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Old Dads is Bill Burr’s 2023 Netflix comedy about late fatherhood, and it’s a loud, uneven watch that fans of his stand-up will enjoy far more than anyone else. Bill Burr has spent decades yelling about modern life on stage, so a movie about middle-aged dads raging against millennial bosses, preschool politics, and new parenting rules was always going to be his kind of project. This Old Dads review looks at the 2023 Netflix comedy Burr co-wrote, directed, and stars in: what works, what doesn’t, how critics and viewers reacted, and whether it’s worth your time today.
Quick verdict: Old Dads is loud, crude, and uneven, with a script that leans hard on generation gap jokes. Burr’s comic timing and a surprisingly sweet core about fatherhood carry it, so fans of his stand-up will laugh plenty, while everyone else may tune out. Check Bill Burr stand-up prices on Amazon, or grab a streaming stick on Amazon for movie night.
Key takeaways
- What it is: A 2023 Netflix comedy about three friends who became fathers late, co-written and directed by Bill Burr, who stars alongside Bobby Cannavale and Bokeem Woodbine.
- Where to watch: Netflix, where it premiered on October 20, 2023, and streams worldwide.
- Critic scores: A 27% Tomatometer and 83% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes, plus 42 on Metacritic, as of November 2026.
- Main strengths: Burr’s rants and comic timing, good chemistry among the three leads, and a sincere message about older fatherhood.
- Main weaknesses: Dated jokes about modern culture, saggy pacing in the middle, and crude humor that won’t suit everyone.
Old Dads at a glance
| Detail | Old Dads (2023) |
|---|---|
| Release date | October 20, 2023 |
| Where to watch now | Netflix (a Netflix film, streaming worldwide) |
| Director | Bill Burr (his feature directing debut) |
| Writers | Bill Burr and Ben Tishler |
| Main cast | Bill Burr, Bobby Cannavale, Bokeem Woodbine, Katie Aselton, Miles Robbins, Rachael Harris, Reign Edwards, Jackie Tohn, Bruce Dern |
| Runtime | About 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Rating | R from the Motion Picture Association (MPA) for pervasive language, nudity, brief drug use, and sexual material |
| Critic scores | 27% Tomatometer (44 reviews) and 83% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes; 42 on Metacritic (as of November 2026) |
Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix, and Wikipedia.
What is Old Dads about?
Jack Kelly (Burr), Connor Brody (Bobby Cannavale), and Mike Richards (Bokeem Woodbine) are longtime friends in their late 40s who became fathers later than most of their peers. They sell their company, Trifecta, to a group of younger investors led by Aspen Bell (Miles Robbins), a soft-spoken millennial boss who wants a kinder, more modern workplace. The three friends quickly realize they don’t fit the new culture.
At home, the pressure doesn’t let up. Jack, whose wife Leah (Katie Aselton) is expecting their second child, blows up at his son’s progressive preschool and lands on the wrong side of its principal, Dr. Lois (Rachael Harris). Mike, meanwhile, learns his much younger girlfriend Britney (Reign Edwards) is pregnant, even though he had a vasectomy. The trio has to figure out whether they can adapt without losing who they are.
The performances
Burr plays a slightly softened version of his stage persona: a short-fused guy who hates being told what to say, but who loves his family and wants to do better. His rants are the film’s best moments, especially when the script lets him riff. Cannavale brings manic energy as Connor, and Woodbine gets some of the warmest scenes as Mike, a dad-to-be in denial about his age.
The supporting cast is strong on paper. Rachael Harris is a sharp foil as the preschool principal, and Miles Robbins plays Aspen as more clueless than villainous, which keeps the workplace scenes from becoming pure mockery. Bruce Dern also turns up in a memorable supporting role.
