The father-child connection is perhaps the richest and most powerful relationship to be explored on film. Be they heartwarming, funny, or emotionally intense, tales that delve into this dynamic speak to audiences across cultures and generations. From explosive

confrontations to affectionate, wholesome moments, the father-son or father-daughter bond is imbued with emotional complexity that is both elusive and universal. Hulu offers a great selection of movies and shows that beautifully capture this bond, showcasing the joys, struggles, and unspoken love that define it. Whether you’re looking for something uplifting, poignant, funny, or thought-provoking, our curated list of the best dad movies and series on Hulu is sure to strike a chord with you.

17. The Present (2024)

Directed by Christian Ditter, ‘The Present’ is a sweet dramedy of fatherhood, second chances, and self-improvement. The movie revolves around Eric Diehl (Greg Kinnear), a struggling single dad who happens to find a mysterious gift shop that somehow gives him a chance to correct past errors. As he tries to employ this newfound chance to mend his broken bond with his teenage daughter, Jen Diehl (Isla Fisher), he realizes all too quickly that fixing the past isn’t exactly a straightforward endeavor. Merging comedy, heart, and a dash of magic, ‘The Present’ is a heart-wrenching reminder that the greatest present one can offer is one’s presence, time, and love. With moving performances and a heartwarming story, the movie perfectly captures the trials and pleasures of fatherhood. This film can be watched here.

16. Shifting Gears (2025)

Developed by Mike Scully and Julie Thacker-Scully, ‘Shifting Gears’ is a sitcom that explores the nuances of a dysfunctional father-daughter relationship. The series revolves around Paul Parker (Tim Allen), a conservative widower and owner of a vintage car restoration business, whose life is disrupted when his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), comes back home after 17 years. With her two teenage kids, Riley’s return into Paul’s life makes both of them have to deal with their differences and former misunderstandings. The show expertly weaves humor and sentimental moments, touching on subject matters like family reconciliation, intergenerational conflicts, and self-improvement. Through Allen’s comedy signature and Dennings’ acerbic wit, ‘Shifting Gears’ brings a new kind of modern family dynamics, which makes it an engaging watch for those who are interested in reading about renewing family ties. Be a part of this heartwarming story here.

15. Duncanville (2020-2022)

‘Duncanville’ is an animated TV comedy series that humorously navigates the highs and lows of teenage life and fatherhood. The show, produced by Amy Poehler, Mike Scully, and Julie Thacker-Scully, revolves around Duncan Harris (voiced by Amy Poehler), a 15-year-old with out-of-control imagination and grand aspirations despite being an ordinary kid with no drive. His overprotective but well-meaning father, Jack Harris (voiced by Ty Burrell), is a parking enforcement official who continuously attempts (and frequently fails) to steer Duncan in the right direction. The series humorously explores common family challenges, with Jack’s efforts at connecting with his son some of the most poignant and humorous moments. With snappy writing, dynamic animation, and a top-shelf voice cast, ‘Duncanville’ is a light and fun take on the pitfalls of parenthood and coming of age. See this show here.

14. I Love My Dad (2022)

James Morosini’s ‘I Love My Dad’ is a dark comedy but extremely moving account of how far a desperate dad will go to reconnect with his estranged son. Inspired by true events from Morosini’s own life, the film follows Chuck (Patton Oswalt), a well-intentioned but unreliable father who has been cut off by his son, Franklin (James Morosini). Determined to mend their broken bond, Chuck catfishes Franklin by posing as a kindhearted young woman named “Becca” online. As Franklin becomes enamored with this online version of himself, events descend into ridiculous and cringe-worthy levels, generating times of both embarrassing humor and real heartbreak. ‘I Love My Dad’ is an intimate, offbeat inquiry into parental love, deception, and the insecurities of our times, grounded bytour-de-force performances from Oswalt and Morosini. You can watch this film here.

13. The Great North (2021-2024)

Developed by Wendy Molyneux, Lizzie Molyneux, and Minty Lewis, ‘The Great North’ is an animated comedy series that evokes the unique yet lovable relationship of a single dad with his children. Based in the remote wilderness of Alaska, the series centers around Beef Tobin (voiced by Nick Offerman), a loving yet socially inept fisherman bringing up his four children — Judy (Jenny Slate), Wolf (Will Forte), Ham (Paul Rust), and Moon (Aparna Nancherla). Gruff on the outside but loving and ferociously protective on the inside, Beef will stop at nothing to try and keep his family unit intact as he barges hilariously through their quirky exploits. With its quirky humor, lovable characters, and a touching emphasis on family relationships, ‘The Great North’ presents a wonderful combination of warmth and comedy, making it a gem in contemporary animated sitcoms. You can watch this show here.

