If you grew up in the 90s, you know the drill: Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) is a talented but "fun-employed" voice actor who is essentially a fourth child to his wife, Miranda. After a chaotic birthday party involving a petting zoo in the living room, Miranda finally hits her breaking point and files for divorce.

When the judge limits Daniel’s custody, he doesn't go to therapy or get a steady job—he calls his brother (a makeup artist) and transforms himself into Euphegenia Doubtfire, a stern but lovable British nanny, so he can "infiltrate" the household and spend time with his kids.

It’s a classic "man in a dress" comedy of errors, but beneath the "run-by fruiting" and the "hot flashes," it’s actually a pretty heavy look at family dissolution.

We’re currently living in an era of "gentle parenting" and high-level digital boundaries. Re-watching Mrs. Doubtfire as an adult feels like a fever dream. You realize that Daniel’s behavior—while motivated by love—is actually pretty toxic. He stalks his ex-wife, sabotages her new relationship with "Stu" (played by a very tan Pierce Brosnan), and lies to his children for months.

However, that’s exactly why it’s a great watch for intentional parents. It’s not a "safe" movie where everyone does the right thing. It’s a movie about messy people making desperate choices. In a world where kids are used to the polished, low-stakes vibes of Bluey, seeing a dad who is genuinely failing but trying is a solid conversation starter.

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Let’s be real: If this movie were released today, Daniel Hillard would be the subject of a 12-part true crime podcast about domestic interference.

The movie asks us to root for a guy who creates a fake persona to bypass a legal custody arrangement. As a kid, you’re 100% on Daniel’s side because he’s funny and Miranda seems "mean" (read: she wants the dishes done and the kids to have a future). As an adult, you realize Miranda is a saint for not calling the police the second the prosthetic mask came off.

Also, we have to talk about the "man in a dress" trope. In 1993, this was peak comedy. In 2026, your kids—who likely have a much more nuanced understanding of gender identity than we did—might find the "joke" of a man dressing as a woman a bit dated or confusing. It’s worth clarifying that Daniel isn't trans; he’s a guy using a costume as a deceptive tool.

Despite that, the movie is genuinely funny. Robin Williams’ improvisational genius is unmatched. It’s lightyears better than the "brain rot" content often found on YouTube or the low-effort sequels being pumped out today.

The humor is fast-paced, but the emotional weight of the divorce and the shouting matches between the parents can be genuinely upsetting for younger kids. They might also find the "face peeling off" scene a bit nightmare-inducing. If you want Robin Williams for this age group, stick to Aladdin.

This is the ideal age. They are old enough to understand that what Daniel is doing is "wrong" but funny. They’ll catch the slapstick, but you can also start pointing out the family dynamics. Check out our guide on how to talk to 10-year-olds about divorce

Teens will likely call out the "stalker vibes" immediately. Use that! Let them deconstruct the movie. Ask them if they think Stu (the "villain" boyfriend) actually did anything wrong. (Spoiler: He didn't. He was just a handsome guy who liked Miranda and was nice to the kids.)

Watching Mrs. Doubtfire is a great opportunity to move past the "did you like it?" question. Try these:

Get a custom list of discussion questions for your next family movie night

If your kids loved the vibe of Mrs. Doubtfire, here are some other picks that navigate similar territory:

Another "kids of divorce" classic where the children use deception to manipulate their parents. It’s a great companion piece to discuss whether kids should try to "fix" their parents' relationships.

If you want more Robin Williams playing a dad who needs to get his act together. It’s more fantastical but hits those same "absent father" beats.

If you want to explore the "dishonest dad" trope from a different angle (and with Jim Carrey’s high-energy physical comedy).

For a more modern take on a "weird" dad trying to connect with his kids in a digital world. This is a Screenwise favorite for its WISE score.

Mrs. Doubtfire is a 10/10 for nostalgia and a 6/10 for healthy relationship modeling. But as intentional parents, we don't need every movie to be a lesson in perfect behavior. Sometimes, watching a talented guy set his fake breasts on fire while trying to cook dinner is exactly the kind of "non-brain-rot" entertainment we need to remind us that parenting has always been a little bit unhinged.

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Ask Screenwise for more movies that handle "complicated dads" well