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A24; Pixar; Elevation Pictures
- There are many memorable movies that highlight the joys and struggles of motherhood.
- From comedies to thrillers, these mom-centric films are perfect for streaming on Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and there are plenty of great movies you can watch at home that are perfect for celebrating the holiday with your mom. Many memorable films, both old and new, honor the joys and hardships that come with motherhood, and these flicks all offer a nice way to kick back and enjoy a movie night with your mom.
To help you find the perfect film to watch, we selected 16 of the best mom-centric movies to stream on Mother’s Day. All of our picks feature mothers or grandmothers in key roles, and they each tell stories that deal with relationships between moms and their children.
All of the movies we selected are deemed “fresh” by the review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, with a rating of 60% or higher from critics. We also made sure to highlight films that cover a range of genres to suit all tastes, from dramas and comedies to musicals and even a couple horror flicks.
Check out the 16 best movies about moms and their kids to watch on Mother’s Day
Peacock
Watch “Akeelah and the Bee” on Peacock.
This underdog story focuses on a young girl’s journey to the National Spelling Bee in the face of socioeconomic obstacles. Keke Palmer plays Akeelah Anderson, the 11-year-old child of a widowed mother (Angela Bassett) in South Los Angeles with a poor record in school, but a penchant for spelling.
Though they initially disagree about Akeelah’s goals, the mother-daughter relationship evolves over the course of the movie. “Akeelah and the Bee” is an inspirational watch for kids and parents alike, with life lessons to be learned by viewers of all backgrounds.
The movie earned an “85% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was well-received critically and praised for its deviation from typical African-American stereotypes in movies.
Paramount
Watch “A Quiet Place Part II” on Paramount Plus or Amazon Prime Video.
The sequel to “A Quiet Place” expands on the first movie’s story about a family struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Emily Blunt plays Evelyn Abbott, a mother who tries to protect her three children from dangerous creatures that can hear their every move. The eldest child, Regan, is written as a deaf character, and played by Millicent Simmonds, a deaf actress.
Though a horror film may not be your first thought when picking a movie to watch on Mother’s Day, “A Quiet Place Part II” details the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her kids in a dangerous world set on taking them away.
“A Quiet Place Part II” received a “91% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. John Krasinski returns to direct the sequel, and Cillian Murphy joins the cast as a new character. If you’d like to catch up on the first movie, you can also stream the original film on Paramount Plus.
Pixar
Watch “Coco” on Disney Plus.
A 3D-animated film set in Santa Cecilia, Mexico, “Coco” follows Miguel, an aspiring young musician growing up in a family that hates music. On Día de Muertos, The Day of the Dead, he mistakenly enters the Land of the Dead. He then embarks on a journey that reveals new insights about his family, including his great-grandmother Mama Coco.
More than just a good watch for grandmothers and moms with their kids, “Coco” delves into the Mexican family dynamic of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and great grandparents all under one roof. It’s an excellent film for the whole family, and it’s even available to stream in Spanish.
“Coco” won two Academy Awards and currently has a “97% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s directed by Lee Unkrich, co-director of “Monsters, Inc.” and “Finding Nemo.” The cast includes the voices of Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, and Alanna Ubach.
Warner Bros
Watch “Crazy Rich Asians” on HBO Max.
A romantic comedy-drama based on Kevin Kwan’s 2013 novel of the same name, “Crazy Rich Asians” dives into the world of the ridiculously wealthy in Singapore. We follow Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), an NYU professor on a trip overseas to meet her boyfriend’s family. After she discovers his family is rich, and that his mother doesn’t approve of her, turmoil ensues that puts their relationship to the test. It’s a tale of a loving but stern mother who does anything to protect her son.
“Crazy Rich Asians” received a “91% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One of the first films to feature a majority Chinese cast in a modern setting since the early ’90s, it stars Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, and Michelle Yeoh.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Rent or buy “Jojo Rabbit” on Amazon, Apple TV, or Vudu.
