Five Netflix dads who raised the bar for fatherhood
You know how most dads on screen are just… there? They are shown sitting in the background, maybe fixing a chair, and occasionally throwing in a corny one-liner about life. But then you meet those rare dads who don’t just play their role. They own it. Luckily, Netflix has a good collection of unproblematic dads.
The streaming giant has a knack for giving us these kinds of fathers. Sure, they are not picture-perfect, but maybe that’s the point because they are real and at times relatable. Fartherhood isn’t about nailing it every time and the idealistic view of what that can be is rarely achieved.
A quiet realisation awaits us all when we admit that our parents are simply people, and these fathers showcase that. These Netflix dads fight, they mess up, they grow, and somehow, they make you want to call your own dad and say, “Thanks for existing.”
So, let’s talk about five dads who didn’t just raise their kids, but they raised the bar.
Five Netflix dads who raised the bar for fatherhood
Sam Dawson – I Am Sam
Whenever the world talks of the best movie dads, Sam Dawson will be at the top of the list. Imagine suffering from an intellectual disability and dealing with your own problems, and yet showing up for your daughter. If there has ever been a dad who embodies pure, selfless love, it’s him. Sam is not your typical movie hero. In fact, the world constantly underestimates him because of his special needs. But none of that matters when it comes to his beloved daughter Lucy.
Remember the scene where he fights in court, not with money or influence, but with the simple truth that Lucy needs him? That moment hits hard. Sam is a reminder that fatherhood does not always have to be about being flawless. Sometimes it is about loving so fiercely that nothing, not even the system, can tell you otherwise.
Chief Jim Hopper – Stranger Things
Ah, Hopper. The man who started out as a cranky, fat cop. He was never the bad guy, but he clearly was a dad to a dead daughter and did not know how to get over her demise. He had more issues than the town library, only to become the most protective dad in Hawkins.
Jim Hopper never planned to be Eleven’s father figure. Guess there is something about the way he throws himself into it. All the awkward rules about Eggos, yelling about the TV volume, and then turning around and going full action-hero mode in the Upside Down. There is something oddly beautiful about it. Hopper’s brand of fatherhood is messy and stubborn, but when he calls El “his girl”, you just melt. One of the best Netflix dads indeed.
Chris Gardner – The Pursuit of Happyness
It will be better to call Chris a “fighter dad” instead of just “dad” in every sense. If you were watching this movie and wondered just how deeply you would be affected if any other actor was telling the story then you’re missing just how much work Will Smith brought to the role. It was Will Smith and the way he stepped into the skin of Chris Gardner that really choked you up.
Trying to keep his son’s dreams alive as he struggles through everyday life is a painful watch at times, but it does leave you feeling inspired, too, buoyed by the hope of what love can achieve. Shielding his little boy while fighting back tears is a moment most dads have experienced. Chris shows us that sometimes being a dad isn’t about grand lessons. It is about carrying the weight of the world so your kid doesn’t have to.
Johnny Rose – Schitt’s Creek
Johnny might just be the dad we all secretly wish we had. After the Roses lost their fortune, he could have easily sulked or given up. He had two grown-up kids and a wife, and abandoning them wouldn’t have hurt. An odd thing to say indeed, but that’s how things happen in real life. Many mothers are left to raise their kids alone when the father takes off due to some unfortunate incident. And in this case, the kids were grown up, so it wouldn’t have hurt much.
Instead, Johnny chooses to become this steady, grounding presence in a family full of chaos. Between Moira’s theatrics and David’s endless snark, Johnny’s patience is basically Olympic-level. What makes him special? This Netflix dad isn’t just a provider; he is a listener. He evolves. And he proves that dignity doesn’t have to vanish just because the family mansion did.
Adam Braverman – Parenthood
If an everyday father had a face, it would probably look a lot like Adam Braverman. He sure is not the type to make grand speeches or dramatic sacrifices on screen. Instead, Adam shows us what real, everyday parenting looks like. The kind where you are pulled in a dozen directions but somehow keep showing up.
‘Showing up’ is perhaps the ultimate gift a father can give their children, and Adam rarely disappoints. Managing a son on the spectrum and guiding his daughter through the mess of teenagerdom, Adam always shows up for his children. No fireworks, no frills, Adam is there for them all.