It’s that time of year, time to celebrate the leading lady in your life, MOM of course!
A great way to celebrate Mother’s Day is to get inspired by a good mom-centric movie! Cuddle up with the family to watch one of these heartfelt movies that are perfect for Mother’s Day.
If you’re planning a family movie night for Mother’s Day, here’s a list of 25 movies that are all about moms.
We have included all genres of Mothers Day movies, from laugh out loud comedies, to tear jerking dramas, to inspiring tales, to edge of you seat thrillers. Whatever your movie mood is, we have a suggestion that fits.
We provide a FREE Mothers Day movie checklist for you to use as future reference.
BONUS Mothers Day movies at the end that are all streaming FREE!
What makes a good Mothers Day movie?
- A heartwarming tale of a moms love
- Mom Inspiration
- Laugh out loud mom antics to get you in a good mood
- Generational tales that illustrate a family’s struggles and bond
- A feel good movie that highlights the ups and downs of being a mom
- A movie that proves a mom would do anything to protect her children
Who is this list of Mothers Day movies for?
- Family movie night with a movie about moms
- People needing some feel good mom inspiration
- Mom wanting to bond with her kids
- Anyone looking for mom appreciation inspiration
What information is provided about each Mothers Day movie in this selection?
- Movie image
- The movie title and release year of the movie
- Director
- A list of actors in the movie
- Genre
- The MPAA rating
- Link to the movie in IMDb – For movie reviews, where to stream, ratings, trailers and lots more.
- A movie summary
Don’t forget to download the FREE MOVIE CHECKLIST to keep track of what movies you want to watch!
25 Movies to Watch with Mom on Mothers Day
1. Bad Moms (2016)
- Director: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore
- Actors: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn
- Genre: Comedy
- MPAA Rating: R
- Link: ‘Bad Moms’ on IMDb
This riotous comedy follows Amy, an overworked and underappreciated mom, who teams up with two other stressed out mothers to liberate themselves from conventional responsibilities. They dive headfirst into a whirlwind of freedom and fun, but not without a few hiccups along the way. It’s a hilarious ode to mothers everywhere who deserve a break.
2. Mommie Dearest (1981)
- Director: Frank Perry
- Actors: Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid, Steve Forrest
- Genre: Biography, Drama
- MPAA Rating: PG
- Link: ‘Mommie Dearest’ on IMDb
“Mommie Dearest” takes a darker turn, delving into the tumultuous relationship between Christina Crawford and her adoptive mother, Hollywood icon Joan Crawford. Based on Christina’s memoir, the film paints a chilling portrait of an abusive and controlling mother behind the glamour of stardom. Faye Dunaway’s powerhouse performance brings to life the infamous line, “No wire hangers, ever!” making it a compelling, if unsettling, watch.
3. Monster-in-Law (2005)
- Director: Robert Luketic
- Actors: Jennifer Lopez, Jane Fonda, Michael Vartan
- Genre: Comedy, Romance
- MPAA Rating: PG-13
- Link: ‘Monster-in-Law’ on IMDb
“Monster-in-Law” serves up a comedic battle of wits between a sweet natured woman and her fiancé’s overbearing mother. Charlotte has finally found Mr. Right, but his mother is more like Mrs. Wrong. Jane Fonda shines as the titular monster-in-law, who will stop at nothing to sabotage the relationship. It’s a laugh filled tug of war that proves love can conquer even the most monstrous of in laws.
4. The Joy Luck Club (1993)
- Director: Wayne Wang
- Actors: Ming-Na Wen, Tamlyn Tomita, Lauren Tom, Rosalind Chao
- Genre: Drama
- MPAA Rating: R
- Link: ‘The Joy Luck Club’ on IMDb
“The Joy Luck Club” weaves the intricate tales of four Chinese American women and their immigrant mothers, unraveling their complex relationships and the dualities of their cultures. As the daughters delve into their mothers’ pasts, they uncover stories of love, loss, and hope, ultimately finding a deeper understanding of their identities and unbreakable bonds.
5. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Actors: Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O’Connor
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
- MPAA Rating: PG-13
- Link: ‘A.I. Artificial Intelligence’ on IMDb
In Spielberg’s futuristic odyssey, “A.I. Artificial Intelligence,” a highly advanced robotic boy named David embarks on a Pinocchio like journey to become a real boy and earn his human mother’s love. This visually stunning film blends sci-fi with profound themes of love, family, and what it means to be human, making it a truly captivating film for Mother’s Day.
6. Postcards from the Edge (1990)
- Director: Mike Nichols
- Actors: Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, Dennis Quaid
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- MPAA Rating: R
- IMDb: ‘Postcards from the Edge’ on IMDb
Substance addicted Hollywood actress Suzanne Vale is on the skids. After a spell at a detox center, her film company insists that she live with her mother, Doris Mann, a once star and now a champion drinker, as a condition of continuing to employ her. Such a setup is bad news for Suzanne, who has struggled for years to get out of Doris’ shadow. She now must face her manipulative, self absorbed mother, adding an extra layer of challenge to her recovery.
