World's Greatest Dad poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Robin Williams, Daryl Sabara, Alexie Gilmore, Tom Kenny, Geoffrey Pierson ... see more see more... , Henry Simmons , Toby Huss , Morgan Murphy , Naomi Glick , Dan Spencer , Zach Sanchez , Evan Martin , Ellie Jameson , Michael Thomas Moore , Alles Mist , Jermaine Williams , Lorraine Nicholson , Mitzi McCall , Rebecca Erwin Spencer , Cheri Minns , Zazu , Tony V. , Krist Novoselic , Mabel Mae , Zoé , Jill Talley , Deborah Horne , Bruce Hornsby , Riley Dean Stone

A high school poetry teacher and single father discovers that the thing he covets most in life may not be what makes him truly happy in this pitch-black comedy directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, and starr... read more read more...ing Robin Williams. Lance Clayton (Williams) is a mild-mannered high school teacher from Seattle who was granted sole custody of his son, Kyle (Daryl Sabara), following a nasty divorce. As hard as Lance tries to connect with his hostile, loathsome son, all he receives for his sincere efforts are insults and scorn. The only things Kyle seems to care about are violent video games and internet porn, the latter obsession eventually serving to alienate the foul-mouthed teen from his sole friend, Andrew (Evan Martin). His books rejected by publishers and his poetry class on the verge of being canceled due to student disinterest, Lance does find a bit of happiness in his relationship with pretty art instructor Claire (Alexie Gilmore), though these days her gaze is drifting toward handsome young English teacher Mike (Henry Simmons), who recently celebrated the publication of his very first piece in The New Yorker. Then, one day, Lance discovers his son dead, the apparent victim of autoerotic asphyxiation gone horribly awry. In order to give the boy some dignity in death, Lance pens a suicide note before summoning the authorities. By chance, that note is published in Kyle's school newspaper, instantly transforming him into a misunderstood cult icon among the impressionable student body. Now, tragedy has become opportunity for Lance. Can the grieving father live with the knowledge of how he achieved such fame, or has he sacrificed his own soul in his blind quest to garner the kind of fame that has eluded him his entire life? ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

60% liked it

47,668 ratings

Critics

89% liked it

115 critics

R, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Bobcat Goldthwait

Release Date: August 21, 2009

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: December 8, 2009

Get It:

Stats: 2,421 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

World's Greatest Dad official film still official film still official film still official film still Last Movie I Saw official film still official film still official film still official film still official film still World's Greatest Dad World's Greatest Dad
Upload a Photo | View All World's Greatest Dad Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (2,421)

  • fb100001592288964
    January 3, 2012
    fb100001592288964
    A twisted,deadpan yet very funny satirical dark comedy from the very odd mind of comedian-turned-writer/director Bobcat Goldthwait. Robin Williams turns in one of the most overlooked performances of his career, in addition to Daryl Sabara standing out as his manipulative,hostile,... read moresex-obsessed son. A very underrated independent gem.
  • fb791220692
    August 29, 2011
    fb791220692
    As dark as comedies get, the story of a father who tries to save his despicable son's terrible reputation after his death boasts an amazing performance from the always-great Robin Williams. World's Greatest Dad can be depressing, but it will shock viewers into understanding what ... read moreit means to be human, to be trapped by dishonesty, and to love unconditionally.
  • blkbomb
    August 19, 2011
    blkbomb
    Lance Clayton: You guys didn't like Kyle. That's okay. I didn't either. I loved him. He was my son. But he was also a douchebag. 

    "Lance Clayton is about to get everything he deserves."

    Black Humor at it's best is on display in World's Greatest Dad. Not many movies can be so re... read morelentlessly funny and extremely sad at the same time. World's Greatest Dad works in both respects because of it's development over the first 30 minutes. We see what Kyle Clayton is like. We see what he likes(looking at vaginas) and what he doesn't like(everything else). We see how Lance is affected by his son and we also see how Kyle's fellow classmates feel about him. 

    The film is awkward, dark, disturbing, sad and hilarious. All these characteristics are on display during the film and most at the same time. When the events unfold we are left with a decision to make; do we laugh or do we cry. I chose to laugh, but I'd would get emotionally involved at times with Lance. It's hard not to feel sorry for his character. Robin Williams plays Lance so well. Daryl Sabera plays Kyle very well also. It is weird though to think that just a few years ago he was running around as one of the Spy Kids, trying to save his parents. But hey, people change.