A dark comedy set in Germany during WWII, “Jojo Rabbit” follows Johannes “Jojo” Betzler, a 10-year-old who discovers his mom’s dangerous secret: she’s hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. Jojo also has an imaginary best friend who just so happens to be a satirical version of Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi).
Despite his thorough Nazi upbringing, Jojo is forced to question his beliefs when he kindles a friendship with the Jewish girl, and realizes how deep his mother’s anti-Nazi beliefs run. The film portrays a loving mother-son relationship that will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between.
“Jojo Rabbit” received an “80% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Taika Waititi, the movie is adapted from Christine Leunen’s novel “Caging Skies.” The cast includes Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Taika Waititi, Scarlett Johansson, Rebel Wilson, and Sam Rockwell.
A24
Watch “Lady Bird” on Netflix.
Where comedy meets drama meets coming-of-age film is where you’ll find “Lady Bird.” Saoirse Ronan stars as Christine “Lady Bird” MacPherson, a strong-willed and ambitious teenager enrolled in a Catholic high school in Sacramento, California. The film details her big dreams of escape, how she acts on them, and how it affects the people close to her, including her outspoken mother (Laurie Metcalf).
For anyone who went through, or still goes through, a rebellious phase, “Lady Bird” offers a relatable watch for mothers and daughters alike.
It received a “99% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, and Timothée Chalamet also star in the film.
Transmission Films.
Watch “Lion” on Freevee (free with ads).
A biographical drama based on the novel “A Long Way Home” by Saroo Brierley, “Lion” follows a young man searching for his biological family after spending decades with his adoptive parents. We watch Saroo’s desperate search for home in India, 25 years after being separated from his birth mother and blood siblings. It’s an emotional story that will move you to tears, while validating the motherhood of both adoptive and biological mothers alike.
“Lion” received an “84% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It stars Dev Patel as an adult Saroo Brierley, alongside Sunny Pawar, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara, and David Wenham.
Universal Pictures
Rent or buy “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, or Vudu.
As the title suggests, “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” is the musical rom-com sequel to “Mamma Mia!,” with many returning cast members and a few new additions. Set five years after the first film, Sophie Sheridan (Amanda Seyfried) is now grieving the loss of her adventurous and fun-loving mother, Donna (Meryl Streep).
“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” jumps between flashbacks and the present, detailing the adventures of a young Donna (Lily James) and the present struggles of Sophie as she grieves and tries to move on. It’s a sentimental adventure set to Abba’s hits, perfect for singing and dancing along while dabbing away tears.
“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” received a “79% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In addition to our leading ladies, the film also stars Dominic Cooper, Christine Baranski, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Julie Walters, Alexa Davies, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård.
Netflix
Watch “Roma” on Netflix.
“Roma” paints the struggles of two very different women living in the same middle-class home. Yalitza Aparicio plays Cleo Gutiérrez, an Indigenous live-in maid working for the household of Sofía, played by Marina de Tavira. Cleo is a soon-to-be single mother, while Marina is the mother of four stuck in a tumultuous marriage.
Though the entirety of “Roma” is shot in black and white, it’s not at the compromise of beauty; on the contrary, the film’s panning shots and deliberate lighting result in alluring images that make you feel like you’re peering directly into the daily lives of these mothers.
A 10-time Academy Award nominee and three-time winner, “Roma” received no shortage of accolades — it’s currently rated “96% Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed, produced, shot, and co-edited by Alfonso Cuarón, the film also stars Fernando Grediaga and Jorge Antonio Guerrero.
Elevation Pictures
Watch “Room” on Showtime.
“Room” is a drama about Joy (Brie Larson), a young woman living in captivity with her 5-year-old son Jack, both at the mercy of their kidnapper. After they pull off an elaborate escape, Joy and Jack find themselves tangled in a web of complex emotions.
It’s a heavy movie with moments of suspense, and it’s a powerful mom-centric watch that tackles two generations of motherhood under great duress: Joy’s and her mother’s.
