Plan a Special Mother's Day Movie Marathon for the Whole Family

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With Mother's Day coming up, you might be trying to find things to do for your mom to make her feel extra special. So, in come the search inquiries like "best gifts for Mom" or "how to make a heartfelt DIY gift for Mom." And while showering her with gifts is never a bad idea, sometimes all it takes is time well spent with mom to make her feel appreciated. One idea she's sure to love is a Mother's Day movie marathon with the whole family! Whip up some popcorn, plop down on the couch, and pick from one of the feel-good films ahead!

Get this: there are actually so many Mother's Day movies out there that celebrate moms and matriarchs of all walks of life, and this roundup has a little bit of everything. There are classic family comedies like The Parent Trap and Freaky Friday, mother-daughter movies that explore the complicated relationships between moms and their kids like Stepmom and Lady Bird, and fun animated films for younger kids to watch with their moms, like Brave and Turning Red. There are even a few musicals in here, like Mamma Mia and The Sound of Music, that are sure to have you both singing and dancing around the living room! Some may not be exactly about motherhood precisely, but would still make a great addition to your Mother's Day movie marathon.

Mermaids

No, Cher isn't actually a mermaid in this movie! She is, however, a mother with two very opinionated daughters, who are played by Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci. Things get trickier for Cher's character when the oldest daughter falls for someone who she probably shouldn't.

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Vivi is a mother with a strange way of going about parenting, which is sort of why her daughter Sidda starts to distance herself. Income Vivi's longtime BFFs who try to salvage the two's relationship by trying to remedy past faults.

Otherhood

Don't mess with these three mothers, because they're absolutely fed up! (With their sons, that is.) In order to teach a lesson, and to get their sons to stop taking advantage of their kindness, they drive all the way to the big apple to put them in their place.

Thelma & Louise

These two besties take the term "partner in crime" to a whole new level. Thelma & Louise is the ultimate girls movie to watch on Mother's Day, focusing on two friends who are more than okay with breaking the law for each other.

Miss Juneteenth

Like mother like daughter! Turquoise Jones just wants her daughter to win the exact beauty pageant she won when she was her age, not realizing she may be setting standards that her rebellious daughter has no interest in meeting.

Real Women Have Curves

Loved Barbie? Then watch America Ferrera in her debut feature film as Ana García, a Mexican American teen who strives to further her education. This will mean that she'll need to tell her mom that she doesn't plan on getting married anytime soon, and probably won't take over the family business.

Away We Go

A pregnant mama and her hubby travel the entire world, looking for a location that just feels right for their soon-to-be-born baby! It's a little peculiar, but also wholesome. What more can you ask for in a movie?

Riding in Cars with Boys

Any Drew Barrymore movie is worth watching, but especially this one about a gal who aspires of being a writer in NYC. She is a busy teenager in the midst of figuring out how to make her dreams come true when she faces a shocking turn of events: she's pregnant! This true story will definitely warrant a tear or two.

Bird Box

The love of a mother knows no limits! So, when the world becomes occupied with mysterious monsters who can captivate you with just one look, a mother of two (Sandra Bullock) will do whatever she needs to to keep her kids safe.

Little Miss Sunshine

Olive is a spunky little girl, but that's exactly why her mother loves her. Even when the rest of her family discourages her originality! When Olive decides to join a beauty pageant, her mother is her biggest fan while the rest of her fam becomes worried.

Life as We Know It

It's safe to say that Holly and Eric are sworn enemies. But when their mutual friends pass away due to an accident, they must come together to take care of their baby. The sudden-new parents are now learning a lot about life with this new venture!

Serial Mom

This one is for those who don't mind a little dark humor every once in a while. It has to do with a mom who thinks she needs to protect her family by taking some... drastic measures. Is she becoming a little delusional?

Mother's Day

Well, this is an obvious choice! Mother's Day is another holiday ensemble film from the late, great director Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman). It features an A-list cast including Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, and Kate Hudson. It's the perfect movie to pop on if you and Mom are in the mood for a feel-good rom-com.

Yes Day

There's probably a good reason why Mom always said no to your wildest requests. But in this fun family film, anything goes!

CODA

The Best Picture of 2022 is also one of the best movies to watch for Mother's Day. Actress Marlee Matlin delivers a powerful performance as the mother of teenage Ruby, an aspiring singer and the only hearing member of her family.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

As matriarch Maria Portokalos wisely said in this beloved film: "The man may be the head of the family, but the woman is the neck and she turns the head any way she wants."

