Fathers don’t always announce their influence. But their involvement — or their absence — can shape a life in lasting ways. A good father can help form character, set limits, and teach by example. At his best, he offers something solid at the center of a child’s world: steadiness, guidance, and strength.

These films honor that calling. Each one places a man — imperfect, devoted, and deeply human — at the heart of the story. Some are bound by blood, others by love and commitment. A few may bring a smile. Others may break your heart.

What binds them together isn’t flawless parenting, but the decision to stay engaged. These men show up when it counts, even when they falter. That choice — to stay, to love, to keep trying — can change everything.

Each of these movies offers something worth reflecting on this Father’s Day.

The Kid (Charlie Chaplin, 1921) – In his first feature as writer and director, Charlie Chaplin created something close to poetry: a silent comedy that speaks with remarkable depth about fatherhood. His iconic Little Tramp stumbles into caring for an abandoned child, and the bond that forms between them is more affecting than most biological ties ever captured on screen. Funny, tender, and unexpectedly profound,........

© National Review