What works and what doesn’t
The movie is at its best when it lets its heroes look ridiculous. Burr clearly knows that Jack’s anger is often the problem, and the story pushes him toward self-control rather than rewarding every outburst. Underneath the shouting sits a real message: being an older parent is exhausting, and these men want to be good fathers more than they want to win arguments.
The jokes about “woke” culture are where Old Dads stumbles. Many gags about pronouns, preschool policies, and millennial managers feel like material from a decade ago, and critics agreed. Rotten Tomatoes’ critics consensus says Burr “shows signs of promise as a filmmaker,” but that the screenplay relies on tired jokes about generational divides. The pacing also sags in the middle, with a few scenes that repeat the same point.
Visually, it’s a straightforward studio comedy. Don’t expect stylish filmmaking; the focus stays on the actors and the dialogue.
How Old Dads performed on Netflix
Critics and viewers split sharply. While the film landed a 27% Tomatometer, the audience score sits at 83%. Viewers made it a hit: according to What’s on Netflix, Old Dads spent three weeks in Netflix’s global Top 10, ranked as the No. 1 English-language movie for two of those weeks, and racked up 60 million hours viewed. Burr later said on his podcast that the movie “very quietly crushed” it, even though the 2023 actors’ strike limited its promotion.
As of November 2026, we haven’t seen any announcement of a sequel. Old Dads remains on Netflix, where it’s included with every plan.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Bill Burr’s rants and comic timing
- Good chemistry among the three leads
- A genuine, sweet message about older fatherhood
- A strong supporting cast, including Bruce Dern
Cons
- Dated jokes about modern culture
- Saggy pacing in the middle
- Flat, functional visuals
- Crude humor that won’t suit everyone
Shop related picks on Amazon
Old Dads is a Netflix exclusive, so you won’t find it on disc. Amazon is our main affiliate partner, though, and it carries Bill Burr’s stand-up, streaming gear, and a few gifts for the old dad in your life.
| Product | Type | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Burr stand-up albums and specials | Vinyl, CD, or disc | Fans who want more Burr | Check price |
| Roku Streaming Stick 4K | Streaming stick | Watching Netflix on any TV | Check price |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max | Streaming stick | Alexa households | Check price |
| Compact soundbar | TV audio | Clearer dialogue in comedies | Check price |
| Funny dad gift | Mug, shirt, or novelty gift | Father’s Day or birthdays | Check price |
- A soundbar: Fast comedy dialogue is easy to miss through thin TV speakers. Our Bose Solo Soundbar 2 review covers a simple upgrade, or shop soundbars on Amazon.
- Gifts: If the movie reminded you of your own dad, our guide to the best gifts for dad under $100 has more ideas.
Who should watch Old Dads?
Watch Old Dads if you love Bill Burr’s stand-up, if you’re an older parent who has felt out of step at school pickup, or if you want a rowdy comedy for a night with friends. Skip it if crude humor and culture war jokes wear you out, or if you prefer smarter, sharper satire. For something completely different on Netflix, check our M3GAN review, or see our pick for the best streaming service.
Frequently asked questions
Is Old Dads on Netflix?
Yes, Old Dads is on Netflix. It’s a Netflix film that premiered on October 20, 2023, and it streams on the service worldwide.
Who directed Old Dads?
Bill Burr directed Old Dads, his first feature as a director, and co-wrote it with Ben Tishler.
Is Old Dads appropriate for kids?
No, Old Dads isn’t appropriate for kids. It’s rated R for pervasive language, nudity, brief drug use, and sexual material.
Will there be an Old Dads 2?
There’s no confirmed Old Dads 2, and we haven’t seen any official sequel announcement as of November 2026.
Final verdict
Old Dads won’t win over critics or anyone tired of generation gap jokes, but it’s a better movie than its 27% score suggests. Burr’s energy, a likable trio of leads, and a sincere message about late fatherhood make it an easy Netflix watch for his fans. We rate it 3 out of 5 stars. Want more Burr after the credits? Check Bill Burr stand-up prices on Amazon.