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Father of the Year (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Father of the Year (2018) movie poster

Father of the Year is a 2018 comedy directed by Tyler Spindel, starring David Spade as Wayne, Kevin Nealon and Jackie Sandler. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $1.4 million worldwide. Critics gave it 32 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10.

IMDb rating
5.2/10
worldwide gross
$1.4M
Echo Score
27
Metascore
32
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Father of the Year (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Tyler Spindel
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Father of the Year About?

The premise of Father of the Year without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A playful rivalry between friends escalates when a boast about whose father is better turns into a heated disagreement. Offended by the challenge, one father retaliates, unleashing a series of increasingly chaotic events that threaten careers, relationships, and the future. Interwoven with this story are two recent college graduates navigating the challenges of adulthood and re-evaluating their own fathers and life choices as they prepare to take on New York City.

Father of the Year Themes & Keywords

· 8 tags
  • male rear nudity
  • skinny dipping
  • male nudity
  • female frontal nudity
  • father son relationship
  • pubic hair
  • reference to pubic hair
  • buddy comedy
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Cast & crew

Father of the Year Cast & Characters

David Spade leads the cast as Wayne, with Kevin Nealon as Peter Francis and Jackie Sandler as Krystal. Directed by Tyler Spindel; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Father of the Year

· 8 more
Ratings

Father of the Year Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Father of the Year 32 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 27/100, strongest in character & emotion (35) and weakest in story & flow (20).

27 /100

Father of the Year Echo Score Breakdown

The film struggles to deliver a cohesive comedic experience, hindered by a thin premise and uneven execution. Critics and audiences alike note the predictable plotting and lack of emotional engagement, while occasional humor fails to offset structural weaknesses. Minimal craft and character development further undermine the viewing experience. As a result, the film leaves a fleeting impression with limited entertainment value and scarce lasting appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 25

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction and visual execution remain unremarkable. Critics did not highlight cinematography or production design, and the editing contributes to a sense of tonal inconsistency. The color palette and shot composition lack distinctiveness, and set pieces feel functional rather than expressive. Overall, the craft offers little to elevate the narrative.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are uneven, with Bridgit Mendler’s portrayal cited as a rare strength. Most characters lack depth and emotional resonance, often serving as vehicles for crude jokes. Chemistry between leads feels superficial, and emotional stakes remain underdeveloped. Ultimately, character work provides limited audience investment.

  • Story & Flow 20

    In terms of story and flow, the plot is predictable and loosely structured, relying on familiar comedic beats without fresh twists. Pacing oscillates between slow setup and rushed resolutions, while narrative cohesion suffers from abrupt tonal shifts. Originality is scarce, and character motivations appear contrived. As a result, the storyline fails to sustain engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 30

    When considering sensory experience, the soundtrack and sound design are notably absent from discussions, suggesting they do little to enhance scenes. Visual style adheres to generic sitcom conventions, and humor relies heavily on raunchy, slapstick elements. The overall audio-visual presentation lacks a cohesive style, making individual moments feel disconnected. Sensory appeal remains subdued.

  • Rewatch Factor 25

    When evaluating the rewatch factor, most viewers describe the film as forgettable, with few scenes warranting a second viewing. Occasional jokes may elicit amusement on repeat, but the lack of narrative depth and distinctive moments limits lasting appeal. While a small audience segment might revisit for light entertainment, overall replay value is minimal.

Plot

Father of the Year Plot Summary

What happens in Father of the Year from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film begins with Guillermo “Billy” Herrera (Andy Garcia) sharing his journey of escaping Cuba in search of a better life in America. Along the way, he encountered Ingrid (Gloria Estefan), and their whirlwind romance led to a beautiful marriage blessed with two daughters: Sofia (Adria Arjona) and Cora (Isabela Merced). Now, as the owner of a thriving architectural firm in Miami, Billy works diligently to ensure his family never faces the hardships he endured. However, despite his efforts, he finds himself grappling with a new, pressing dilemma.

Full summary

The whole story of Father of the Year, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Father of the Year Box Office

Father of the Year grossed $1.4 million worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.4M

International
$1.4M
Videos

Father of the Year Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Father of the Year.

Father of the Year | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Father of the Year?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What motivated Billy Herrera to leave Cuba?

Cars

Cars in Father of the Year

10 cars on screen, including the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2010 Ford Fusion.

All 10 cars
  • 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee in Father of the Year 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Main role
  • 2010 Ford Fusion in Father of the Year 2010 Ford Fusion Important role
  • 1981 Kawasaki KZ 1000 K1 LTD in Father of the Year 1981 Kawasaki KZ 1000 K1 LTD Important role
  • 2000 Dodge Dakota in Father of the Year 2000 Dodge Dakota Minor role
Details

Father of the Year Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Graduates” and “Who Do You Think Would Win?”.

Also known as
  • Graduates
  • Who Do You Think Would Win?
  • Papás con Honores
  • Баща на годината
  • אב השנה
  • El padre del año
  • Ο Πατέρας της Χρονιάς
  • Pai do Ano
  • O Pai Do Ano
  • Il padre dell'anno
  • Ojciec roku
  • Vater des Jahres
+11 more
  • Отец года
  • Vuoden isä
  • Yılın Babası
  • 못 말리는 부자들
  • Metų tėtis
  • Батько року
  • 最強老爹
  • 拼爹游戏
  • 死黨老竇係冤家
  • พ่อใครเจ๋งกว่า
  • Ông Bố Của Năm

Seen Father of the Year?

FAQ

Father of the Year FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Father of the Year, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Father of the Year?

Father of the Year runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was Father of the Year released?

Father of the Year was released on July 20, 2018.

Who directed Father of the Year?

Father of the Year was directed by Tyler Spindel.

More films by Tyler Spindel

Who is in the cast of Father of the Year?

Father of the Year stars David Spade as Wayne, Kevin Nealon as Peter Francis and Jackie Sandler as Krystal, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Father of the Year make at the box office?

Father of the Year grossed $1.4 million worldwide.

How is Father of the Year rated?

Father of the Year has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 32 on Metacritic, 54% on TMDB and 2.2/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Father of the Year have a post-credit scene?

No. Father of the Year has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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