10 Fictional Father Figures That Deserve the Hype
Three cheers for the fictional dads that have our backs.
(SPOT.ph) Dads are pretty cool IRL and while it's nice to have a holiday just for them, they should be celebrated year-round. Fatherhood is tough and so many of the amazing dads we've seen in media have been inspired by actual dads putting in the work and learning every day. Three cheers for them for serving as an inspiration, making us feel better with their quotable quotes, and empowering us to be better people.
Some of these guys aren't exactly dads by technical definition, but they are father figures all the same and have guided so many young kids, teenagers, fellow parents over the years. It's time to give them their flowers.
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These 10 fictional father figures deserve slow claps
Professor Utonium from Powerpuff Girls
Some may argue he created the perfect little girls so this doesn't count, but instead of abusing the powers he imbued in Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, Professor Utonium genuinely considered them his true daughters and let them explore the world as kids would, with some major considerations for their abilities. It's easy to forget the girls are just children because they save Townsville without breaking a sweat, but Professor Utonium never forgets and he tries to be the best single dad he can be.
Doctor Doofenshmirtz from Phineas and Ferb
In case you didn't know, the cooky villain from Phineas and Ferb grew up with a tragic childhood and vowed to be the best parent his own parents never were. Doctor Doofenshmirtz doesn't get his goth daughter Vanessa's whole vibe and aesthetic but he does try anyway. He does everything from the heart, with mixed results, but you really can't blame him for fumbling along the way. And honestly? Showing up no matter what earns him honors in our book.
Phil Dunphy from Modern Family
Phil Dunphy might have slipped many times when it comes to being a partner for his wife Claire Dunphy, but his heart is always in the right place, especially when it comes to their three kids Haley, Alex, and Luke. His easygoing personality adds humor to Modern Family and his valiant efforts at trying to be the cool dad are endearing at best. Phil's shortcomings and efforts to overcome them make him relatable, personable, and very human, lending serious weight to his unconventional nuggets of wisdom on the show.
Goofy from A Goofy Movie
Parents won't always understand their kids. In this lifetime, parents are bound to misunderstand their kids more than actually understand them, but we give them a pat on the shoulder years later for trying anyway. Life's tough when all that matters right now is being the cool kid at school, like how Max thinks in A Goofy Movie. His dad, Goofy, doesn't fit the bill at all, but real growth comes in realizing that the coolest dads are the ones that try and learn over and over again, no matter how tough it gets. Some things might be cringe especially in our youth, but it's comforting to know Goofy will accept Max no matter what.
Marlin from Finding Nemo
Being an overprotective parent can often lead kids to become secretive and rebellious, but trust us when we say that your folks only have the best intentions at heart. When Nemo is separated from his dad, Marlin, the worried father learns from his mistakes and swims thousands of miles just to reunite with his son. There are hard lessons to learn in life, but making room for those mistakes, learning from them, and accepting each other makes it all worth it.
Daniel Covey from To All The Boys I've Loved Before franchise
To All The Boys I've Loved Before will forever be remembered thanks to the romance between Lara Jean Song Covey and Peter Kavinsky. It's a tandem that overshadows everybody else, but we'd like to shift the focus to an underrated side character; Lara Jean's dad, Daniel Covey. He's supportive and understanding all around, but we really see his caring side in XO, Kitty.
Raising three very different girls in Margot, Lara, and Kitty as a single parent is no easy feat, but he makes room for every sister to shine and even encourages them to explore their Korean identity and see the rest of the world with their own two eyes. For that, we cheer.
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Bryan Mills from Taken
This movie is way heavy compared to the other entries on our list but we have to give credit where credit is due. Retired Green Beret and CIA officer Bryan Mills played by Liam Neeson will do anything to protect his daughter and bring her back. His job is a double-edged sword—while his occupation poses a threat for his entire family, he uses the very same expertise acquired on the job to rescue his daughter. We're hoping there won't be anymore sequels and this doesn't happen to anybody IRL, but we give Bryan Mills a gold medal for being a dad.
Yong-Gu from Miracle in Cell No. 7
Parents can agree that all they want is to give their children the world. For Yong-Gu, the world is a pretty Sailor Moon bag his daughter Ye-Sung has been dreaming of. When he sees the chance to finally get it for her, a cruel misunderstanding lands him in jail and sets Ye-Sung off on a decades-long journey to bring justice to her father. Apart from the incredible acting and vibrant cast, the film also does a good job of bringing awareness to developmental disabilities. Prepare tissues for this film, by the way. Don't say we didn't warn you.
Uncle Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender
Uncle Iroh might not have been Fire Nation Prince Zuko's biological father, but he did step into the role and helped the angsty teen find his way and carve the path to doing what's right and good for many. The crimes he has committed greatly changed him as a person, and it manifests in how he deals with peope and guides Zuko into becoming a better version of himself. We'd love to have a chat with Uncle Iroh over tea and we know you would, too.
Spencer Shay from iCarly
The trio of Carly, Sam, and Freddie is a fun bunch with crazy antics and even crazier episodes for their web show iCarly, all enabled and protected by older-brother-slash-father-figure Spencer. Carly's older brother might look like he only has eccentric stuff up his sleeve for comedy relief, but he genuinely cares for the kids and sheds his funny-guy image when necessary. He himself is growing up without a dad around, but he never fails to be the reliable adult the trio needs.
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