Celebrating dads with these must-watch screen gems

Being a father is a privilege that comes with great responsibility. It takes lots of strength and courage to build a home and carry the weight of a family on your shoulders.

With Father’s Day nearing (June 21), let’s celebrate the father figures in our lives with these movies:

Home Along Da Riles: Da Reunion (2026)

This big-screen reunion brings back the beloved Kosme clan to celebrate the enduring, chaotic, and beautiful bond of a Filipino family. For those who grew up in the ‘90s, Kevin Kosme (Dolphy) remains the ultimate symbol of the hardworking, self-sacrificing, yet incredibly funny dad who will do absolutely anything to keep his family afloat.

The returning cast revives that classic, comforting nostalgia, blending comedy with family values in a beautiful tribute to the late King of Comedy, Dolphy. One of the most touching aspects of this reunion is seeing how Kevin Cosme’s enduring love still serves as the anchor of the home, guiding a whole new generation of the Kosme clan even as they learn to navigate life after his passing.

Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko (1999)

This classic comedy-drama tells the story of a widowed, doting auto-mechanic father named Badong (FPJ) who raises his fiercely loyal, “boyish” daughter, Joey (Judy Ann Santos) all by himself. Their tight, playful bond is put to the test when Badong’s old childhood friend, Beth, comes back into his life, making Joey feel jealous and afraid of change.

?The late King of Philippine Movies and Judy Ann Santos share a wonderful on-screen chemistry that feels like comfort food. Watching FPJ easily balance his tough, protective action-hero persona with tenderness for his daughter makes this a must-watch for Father’s Day.

?Magnifico (2003)

This masterpiece focuses on a young, selfless boy named Magnifico who tries to help his poor family get through severe hardships in the province. The heaviest emotional burden falls on his father, who is constantly struggling under the massive pressure of poverty, failing expectations, and the heartbreaking reality of a very sick daughter.

?Albert Martinez gives a realistic performance that captures the quiet pain of a father who feels he cannot provide enough for his children. The deep love and ultimate heartbreak between Martinez’s character and his son create a beautiful picture of a father’s quiet, strong resilience.

?Seven Sundays (2017)

When the Bonifacio family patriarch, Manuel, suddenly tells his family that he has a terminal illness and only has a few months left to live, his estranged adult children are forced to come home. This looming tragedy forces the siblings to set aside old rivalries and spend the next seven Sundays together, facing years of unspoken issues.

?The late Ronaldo Valdez gives a heartwarming performance that shows how hard it can be for fathers to share their deepest feelings with their children. The film builds to an emotional payoff, showing that behind every strict or distant father is a man who simply wants his family together.

Toy Story 5 (2026)

In this highly anticipated new movie, the beloved toy gang finds themselves dealing with a modern technology landscape that threatens to pull their new kid away from traditional toys. The plot focuses on the toys trying to stay relevant in the smartphone era, serving as a funny yet touching metaphor for modern parenting.

?For dads who grew up watching Andy, this film offers a relatable look at the struggle of trying to connect with kids in a digital world. The sweet dynamic between the toys trying to protect their bond with their child mirrors the battle a modern father faces, blending Pixar’s trademark humor with tears.

?Interstellar (2014)

Set on a dying Earth, this sci-fi movie follows Cooper, a former pilot turned farmer, who is recruited for a dangerous space mission to find a new home for humanity. Leaving his family behind, Cooper’s entire journey across black holes and deep space is driven by a single, desperate promise to return home to his daughter, Murph.

?Don’t let complex science fool you; at its very core, this masterpiece is a heartbreaking story about the lengths a father will go to secure his children’s future. The devastating scene where Cooper sits alone, crying while watching decades of missed video messages from his now-grown children, is guaranteed to make even the toughest dad shed a tear.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Series)

If dad is a sci-fi or action geek, this is the gold standard. This series follows Din Djarin, a cold, quiet, and lonely bounty hunter working in the far corners of the galaxy. His dangerous, routine life takes a major turn when he accepts a mysterious job, only to discover that the target is a defenseless child named Grogu, forcing him to turn against his employers to protect him.

?The journey of Mando changing from a cold mercenary into a fiercely protective father figure provides an excellent look at adoptive fatherhood. The quiet, unspoken bond between the armored warrior and his tiny companion delivers great action mixed with a tender emotional core.