World's Greatest Dad

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World's Greatest Dad

R

Released Aug 21, 2009

1h 39m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

117 Reviews

67%

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50,000+ Ratings

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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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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

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

Goldthwait has given it a title that will make some shy away. But don't. It's a comedy about the particularly American capacity to create legends out of the dead, and it's sharper than most.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 29, 2010

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Robbie Collin

News of the World

Beware that poster, with its jolly red writing and Mork from Ork's face thereon. This is not the Robin Williams of Old Dogs and License To Wed.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 29, 2010

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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

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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

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Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 39 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $221,200.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

Full Review

Cory C

Such a unique topic for a dark comedy, with some jokes that I was surprised were allowed in the movie. Nevertheless this movie is a good watch for Robin Williams alone.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/26/25

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mre 1

I Like this movie, it's funny. R.I.P Robin Williams

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

Full Review

Karen F

I knew that this wasn't going to be a typical Robin Williams comedy, and I've seen a few of his darker movies (One-Hour Photo, for instance). However, I found this movie to be gross, vulgar and mean-spirited. While that is kind of the point, it wasn't done well. Also, there was not a single likeable character in the entire movie. Even Arthur, probably the nicest character, is a pathetic, spineless follower. Technically, the writing, directing and cinematography had really nothing going for it. I will not recommend it.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

04/26/25

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Jordan Y

I've always liked this movie. It's funny and one of Robin's best emotional roles where he isn't acting like a clown.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/25

Full Review

Drew B

A heart wrenching movie. It navigates some tough topics. It drags a little. But tis definitely worth seeing once.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/07/25

Full Review

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Bobcat Goldthwait

Director

Robin Williams

Lance Clayton

Alexie Gilmore

Claire

Daryl Sabara

Kyle

Tom Kenny

Jerry Klein

Lorraine Nicholson

Heather

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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: Tim Perell, Howard Gertler, Sean McKittrick, Richard Kelly
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

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