🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Lauren Miller Rogen
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 38min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (24K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 27%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Workaholic bride gets dumped, so she forces her dad, who’s basically Frasier Crane with unresolved issues, onto her honeymoon cruise to awkwardly work out their daddy issues while Royal Caribbean makes a killing.
🍿 Like Father: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Wedding Day Disaster
Rachel, a driven advertising executive, is about to marry Owen. However, her dedication to work causes tension, and Owen calls off the wedding at the altar. This leaves Rachel heartbroken and alone on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. The scene highlights Rachel’s workaholic nature and the sacrifice of her personal life for her career.

Reconnecting with Harry
Harry, Rachel’s estranged father, appears at the wedding after a long absence. He attempts to reconnect with Rachel, leading to a night of drinking and shared emotions. The strained relationship between Rachel and Harry is evident, rooted in his past abandonment of her and her mother. This sets the stage for their unexpected journey together.

The Honeymoon Cruise
Rachel and Harry wake up to find themselves on Rachel’s honeymoon cruise to the Caribbean. This sets the scene for their forced bonding experience. Onboard, they encounter various couples and individuals, each with their own stories and relationship dynamics. This diverse group provides a backdrop for Rachel and Harry to confront their issues.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Rachel (Kristen Bell): A workaholic advertising executive who finds herself on her honeymoon cruise with her estranged father after being left at the altar.
- Harry (Kelsey Grammer): Rachel’s estranged and overachieving father, who joins her on the honeymoon cruise to reconnect after years of distance.
- Owen (Jon Foster): Rachel’s fiancé who leaves her at the altar due to her workaholic nature.
- Frank Lerue (Brett Gelman): Character with a very minor role within the movie.
- Jeff (Seth Rogen): A divorced Canadian schoolteacher who Rachel and Harry meet on the cruise.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Rachel: “I don’t do relationships, I do projects.” – Rachel states her approach to life, highlighting her dedication to work over personal connections.
- Harry: “I wasn’t a good husband, but I’m trying to be a better father.” – Harry expresses his regret and desire to improve his relationship with his daughter.
- Harry: “Sometimes the best things in life are unplanned.” – Harry shares a sentiment about embracing spontaneity and unexpected opportunities.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Like Father Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I watched this on a whim and honestly, it was fine. Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammer had some good moments together, especially during the karaoke scene – cringey, but also kind of sweet? I wouldn’t say it’s a must-watch, but if you’re looking for something light and fluffy to put on in the background, this fits the bill. Don’t expect anything groundbreaking, just some easy-to-digest family drama on a cruise ship.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammer”
- “Viewers who enjoy heartwarming family dramas”
- “People looking for light-hearted, feel-good movies”
- “Anyone interested in themes of reconciliation and second chances”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language”
- “Suggestive themes”
- “Alcohol consumption”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWire: “While the premise offers potential, ‘Like Father’ leans heavily on predictable tropes and overly sentimental moments. Grammer and Bell have a decent dynamic, but the script fails to provide them with substantial material, resulting in a film that feels more like a made-for-TV movie than a memorable theatrical release.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “The movie is watchable because of the cast. Bell & Grammer show an easy chemistry and play well against each other. The cruise ship does look amazing, though, be ready to be marketed to.
Audience Reactions
The karaoke scene, while cringe-worthy, was ultimately endearing and showcased the evolving dynamic between Rachel and Harry.: Viewers appreciated the chemistry between Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammer, finding their on-screen dynamic believable and engaging.
A lot of people felt that it was just a Royal Caribbean commercial with little plot.: Royal Caribbean’s great marketing!
Overall Consensus: While ‘Like Father’ benefits from the chemistry between Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammer, it suffers from a predictable plot and overt product placement, resulting in a generally lukewarm reception.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The cruise ship portion of the film was delayed by Hurricane Irma. The cast and crew were evacuated to Disney World.”
- “The film heavily features the Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas cruise ship, making it a prominent element of the setting.”
🖥️ How to Watch Like Father?
Currently, ‘Like Father’ is available for streaming on Netflix. It may also be available for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Prime Video, depending on your region. Check these services for the most up-to-date availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Like Father, you might like these similar films:
- Lost in Translation (2003): Explores themes of connection and finding meaning in unexpected places, similar to the bond formed between the father and daughter.
- The Royal Tenenbaums (2001): Deals with a dysfunctional family working through their issues. Offers a similar blend of comedy and drama.
- 50 First Dates (2004): Stars Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler; shares a comedic style and theme of finding love and connection in unique circumstances.
🛒 Like Father Related Products
- Royal Caribbean: Official Cruise Line Merchandise: Get authentic Royal Caribbean cruise line t-shirts, hats, and accessories to remember your own cruise or dream of your next adventure.
- The Frasier Complete Series DVD Set: Relive Kelsey Grammer’s iconic role as Frasier Crane. This collector’s set includes all eleven seasons of the beloved sitcom. Grammer is the reason some may watch this film, buy this series!
- Kristen Bell Film Collection (Digital Download): Enjoy other films staring the actress Kristen Bell. This collection offers a range of genres to explore her talent.
- Luxury Spa Gift Basket: Recreate the cruise ship spa experience at home with a premium spa gift basket filled with luxurious bath products and aromatherapy essentials.
🎧 Soundtrack
Like Father features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The movie was filmed in various locations, including Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Jamaica, for the cruise scenes.
No, ‘Like Father’ is a fictional story, though it explores relatable themes of family dynamics and reconciliation.
Lauren Miller Rogen wrote and directed ‘Like Father’.
🔥 Bonus Content
Luther Vandross – Dance With My Father (Official Video)
If you’re a sucker for heartwarming stories about dads, you HAVE to watch this Luther Vandross video! It’s guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings and maybe even make you call your own father.
Every dad…
Ever wonder if you’re the ONLY one with a dad who does THAT? This Anwar Jibawi skit is hilariously relatable to every dad! Definitely something that will give you a good laugh.
Like father like daughter 🔥
Want to see just how much daughters take after their dads? This video is a super-fun and eye-opening look at father-daughter similarities! It is amazing how similiar we become.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.