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sleepykittypaws · 3 years

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Mother’s Day Movie Favorites

What better way to celebrate mom than by watching a mother-centric movie with her or, if that's not possible, while thinking about her, or her memory?

We've all got a mother, heck, some of us even are mothers, making motherhood extremely fertile, movie-making subject matter for everything from tear-jerking melodrama to slasher flicks. There are hundreds, probably thousands, of movies exploring the bonds of mothers and their children, both sweet and sour, but below are my Top 25 favorite mom movies…

Updated: July 29, 2023

Steel Magnolias (1989) - This Southern-friend Schmaltz-fest is near and dear to my heart, having lost my own mother in a way not all that dissimilar to Julia Roberts' character. And, while much of Steel Magnolias is over the top, the cast is, indisputably, top-notch. This is one that never fails to make me laugh, cry and think about my mama.

Lady Bird (2017) - Probably the best mother-daughter movie of the last 20 years, this Greta Gerwig classic is a perfect watch on Mother's Day, or any time. It nails teen angst and the push pull of mother-daughter relationships perfectly.

Mr. Mom (1983) - While the premise—A dad being the primary caregiver? How novel!—may be dated, the comedy in this Teri Garr-Michael Keaton comedy still holds up remarkably well, give or take a moment or two. A great, whole family watch, and a wildly under-rated '80s comedy.

Petite Maman (2021) - This simple, sweet, but never cloying, French story of a daughter who magically meets and befriends her mother as a child, leading to greater love and understanding between them is the absolute perfect mom-centric movie, on Mother’s Day or anytime.

Postcards from the Edge (1990) - Based on Carrie Fisher's roman a clef about her own relationship with actress-mother Debbie Reynolds, this Meryl Strep-Shirley MacLaine movie is one of my very favorites.

Freaky Friday (2003 or 1976) - Whether you prefer the Jamie Curtis-Lindsay Lohan remake, or the Jodie Foster-Barbara Harris original, this Disney classic is fun, funny and an absolute hoot of a mother-daughter romp.

Terms of Endearment (1983) - As you can see, Shirley MacLaine looms large on this list. MacLaine really cornered the market on over-the-top, yet-loving mom roles, and there are few better mother-daughter dramas than this absolute classic weepy that co-stars Debra Winger.

The Mitchells vs the Machines (2021) - This Netflix-original animated movie, starring Maya Rudolph as the mom, is a pretty perfect Mother’s Day watch. Funny, all-ages humor that packs quite an emotional punch, amidst all the silliness, and the Mama Bear fierceness Rudolph provides in the climax is epic.

Philomena (2013) - As an adoptee, another very personal watch for me (even if this situation is nothing like my own), this story of a woman searching for the child she was forced to give up is incredibly well done, and funny as well as heart wrenching, with absolutely incredible performances from both Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.

Overboard (1987) - This goofy ‘80s comedy features real-life loves Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn at their most charming. It’s also about found families in a way that feels very modern Mother’s Day appropriate, and is a whole family watch that holds up better than you'd think given it’s a story about a man who convinces a rich lady with amnesia that she’s the mother of his three rowdy boys all because she stiffed him on a contracting job. But, whatever you do, don’t watch the dreadful 2018 remake (shudder).

Mamma Mia! (2008) - This Abba-jukebox musical has a star-studded cast—Meryl Strep! Amanda Seyfried! Christine Baranaski!—and a heart of gold. If you're not singing and dancing along with the mother-daughter wedding hijinks, you're doing it all wrong.

Baby Mama (2008) - This Tina Fey-Amy Poehler comedy is not only a “stealth” Christmas movie, it’s also a great Mother’s Day watch that’s funny and has a little something to say about society’s vision of who is “worthy” of being a mom.

Dumplin’ (2018) - Based on the great book by Julie Murphy, Dumplin' is honestly Jennifer Aniston's best work in years. Aniston plays the pageant queen mom to the less lithe Willowdean. Lots of love and some messy family business make this a relatable, yet lovely, watch.

Mother (1996) - Though I slightly prefer the movie about Debbie Reynolds as a mom, see Postcards from the Edge above, this movie with Reynolds playing Albert Brooks' mom is also a classic. Brooks is at at his absolute driest wit in my second favorite of his movies, after Defending Your Life. Just don’t confuse this Mother with the controversial 2017 Jennifer Lawrence horror movie, because that would be a very different holiday viewing experience.

Juno (2007) - This story of a pregnant teen making choices feels especially poignant in 2022. The balance of so many iterations of motherhood—from Juno’s own mostly absent mom, to Allison Janney as her fierce and flawed stepmom, potential adoptive mom Jennifer Garner and teen-mom Juno herself make this absolutely perfect Mother’s Day viewing.

