aired from 1989 to 1998. It’s well known as ‘the show about nothing’ and continues to keep its popularity amongst several generations.

How to watch Seinfeld:

• Hulu (Subscription)

11. Full House

Full House is a popular American TV sitcom that follows the life of a widowed father raising his 3 daughters with the help from his best friend and brother-in- law. Danny Tanner, played by Bob Saget, is well known for being one of American’s favorite TV Dads.

How to watch Full House:

• Hulu (Premium Subscription)
• YouTube TV (Premium Subscription)
• fuboTV (Premium Subscription)
• Amazon Prime Video (Subscription)

12. Friday Night Lights

Friday Night Lights (not to be confused with the film) is an American sports TV drama about a high school football team in Texas. The story follows Coach Eric Taylor, played by Kyle Chandler, as he leads his team through the struggles of sports competition and life as a whole.

How to watch Friday Night Lights:

• Peacock (FREE)
• Tubi (FREE)
• NBC (FREE)
• Hulu (Subscription)
• YouTube TV (Subscription)

13. Bob’s Burgers

Bob’s Burgers is an American animated TV sitcom following TV Dad, Bob Blecher. This series looks into the life of Bob and his family as they run their family-owned hamburger restaurant.

How to watch Bob’s Burgers:

• TBS (FREE with cable TV)
• FOX (FREE)
• Hulu (Premium Subscription)
• Sling TV (Premium Subscription)
• fuboTV (Premium Subscription)
• YouTube TV (Subscription)

14. Man with a Plan

Man with a Plan first aired in 2016 and has ended in 2020. This CBS sitcom follows the old-school dad Adam Burns, played by Matt LeBlanc, as he tries to navigate his life and parenting his children while his wife returns to work.

How to watch Man with a Plan:

• Netflix (Subscription)
• Paramount+ (Subscription)
• Amazon Prime Video (Premium Subscription)

15. Malcolm in the Middle

Malcolm in the Middle is a classic American TV series that follows a dysfunctional family of 3 sons with a control freak mom and a goofy dad. Hal, played by Bryan Cranston, is another classic TV dad from the early 2000s.

How to watch Malcolm in the Middle:

• Amazon Prime Video (FREE)
• Hulu (Premium Subscription)

16. Black Mirror

Black Mirror is a sci-fi TV series of stand-alone episodes following different characters and plots. These twisted, suspenseful, mind-altering stories will have Dad contemplating the side effects of technologies.

How to watch Black Mirror:

• Netflix (Subscription)

17. The Last Dance

The Last Dance is a ESPN & Netflix Docuseries that tells the untold story of basketball star, Michael Jordan. Whether Dad is a sports fan or not, this miniseries covers the remarkable journey of Jordan’s life and career.

How to watch The Last Dance:

• ESPN (FREE)
• Netflix (Subscription)

18. The Brady Bunch

The Brady Bunch is an all-time favorite amongst several generations. Airing from 1969 to 1974, this American TV sitcom follows a man with his three sons and a woman with her three daughters, falling in love and intertwining their lives.

How to watch The Brady Bunch:

• Hulu (Premium Subscription)
• Amazon Prime Video (Premium Subscription)
• Paramount+ (Subscription)

19. Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones has been a popular TV series over the past 10 years. This series follows nine families as they fight for control over seven kingdoms. If you’re looking to binge watch with Dad all weekend, Game of Thrones should be at the top of your list!

How to watch Game of Thrones:

• HBO Max (Subscription)
• Hulu (Premium Subscription)
• YouTube TV (Premium Subscription)
• Amazon Prime Video (Premium Subscription)

The Best Movies to Watch

Your father will certainly love this idea of spending quality time watching some of our top premium movie recommendations: 

1. Disney’s Cruella 

Disney’s Cruella has a release date of May 28, 2021, the perfect time to head to the theater (or stay home if you have Disney+!) to watch with Dad on Father’s Day! This new release of Cruella stars Emma Stone as THE Cruella de Vil. Your dad will love watching this live-action revamp with some popcorn in his lap!

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2. The Goonies

This rip-roaring adventure from the 1980s takes in legendary treasure, notorious pirates, and a dangerous crime family! Relive your dad’s most extraordinary childhood adventures with the help of Mikey, Data, and Chunk!

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3. Harry Potter 

Based on world-famous novels, Harry Potter is a film series that comprises eight parts. Harry Potter is an enjoyable movie for children, but fathers also love watching movies that include horror, thrill, and fiction. A fun Harry Potter activity to do pre- and post- binging the series is to find out what your Hogwarts House would be! Try to guess if Dad would be a Slytherin or a Gryffindor.

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4. The Lord of the Rings 

The Lord of the Rings is a film series of three movies based on a novel written by J. R. R. Tolkien. This classic series is the perfect choice to watch with your dad on Father’s Day as it includes a mixture of fantasy, adventure and thrill!

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5. The Incredibles

The Incredibles is a Pixar animated movie following a family of undercover superheroes. Mr. Incredible and his wife, Elastigirl, try to navigate a normal, mundane life with their children (who also have superpowers!).

