Listicle: 10 on-screen superdads we can’t help but love

Ty Burrell plays a straight dad on a show that has two gay dads, a do-it-all mom, a hot second wife, a grandpa learning about changing norms, an adoptee from Vietnam and school kids of various ages. And he often outshines them all. There are dad jokes, ill-advised inputs, hilarious ways to say Hello, and a devotion to magic tricks. But Phil’s the dad who’s devoted to his wife and kids above it all. He is often clueless, but never controlling, the safe parent and the fun one. What’s not to love?

Milo Ventimiglia’s Jack was not the perfect son or husband, but he got closest to being the perfect father for the 16-odd years he was in their lives. He made managing triplets look easy. He taught them cool chants that connected them as adults. But most of all (spoiler alert), he died trying to save the fam from a burning house. Dad goals, 100%.

David Harbour is more than dad-bod. He’s bumbling but brave, working on anger issues from losing his own daughter, but also fostering a little girl with superpowers and a persistent nosebleed. He thinks Eggos make for a nutritious meal. But let’s forgive him that. He’s spent time in a Russian gulag, fighting demi-dogs and other monsters. Hopper’s character softens up over the show. He’s a father-figure all the kids look up to now.

Pankaj Tripathi plays that rare 1990s Indian dad who encourages his daughter to break free of the patriarchy and become a pilot. He does in the face of disapproval from his son and wife, and stays calmly supportive through rough winds and low moments.The movie is about a woman pilot, but Anup Saxena’s relationship with his daughter ends up being the driving force of the film.

Kumud Mishra’s Sandhu is anything but the stereotypical Bollywood father. His reaction, when he hears that his daughter was slapped by her husband, is not revenge or anger, but a concern for her mental health. When she files for divorce, he doesn’t blame her. Instead, he offers her advice that will hold steady for the years to come. He, like all men, is a victim of the patriarchy too, but unlike most men, he’s doing his bit to move forward, both as a dad and as a man.

Manoj Bajpayee plays an intelligence officer and a doting but not-so-cool dad to teens. He plays it to his advantage, embarrassing them with his wry sense of humour. The work is high pressure. The pay, low. And every episode is a test in saving the nation from terror threats, making it home safe, and dropping everything to keep them safe too. Give this guy a cup of tea.

Pedro Pascal is Joel. And Ellie (Bella Ramsey) isn’t even his daughter. Shes just a girl who must be transported, against zombie-level odds, to a unit that’s trying to fight through the apocalypse. And yet, Joel and Ellie have a prickly, silly, easy, friendship marked by protectiveness, trust and love. There are lessons to learn: How to aim at a zombie’s mushroom head, when to stay quiet, how to stop laughing at a bad joke. And by the finale, there’s a secret that might rip them apart.

Abbott (John Krasinski) has more on his plate than an average dad does: He and his family must survive as the world is ravaged by monsters that hunt their prey by sound. Even so, it doesn’t stop him from parenting his three kids with care. He teaches them the importance of love, perseverance, bravery but of family. To top this all (spoiler alert), he dies protecting them. Goosebumps, tears and a salute to a trooper.

This isn’t a light-hearted film. David Sheff (Steve Carrell) is the dad and the main parental figure to an addict. It doesn’t make him love his son less, but actually pushes him to scramble and find ways to save him through the many relapses. The role sets high expectations for fathers. At one point, when David realises he’s enabling his son, he refuses him permission to come home. There are tears but there’s also a nod to how tough it is to be any kind of dad.

Eugene Levy works with his real-life son, Dan Levy on the show. Their easy banter and limit-testing is what makes the sitcom about a fall from grace such fun to watch. The Schitts, who’ve lost all their wealth, struggle with the simple life and simple relationships. Dad’s still a safe investment emotionally. He had a soft corner for Alexis, his princess of a daughter. But he loves son David too. Who needs millions, eh?