Movie parents can truly make or break a character's journey — or sometimes even the entire plot. Whether they're supporting their children every step of the way, or failing them so horrifically that it deserves a sentence, movie parents have a serious impact.
So today I'm breaking down the good, the bad, and the ugly. We're talking about movie parents that are so great, you want to crawl into the screen and ask them to become adopted. BUT, we're also talking about the parents that are so awful, they deserve to go to jail. Or at the very least, movie jail.
1. Dill and Rosemary Penderghast from Easy A make parenting look easy. These two are cool parents that are actually cool. They support Olive in her times of need, without ever stepping too far. They're the ultimate movie parents.
Screen Gems / Everett Collection
2. Molly and Arthur Weasley from Harry Potter are the magical duo that we all love and deserve. They raised 7 kids, welcomed Harry like he was their own, and somehow still made time to knit sweaters.
Warner Brothers
3. Elastigirl from The Incredibles protected her kids (including a newborn), helped save the world, and literally stretched herself thin. We love a multitasking queen.
Walt Disney Co./ Everett Collection
4. Tess Coleman from Freaky Friday may have had a mother-daughter fight that let to a body swap...But ultimately it was out of love. She's a rockstar and plus, she's Jamie Lee Curtis, what can we say?
Walt Disney Co. / Everett Collection
5. Mel Horowitz from Clueless was tough on the outside, but a total softie on the inside. His iconic line, "You divorce wives, not children," sums up his dedication to Cher. He shows up and always looks out for her.
Paramount / Everett Collection
6. Mac and Brenda MacGuff from Juno handled teenage pregnancy like bosses. They support Juno throughout her journey, all while being funny too.
Searchlight Pictures
7. Tom and Kate Baker from Cheaper by the Dozen somehow had the patience to have 12 children, and raised them with patience and love. Their family dynamic was very chaotic and a little messy, but they always figured things out in the end.
20th Century Fox / Everett Collection
8. Donna Sheridan from Mamma Mia raised her daughter on her own while running a hotel in Greece. Sure, keeping the father's identity a secret was complicated, but Donna's main goal was always keeping her daughter safe!
Universal / Everett Collection
9. Morticia and Gomez Addams from The Addams Family were glamorous and fiercely family-oriented. Honestly for a family that's "creepy and kooky," this parenting duo is pretty wholesome.
Paramount Pictures / Everett Collection
10. Daniel Hillard from Mrs. Doubtfire may have done a bit much to see his children, but his heart was in the right place. Did he need to dress up as a nanny? Perhaps not, but he just really loved his kids, okay?
20th Century Fox / Everett Collection
11. Edna and Wilbur from Hairspray believed in Tracy from the very start — their unwavering support helped her blossom into a confident, successful dancer.
And now, the bad...Forget everything you just read, because these parents are the complete opposite. When I say most of them should be behind bars, I mean it.
12. Harry and Zinnia Wormwood from Matilda were neglectful, hostile, and downright cruel. Matilda was lucky she was able to escape from these two nasties.
TriStar / Everett Collection
13. Mr. Perry from Dead Poets Society pushed his son to his breaking point just for the sake of control and prestige. His relentless pressure had many consequences that will forever break our hearts.
Walt Disney Studios
14. Margaret White from Carrie in both the original AND the reboot deserve serious jail time. Shaming her daughter for her period? Locking her in a closet for hours at a time? Literally attempting to kill her? Absolutely unforgivable.
Sony Pictures / Everett Collection
15. Kate and Peter McCallister from Home Alone are the final boss of neglectful parents. They forgot their son at home for a family vacation not once, but twice. That's no whoopsie, that's criminal negligence right there.
20th Century Studios
16. Mr. and Mrs. Lisbon from The Virgin Suicides controlled and isolated their daughters to devastating levels. Their choices had some, well let's just say upsetting consequences.
Paramount
17. Mother Gothel from Tangled wasn't even Rapunzel's real mom, but she raised her like one...in the most twisted way possible. She locked her in a tower, all so she could use Rapunzel's magic hair for eternal youth. She's a classic gaslighting narcissist.
Walt Disney Co. / Everett Collection
Some movie parents are absolute legends, while others just don't have what it takes 💔💔 Let us know your fav or most hated movie parents in the comments!