    I can see why people would be turned off by this. The first time I watched it I was shock. The shock came as a result of knowing absolutely nothing about the film though. I didn't know it was R-rated. To me it looked like a PG movie from the title and cover. It took about 5 minutes for me to realize that this was not intended for children. I was happy about that too and I really ended up loving this movie. Not for everyone for sure, but fans of dark humor will really enjoy it. If you only like light humor go watch 50 First Dates.
  • fb619846742
    June 20, 2011
    fb619846742
    A biting, funny satire of the fascination concerning the recently deceased, and how a burned-out dad (Robin Williams) decides to exploit his jerk son's (Daryl Sabara) death in order to fulfill some of his own aspirations as a writer. You wouldn't expect such a mature, well-rounde... read mored dramedy from a goofball director like Bobcat Goldthwait, but he does a mostly phenomenal job tackling this subject and exploring many different scenarios of it. It always helps when you get an outstanding, riveting performance from your lead actor (Williams never ceases to astound with his versatility), as well as still leaving the viewer with plenty to chew on after the movie has concluded. It does have flaws, notably some poor acting by some of the kid actors in the movie. However, Williams' uncomfortable performance drives this movie completely, since his character is someone you completely sympathize with, even to the point where you think he deserves some of the fame he eventually gets, despite attaining it under false pretenses.
  • gor41
    February 26, 2011
    gor41
    Jet black satire on our attitudes to suicide is enlivened by a cracking central performance from Williams. He manages to balance humour and feeling but real credit also lies with Goldthwait who constructs a truthful scenario and then has great fun playing with our perceptions and... read more expectations. A less hard edged 'Heathers'.
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    October 8, 2010
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    A great film... one of Robin Williams' best performances.
  • Chiefilms
    September 24, 2010
    Chiefilms
    Dark, twisted black comedy. Really hard to watch. Broken relationships and bizarre characters, especially Robin Williams' son in the film. Robin Williams does give his best performance that I've seen in a while. The script is original and clever, but a hellified dark animal. ... read more Probably won't watch the film again but Robin Williams was great.
  • dreamfaeries
    August 29, 2010
    dreamfaeries
    Eh! I hated the son with a passion and it threw off the whole rest of the film for me I think. There were a few great characters, like the best friend of the son, he was awesome. Not on my to watch again list but critics seemed to like it so I am unsure what I'm missing.
  • tsigur
    May 1, 2010
    tsigur
    There are some really funny and poignant moments in this film. I was really surprised by Robin Williams, who gives one of his most reserved performances in a long time. I think the entire idea behind the film is pretty interesting, but would have like to have seen it in the hands... read more of a more experienced director. The best and funniest moments come from Daryl Sabara who is hilarious and realistic as the son. There are some head-scratching moments, but, overall it was enjoyable and it's nice to see that Robin Williams can still act.
  • allan913
    February 7, 2010
    allan913
    A smart, twisted, disgusting, foul-mouthed, original and savagely funny film. Robin Williams is terrifically hilarious in one of his best performances in the last few years. It's not a great film nor is it a classic but it does have some surprisingly affectionate moments that mak... read moree it work. A thoughtful, bold and outrageous film that you have to see at least once. Even with its vulgar and disturbing background of the father faking his sons accidental death with a suicide and making a fake journal of what he was, is well making the character less likable but does the honorable thing in the end. It also shows the side of people in tragedy's and how they might of thought of the deceased and shows how they might of thought of that person. A dark comedy with something to say. It brakes all the rules and has fun with it with a satisfying conclusion.

View All World's Greatest Dad Reviews

Critic Reviews

Dennis Harvey
July 6, 2010
Dennis Harvey, Variety

Goldthwait's script turns into a surprisingly restrained, focused sendup of the blind adulation often bestowed on flawed personalities once they croak too soon. Full Review

Tom Long
September 21, 2009
Tom Long, Detroit News

Offering Robin Williams his richest role in memory while serving up a nice cold bowl of shock soup for the audience, World's Greatest Dad is a surprisingly smart and severely twisted dark comedy from ... Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
September 11, 2009
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

Making Kyle godawful may seem edgy, even authentic. But it's pure setup. Full Review

J. R. Jones
September 11, 2009
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

With his delicate mix of sick humor and compassion, Goldthwait is that rare comic writer who can legitimately be compared to Lenny Bruce. Full Review

Amy Biancolli
September 4, 2009
Amy Biancolli, San Francisco Chronicle

There's more going on here than the age-old struggle between maturity and its surly teen antithesis. Full Review

Michael Granberry
September 4, 2009
Michael Granberry, Dallas Morning News

Who could have guessed that a cat named Bobcat could write a screenplay or direct a film as refreshingly sensitive as this one?

Christy Lemire
September 4, 2009
Christy Lemire, Associated Press

The movie essentially relies on the same joke being told over and over. But Goldthwait finds enough clever ways into that joke to make it seem fresh, and he makes you curious to see how far he's willi... Full Review

Ann Hornaday
September 3, 2009
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

As a filmmaker seeking to master the art of satire without cynicism, Bobcat Goldthwait might be one sick puppy -- but he's also the sweetest one we've got.

Steven Rea
September 3, 2009
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

For a comedy about autoerotic asphyxiation, epic deception, and shameless exploitation, World's Greatest Dad is a surprisingly sweet and tender affair. Full Review

Wesley Morris
September 3, 2009
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

At times, the film recalls some amalgam of Heathers' and Election,' but its talons don't draw the same blood. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Cyrus
    Cyrus (100%)
  • Everything Must Go
    Everything Must Go (95%)
  • Dan in Real Life
    Dan in Real Life (96%)
  • Life During Wartime
    Life During Wartime (60%)

More Movies like World's Greatest Dad

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Lance Clayton: You guys didn't like Kyle. That's okay. I didn't either. I loved him. He was my son. But he was also a douchebag.
    • Lance Clayton: I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is ending up with people who make you feel all alone.
Submit a Fact | View All

World's Greatest ... : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for World's Greatest Dad. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All World's Greatest Dad Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add World's Greatest Dad to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View World's Greatest Dad News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?