Make Mother's Day Even More Fun by Watching These Movies
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Planning some special events for your mom on Mother's Day shouldn't be a stressful thing. While you may take some time finding the perfect gift, a day with mom in general is a day well spent—and she will surely agree. So, if you're looking for the best Mother's Day activity, you might want to suggest having a movie day or night with her. There are plenty of feel-good flicks that put moms on a pedestal in some way, and this list of Mother's Day movies is full of them. The only stressful thing about this is having to pick just which movie you want to watch!
Get this: there are actually so many Mother's Day movies out there that celebrate moms and matriarchs of all walks of life, and this roundup has a little bit of everything. There are classic family comedies like The Parent Trap and Freaky Friday, mother-daughter movies that explore the complicated relationships between moms and their kids like Stepmom and Lady Bird, and fun animated films for younger kids to watch with their moms, like Brave and Turning Red. There are even a few musicals in here, like Mamma Mia and The Sound of Music, that are sure to have you both singing and dancing around the living room! Some may not be exactly about motherhood precisely, but would still make a great addition to your Mother's Day movie marathon.
Take a look at these other Mother's Day ideas:
Terms of Endearment
Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger arguably play the most iconic on-screen mother-daughter duo in this film that's both heart wrenching and heartwarming. It shows the strong bond a mom and her daughter can have, even when they sometimes strongly disagree on certain matters.
Georgia Rule
A true story of motherhood! When Lilly is facing problems with her rebellious teenage daughter, Rachel, the only thing she knows to do is seek the help of her own mother, Georgia. If there's one thing about Georgia, she'll make sure everyone, no matter how feisty, will obey her rules.
Instant Family
Parenthood is no easy feat, but "instant parenthood" may be even harder! That's what this married couple feels like, anyway, when they bring home three loving foster children. Together, the sweet pair learn how to take on this wholesome but definitely difficult journey.
Baby Boom
Diane Keaton plays a character who has little to no time for anything other than her job (and her flimsy love life). So, when she's suddenly the sole caretaker of her relative's baby, it's clear that she doesn't know what she's doing. Watch as she balances this new life, and learns what is really important to her.
Cheaper By The Dozen
Having a big family is a lot to take on, especially if both parents have their own set of unruly children. Tune into this family-friendly classic on Mother's Day for a boat full of laughs!
Mermaids
No, Cher isn't actually a mermaid in this movie! She is, however, a mother with two very opinionated daughters, who are played by Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci. Things get trickier for Cher's character when the oldest daughter falls for someone who she probably shouldn't.
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Vivi is a mother with a strange way of going about parenting, which is sort of why her daughter Sidda starts to distance herself. In come Vivi's longtime BFFs who try to salvage the two's relationship by trying to remedy past faults.
Otherhood
Don't mess with these three mothers, because they're absolutely fed up! (With their sons, that is.) In order to teach them a lesson, and to get their sons to stop taking advantage of their kindness, they drive all the way to the big apple to put them in their place.
Thelma & Louise
These two besties take the term "partner in crime" to a whole new level. Thelma & Louise is the ultimate girls movie to watch on Mother's Day, focusing on two friends who are more than okay with breaking the law for each other.
Miss Juneteenth
Like mother, like daughter! Turquoise Jones just wants her daughter to win the exact beauty pageant she won when she was her age, not realizing she may be setting standards that her rebellious daughter has no interest in meeting.
Real Women Have Curves
Loved Barbie? Then watch America Ferrera in her debut feature film as Ana García, a Mexican American teen who strives to further her education. This will mean that she'll need to tell her mom that she doesn't plan on getting married anytime soon, and probably won't take over the family business.
Away We Go
A pregnant mama and her hubby travel the entire world, looking for a location that just feels right for their soon-to-be-born baby! It's a little peculiar, but also wholesome. What more can you ask for in a movie?
Riding in Cars with Boys
Any Drew Barrymore movie is worth watching, but especially this one about a gal who aspires to be a writer in NYC. She is a busy teenager in the midst of figuring out how to make her dreams come true when she faces a shocking turn of events: she's pregnant! This true story will definitely warrant a tear or two.
Bird Box
The love of a mother knows no limits! So, when the world becomes occupied with mysterious monsters who can captivate you with just one look, a mother of two (Sandra Bullock) will do whatever she needs to to keep her kids safe.
Little Miss Sunshine
Olive is a spunky little girl, but that's exactly why her mother loves her. Even when the rest of her family discourages her originality! When Olive decides to join a beauty pageant, her mother is her biggest fan.
Life as We Know It
It's safe to say that Holly and Eric are sworn enemies. But when their mutual friends pass away due to an accident, they must come together to take care of their baby. The suddenly new parents are now learning a lot about life with this new venture!
Serial Mom
This one is for those who don't mind a little dark humor every once in a while. It has to do with a mom who thinks she needs to protect her family by taking some drastic measures. Is she becoming a little delusional?
Mother's Day
Well, this is an obvious choice! Mother's Day is another holiday ensemble film from the late, great director Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman). It features an A-list cast including Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, and Kate Hudson. It's the perfect movie to pop on if you and Mom are in the mood for a feel-good rom-com.
Yes Day
There's probably a good reason why Mom always said no to your wildest requests. But in this fun family film, anything goes!
