World's Greatest DadSynopsis and Overview

Poster art for "World's Greatest Dad."

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  • World's Greatest Dad
  • Opened August 21, 2009 | Runtime:1 hr. 38 min.
  • R
    language, crude sexual content, some drug use and disturbing images
  • Information for parents: Common Sense Media says Iffy for 16+. Read More
  • A thoughtful but outrageous comedy from Bobcat Goldthwait, WORLD’S GREATEST DAD is a story about a man that learns the things you want most may not be the things that make you happy, and that being lonely is not necessarily the same as being alone. Read More
  • Cast: Robin Williams, Daryl Sabara, Alexie Gilmore, Tom Kenny, Geoffrey Pierson
  • Director: Bobcat Goldthwait
  • Genres: Satire, Black Comedy, Comedy

World's Greatest Dad Movie Photos & Trailers + Clips

  • Alexie Gilmore as Claire, Robin Williams as Lance and Zach Sanchez as Peter in "World's Greatest Dad."
  • Daryl Sabara as Kyle in "World's Greatest Dad."
  • Lorraine Nicholson as Heather in "World's Greatest Dad."
  • Evan Martin as Andrew in "World's Greatest Dad."
  • Henry Simmons as Mike in "World's Greatest Dad."
  • Alexie Gilmore as Claire and Robin Williams as Lance in "World's Greatest Dad."
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World's Greatest Dad Featured Trailers + Video Clips

World's Greatest Dad Recent Fan Reviews

  • Must Go!

    I LOVED THIS MOVIE

    by jojackie

    This film could not have come at a more interesting time, what with the renewed glorification of Michael Jackson we've been exposed to upon his death. I disagree with an earlier reviewer- this movie is very funny- I laughed aloud many times, though I was moved and touched as well- specifically from Robin Williams OUTSTANDING performance.I loved the ending-I clapped, and many around me joined in-(us movie nerds have to express ourselves) Daryl Sabara was perfection in his portrayal of this loathsome teen- but true to real life, his dad doesn't like him, but loves him. Maybe I related too much to it- I feel the same way about my 18 yr old son. I hope this indie film reaches the audience it deserves- and becomes a cult classic!

  • Go

    WORLD'S GREATEST DAD - Grade: B-minus. (Based on advance VIP press preview)

    by MOVIES REVIEWER

    Thurs 9/2/09 - Just like the reviewer before me, I also DISAGREE with the earlier review/reviewer - this is Robin William's best performance in a drama-dramedy this century.
    This 1.5hr movie is totally palatable despite starting off slow - but director/writer Bobcat Goldthwait's R-rated effort is a gem in itself that deals with heavy themes such as fame, love, death, loss, teen angst (AND adult angst), truth, loneliness, acceptance, etc.

    This movie does require intelligence and a sense of humor to process and appreciate the refreshingly original dark humor. The above-average script was clever and deftly performed by the talented cast. Robin William's performance was inspired.

    The wonderful ending was a metaphor - with Robin Williams' character shedding his facade - and being free and cleansed/'healed'.

    VERDICT:
    Highly recommended for fans of Robin Williams and Bobcat Goldthwait.
    R-rated and not appropriate for kids.
    Not family-friendly.
    Go See It

  • So-so

    Worlds Greatest Dad

    by Rich S

    I didn't like this movie even though I thought it was an excellent film. A teenage boy is having a very tough rite of passage and makes himself an outcast and a pain in the butt. Kyle's weak father is powerless to influence him and he dies experimenting with autoerotic asphyxiation. His grief stricken father makes it look like suicide complete with suicide note penned by him. We have seen a number of movies lately on the effects/insanity of "group think". The remainder of this story is another study in that phenomena, where the motive is seemingly some kind of rewrite of their attitudes in much the same way that Kyle's father rewrote his demise. Every character in the movie including the "grief specialist" hired by the chameleon-like school administrator, from students to staff, are duplicious in rationalizing their guilt/default, never relating to either the real Kyle or the personna that he assumes in hating those he cannot "make it" with. The film has only a single likable character

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World's Greatest Dad Critic Reviews

Go Avg. Critic Score out of 100 Metascore ® based on all critic ratings.

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 83
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    Williams hasn't been this sympathetic in years.

  • 80
    Los Angeles Times |

    For all of its cutting cynicism, "Dad" proves unexpectedly moving in its...

  • 80
    The New York Times | Stephen Holden

    With a merciless acuity this nihilistic comedy ridicules collective grief and...

  • 75
    San Francisco Chronicle |

    After leading the audience into some very inky satire, Goldthwait backs off.

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World's Greatest Dad Movie Ratings + Reviews

Fans say

So-so 269 fan reviews

Critics say

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