7. Lady Bird (2017)
- Director: Greta Gerwig
- Actors: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- MPAA Rating: R
- IMDb: ‘Lady Bird’ on IMDb
Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, a rebellious student at a conservative Catholic high school, dreams of escaping her mundane life in Sacramento for something bigger. She navigates a tumultuous relationship with her mother, a turbulent love life, and the pressures of impending adulthood as she strives to find her own identity.
8. Steel Magnolias (1989)
- Director: Herbert Ross
- Actors: Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- MPAA Rating: PG
- IMDb: ‘Steel Magnolias’ on IMDb
“Steel Magnolias” is set in a small Louisiana town and centers around a beauty salon where a group of women regularly gather. The film delves into their interwoven lives, highlighting the strength and resilience they exhibit in the face of personal tragedies, particularly focusing on the young Shelby and her health challenges.
9. Baby Boom (1987)
- Director: Charles Shyer
- Actors: Diane Keaton, Harold Ramis, Sam Shepard
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- MPAA Rating: PG
- IMDb: ‘Baby Boom’ on IMDb
“Baby Boom” follows J.C. Wiatt, a high powered Manhattan executive, whose life is turned upside down when she inherits a baby from a distant relative. As she juggles her career and newfound motherhood, J.C. moves to Vermont, starts a gourmet baby food company, and finds a new path in life that she never expected. A feel good heartwarming movie, perfect for Mother’s Day!
10. Brave (2012)
- Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
- Actors: Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- MPAA Rating: PG
- IMDb: ‘Brave’ on IMDb
In the Scottish Highlands, Merida is a young princess whose life is controlled by her mother whose job it is to shape her into a future queen. In an effort to change her fate and be free of her oppressive, but loving mother, she makes a huge mistake. She now must use her courage and archery skills to undo a beastly curse.
11. Stepmom (1998)
- Director: Chris Columbus
- Actors: Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Ed Harris
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- MPAA Rating: PG-13
- IMDb: ‘Stepmom’ on IMDb
A touching story of a terminally ill mother, her children, and their father’s new lover, who is about to become the children’s stepmother. It’s a tale of conflicting emotions and the journey towards mutual respect and understanding. Although a tear jerker, this heartwarming movie is moving, profound and impactful.
12. One True Thing (1998)
- Director: Carl Franklin
- Actors: Meryl Streep, Renée Zellweger, William Hurt
- Genre: Drama
- MPAA Rating: R
- IMDb: ‘One True Thing’ on IMDb
When Ellen Gulden, a successful New York journalist, returns home, she discovers the complex realities of her parents’ lives. As her mother battles cancer, Ellen is compelled to reassess her relationship with her family and confront the truths she had long ignored.
13. Bambi (1942)
- Director: David Hand
- Actors: Hardie Albright, Stan Alexander, Bobette Audrey
- Genre: Animation, Drama
- MPAA Rating: G
- IMDb: ‘Bambi’ on IMDb
“Bambi” follows the adventures of a young fawn named Bambi who is destined to become the Great Prince of the Forest. He grows up with his friends Thumper and Flower, learning life’s lessons and the ways of the woods.
14. Terms of Endearment (1983)
- Director: James L. Brooks
- Actors: Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- MPAA Rating: PG
- IMDb: ‘Terms of Endearment’ on IMDb
This film spans 30 years of the relationship between Aurora Greenway and her daughter Emma. It’s a poignant story about love, laughter, and the mother daughter bond that navigates through life’s challenges and joys.
15. Mamma Mia! (2008)
- Director: Phyllida Lloyd
- Actors: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried
- Genre: Comedy, Musical, Romance
- MPAA Rating: PG-13
- IMDb: ‘Mamma Mia!’ on IMDb
Set on a Greek island, “Mamma Mia!” is a jukebox musical featuring the songs of ABBA. Sophie, the bride to be, just wants her father to walk her down the isle. Problem is, she doesn’t know who he is. She invites three men from her mothers past to her wedding, hoping to discover which one is her father.
16. Places in the Heart (1984)
- Director: Robert Benton
- Actors: Sally Field, Lindsay Crouse, Ed Harris
- Genre: Drama
- MPAA Rating: PG
- IMDb: ‘Places in the Heart’ on IMDb
In 1930s Texas, after her husband’s accidental death, Edna Spalding struggles to maintain her small cotton farm and protect her family. With the help of a blind boarder and an itinerant black handyman, she faces the challenges of the Great Depression.
