Prime Video’s Reacher recently returned for its second season, and critics are once again in awe of the action-thriller series. The series — which follows former military police officer, Jack Reacher, as he investigates and punches various conspirators — has been described as the typical “dad show.” The term is used to describe television productions that feature male characters who fancy confrontations, make money, take care of loved ones, and deal with issues in a mature dad-like manner. Such shows are also straightforward enough to appeal to fathers who neither have the time nor the patience to analyze complex themes. Instead, they dwell on honor, resilience, duty, and sacrifice.
For fathers looking for shows that they can enjoy on that rare occasion when they are home alone, or when everyone has gone to bed, there is no shortage of options. These small-screen projects have amazing protagonists who never hesitate to get business done and rarely bend their principles. Additionally, they are full of smile-triggering elements, whether it is cheesy lines of dialogue that border on dad humor, or breathtaking action sequences.
10 Ray Donovan (2013-2020)
In Ray Donovan, the titular antihero is a professional “fixer,” who cleans up after the mess of his celebrity clients. He does this by arranging payoffs, bribes, intimidation, and disappearances. Ray also loves his children and siblings very much, but his relationship with his wife centers around arguments and threats of separation.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Dads’ lives are defined by bills and challenges, so there is rarely anything to smile about. Well, Ray never smiles either. As soon as he solves one problem, he starts thinking of how he will solve the next. Most importantly, he is rarely amused by the actions of those around him. Whether it’s his wife or his daughter, he is quick to call out people for their irresponsibility, something many dads watching would approve of.
Stream on Paramount+ With Showtime
9 The Terminal List (2022)
A former Navy SEAL officer investigates why his entire platoon was ambushed during a high-stakes covert mission. Starring Chris Pratt
In The Terminal List, Lieutenant Commander James Reece (played by Chris Pratt), assumes it’s just another bad day on the job when his entire team gets ambushed and killed during his final day of duty. However, he starts suspecting that something is off when more people are killed. He, therefore, begins investigations and learns that there is a conspiracy stretching to the highest levels of the government.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
To most dads, there is always something the government is doing wrong, and in The Terminal List, there are a lot of things the government is doing wrong. Not only is it not taking care of its veterans, but it’s also playing chess with their lives. Dads are, therefore, likely to be very pleased as they watch Reece beat up every fictional character who is responsible for the decay of America’s military complex.
Stream on Prime Video
8 Yellowstone (2018-Present)
Neo-Western TV shows are becoming popular, and much credit goes to Yellowstone for creating this appetite. The series follows Dutton family patriarch, John Dutton III (Kevin Costner), as he manages the largest ranch in Montana and handles conflicts with land developers as well as managers of the bordering Yellowstone National Park, and the Broken Rock Indian Reservation.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Fathers love their property, and for John, the Yellowstone Ranch means everything to him. It’s the pride of his family, having been passed down from generation to generation, and for that reason, he will do everything to protect it. John is also a symbol of ambition. In the same manner that dads yearn for more to make their families comfortable, John remains ambitious, and he is eventually elected Montana governor, granting him power over the state’s entire land.
Stream on Peacock
7 Bosch (2014-2021)
Adapted from Michael Connelly novels, The Concrete Blonde, City of Bones, and Echo Park, Bosch follows LAPD detective Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) as he solves different cases. Instead of taking a villain-of-the-week format the way many popular American police procedurals do, the series extensively covers two or three cases per season as well as the lawman’s personal life.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Many fathers adore their daughters, and Bosch has a heartwarming father-daughter arc. Throughout the series, Bosch makes plenty of sacrifices for his daughter, ensuring she gets the best life she can ever have. He also makes a point to instill life lessons in her, even though she isn’t always receptive to his tutelage efforts. Besides that, Bosch is a principled man who stands for order and justice. To him, criminals have to pay for their actions, by whatever means necessary.