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6. Toy Story

Toy Story is Pixar’s very first animated film: it’s about a cowboy doll named Woody that must adapt to the fact that he’s no longer the only sheriff in town. The colorful cast of characters and pronouncements about growing up and moving on will have your dad both laughing and crying!

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7. Father of the Bride

Father of the Bride is an American comedy film starring Steve Martin, a protective dad who finds out his daughter is engaged after returning on a study abroad trip. This heartwarming classic film tells the wonderful story of a father struggling to let go.

How to watch Father of the Bride:

• TNT (FREE with cable TV)
• TBS (FREE with cable TV)
• Hulu (Premium Subscription)
• Sling TV (Premium Subscription)

8. Taken

Taken is a 2008 film starring Liam Neeson who is a retired CIA agent on the hunt to save his daughter after she had been kidnapped while on a trip to Paris. This movie depicts a father using his skills and experience to do whatever it takes to find his daughter.

How to watch Taken:

• Hulu (Premium Subscription)
• Sling TV (Premium Subscription)
• Starz (Subscription)
• Amazon Prime Video (Premium Subscription)
• Philo (Premium Subscription)

9. Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast is one of Disney’s musical family films about the relationship between a prince who turns into a hideous beast and a beautiful village girl who crosses his path. This is a beautiful movie about love and selflessness and growth!

How to watch Beauty and the Beast:

• Disney+

10. Beautiful Boy

Beautiful Boy is a 2018 American drama based on the true story of Nicolas Sheff and his addiction to drugs. David Sheff, played by Steve Carell, is a father who does whatever he can to save his son and family.

How to watch Beautiful Boy:

• Amazon Prime Video (Subscription)

11. The Lion King

The Lion King, originally released in 1994, tells the story of Simba following in his father’s footsteps to take over the throne of King. This film portrays a beautiful story between a father and his son.

How to watch The Lion King:

• Disney+

12. The Descendants

The Descendants is a 2011 American film about a father trying to reconnect with his two daughters after his wife falls into a coma from a tragic accident. This movie follows Matt King, played by George Clooney, and his journey with rebuilding relationships and caring for his family.

How to watch The Descendants:

• YouTube (FREE)

13. Mrs. Doubtfire

Mrs. Doubtfire is a popular movie from 1993 that tells the story of a divorced man who disguises himself as a nanny in order to rebuild his relationship with his children. This family classic stars Robin Williams as the incredible Mrs. Doubtfire.

How to watch Mrs. Doubtfire:

• Freeform (FREE with cable TV)
• Hulu (Premium Subscription)
• Sling TV (Premium Subscription)
• fuboTV (Premium Subscription)

14. Big Daddy

Big Daddy is a 1999 film starring Adam Sandler as Sonny Koufax, a lazy law school grad who has spent his entire life slacking off. To prove he’s ready to grow up, he adopts a 5 year old boy and is quickly faced with the challenges of parenthood.

How to watch Big Daddy:

• Hulu (Premium Subscription)
• fuboTV (Premium Subscription)
• Paramount Network (FREE with cable TV)

15. Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American film based on the story of Chris Gardner, a man who loses everything and works incredibly hard to gain it all back. This movie is about the struggles and successes of a father trying to build the best life for him and his son.

How to watch Pursuit of Happyness:

• Netflix (Subscription)

16. The Godfather

The Godfather is a classic American crime film series consisting of three films starting in 1972. If this was your dad’s favorite film when he was growing up, be prepared to hear him reciting all his favorite lines throughout the entire movie!

How to watch The Godfather:

• Paramount+ (Subscription)
• Amazon Prime Video (Premium Subscription)

17. Cheaper by the Dozen

Cheaper by the Dozen is an American family comedy following Tom, played by Steve Martin, and his wife, Kate as they balance their life while raising 12 kids. Steve Martin plays a dad who doubles as a football coach, trying to take charge of both his team on the field and his team at home!

How to watch Cheaper by the Dozen:

• Disney+

18. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is the third film in the Indiana Jones movie series. This adventurous film follows Indiana Jones, played by Harrison Ford, out to rescue his father who had vanished.

How to watch Friday Night Lights:

• Paramount+ (Subscription)
• Amazon Prime Video (Premium Subscription)
• Paramount Network (FREE with cable TV)

19. Finding Nemo

Finding Nemo is a Disney classic about an overprotective Clownfish dad on a journey to search for his missing son, Nemo. A dad who doesn’t often take risks finds himself searching throughout the deepest parts of the sea to bring his son home.

How to watch Finding Nemo:

• Disney+

Stream only the BEST for Dad on Father’s Day!

There are thousands of incredible movies and TV shows aging back to when Dad was a kid all the way to today! Whether it’s an Oscar-winning movie or just a traditional TV show he has seen a million times, the hours spent making memories while watching with Dad is absolutely priceless.

Share with us in the comments what movies or TV shows you will be watching with your dad on this upcoming Father’s Day!