Blockers (2018) - This teen sex comedy is neither about sex, nor the teens, but instead focuses on a ragtag group of parents, including mom Leslie Mann, who are struggling to let their kids grow up. A truly funny R-rated romp.

Wonder (2017) - This under-seen, sweet and gentle story stars Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts as parents of Auggie, a kid who is a little bit different, and a whole lot special. Will definitely give you all the mom feels, and also has some stealth Christmas moments.

Little Women (1933, 1994 and 2019) - Take your pick from the myriad adaptations of Louisa May Alcott's classic, but whichever Marmie you prefer, this story of three sisters and their stalwart matriarch stands the test of time.

The Parent Trap (1961 or 1998) - Both versions of this twin-swapping story are equal parts ridiculous and joyful. Don't think too much about what kind of parents would willfully give up one of their children just because they looked alike (I mean, what in the world?!?), and instead enjoy the cute, cupid-y machinations of multiple Hayley Millses or Lindsay Lohans.

Baby Boom (1987) - This Diane Keaton comedy is usually remembered as a rom-com with Sam Shepard, but it’s really the story of a woman falling in love with being a mom, and what could be more appropriate Mother's Day viewing?

A Simple Favor (2018) - If you're looking for something a little less gushing, and a lot more deadly, check out this Paul Feig black comedy/thriller that features Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick as epic mom frenemies.

It's Complicated (2009) - Not sure whose movies feature in this list more often: Meryl Strep or Shirley MacLaine. This Strep-led, Nancy Meyers romp is a grown-up family dynamic farce that still holds up, despite the somewhat unfortunate inclusion of Alec Baldwin.

Bad Moms (2016) - Kathryn Hahn, Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell make a heck of a trio in this R-rated comedy about moms going kind of, but not too, wild.

The Guilt Trip (2012) - This guilty pleasure road trip comedy stars Barbara Streisand and Seth Rogan, and the very fact that such a combo exists at all gives me great joy.

Hope Floats (1998) - This Texas-set, Sandra Bullock divorce story didn't get a lot of love upon release—the soundtrack was a bigger hit than the movie—but it's better than you remember, and is also a pretty great portrait of a multi-generational mother-daughter relationship. Plus, it features a baby Mae Whitman.

More to Explore

Mum (2016-19) - This gentle BBC series, which checks in on a newly-widowed, working-class mother in the first years following the death of her husband (the first two seasons feature monthly check-ins, the last takes place over a single week) is a delight. Mum originally aired on PBS in the U.S., and is now available via Britbox. Just a really lovely portrait of motherhood, love at a certain age, and how adult children learn to live and grow on their own—or don’t, as the case may be.

Motherland (2016-22) - The Sharon Horgan-created BBC series, available on AMC+ on the U.S., is a very funny look at modern motherhood starring Anna Maxwell Martin, and includes a smashing season three Mother’s Day-centric episode—the eponymously-named “Mother’s Day”—that’s both terrifically funny and touching.

The Middle: Mother’s Day II (2011) - This season two episode of the long-running ABC series, currently available on HBO Max, is probably my favorite episodic take on the holiday. The depiction both of how “me time” is never all it’s cracked up to be for moms, and how trying to recreate a perfect moment never works out, is spot on.

Snoopy Presents To Mom (and Dad), with Love (2022) - The Peanuts gang is eager to celebrate Mother’s Day in this new, Apple TV+ original special, all except for Peppermint Patty, that is, who grew up without her mom. It’s a rare special centered on the holiday with a sweet, family-comes-in-all-forms message.

Mothering Sunday (2022) - A stellar cast—Olivia Colman, Colin Firth, Josh O'Connor, Odessa Young—populate this Mother’s Day-set period drama that is far from a fun romp, but impeccably acted.

Mother's Day (2016) - This movie is bad. Really bad, yet I feel obligated to include it, since it actually takes place on the holiday, but must stress it should only be watched for ironic mocking, with a generous amount of wine.

Mother’s Day (2018, BBC) - This British TV movie, available in the U.S, on Britbox, couldn’t be more different from the stinker that shares its name. Vicky McClure and Anna Maxwell Martin play mothers who use their own tragedies to help bring peace to Northern Ireland, with key events taking place on the British version of the holiday.

Mother’s Day on Walton’s Mountain (1982, NBC) - This reunion movie follows up on the family from the long-running CBS series.

Otherhood (2019) - This otherwise mid-tier Netflix empty nest/road trip comedy benefits from its very strong cast—Angela Bassett, Patricia Arquette and Felicity Huffman—as well as its liberal references to the holiday itself.

