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'Mrs. Doubtfire' (1993) -

The late Robin Williams brilliantly plays a voice actor who is going through a divorce. He decides to dress up as a nanny so he can spend more time with his children and ex-wife. By being there for them as a friend, this father becomes a better parent.

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'Matilda' (1996) -

This film is definitely a guide on how not to parent. The story is about a girl with two nasty parents who will not let her use her great intellect. She then develops magic powers and wreaks revenge.

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'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (1986) -

If this will teach you anything, it should be to suspect your children! Is their hand really clammy? Or just damp from water? Ferris Bueller pulls the wool over his parents' eyes and has a crazy day off school.

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'Knocked Up' (2007) -

A stoner and a news presenter have a one-night stand. She realizes she is pregnant and they have to go through the throes of pregnancy and parenthood together.

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'Home Alone' (1990) -

Do not leave your children at home alone for too long! The Christmas epic teaches parents to appreciate their children and, hopefully, to put better security systems in their homes...

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'Kramer vs. Kramer' (1979) -

Starring Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman, the plot follows a father dealing with being a full-time dad after the mother leaves. It basically shows a bad father how to become a good one.

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The 'Meet the Parents' films -

The three-part film series shows the battle between the in-laws of a couple. It's a light-hearted comedy that will help you see how not to treat your children's future partners.

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'Risky Business' (1983) -

Tom Cruise plays Joel Goodsen, a teen who goes wild when his parents go away. He turns his whole house into a brothel! The message is clear: don't leave your kids home alone for too long.

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'Life as We Know It' (2010) -

When a couple passes away and leaves their baby in the care of their respective best friends, the new team has to overcome their hatred for each other and figure out parenthood.

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'Mary Poppins' (1964) -

Mary Poppins is the dream nanny who knows exactly how to successfully manage children. She uses games, music, and fun to teach the children she looks after. Certainly you could learn a thing or two from her!

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'Big Daddy' (1999) -

In this hilarious comedy, Adam Sandler plays a law school student who wants to impress his girlfriend. To do so, he essentially adopts a child! It is a very cute story of an unlikely connection.

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'Inside Out' (2015) -

If there was ever insight into a child's mind, this is it. The very clever animation shows how children may regard the outside world. It teaches parents and children alike about emotions and mental health.

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'Father of the Bride' (1991) -

The likeable Steve Martin plays a father who has to deal with his eldest daughter's wedding. He doesn't quite know how to let go. A great watch for parents with children who are about to fly the coop.

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'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' (2001) -

From this film, parents can learn that friendships among your children's friends are incredibly important. Don't treat your children like Harry's aunt and uncle do, and you'll be a fine parent!

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'Spirited Away' (2001) -

This Studio Ghibli animation is a fantastical story about a young girl who gets lost in a magical world and cannot find a way out. It shows how children need the space to sort things out themselves and grow.

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'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' (1971) -

Even though Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) has no money, he has familial love. The film is a great reminder of the importance of family and the relative unimportance of the sweeter things in life (pun intended...).

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'Cheaper by the Dozen' (2003) -

These parents really have their work cut out for them! The film is about a mother and father dealing with raising 12 children! It's a very funny watch with that wonderful Steve Martin charm.

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'Finding Nemo' (2003) -

This is one for the dads. Nemo, the son, goes missing off the Great Barrier Reef. His father has to go on a journey, emotionally and physically, to get him back.

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'The Incredibles' (2004) -

No matter how super a family may be, a lot of the troubles are the same. With a newborn baby, an energetic boy, and a shy daughter, the Incredibles have their share of normal and abnormal family issues.

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'The Parent Trap' (1998) -

Lindsay Lohan plays an adorable set of twins who have been separated at birth when their parents split up. The cheeky twins teach the parents to deal with change and reconciliation.

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'The Pacifier' (2005) -

Vin Diesel plays Shayne Wolfe, a Navy SEAL, who has to protect a family when their father dies. A man who is fully unequipped for fatherhood endeavors to raise three children.

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'The Sound of Music' (1965) -

Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer (1929-2021) star in this soul-moving musical. In Austria, seven children and their father deal with the loss of their mother but have a new nanny to guide them through.

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'Nanny McPhee' (2005) -

This wonderfully colorful film is about a father (Colin Firth) trying to look after his mischievous seven kids. A nanny, played by Emma Thompson, comes along who uses special magic and love to teach the children to behave.

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'Little Miss Sunshine' (2006) -

A family stuffs themselves in a van to get to a beauty pageant so the youngest daughter can participate. In a cramped space, they have to face their familial problems with no escape.

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'Crazy, Stupid, Love' (2011) -

Jacob (Ryan Gosling) and Cal (Steve Carell) have a very different way with women. Cal wants to get his wife back, but lothario Jacob takes him out on the town. A great film to learn how to solve relationship issues.

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'Toy Story' (1995) -

This iconic animation follows a group of toys who come alive as soon as they are out of the sight of children. Of course, Woody becomes jealous of the new space toy, Buzz. The film is packed full of moral lessons for children and adults.

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'The Nanny Diaries' (2007) -

Scarlett Johansson has to nanny a very spoiled little boy. She learns to deal with him, and even comes to love him as her own. The film has some good tips for teaching your children good habits.

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'Kill Bill: Volume 1' (2003) -

A key lesson here is that if you mistreat your children, they will come back to avenge themselves. Never betray your children, or they might take the same course as The Bride (Uma Thurman)...

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'A Charlie Brown Christmas' (1965) -

This short film is a good watch for parents and their children around the winter holidays. Charlie Brown sees that Christmas has become too commercial, and so he tries to make it more special.

Sources: (TheThings)(Ranker)

See also: Parenting lessons from the longest ever study on human development

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