A Mothers Day Movies List: 25 Best Movies to Watch With Mom

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.

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

There is a FREE movie checklist you can download to keep track of what you want to see.

Read to the end for BONUS movies streaming FREE

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 | Rating: R
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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 | Rating: PG
IMDb | Amazon Prime

“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: Rom-com | Rating: PG-13
IMDb | Amazon Prime

“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 | Rating: R
IMDb | Amazon Prime

“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: Sci-Fi | Rating: PG-13
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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 | Rating: R
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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: Drama | Rating: R
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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: Drama | Rating: PG
IMDb | Amazon Prime

“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 | Rating: PG
IMDb | Amazon Prime

“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: Adventure | Rating: PG
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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: Drama | Rating: PG-13
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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 | Rating: R
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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 | Rating: G
IMDb | Amazon Prime

“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 | Rating: PG
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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 | Rating: PG-13
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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 | Rating: PG
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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: Drama | Rating: PG-13
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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 | Rating: PG
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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: Thriller | Rating: R
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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: Drama | Rating: PG-13
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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 | Rating: PG-13
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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: Thriller | Rating: R
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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 | Rating: R
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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 | Rating: PG-13
IMDb | Amazon

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 | Rating: R
IMDb | Amazon Prime

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.