World's Greatest Dad

R

Released Aug 21, 2009

1h 39m

Comedy

Drama

List

88%

118 Reviews

Tomatometer

67%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

When the son of high school English teacher Lance Clayton (Robin Williams) accidentally kills himself, Clayton writes a fake suicide note to evade scandal. At first uninterested in the death, the school is taken by the letter after it is published in the school paper. Hoping to claim the literary renown he has always wanted, Lance writes a diary, too. Fame and intrigue follow and Lance receives the attention he always wished for, but finds keeping his cool might be easier written than done.

Read More

Read Less

Peacock

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Hulu

Watch World's Greatest Dad with a subscription on Hulu, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

World's Greatest Dad is a risky, deadpan, dark comedy that effectively explores the nature of posthumous cults of celebrity.

Read Critics Reviews

Alec C

Parenthood is not an easy task, especially if you're son is such a jerk! A struggling writer discovers that his son has accidentally killed himself and tries to hide the truth by falsifying a suicide note, which results in a media storm that sweeps him away. Dark and cynical, this film proves that just because people claim to be supportive do not mean sincerely!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/08/24

Full Review

Chris J

Get in touch with your inner self and find the time to watch this film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/13/23

Full Review

G.E. A

It's the only Robin Williams movie I've ever seen that didn't make me laugh once, except near the end when it showed his penis and testicles, which was just an awkward unexpected kind of laugh. The writing and directing was straight out of a Hallmark movie and I was surprised they were done by Bobcat Goldthwait. On the upside, it gives me hope as an aspiring screenwriter because if this schlock can be produced…

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/28/23

Full Review

Aaron S

Just a blisteringly dark comedy that really successfully navigates incredibly murky territory. Its exploration of morality, symbols, and desire are both hilarious and thought provoking. It's pretty amazing how this movie uses the most uncomfortable circumstances and at times deplorable characters to run the gambit of human emotion - melancholy, anger, bliss, and freedom. Robin Williams is great here and don't imagine I'll be forgetting World's Greatest Dad any time soon. How could I? There's really nothing like it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/25/23

Full Review

Rick R

I did not enjoy this movie. I was amazed at Robin Williams outstanding dramatic acting. Robin Williams is great at comedy, he might be even better in drama.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/12/23

Full Review

Alyssa V

It was dark twisted and still somehow wildly predictable. You gather what the tragedy will be, you gather the direction that will be taken for the conflict build, and you gather the resolution. All from the first few scenes of the movie. They then proceed to torture you with morbidly tense and cringy moments while you wait for exactly what you thought was going to happen.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/09/22

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Bobcat Goldthwait

Director

Robin Williams

Lance Clayton

Alexie Gilmore

Claire

Daryl Sabara

Kyle

Tom Kenny

Jerry Klein

Lorraine Nicholson

Heather

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

66%

61%

Bad Words

45%

34%

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

78%

50%

Solitary Man

74%

63%

Sunshine Cleaning

90%

79%

Up in the Air

TRAILER

for Up in the Air

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Robin Williams’ 10 Best Movies

Five Favorite Films with Bobcat Goldthwait

Critics Consensus: Inglourious Basterds is Certified Fresh!

View more photos

Anna Smith

metro.co.uk

The film's direction isn't always confident - there are baggy sections, and it's rarely deeply moving - but it is consistently funny.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 24, 2018

Full Review

Hank Sartin

Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Rated: 3/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

World’s Greatest Dad is more tender and heartfelt because of Williams’ performance. And when it’s all over, no matter how obscure the plot or demented the scenario, Goldthwait has constructed a welcomed little indie comedy of the unlikeliest kind.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 4, 2023

Full Review

James McMahon

NME (New Musical Express)

I enjoyed this film a lot. I'd go as far as to say that this is best film I have ever seen about someone who masturbates themselves to death.

Rated: 4/5

May 20, 2021

Full Review

David Harris

Spectrum Culture

Not as out-and-out funny as it should be nor as emotionally poignant as it could be...

Rated: 3/5

Oct 11, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

When the son of high school English teacher Lance Clayton (Robin Williams) accidentally kills himself, Clayton writes a fake suicide note to evade scandal. At first uninterested in the death, the school is taken by the letter after it is published in the school paper. Hoping to claim the literary renown he has always wanted, Lance writes a diary, too. Fame and intrigue follow and Lance receives the attention he always wished for, but finds keeping his cool might be easier written than done.

Director: Bobcat Goldthwait
Producer: Jennifer Roth, Edward H. Hamm Jr.
Screenwriter: Bobcat Goldthwait
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Magnolia Pictures, Darko Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Images|Crude and Sexual Content|Some Drug Use)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 21, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 9, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $221.2K
Runtime: 1h 39m

Most Popular at Home Now