CODA
The Best Picture of 2022 is also one of the best movies to watch for Mother's Day. Actress Marlee Matlin delivers a powerful performance as the mother of teenage Ruby, an aspiring singer and the only hearing member of her family.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
As matriarch Maria Portokalos wisely said in this beloved film: "The man may be the head of the family, but the woman is the neck and she turns the head any way she wants."
Little Women
Marmee March is easily one of the best moms in literary history. In Greta Gerwig's 2019 adaptation of Little Women, Marmee is lovingly brought to life by actress Laura Dern.
Stepmom
This moving film follows a mother (Susan Sarandon) and stepmother (Julia Roberts) as they navigate blended family life and all the difficulties that can come with it.
The Guilt Trip
Inventor Andy Brewster (Seth Rogen) gets more than he bargained for when his mom (Barbra Streisand) crashes his cross-country road trip.
Akeelah and the Bee
Angela Bassett and Keke Palmer make a delightful mother and daughter duo in the inspiring film about a young girl whose gift for words takes her all the way to the National Spelling Bee.
Mothers and Daughters
A photographer who unexpectedly becomes pregnant learns the true meaning of motherhood as she captures several mothers and their children on film.
Mother
After his second divorce, a writer (Albert Brooks) moves back in with his mother (Debbie Reynolds) in an attempt to figure out why all of his relationships with women have failed.
Dumplin'
An awkward teen and her former pageant queen mother seem to live in opposite universes—until they realize they're more alike than they once thought.
Mrs. Doubtfire
Mrs. Doubtfire is the overbearing, loving mother figure that everyone wishes they had. This classic comedy shows that anyone with a big heart can take on the role of "Mom."
Fried Green Tomatoes
Sometimes, motherhood comes in the form of friendship. Anyone who's seen Fried Green Tomatoes can understand that!
Lady Bird
Greta Gerwig's directorial debut explores the turbulent relationship between the character Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan) and her mother (Laurie Metcalf). The coming-of-age dramedy is as funny as it is heartwarming.
Mamma Mia! The Movie
Meryl Streep leads a star-studded cast in this joyful musical about a daughter's quest to find her father. Set to the soundtrack of ABBA's greatest hits, it's sure to have you dancing and singing in your living room!
Brave
Brave is great for mamas with little ones. This Disney/Pixar flick tells the story of a princess named Merida, who must draw on her bravery and skills as an archer to save her mother, Queen Elinor, from a beastly curse.
Because I Said So
Diane Keaton plays a single mother who can't resist meddling in her daughter's (Mandy Moore) love life—to great comedic effect!
Steel Magnolias
This beloved '80s movie is a warm and witty celebration of female friendship. It also features a touching depiction of the unbreakable bond between mother (Sally Field) and daughter (Julia Roberts).
Soul Food
The family that eats together, stays together. Through all of their ups and downs, the Joseph family remains strong thanks to matriarch Mama Joe's Sunday dinner of soul food.
Forrest Gump
"Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates." Sally Field proves the power of a mother's love once again in the Tom Hanks hit, Forrest Gump.
Freaky Friday
A mother-daughter duo played by Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis walk a mile in each other's heels (and combat boots) in this hilarious Disney remake.
Freaky Friday (1976)
And if you loved the 2003 version, you should definitely go back and watch the original 1976 film. It stars a young Jodie Foster!
If Beale Street Could Talk
Regina King's moving performance as a mother who would do whatever it takes to save her family won her an Oscar. If Beale Street Could Talk is heart-wrenching yet beautiful film about how love—even the most powerful kind—sometimes doesn't conquer all.
Philomena
This poignant film tells the incredible true story of Philomena Lee's (Judi Dench) 50-year search for the child she was forced to give up for adoption. Philmonena's charming relationship with the journalist (Steve Coogan) who accompanies her on her quest will have you laughing and crying.
Troop Beverly Hills
Shelley Long plays a Beverly Hills housewife who gets in touch with her maternal side when she takes charge of her daughter's girl scout troop. It's a classic!
The Farewell
Anyone who has a special relationship with their grandmother will love The Farewell. It's about a young artist (Awkwafina) who travels to China to see her ailing grandmother for possibly the last time. We can imagine three generations of women bonding over this one. ❤️
The Parent Trap
Lindsay Lohan is twice as nice in her film debut as twins Hallie Parker and Annie James, who scheme to get their divorced parents back together again. Warning: the scene where Hallie reunites with her mom (Natasha Richardson) for the first time in 12 years may bring a tear or two to your eye! The film features lots of fun nods to the equally delightful 1961 version starring Haley Mills.
20th Century Women
This quirky, Oscar-nominted film explores the relationship between a teenage boy and the women who raise him, including his free-spirited single mother played to perfection by Annette Bening.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Here we go again! If you and mom want more music, merriment, and Meryl, then you have to watch Mamma Mia's equally fun sequel.
The Joy Luck Club
This compelling film tells the stories of four Chinese-American women and their relationships with their mothers. Based on Amy Tan's acclaimed novel, The Joy Luck Club is a touching ode to mother-daughter relationships in all their power and complexity.
The Kids Are All Right
Two teenagers get to know their biological father in the acclaimed dramedy starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo.
Postcards From The Edge
This witty film starring Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine is based on Carrie Fisher's semi-autobiographical bestselling book about her relationship with her mother, fellow actress Debbie Reynolds.
Lion
The critically acclaimed film tells the true story of a man who used Google Earth to find his birth parents. Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman were both nominated for Oscars for their touching portrayal of a son and his adoptive mother.
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