We know that TV and movies are works of fiction, but that doesn't make the relationships in them feel any less real — especially the family bonds that we get to watch unfold. In honor of Father's Day, we rounded up some of the best father and son duos from film and TV. These characters aren't the best because they have flawless relationships and perfect lives but because they're so real and relatable.
These dads and sons taught us so much about our own familial bonds and about being a parent. Not all of these fathers are perfect (and neither are the sons), but perfect is just a myth anyway. It's more important that we can see ourselves in these men — no matter our own gender. We can all relate as parents to wanting to do anything for our kids and struggling to make it all work.
These dads and sons just get us.
George & Marty McFly From 'Back to the Future'
Traveling back in time to when his father was just a teenager helped Marty McFly see his dad for who he once was — a kind of anxious nerd who got picked on a lot but managed to make something great of himself. We can't relate so much to the time travel stuff, but there's something extremely relatable about getting older and seeing our parents for who they are — people who actually don't have it all together but are just doing their best most days.
Andy & Opie Taylor From 'The Andy Griffith Show'
Sheriff Andy Taylor was a single father to his young son, Opie. As such, he did his best to provide for his family and be there for his child as a fun parent who was also unafraid to teach his son a lesson if need be. It's a balancing act Andy walked quite well. No one's life is as quintessential as it is in Mayberry, but the bond between father and son on this show can speak to many people.
Ward & the Beaver From 'Leave it to Beaver'
Another classic show about father and son is Leave it to Beaver. Technically, Ward Cleaver has two sons, Beaver and Wally, but his relationship with his youngest was often the most relatable. Ward had to have never-ending patience with "the Beav." However, even when Beaver messed up, he respected his father and often went to him when he needed advice.
Did Ward always know what he was doing? No, but he made it work.
Sandy & Seth Cohen From 'The O.C.'
These two were so alike in their misfit ways. Both Sandy and Seth were a little nerdy and out of touch with the glamorous Orange County, California, world they were in. And both were kind, good-hearted people who always had their loved ones' backs. Sandy is often regarded as one of the best TV dads, so it only makes sense that he would raise one of the best TV sons. May we all be a Sandy or a Seth in our own lives.
Zeke & Adam Braverman From 'Parenthood'
Zeke had four children (including two sons) on Parenthood, but his relationship with oldest child Adam was the one that really stood out on the show. It was clear how much Zeke relied on Adam to help manage the large family, and it was also clear that Adam was basically incapable of saying no to his dad.
The end result was a father-son relationship that was a little toxic, but so are a lot of familial relationships. This show wasn't afraid to be relatable by showing the tougher side of family dynamics.
Luke & Jess Danes From 'Gilmore Girls'
Luke was actually Jess' uncle, but he might as well have been his father. When Luke's sister Liz couldn't handle her teenage son any longer, she sent him to live with Luke. Though Luke didn't know what he was doing as a pseudo-parent at all, he ended up becoming the most reliable person Jess had in his life. The well-rounded guy Jess becomes in later seasons is due in large part to Luke being supportive, tough, and loving when Jess needed it most.
Uncle Phil & Will Smith From 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'
Another uncle-but-really-a-father relationship on TV was in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Teenage Will Smith went to live with his Uncle Phil, who provided a much more stable and positive living environment for him. And we'll never forget the episode where Will's father showed up only to leave abruptly again, resulting in Will turning to his uncle and collapsing into his arms in grief.
Uncle Phil was always there when Will needed him most.
Marlin & Nemo From 'Finding Nemo'
Parents everywhere can relate to clownfish and single dad Marlin, who does everything he can to rescue his son Nemo in this touching family film. Marlin was a pretty fearful fish, but the moment his son needed him, he put his own anxieties behind him and did what he had to do. We also would do anything we could to protect and help our children.
Edward & Will Bloom From 'Big Fish'
Edward was always a teller of tall tales — or at least what his son believed were tall tales. Their relationship was complicated by Will never knowing if he could really trust what his dad was saying as the truth. But as Edward neared the end of his life and Will spent more time with him, he finally came to terms with the man his father always claimed to be.
Henry & Indiana Jones From 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'
Indiana Jones' dad (played by the incomparable Sean Connery) wasn't always the best father, but that's what made them teaming up in this film that much more special. Even when they didn't agree on everything (anything), at least they were finally spending time together. Father and son bonds can trump even the most complicated of circumstances.
Ned Stark & Jon Snow From 'Game of Thrones'
Ned Stark was only around for one season of Game of Thrones, but he left a mark on viewers and on his adopted son, Jon Snow. Despite believing himself to be the result of an illicit affair, Jon was always treated kindly by the man he believed was his father. And Ned did his best to love and bring up Jon to be kind, smart, and a strong leader. Everything Jon Snow became he owes to Ned's guidance.
Chris & Christopher From 'The Pursuit of Happyness'
Will Smith's real son Jaden played his child in this heartbreaking film. It's a story about how far a father will go to provide for his kid, which is something any parent can relate to — especially the part that involves hiding how bad things really are. Sometimes the fibs we tell our kids are to protect them from all the scary adult stuff we have to deal with.
Burt & Kurt Hummel From 'Glee'
Burt Hummel never really understood what his son was dealing with when Kurt came out as gay, but that didn't stop Burt from doing his best to be supportive. He's the kind of father every LGBTQ+ teen needs to remind them that they're loved and cared for no matter what. We don't need to relate to someone's specific struggles to show them kindness.
Johnny & David Rose From 'Schitt's Creek'
At some point in our lives, we've probably all been a David and/or a Johnny. The two are played by real father-son duo Eugene and Dan Levy, and they're so relatable in different ways. David doesn't know how to do much by himself and is pretty ridiculous and out of touch at times. And Johnny can't believe he raised a son who doesn't know how to do basic things for himself because he relied so much on the family's wealth and status.
When the family is forced to give up their extravagant life and reconnect with each other, it's the father and son who do the most growing and bonding.
Fred & Archie Andrews From 'Riverdale'
Tragically, Luke Perry died midway through playing Archie's dad on Riverdale, but at least the legacy he left behind included bringing to life one of TV's best fathers. Fred was good-natured, kind-hearted, and loving — and he made sure to pass all of those traits onto his son. If nothing else, Fred wanted a life for Archie that was better than his own, something all parents can understand.
Fred's death devastated the characters of Riverdale (and the real-life actors), but he'll be remembered for so much.
