6 Best Single Father Movies

By Vlad Zakh · May 17, 2026

The overwhelming challenge and quiet growth of raising a child alone has powered some of cinema’s most heartfelt father-and-child dramas. In The Pursuit of Happyness (2006): A struggling single father battles homelessness while pursuing a demanding unpaid internship for his son’s future. Also notable is Kramer vs. Kramer (1979): A workaholic father is forced to learn how to raise his young son alone after his wife suddenly leaves.

Fatherhood (2021)

TMDB ★ 7.3

A widowed father navigates the overwhelming challenges of raising his infant daughter completely on his own.

Directed by Paul Weitz · 1h 49m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Big Daddy (1999)

TMDB ★ 6.4

An immature bachelor unexpectedly takes custody of a young boy to prove he can be responsible.

Directed by Dennis Dugan · 1h 33m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Starz Apple TV channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

TMDB ★ 8.0

A struggling single father battles homelessness while pursuing a demanding unpaid internship for his son's future.

Directed by Gabriele Muccino · 1h 57m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Angel Studios · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

About a Boy (2002)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A shallow bachelor's unlikely friendship with a lonely boy forces him to finally grow up.

Directed by Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz · 1h 41m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

I Am Sam (2001)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A father with an intellectual disability fights to keep custody of his daughter as she grows older.

Directed by Jessie Nelson · 2h 12m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

TMDB ★ 7.7

A workaholic father is forced to learn how to raise his young son alone after his wife suddenly leaves.

Directed by Robert Benton · 1h 45m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Single Father Movies

Fatherhood (2021)

Big Daddy (1999)

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

About a Boy (2002)

I Am Sam (2001)

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

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