Top 10 Best Pixar Dads of All Time
#10: Wilden Lightfoot “Onward” (2020)
Although Ian and Barley's dad passed when they were young, we do get to see a bit of his personality throughout the film as they strive to bring him back. When things go wrong along the way, as they always do, it’s Wilden–or rather his legs–who initiates an impromptu dance party. Of course, the whole conclusion of this movie is about Barley taking up the role of a dad for Ian, so we can’t forget to mention him if we’re counting off Pixar dads. He’s definitely a little rough around the edges, but Barley fills in the role as well as he can, and manages to give Ian all the memories he would have made with his dad.
#9: Django “Ratatouille” (2007)
Django is a character with a lot of world experience. He’s been around long enough to know that if you don’t fight for yourself, no one else will. He does what he has to in order to get his family fed, even if that means resorting to less than honest means. It’s difficult to blame Django for his overly practical, if not pessimistic, outlook on life, but where he really shines is when his son needs him the most. By the end of the movie, Django saves Remy and wrangles the rest of the clan to help save Gusteau’s restaurant.
#8: Jin Lee “Turning Red” (2022)
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“Turning Red” focused a lot on mothers and the female lineage of Mei’s family, but it’s impossible to deny how pivotal her dad’s role is in her life. Where Ming is definitely more high-strung, Jin is quieter and more sympathetic. He’s honest with Mei when she has questions her mom won’t answer and he encourages her to keep the sillier sides of herself alive. Mei is at a time in her life where she could use more support than condemnation and her dad is there to supply this. His personality also shines through in little details animated into the film, which are really adorable.
#7: Sulley “Monsters, Inc.” (2001)
Okay, so, while Sulley isn’t technically a dad, his dad energy is just immaculate. Sulley and Mike essentially become babysitters in this movie, which is pretty hysterical. The way they desperately try to keep a hold on Boo is painfully relatable for so many parents, and Sulley is especially put through the wringer on more than one occasion. He becomes sort of a surrogate father to her over the course of the film, and a pretty good one if we do say so, which makes their tearful goodbye all the more heartbreaking!
#6: King Fergus “Brave” (2012)
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So, yeah, King Fergus can be a little oblivious and maybe also a little lost in some matters, but he’s also very evidently a family man. While he doesn’t understand his wife’s obsession with turning Merida into a “perfect” princess, he does seem to understand his daughter. He’s seen encouraging her to fight and be the person she wants to be, despite her mother’s qualms about it. It’s obvious he gets along well with his kids and we have no doubt he’s a great father through and through. Still, it would be good if he noticed when his wife and three sons turned into bears every now and again.
#5: Carl Fredricksen “Up” (2009)
Even though Carl and Ellie never had kids of their own, it’s pretty safe to say that, as “Up” progresses, Carl becomes a surrogate parent to Russell. At the very least, he becomes a dad dog to Doug–try saying that five times fast! In “Dug Days”, the new Disney+ spinoff series, we get to see even more of these three, and Carl radiating peak dad vibes. We’re not sure if anything will ever beat the end of the film, though, when Carl awards Russell with “the highest honor he can bestow”: The Ellie Badge. Look how happy they both are!
#4: Héctor Rivera “Coco” (2017)
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Héctor’s story is a downright tragedy. Not only was he straight-up murdered, even after he’s dead, this man can’t catch a break. Because he passed away when Coco was still so young, her memory of him is fading, which means he’s also fading from the Land of the Dead. While Héctor didn’t have much of a chance to be a father to Coco, circumstances seem to give him sort of a second chance when he meets his great-great-grandson. By the time Miguel has to leave, it’s clear Héctor has grown fond of him. We have no doubt he would’ve been an amazing father to Coco. We also can’t forget about Miguel’s father who, despite his small role, is obviously a dedicated family man.
#3: Massimo Marcovaldo “Luca” (2021)
When we’re first introduced to Guilia’s father, he’s an intense, stoic fisherman with a bloodlust for seamonsters. Unfortunately for Luca and Alberto, they are said seamonsters. Still, even from this rocky start, we see the kind of person Massimo is. He gives the boys paid work, a place to stay, and warm meals, without even knowing them. By the end of the movie, any discrimination he had toward sea creatures is entirely dissolved, and he pretty much adopts Alberto as one of his own while Guilia and Luca are away at school. When you think about Alberto’s experience with his own absent father, the sweet moment in “Ciao Alberto”, where Alberto calls Massimo “dad” is all the more heartwarming.
#2: Bob Parr “The Incredibles” (2004)
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He’s Mr. Incredible himself! It only makes sense that he would rank so high on our list. Just don’t ask him to do math. [“Math is math!”] Not only is Bob Parr a superhero to Metroville, he’s also a superdad! While the first movie sees more of Helen’s relationship with her children, the sequel is all about Bob trying to hold down the house and kids. He tries to help Violet through heartbreak and Dash with his math homework, all the while Jack-Jack’s powers are uncontrollable. Yep, he’s definitely an incredible dad. Be honest, you were waiting for the pun. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Bill Andersen, “Inside Out” (2015) No One is Good Enough for His Little Girl! Henry, “The Good Dinosaur” (2015) The Embodiment of Tough Love Dory's Dad, “Finding Dory” (2016) He & Dory’s Mom Never Stopped Looking for their Daughter Bonnie's Dad, “Toy Story 4” (2019) We Don’t Get to See Much of Him, but We Just Know He’s Great! Joe's Dad, “Soul” (2020) The Kind of Memories We Cherish!
#1: Marlin “Finding Nemo” (2003)
So, yeah, Marlin pretty easily ranks up there as a top tier dad. He’s not a perfect parent–which parent is?–but he’s always trying his best. After what happened to his wife and the rest of his family, can you blame him for being a smidge overprotective of his only son? And when said only son goes missing? Well, you better believe Marlin would travel to the ends of the ocean to find his kid, and that’s exactly what he does. Marlin is way out of his comfort zone the entire movie, but he stops at nothing until he finds Nemo. You might even say he’s… Marlin-velous! Or, Fish-tastic! Or, extra-ocean-ary! Sea-sational, even! We’ll be here all night, folks!