12. Father of the Bride (1991)

Steve Martin is George Stanley Banks, the possessive father of Annie Banks (Kimberly Williams), who is set to be married, in Charles Shyer’s ‘Father of the Bride.’ The entire experience of the wedding is dreamlike for George, who not only has to come to terms with the fact that he now has to let another man take care of Annie but also has to organize the event in a befitting way. It’s difficult and has a lot of mishaps that go with it, given that everything is being done for the first time, including the uniting of two families. Diane Keaton stars as Nina Banks, the wife of George and mother of Annie. ‘Father of the Bride’ is an engaging watch for the whole family and can be streamed right here.

11. Unprisoned (2023-2024)

Tracy McMillan’s ‘Unprisoned’ is a poignant dramedy series revolving around Paige Alexander (Kerry Washington), a thriving therapist and single mom whose life becomes jarringly disrupted when her estranged dad, Edwin (Delroy Lindo), is paroled from prison after 17 years. While Edwin tries to reconnect with Paige and readjust to society, their father-daughter relationship is strained by old hurts and long years of separation. Mixing humor with unflinching emotional resonance, ‘Unprisoned’ presents a moving examination of intergenerational trauma and forgiveness, thanks to tour-de-force performances from Washington and Lindo. You can view this show here.

10. Baby Daddy (2012-2017)

‘Baby Daddy’ is an informal sitcom that centers on Ben Wheeler (Jean-Luc Bilodeau), a young man who finds himself raising his baby daughter, Emma, unexpectedly after her mother dumps her on his doorstep. Being a single father, Ben is not alone in his new life — he has his eccentric brother Danny (Derek Theler), his best buddy Tucker (Tahj Mowry), and his mother Bonnie (Melissa Peterman). Throughout the show, Ben deals with the ups and downs of fatherhood alongside his professional and dating life, usually with hilarious consequences. ‘Baby Daddy’ is a romantic and humorous series that captures the trials and tribulations of being a dad and showcases the value of family, friendship, and the surprises of fatherhood. The lighthearted nature and lovable personalities of the Dan Berendsen creation make it a pleasure to watch for anyone seeking a warm and comedic interpretation of becoming a dad. This series is currently available to stream here.

9. Home Improvement (1991-1999)

Developed by Matt Williams, ‘Home Improvement’ is a classic sitcom that centers around Tim “The Toolman” Taylor (Tim Allen), a loving but frequently hapless father of three, as he tries to balance family life with his profession as the host of a home improvement television show. With the assistance of his faithful sidekick Al Borland (Richard Karn), Tim approaches all that is tool- and home-improvement related but actually faces his biggest challenge in raising his sons, Brad (Zachery Ty Bryan), Randy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), and Mark (Taran Noah Smith), and maintaining his relationship with his patient wife, Jill (Patricia Richardson). The series perfectly balances slapstick comedy with emotional family moments, demonstrating Tim’s loving but flawed parenting. ‘Home Improvement’ was a fixture on ’90s television, celebrated for its heart, humor, and for its ability to capture the spirit of fatherhood through a mix of light-hearted comedy and life lessons. You can stream this sitcom here.

8. Black-ish (2014-2022)

Kenya Barris’ ‘Black-ish’ is a biting, satirical sitcom that examines identity, family, and the African American experience. The series follows Dre Johnson (played by Anthony Anderson), a high-powered ad executive, who works to provide his family with a more affluent life while remaining rooted in their heritage. Together with his wife, Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross), Dre navigates the issues of raising his four children within a predominantly white, upper-middle-class community. As a father, Dre is always trying to balance his dreams with imparting the value of their heritage to his children. With its witty script, astute social commentary, and exceptional performances, ‘Black-ish’ is a contemporary, intelligent exploration of fatherhood, finding the humor, the struggle, and the happiness in family life and touching upon themes of race, class, and culture. The series can be streamed here.

7. Last Man Standing (2011-2021)

‘Last Man Standing’ is a family comedy series that revolves around Mike Baxter (Tim Allen), who is a grumpy, old-fashioned father and a marketing executive working for a sporting goods store, and is living a troubled life along with his wife, Vanessa (Nancy Travis), and their three daughters. Mike’s conservative beliefs frequently conflict with his more contemporary, independent daughters, creating humorous situations, but at the core of the show is Mike’s abiding love and commitment to his family. As a father, he works to hold on to his authority in a changing world, frequently with humor and tough-love experience helping his children navigate their struggles and triumphs. With Tim Allen’s signature comedic timing and the integration of family dynamics into the show, Jack Burditt’s show provides a very interesting portrayal of fatherhood, generation differences, and the significance of family bonds. This entertaining and captivating show is here.