The film received a “93% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The award-winning movie also stars Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, William H. Macy, Sean Bridgers, and Tom McCamus.
IFC Films
Watch “The Babadook” on AMC Plus.
“The Babadook” is a psychological horror film that shows the lengths a mother will go to for her child. Essie Davis plays Amelia Vanek, the widowed mother of her behaviorally demanding son Sam. When Sam becomes fixated with a monster called the Babadook, Amelia is forced to step in and take action against the supernatural happenings in her house.
Though it’s a horror movie, the spooky story ends up painting a heartwarming depiction of Amelia’s love for her son.
“The Babadook” received a “98% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is directed by Jennifer Kent.
A24
Watch “The Farewell” on Showtime.
A film based on a real-life lie, “The Farewell” follows a scattered family that reunites under the guise of a wedding to say goodbye to their matriarch and grandmother, who does not know she is dying. Awkwafina plays Billi, a New York City native who yearns to reveal the secret of her grandma’s terminal illness, but is strong-armed into silence by her entire family.
A beautiful and poignant film that will move you to tears, “The Farewell” illustrates the clash of Western individualistic culture and Eastern collectivist culture in one family quietly suffering to keep their grandmother happy. More than just a story about mothers, it’s a drama about family as a whole that can be enjoyed by all viewers, especially those with immigrant backgrounds.
“The Farewell” received a “97% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Academy Award nominee is directed by Lulu Wang and features emotional performances from Tzi Mai, Diana Lin, and Zhao Shu-zhen alongside Awkwafina.
Focus Features
Rent or buy “The Kids Are All Right” on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, or Vudu.
“The Kids Are All Right” follows Nic and Jules, a same-sex couple, each with their own child conceived from the same sperm donor. When the kids bring their shared biological father into the picture, unexpected issues arise, and the family is thrown under pressure. The drama-comedy is a rare, well-rated LGBTQ film that focuses on motherhood and the common practice of artificial insemination.
“The Kids Are All Right” received a handful of Academy Award nominations and holds a “92% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The cast features Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, and Josh Hutcherson.
Disney Plus
Watch “The Sound of Music” on Disney Plus.
An all-time classic, “The Sound of Music” is a 1965 musical following the von Trapps, an Austrian family of seven kids and a widowed father. When Maria, a Catholic postulant, is sent to join the family as their governess, she brings music and love back into the family’s life.
It’s a beautiful, musical story perfect for blended families, and a great way to pay homage to stepmothers.
“The Sound of Music” holds an “83% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film was directed by Robert Wise and stars Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, and Peggy Wood.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Watch “Turning Red” on Disney Plus.
If you have yet to see Pixar’s latest animated feature, there’s no better time to watch “Turning Red” than on Mother’s Day. A relatable story for anyone with an overbearing mom, the film follows Mei Lee, a 13-year-old girl in Canada with a love for boys, her friends, and pop music. This is all contrary to the obedient persona she displays in front of her mother, Ming. When a hereditary curse turns Mei into a giant red panda, she is pushed to decide who she wants to be: her fun-loving self, or the perfect daughter.
“Turning Red” currently holds a “94% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film features the voices of Rosalie Chang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Hyein Park.
Universal
Rent or buy “Us” on Amazon, Apple TV, or Vudu.
One last horror movie to consider for Mother’s Day is Jordan Peele’s “Us.” In the film’s eerie story, the world’s status quo is broken when silent doppelgangers clad in red jumpsuits start attacking people.
Lupita Nyong’o plays Adelaide, the mother of two, and wife to Gabe (Winston Duke). She is put to the test to protect her children from violent forces wearing their own faces, and must fight tooth and nail to keep her family safe. Not only is “Us” a really interesting watch that diverts expectations, but it’s also another good movie to put on for any horror-loving mom on Mother’s Day.
“Us” earned a “93% Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and received many award nominations since its release. Other members of the cast include Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex, Elisabeth Moss, and Tim Heidecker.
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