17. Anywhere But Here (1999)
- Director: Wayne Wang
- Actors: Susan Sarandon, Natalie Portman
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- MPAA Rating: PG-13
- IMDb: ‘Anywhere But Here’ on IMDb
Adele August leaves small town life for Beverly Hills with her daughter, Ann, dreaming of a better life. As Adele pursues her Hollywood fantasies, Ann yearns for stability and her own path, leading to a bittersweet exploration of mother daughter relationships.
18. Coraline (2009)
- Director: Henry Selick
- Actors: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher
- Genre: Animation, Drama
- MPAA Rating: PG
- IMDb: ‘Coraline’ on IMDb
Bored 11 year old Coraline Jones discovers a secret door to a parallel world that mirrors her own but is seemingly better. In this world, everybody has buttons for eyes and has caring parents where all your dreams come true. However, this alternate reality harbors dark secrets, and Coraline must use her bravery and wits to save herself and return to her own world.
19. Panic Room (2002)
- Director: David Fincher
- Actors: Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Forest Whitaker
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
- MPAA Rating: R
- IMDb: ‘Panic Room’ on IMDb
A divorced woman and her diabetic daughter are forced into the safe room of their new NYC home when three men break in. These burglars are searching for a missing fortune thats hidden in the very panic room that mother and daughter are now in. This is a nail biting thriller that shows the lengths a mom goes to to protect her daughter.
20. Where the Heart Is (2000)
- Director: Matt Williams
- Actors: Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- MPAA Rating: PG-13
- IMDb: ‘Where the Heart Is’ on IMDb
A pregnant 17 year old rebuilds her life after being abandoned by her boyfriend at a Walmart in Sequoyah, Oklahoma. With the help of kind strangers, she finds a new home and hope for her future.
21. Mother’s Day (2016)
- Director: Garry Marshall
- Actors: Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- MPAA Rating: PG-13
- IMDb: ‘Mother’s Day’ on IMDb
This film intertwines the lives of several mothers as they prepare for Mother’s Day. From a recent widow struggling to cope, to a young mother grappling with her identity, each story reveals the trials and tribulations of motherhood.
22. Dolores Claiborne (1995)
- Director: Taylor Hackford
- Actors: Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Christopher Plummer
- Genre: Drama, Thriller
- MPAA Rating: R
- IMDb: ‘Dolores Claiborne’ on IMDb
A reporter returns to her hometown to cover the story of her mother’s arrest for the murder of an elderly woman. Through flashbacks, the complex relationship between mother and daughter unfolds, revealing a history of family trauma and resilience.
23. Erin Brockovich (2000)
- Director: Steven Soderbergh
- Actors: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart
- Genre: Biography, Drama
- MPAA Rating: R
- IMDb: ‘Erin Brockovich’ on IMDb
Based on a true story, an unemployed single mother becomes a legal assistant and almost single handedly brings down a California power company accused of polluting a city’s water supply. Her relentless pursuit of justice brings to light a significant environmental issue.
25. Mask (1985)
- Director: Peter Bogdanovich
- Actors: Cher, Sam Elliott, Eric Stoltz
- Genre: Biography, Drama
- MPAA Rating: PG-13
- IMDb: ‘Mask’ on IMDb
This biographical drama tells the story of Rocky Dennis, a boy with a rare genetic disorder that causes a facial deformity. His mother, a biker, fights to give him a normal life amidst their unconventional lifestyle and the challenges they face from society. This is a profound movie which illustrates the positive impact of a mothers love on the life of her disabled son’s life.
25. 20th Century Women (2016)
- Director: Mike Mills
- Actors: Annette Bening, Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- MPAA Rating: R
- IMDb: ‘20th Century Women’ on IMDb
Set in Southern California during the late 1970s, “20th Century Women” follows Dorothea Fields, a single mother in her mid 50s, who is raising her adolescent son, Jamie. She enlists the help of two younger women, Abbie, a free spirited punk artist living as a boarder in the Fields’ home, and Julie, a savvy and provocative teenage neighbor. Together, they form a makeshift family unit that sees Jamie through his formative years with humor, love, and a bit of rebellion.
BONUS Mothers Day Movies Streaming FREE on Tubi
Mother’s Day (2012)
Mother’s Day (1980)
M.O.M.: Mothers of Monsters (2020)
Mr. Mom (1983)
Mom + Mom (2019)
Sins of the Mother (2010)
Mother (2022)
Thanks for reading this article for Mothers Day movies inspiration!
If you’re looking for more movies to watch with the family, than checkout our other family friendly articles!
We also have an article on the 100 Best Family Movies for Movie Night you can checkout next!
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And don’t forget, every article comes with a FREE movie checklist!
We hope to see you again soon!
Free Movie Checklist
Click on the button below to get your FREE “Mothers Day Movies” checklist that you can print or check off directly on your device!
So, what are your thoughts on the movies included in this list? What additional movies would you have included? What movies would you have left off?
We encourage all comments and discussion!
Everyone is welcome!
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