Film & TV

15 Best Mother's Day Movies to Watch With Mom

From 'Lady Bird' to 'Freaky Friday,' here are the best films to watch with your favorite girl.

With Mother's Day rapidly approaching, your annual go-to plans might need some readjusting while we are quarantined indoors. Since the national holiday seems to bring a healthy dose of nostalgia, we thought what could be more nostalgic than watching some classic mom-themed films? There are countless films that tackle the beautiful, and complicated, relationships that we have with our mothers. While many of us are still self-isolating, calling up your mom to watch a movie is a great way to pass the time and bond with your family. We've selected some our favorite films that we'd love to watch over a bucket of popcorn with our moms. And from the recent buzz-worthy Lady Bird to nostalgic throwbacks like Freaky Friday and The Parent Trap, there is something on this list for everyone. Whether you are with your mom in-person, or will be celebrating over FaceTime, here are the 15 best films to watch this Mother's Day.

Lady Bird (2017)

Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, is this sweet coming-of-age film starring Saoirse Ronan as Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson. Set in Sacramento, California in 2002, it tells the story of 17-year-old Lady Bird as she navigates boys, high school, friendship, and her tumultuous relationship with her mother. 

Lady Bird (2017)
Freaky Friday (2003)
Freaky Friday (2003)

This one's a classic and if you haven't seen it yet, what are you waiting on? Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis star in this hilarious comedy of a mother and daughter whose bodies are switched. Come for the nostalgia and stay for the laughs; it's an ideal feel-good movie to watch on Mother's Day. 

Mother’s Day (2016)

A Mother's Day film guide wouldn't be complete without this gem. If you and your mom are fans of ensemble cast movies, you'll love this. This story follows the lives of different mothers on Mother's Day and the shenanigans they get into. Some of the cast includes Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts, and Jason Sudeikis. Why wouldn't you watch Mother's Day on Mother's Day?

Mother’s Day (2016)
Tully (2018)
Tully (2018)

Charlize Theron stars as Marlo, a mother of three. As a kind gesture to help her with her mom duties, her brother gifts her a night nanny. While she was hesitant at first, she comes to befriend and form a close bond with her young nanny named Tully (Mackenzie Davis). This comedy-drama is a great movie to watch on Mother's Day; we highly recommend it. 

Brave (2012)

This film is perfect for the whole family. Set in a mythical Scotland, Princess Merida (Kelly Macdonald) is an aspiring archer and the daughter of Queen Elinor (Dame Emma Thompson). When Merida accidentally places a curse on her mother that turns her into a bear, she must embark on a journey to make things right.

Brave (2012)
Snatched (2017)
Snatched (2017)

Emily (played by Amy Schumer) finds her self suddenly alone after her and her boyfriend break up right before their vacation. Now without a travel partner, she decides that rather than going by herself, she invites her mom Linda (Goldie Hawn) to accompany her, and things get weird (for them) and hilarious (for the audience). 

Bad Moms (2016)

In another ensemble cast is the film Bad Moms. When three moms are pushed to their limits, they ditch all of their responsibilities for freedom and self-indulgence. Starring on-screen favorites Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, and Christina Applegate. 

Bad Moms (2016)
The Parent Trap (1998)
The Parent Trap (1998)

Another Lindsay Lohan classic for the books is The Parent Trap. Identical twins (both played by Lohan) are separated at birth and each raised by one of their parents. When they both end up at the same summer camp and become close, they make it their mission to reunite their family. This is the perfect, wholesome movie to stream on a quarantine Mother's Day.

Juno (2007)

A 16-year-old named Juno (Ellen Page) discovers that she's pregnant by her best friend Bleeker (Michael Cera). While in the waiting room of an abortion clinic, Juno decides to give birth and to put the baby up for adoption in a film that is a funny, tender ode to the complications of motherhood. 

Juno (2007)
The Kids are All Right (2010)
The Kids are All Right (2010)

The Kids Are All Right chronicles the life of 18-year-old Joni (Mia Wasikowska) on her quest to find her birth father. Raised by a lesbian couple (Annette Benning and Julianne Moore), she and her brother Laser (Josh Hutcherson) are desperate to find their roots. However, things go south when their father (Mark Ruffalo) isn't the picture-perfect man that they imagined.

The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

Based on the namesake book, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, this film is one of the best book-to-movie adaptations in existence. In 1964, a teenage girl named Lily (Dakota Fanning) begins the search for the truth about her mother. She runs away and discovers a group of women who are connected to her mother's past. Starring Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Hudson, this is a great movie to watch on Mother's Day.

The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
Changeling (2008)
Changeling (2008)

In this heartwrenching film about the challenges of motherhood, Angelina Jolie stars as Christine Collins who takes on the Los Angeles Police Department when the police force attempts to pass off an impostor child as her missing son. For all the mystery lovers, this is the Mother's Day movie for you.

Because I Said So (2007)

Here's a story many of us may be able to relate to: a nosey mother named Daphne (Diane Keaton) tries to set her daughter Milly (Mandy Moore) up with the right man so that she won't follow in her footsteps. Gilmore Girls fans will appreciate seeing Lauren Graham on-screen again. 

Because I Said So (2007)
Room (2015)
Room (2015)

Brie Larson gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Ma in Room. She plays a character who has been held captive for 7 years in a room with her son Jack (Jacob Tremblay). When they escape, life isn't as easy to navigate as they would've hoped. This is the perfect movie to watch on Mother's Day for those who love a good drama/thriller. 

Mamma Mia! (2008)

What Mother's Day movie guide would be complete without Mamma Mia? Not only does it have "Mamma" in the title, but it's also got Meryl Streep. Set on a Greek island, the plot serves as a background for several music numbers. A young woman named Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is about to be married and is on the search for the identity of her real father. She invites all three of her prospects to the wedding without telling her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep). 

Mamma Mia! (2008)

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