Mermaids (1990) - This Cher-led single mom story is another under-rated gem. Featuring Winona Ryder and a baby Christina Ricci, with the very odd (but it works) choice of Bob Hoskins as the eventual love interest, this is definitely one worth checking out.

Incredibles 2 (2018) - While both of these Pixar flicks are some of the best superhero movies ever made, the second is particularly mom-focused in a way that feels both realistic and touching—not an easy feat for a cartoon about a family with superpowers.

The Sound of Music (1965) - Because this is a movie about motherless children and their nanny/eventual stepmom, didn’t think I could put this in my main list of mom-centric movies, but as a motherless child myself, with several stepmoms far less magical than Julie Andrews, this is definitely a fantasy film for me, and another whole-family pleasing watch.

Muriel’s Wedding (1994) - One of my favorite movies of all-time, this one isn’t quite mom-centric enough for me to include on my main list, but the tragic mother-daughter relationship in this otherwise lighthearted, Aussie coming of age tale is indelible.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) - This one is more about family bonds, than motherhood in particular, but if you need a dose of how loving even the most cloying clan can be, this is a great example that will make you want to reach out to relatives you haven't seen in years. And Lainie Kazan as the lovingly overbearing mother is a standout.

Secrets and Lies (1996) - This adoption story is about the reunion of a mother and daughter who don't share much beyond DNA. This British Best Picture nominee isn’t a lighthearted romp, but it is poignant and powerful, and just missed making my Top 25 above.

Lion (2016) - Yes, yet another adoption story. Based on a true tale of a man searching for a his biological family, it takes a different tack than many similar stories, and Dev Patel’s performance is incredible

Parenthood (1989) - Not on my top 25 list mostly due to the fact that Steve Martin’s multigenerational father-son relationship is probably the more central story, but still one of my all-time favorite family life films and if you’re looking for something for Father’s Day…

Imitation of Life (1959) - Sure, it lacks some of the nuance a 21st century telling of this story would have, but the performances, and prejudice, seen through the eyes of two mothers, remain all too relatable.

Stepmom (1998) - Another mom movie that also qualifies as a stealth Christmas flick, this weepy tale of Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts battling over the kids’ affections isn’t my personal fave, but a lot of people love it.

Mom’s Day Away (2014, Hallmark) - This Bonnie Somerville-led family comedy is set around the holiday, and cuter than your average Hallmark joint, with a stressed out mom taking a day off from her family.

Mom’s Night Out (2014) - Almost a Hallmark film, this very gentle, PG-rated comedy, starring frequent Hallstar Sarah Drew, is one of those “crazy night out” comedies that is low on actual crazy, and big on family feels.

The Adam Project (2022) or Yes Day (2021)- Not sure how an actress whose breakout role was as a sexy super spy morphed into the ultimate Hollywood mom, but Jennifer Garner has seemingly cornered the market on loving but exhausted and/or somewhat tightly wound mom roles, which is why so many of her movies already appear on this list. Neither of these are spectacular, but both are perfectly fine, ultimately innocuous, all-ages, family viewing that also happen to be easily available on Netflix for at-home, anytime viewing.

The Joy Luck Club (1993) - This adaptation of Amy Tan’s novel is all about mothers and daughters. I wholeheartedly recommend the book, but am a little less enthusiastic about the movie, which is why it didn’t make my main list.

Room (2015) - Definitely dark, but a searing portrayal of what mothers endure for their children, and how strong those bonds are. Alison Brie won an Oscar for this mostly grim, but ultimately hopeful, mother-son story.

This is 40 (2012) - Judd Apatow isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but that this sort-of sequel to Knocked Up features his real-life wife and daughters, with Paul Rudd as Apatow’s martial stand in, adds some interest to an otherwise just so-so story.

Tully (2018) - This dark and twisty Charlize Theron movie is a relatable portrait of an exhausted mother…right up until it most definitely is not.

The Kids are All Right (2010) - I didn’t love this story about how two moms relationship changes when their son meets his sperm donor, but there’s no denying the acting chops in this Julianne Moore-Annette Binning-Mark Ruffalo movie.

Auntie Mame (1958) - Make sure you watch the Rosalind Russell original and not the Lucille Ball remake (shudder) but this delightful comedy about non-traditional mother figures has been a favorite of mine since childhood.

Serial Mom (1994) - This dark (very dark) comedy about a murdering mom played by Kathleen Turner is not for everyone, but for those in the right (a.k.a. wrong) mood, it could make a perfect Mother’s Day watch.

Mommie Dearest (1981) - Perhaps the ultimate anti-Mother’s Day watch, this camp classic starring Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford is unforgettable and way, way over-the-top.

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