Stream on Prime Video
6 Echo 3 (2022-Present)
Echo 3 sees the scientist Amber Chesborough (Jessica Ann Collins) heading to Colombia to research drugs that will prevent addiction. Unfortunately, she is abducted and accused of being an American agent, forcing her husband, Prince (Michiel Huisman), and her brother, Bambi (Luke Evans), who are both highly-trained special forces soldiers, to go to the South American country to save her.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Life can be stressful, and dads never hesitate to embrace escapism. Well, Echo 3 has plenty of gunfights, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best military-themed shows ever made. Apart from that, the series heavily dwells on the theme of duty. Even though Bambi and Prince rarely get along, they agree to put their differences aside and get Amber out of trouble. Most dads are likely to feel appreciative as they watch the two put their lives and careers in danger to rescue a family member.
Stream on Apple TV+
5 Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (2018-2023)
Based on various Tom Clancy espionage novels, Jack Ryan centers around the titular CIA agent (John Krasinski) as he deals with various threats around the globe with the help of his boss (James Greer). Throughout the series, Jack experiences tremendous career progress, growing from a financial analyst in the agency to a deputy director.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Jack Ryan is a cocktail of action and politics, two things that many fathers enjoy every much. Whether it’s confronting a corrupt president in Venezuela or trying to stop a Kremlin conspiracy to overthrow the president, Jack gets to have a lot of fun. Fathers are also likely to appreciate the dialogue, some of which is inspired by classic films. For example, when Greer says, “If you pull your weapon to shoot, you shoot,” it quickly reminds everyone of the memorable quotes from the Dollars trilogy, where the bandit, Tuco, kills a man that had cornered him before stating, “When you have to shoot, then shoot, don’t talk.”
Stream on Prime Video
4 Blue Bloods (2010-Present)
Blue Bloods revolves around the lives of New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) and his family members, most of whom are involved in law enforcement in a different capacity. One is a detective, another is a prosecutor, and the other is a beat cop. The series also touches on the lives of various other officers and the realistic crimes that they solve on a day-to-day basis.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Every good dad dreams of shaping his children into responsible and respectable citizens, and Frank does just that in Blue Bloods. The fact that his family members have all chosen to follow his career path without him asking them to do so, proves they worship him, and that’s something that would please many parents. Frank also handles his job with grace and poise. He doesn’t tolerate misbehavior within the police force and is keen on ensuring every victim gets justice.
Stream on Paramount+
3 The Continental (2023)
A spinoff of the John Wick film series, The Continental examines the origin of the iconic Continental Hotel, which is the favorite stopover spot for many of the world’s deadliest assassins. Set in an alternate history, the show tweaks events such as the American Mafia’s rise to power, and the Winter of Disconnect, to fit within its adrenaline-fueled narrative.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Once again, the appeal mostly lies in the action. The John Wick films are known for their endless fights, and the series doesn’t disappoint either. Watching characters engage in gunfights and fisticuffs every few minutes is true nirvana, and any dad is unlikely to step away from their seat while watching this particular spinoff. There is a lot to do with sacrifice, too. Early in the series, one of the protagonists even chooses to die to prevent harm from coming to his counterparts.
Stream on Peacock
2 Magnum P.I. (2018-Present)
In the Magnum P.I. reboot, ex-Navy SEAL, Thomas Magnum (Jay Hernandez) begins a new career as a private investigator after coming back home from Afghanistan and settling in Hawaii. With the help of a police detective, three friends who also served in the military, and his lover (a former British spy), he manages to solve several crimes around the state.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Dads value their bros (friends they often hang out with), and that’s what Thomas Magnum is all about. His friends mean everything to him, and he is to them. Together, they get to solve many problems that would have been too complex for one head. In addition to that, each of the protagonists has a strong moral compass, hence they do right by everyone and ensure every lawbreaker pays for their actions.
Stream on Peacock
1 The Night Agent (2022-Present)
The Night Agent’s Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), initially has to endure boring nights because of his job as a low-level FBI agent working in the White House basement. His task is to manage a “Night Action” emergency phone line that rarely rings, but all that changes one night when he receives a distress call and chooses to act.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
The Netflix series has a resourceful, caring, and proactive male lead, who goes out of the way to solve issues that are outside his job description. The numerous twists and turns also make for an engaging plot that’s likely to keep everyone glued. The baddies aren’t outrightly revealed, so viewers will likely enjoy playing their own investigative and prediction games while following the proceedings on the couch. One of the surprise hits of this year, dads will be pleased to know that Netflix has renewed The Night Agent for a second season.
Stream on Netflix
