Father of the Year

Father of the Year

Year: 2018

Runtime: 94 min

Language: English

Director: Tyler Spindel

Echo Score: 27
Comedy

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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Father of the Year yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Father of the Year (2018)

Trace every key event in Father of the Year (2018) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Billy's Escape from Cuba

The film opens with Guillermo 'Billy' Herrera recounting his journey from Cuba to America. Seeking a better life, he fled his home country, driven by hopes for a brighter future.

Cuba
2

Meeting Ingrid

In America, Billy meets Ingrid, and they quickly fall in love. Their passionate romance leads to marriage, symbolizing a fresh start and new beginnings.

America
3

Establishing a Successful Life

Years later, Billy has built a successful architectural firm in Miami. His success stems from a relentless desire to ensure that his family does not experience the struggles he faced in his youth.

Miami
4

Couples Therapy

As tensions rise in their marriage, Billy and Ingrid enter couples therapy with Dr. Saeger. While Billy hopes to reconcile, Ingrid is at her breaking point and contemplates a divorce.

Miami
5

Sofia's Return

The family eagerly awaits Sofia’s return from Mexico. They prepare for her arrival, and tensions simmer as Billy and Ingrid prepare to share their marital issues with the family.

Miami
6

Sofia's Engagement Announcement

At a family dinner, Sofia surprises everyone by announcing her engagement to Adan, her coworker. While Ingrid supports her decision, Billy is quick to express his disapproval, setting off family tensions.

Miami
7

Resistance to Adan

When Adan meets Sofia’s parents, Ingrid takes to him, but Billy remains resistant. Despite his doubts, he begrudgingly gives his blessing after a tense conversation with Ingrid.

Familia home
8

Wedding Planning Chaos

Sofia introduces her family to her wedding planner, Natalie, whose modern ideas clash with Billy's traditional views. This clash heightens tensions as Billy insists on throwing an extravagant wedding despite Sofia's wishes.

Miami
9

Adan's Family Meets the Herreras

Adan’s family arrives to meet Sofia's family, and tensions flare as Hernan proposes lavish wedding plans. Billy feels threatened by the idea of losing control over his daughter's wedding.

Miami
10

The Engagement Party Disaster

During the engagement party, a brewing storm complicates festivities. When Cora overhears Billy's conversation about his divorce, she inadvertently reveals the truth, causing turmoil among the family.

Familia home
11

Preparing for the Wedding

The family scrambles to prepare for the wedding as the storm escalates. Despite challenges, they rally together, emphasizing the importance of family support during difficult times.

Miami
12

The Wedding Day

As the storm wreaks havoc, Sofia wears Cora's dress, and both parents accompany her down the aisle. The intimate wedding serves as a unifying moment for the family amidst the chaos.

Familia home
13

Billy's Proposal to Ingrid

Later on, Billy suggests taking Ingrid to Greece for a last hurrah before their divorce. This proposal rekindles sparks of their past romance, leaving the door open for reconciliation.

Miami
14

Cora's New Journey

Following the wedding, Billy offers to help Cora launch her own dress business. This moment signifies a new chapter in Cora's life as she begins to pursue her dreams.

Miami
15

Family Dance

At the wedding's conclusion, Sofia plays the song from her parents' wedding, fostering a moment of connection. The family dances together, symbolizing unity and hope for the future.

Familia home

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Bittersweet Family Dramedies like Father of the Year

Stories where family celebrations are complicated by deep-seated conflicts.If you liked the blend of wedding chaos and family conflict in Father of the Year, you'll enjoy these movies. This collection features similar comedies and dramas where major life events force families to confront their issues, resulting in a heartfelt, bittersweet viewing experience.

familialheartfeltchaoticclashinghopefulnostalgictense

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern often centers on a celebratory event, like a wedding or reunion, which acts as a pressure cooker for long-standing family issues. Characters are forced to re-evaluate their relationships and life choices, leading to chaotic confrontations and, ultimately, a resolution that acknowledges both loss and growth.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on familial love clashing with generational or personal conflict, all wrapped in a tone that is equally humorous and heartfelt. They feature a steady pace of escalating tension balanced by moments of connection.

Movies about Adulting Amidst Family Chaos like Father of the Year

Young adults find their path while their parents' world falls apart.For viewers who enjoyed the storyline in Father of the Year about recent grads navigating careers and relationships during their parents' divorce. These movies explore similar themes of young adulthood, where personal growth is intertwined with solving family problems.

hopefulclashingnostalgictensereflectivecoming-of-agefamilial

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows dual arcs: the younger generation's struggle to establish independence and identity, and the older generation's unraveling stability. These journeys collide, forcing the young protagonists to mature quickly, often by mediating parental conflicts or re-evaluating their own life choices in the context of their family's history.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific character arc where youthful idealism meets complicated family reality. The pacing is steady, driven by both internal character growth and external familial chaos, creating a moderately complex and emotionally engaging experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Father of the Year

Don't stop at just watching — explore Father of the Year in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Father of the Year is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Father of the Year Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Father of the Year, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Father of the Year Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Father of the Year

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Father of the Year. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Father of the Year

Father of the Year Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Father of the Year that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Father of the Year Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Father of the Year

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Father of the Year: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Father of the Year

Similar Movies to Father of the Year

Discover movies like Father of the Year that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.