World's Greatest Dad

Watch World's Greatest Dad

"Lance Clayton is about to get everything he deserves."
  • R
  • 2009
  • 1 hr 39 min
  • 6.9  (40,548)
  • 69

World's Greatest Dad is a dark comedy film released in 2009, directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, and starring Robin Williams, Daryl Sabara, and Morgan Murphy. It tells the story of Lance Clayton (Williams), a high school poetry teacher who has never achieved his dreams of becoming a successful writer. Lance's life is turned upside down when his only son, Kyle (Sabara), accidentally dies while choking himself while he was engaging in auto-erotic asphyxiation.

Desperate to protect his son's legacy and reputation, as well as ashamed of having a son who died from such an embarrassing sexual act, Lance decides to stage his son's death as a suicide and writes a fake suicide note, which he intends to publish as a poem, under Kyle's name. The poem becomes a sensation, and Lance becomes a well-respected author and the talk of the town, all while secretly grieving his son's death and the guilt of having lied to everyone.

As the story continues, Lance finds himself grappling with the question of what it means to be a good parent and a good person. He becomes increasingly popular and successful as a writer, but at the same time, he is struggling with his own sense of morality and guilt. He also finds himself growing closer to his son's former girlfriend, Claire (Murphy), which adds an extra layer of complexity to the situation.

The film explores themes of grief, parental love, shame, and morality in a darkly humorous and thought-provoking way. It is not only a critique of the obsession with fame and the lengths people will go to achieve it, but also a tender and emotive portrayal of a father's love for his son, and the lengths he will go to preserve his memory.

Robin Williams delivers a brilliant performance in one of his signature roles, showcasing his range as an actor, moving gracefully between comedy and drama. Daryl Sabara, who is best known for his role in the Spy Kids films, does an excellent job portraying the troubled Kyle, with a raw and emotional performance that is both heartbreaking and disturbing. Morgan Murphy brings the perfect touch of dry humor as Claire, balancing out some of the heavier themes of the film.

World's Greatest Dad received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its dark humor and complex characters, while others found it to be too bleak and tonally uneven. However, it has since gained a cult following among fans of dark comedy and character-driven dramas.

Overall, World's Greatest Dad is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged film that explores the complexities of grief, morality, and parental love. It is a masterclass in balancing comedy and drama, and one of Robin Williams' best performances.

World's Greatest Dad is a 2009 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 69.

World's Greatest Dad
Description
Where to Watch World's Greatest Dad
World's Greatest Dad is available to watch free on Peacock, Plex, Pluto TV, Tubi TV and Vudu Free. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent World's Greatest Dad for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2009
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 39 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.9  (40,548)
  • Metascore
    69