It’s Friday and what better way to celebrate than finding a fun movie to watch this weekend. I love a movie that makes me laugh and endears me to the characters. Today I want to share with you some of my favorite funny movies about parenting. I hope you will enjoy.
(And I know I’ve overlooked some good ones. Tell me in the comments what your favorites are!)
Steve Martin is fabulous as he navigates the treacherous waters of raising a dozen kids while his wife is on a book tour. We all know parenting is hard work—even with one child. But families of all sizes can relate to Martin as dad of twelve.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Perhaps the finest of the Vacation series and now considered a modern-day holiday “classic,” Christmas Vacation features Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, the everyman father who deeply loves his family and wants to give them the best Christmas ever. Who can’t relate to a big family Christmas celebration with all extended family in your house? Many of us have funny yet difficult relatives to deal with during the holidays and this movie does a comical job painting that picture.
Both versions of this story make an adorable set of films with twins hatching plans to reunite their parents. If you grew up in the ’60s, you’ll remember Hayley Mills in the original; the remake is just as enjoyable thirty-something years later. I’m a fan of both movies.
Dudley Moore and Kirk Cameron play father and son who find out what it’s like to be the other when they swap bodies. Living as the other, Father and Son learn about the tough realities of their situations as they try to find their way back. Aren’t role reversal films always a hoot? Vice Versa (1988) and both versions of Freaky Friday (1977) and (2003) are two “honorable mentions” in this category.
This fun soccer movie follows the daughter of an orthodox Sikh family in London who rebels against her parents’ traditionalism by running off to Germany with a soccer team. Despite what we parents want for our young girls, we must acknowledge their own dreams. This movie shows the struggle sometimes between what we want and allowing them to discover who God made them to be.
As the 1980s came into full swing, audiences got a unique look at life through the eyes of a “stay-at-home” dad. Michael Keaton does a brilliant job playing this father of three who struggles to make it all work for his family.
While trying to live the quiet suburban life, the Incredibles—a family of undercover superheroes—are forced into action to save the world. Pixar, who seems to understand the modern family dynamic rather well, accurately captures the struggles of (not-so) typical modern-day parents raising kids while having ambitions of their own. Yes, even Mom and Dad can have superpowers!
Although I do not support the movie’s basic premise (a single woman sleeping with a married man), Look Who’s Talking does realistically depict the trials of single parenthood—and does it with hilarity. What makes the movie so funny is the point-of-view of the newborn boy is narrated through voice over by Bruce Willis.
Pixar’s latest release, Brave, showcases the Scottish Princess Merida who defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Her parents, especially her mother, have a difficult time with the choices young Merida makes. The movie brilliantly depicts the unique relationship between a mother and daughter.
Father of the Bride is a must-see movie for anyone—but especially for dads of girls. So funny but also incredibly thoughtful, this movie follows the Banks family as they prepare for daughter Annie’s wedding. The full range of emotions unfolds (often, hilariously) between dad George Banks (played by Steve Martin) and his daughter as he readies himself to give her away at the altar.
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite scenes of George Banks losing it at the grocery store.
What are your favorite funny movies about parenting?
image credit: MorgueFile.com
