8 of the best movies to watch on Mother’s Day

We all want to do something special on Mother’s Day that will instantly bring a smile to your mom’s face. But should you want to stay indoors, a nice meal and a movie is a great way to spend some quality time. We’ve compiled some of the best movies that you can watch with your mom on this Mother’s Day, from the emotional to the funny, this list has it all. 

Stepmom (1998)

You’ll need a lot of tissues for this one, believe us it’s not for the faint-hearted. The story revolves around a mother named Jackie (Susan Sarandon) who is forced to deal with a new family dynamic after her husband Luke (Ed Harris) divorces her and brings in Isabel Kelly (Julia Roberts) his new wife and the stepmother of his children. Kelly doesn’t have it easy bonding with the kids as they make their loyalties to their mother very clear. She puts her best efforts into changing the situation but only seems to make things worse. That is until the family is faced with a crisis that changes everyone’s lives forever (no spoilers here). With the emotion and depth of the scenes, we’re pretty sure you and your mother will end up hugging each in tears by the end. 

Mamma Mia (2008)

What’s better than Meryl Streep and an iconic ABBA soundtrack on Mother’s Day? Streep plays the mother of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), a young girl who is desperate to find her father. So much so, that she invites three of her mom’s former boyfriends to her wedding on a Greek island. Showcasing the profound mother-daughter bond with toe-tapping covers of ABBA’s songs, this musical has everything you need for a memorable night in with your mom. And if you enjoy the singing and dancing, you can always follow up with the sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Mother’s Day (2016)

A Mother’s Day movie list is incomplete without Mother’s Day! This aptly-titled film revolves around the lives of mothers—Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson—and Jason Sudeikis, who are all dealing with the challenges of motherhood and the celebration of Mother’s Day. It is a heartwarming watch and one of the reasons it’s perfect is because it’s a reminder that you need not celebrate Mother’s Day going the traditional route; it can be a sweet and simple celebration that is still meaningful.

Bad Moms (2016)

The thing about mothers is that they don’t need to be good, bad, or even perfect; more importantly, who are we to judge? Starring Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, and Kristen Bell, Bad Moms reminds us that mothers need not be a 10/10 on the report card; they always do the best they can, which, more often than not, is the best for their child. After being overworked and under-appreciated, three mothers ditch being “good moms” and decide to become “bad mothers” and live a life without any inhibitions. That is, a life full of adventure and laughter. Watching the film with your mother will surely remind you what a great mother she’s always been.

Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)

Not all superheroes wear capes, and a mother is a perfect real-life example. While the movie revolves around an unlikely hero who has to utilise her superpowers to save the world, it is ultimately about a mother's love and determination to protect her daughter. And that’s what makes this such a special watch on an occasion like Mother’s Day. So tune in, and prepare to laugh, cry, and experience every emotion under the sun while explaining the events of the film and terms such as “multiverse” to your mum. 

Tully (2018)

We often love to focus on the good side of things, motherhood included. But here’s a movie that is emotional yet realistic in its portrayal of what postpartum can look like. It stars Charlize Theron as Marlo, an overworked mother of two, with a third on the way. Her husband, who is unaware of everything she goes through on a daily basis, only seems to make things worse. That's when she (reluctantly) hires a night-time nanny named Tully (Mackenzie Davis) to help her out. Tully takes over the chores and starts helping out with the children, forming a friendship with Marlo in the process, which helps her (Marlo) remember and reconnect with the woman she was before she became a mother.

Mimi

In the heartwarming comedy-drama Mimi, directed by Laxman Utekar, we are beckoned into the world of Mimi, portrayed with finesse by the talented Kriti Sanon. Set against the backdrop of a quaint village, Mimi's dreams of making it big in the acting world take a wild turn when she courageously takes the role of a surrogate mother. She navigates through unforeseen twists and turns, challenging societal norms and redefining the meaning of family. It is an ode to the strength of a woman's resolve and the boundless depths of maternal love, making it a great choice for Mother's Day viewing!

Darlings

In Darlings, Shefali Shah and Alia Bhatt depict a compelling mother-daughter relationship navigating through adversity. Their portrayal highlights the profound impact of maternal support, showcasing the resilience of the mother-daughter bond in facing challenges together. Through their journey of self-discovery and healing, they prove the unwavering strength of a mother's love in overcoming obstacles.

Lead image credits: Netflix

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