6. King of the Hill (1997-2009)

‘King of the Hill’ is a clever animated sitcom that takes a comedic yet heartfelt look at suburban life in the fictional town of Arlen, Texas. The series follows Hank Hill (voiced by Mike Judge), a conservative, hardworking propane salesman who tries his best to be a good father to his son Bobby (Pamela Adlon), despite their differing personalities. Hank’s interaction with his wife Peggy (Kathy Najimy) and his eccentric neighbors provides humor and richness to the show, with Hank frequently caught up in a variety of misadventures as he attempts to make ends meet and offer guidance to his family. The Mike Judge and Greg Daniels production skillfully balances humor with sentimentality, revealing the mundane challenges of fatherhood, intergenerational conflict, and the value of community. By Hank’s sincerity and commitment, ‘King of the Hill’ presents a heartwarming vignette of family life and the comedy in riding the rollercoaster of parenting. It can be viewed here.

5. Breeders (2020-2023)

Simon Blackwell, Martin Freeman, and Chris Addison’s ‘Breeders’ is a biting and unflinching comedy-drama that examines the trials and tribulations of contemporary parenting. The series is centered on Paul (Martin Freeman) and Ally (Daisy Haggard), a pair who are trying to navigate their chaotic lives with fathering their two young children. As the frustrations of being a dad emerge for Paul, the series explores his insecurities, guilt, and angry moments, giving a true reflection of parenting’s messiness. The humor is dark in many cases, but it is balanced by such tender moments as reveal the sacrifices and love involved in bringing up children. ‘Breeders’ is a realistic yet unflinching examination of the pressures of being a parent, where the ups and downs of family life are examined in raw honesty so that it is both hilarious and emotionally compelling. You may try it out here.

4. Parenthood (2010-2015)

‘Parenthood’ is an emotional family drama that examines the joys and challenges of parenting in multiple generations. The show revolves around the Braverman family, dwelling on the lives of parents Adam (Peter Krause), Sarah (Lauren Graham), Crosby (Dax Shepard), and Julia (Erika Christensen) as they fight the trials and tribulations of parenting, relationships, and self-improvement. As a father, Adam Braverman balances the demands of his professional life with the challenges of parenting his children, including his son Max (Max Burkholder), who has Asperger’s syndrome. With its strong character development, the Jason Katims creation offers an honest and authentic representation of fatherhood, broaching the subjects of unconditional love, sacrifice, and the value of family. The series is notable for its emotional depth, mixing drama and humor to produce a compelling exploration of what it’s like to be a parent. This sincere work of art can be streamed here.

3. Absolution (2024)

Liam Neeson plays an elderly gangster Thug, suffering from memory loss. Yet, he is still handed missions to complete by his boss. After being diagnosed with CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), he chooses to make things right and attempts to get back together with his daughter Daisy (Frankie Shaw), who is also a mother. Sadly, the type of lifestyle he has been living for the past 30 years makes him and his situation a threat to his already suspicious boss. An assault on him while on a mission is further evidence that someone is out to kill him. Before he loses all his memories, he has to join the dots and identify the culprit. ‘Absolution’ is tailor-made for Liam Neeson fanatics who live and breathe ‘Taken’ material. It can be streamed here.

2. Insidious: The Red Door (2023)

As with the rest of the ‘Insidious’ franchise, ‘Insidious: The Red Door’ focuses on the dynamic between Dalton and Josh, but evolves it by exposing Josh’s backstory. Dalton is struggling with the Red Door and the Further, and the movie uncovers some disturbing revelations about Josh that stretch back decades. As the narrative continues, Dalton ends up in the den of a familiar dark spirit who has been terrorizing him and his father for so many years. Can the two be rid of the nightmare for good? ‘Insidious: The Red Door’ features Ty Simpkins as Dalton and Patrick Wilson as Josh, and offers what appears to be a well-deserved conclusion to a seven-year nightmare. Or does it? To discover, you can stream the guilty-pleasure horror film here.

1. Modern Family (2009-2020)

Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan’s ‘Modern Family’ is a laugh-out-loud and tear-inducing sitcom about the lives of the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker family, depicting the quirky and usually disorganized nature of contemporary families. The television series is shown in mockumentary form, with members of the family often addressing the camera directly, giving a personal touch to their narratives. At the center of the show is Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell), the bumbling but lovable father of three who attempts to be the “cool” dad, frequently with comedic consequences. The series also focuses on Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill) and his relationship with his much younger wife Gloria (Sofía Vergara) and their son Manny (Rico Rodriguez), and on Mitch (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cam (Eric Stonestreet) and the raising of their adopted daughter Lily. In its witty writing and memorable characters, ‘Modern Family’ presents a sweet and realistic depiction of fatherhood, highlighting various ways in which fathers love and nurture their children and accepting the diversity and depth of family life. With its mix of comedy, heart, and down-to-earth family moments, ‘Modern Family’ becomes a beloved classic. Watch this clean show here. Read More: Best Movies to Watch With Your Dad on Netflix