Little Women

Marmee March is easily one of the best moms in literary history. In Greta Gerwig's 2019 adaptation of Little Women, Marmee is lovingly brought to life by actress Laura Dern.

Stepmom

This moving film follows a mother (Susan Sarandon) and stepmother (Julia Roberts) as they navigate blended family life and all the difficulties that can come with it.

The Guilt Trip

Inventor Andy Brewster (Seth Rogen) gets more than he bargained for when his mom (Barbra Streisand) crashes his cross-country road trip.

Akeelah and the Bee

Angela Bassett and Keke Palmer make a delightful mother and daughter duo in the inspiring film about a young girl whose gift for words takes her all the way to the National Spelling Bee.

Mothers and Daughters

A photographer who unexpectedly becomes pregnant learns the true meaning of motherhood as she captures several mothers and their children on film.

Mother

After his second divorce, a writer (Albert Brooks) moves back in with his mother (Debbie Reynolds) in an attempt to figure out why all of his relationships with women have failed.

Dumplin'

An awkward teen and her former pageant queen mother seem to live in opposite universes—until they realize they're more alike than they once thought.

Mrs. Doubtfire

Mrs. Doubtfire is the overbearing, loving mother figure that everyone wishes they had. This classic comedy shows that anyone with a big heart can take on the role of "Mom."

Fried Green Tomatoes

Sometimes, motherhood comes in the form of friendship. Anyone who's seen Fried Green Tomatoes can understand that!

Lady Bird

Greta Gerwig's directorial debut explores the turbulent relationship between the character Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan) and her mother (Laurie Metcalf). The coming-of-age dramedy is as funny as it is heartwarming.

Mamma Mia! The Movie

Meryl Streep leads a star-studded cast in this joyful musical about a daughter's quest to find her father. Set to the soundtrack of ABBA's greatest hits, it's sure to have you dancing and singing in your living room!

Brave

Brave is great for mamas with little ones. This Disney/Pixar flick tells the story of a princess named Merida, who must draw on her bravery and skills as an archer to save her mother, Queen Elinor, from a beastly curse.

Because I Said So

Diane Keaton plays a single mother who can't resist meddling in her daughter's (Mandy Moore) love life—to great comedic effect!

Steel Magnolias

This beloved '80s movie is a warm and witty celebration of female friendship. It also features a touching depiction of the unbreakable bond between mother (Sally Field) and daughter (Julia Roberts).

Soul Food

The family that eats together, stays together. Through all of their ups and downs, the Joseph family remains strong thanks to matriarch Mama Joe's Sunday dinner of soul food.

Forrest Gump

"Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates." Sally Field proves the power of a mother's love once again in the Tom Hanks hit, Forrest Gump.

Freaky Friday

A mother-daughter duo played by Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis walk a mile in each other's heels (and combat boots) in this hilarious Disney remake.

Freaky Friday (1976)

And if you loved the 2003 version, you should definitely go back and watch the original 1976 film. It stars a young Jodie Foster!

If Beale Street Could Talk

Regina King's moving performance as a mother who would do whatever it takes to save her family won her an Oscar. If Beale Street Could Talk is heart-wrenching yet beautiful film about how love—even the most powerful kind—sometimes doesn't conquer all.

Philomena

This poignant film tells the incredible true story of Philomena Lee's (Judi Dench) 50-year search for the child she was forced to give up for adoption. Philmonena's charming relationship with the journalist (Steve Coogan) who accompanies her on her quest will have you laughing and crying.

Troop Beverly Hills

Shelley Long plays a Beverly Hills housewife who gets in touch with her maternal side when she takes charge of her daughter's girl scout troop. It's a classic!

The Farewell

Anyone who has a special relationship with their grandmother will love The Farewell. It's about a young artist (Awkwafina) who travels to China to see her ailing grandmother for possibly the last time. We can imagine three generations of women bonding over this one. ❤️

The Parent Trap

Lindsay Lohan is twice as nice in her film debut as twins Hallie Parker and Annie James, who scheme to get their divorced parents back together again. Warning: the scene where Hallie reunites with her mom (Natasha Richardson) for the first time in 12 years may bring a tear or two to your eye! The film features lots of fun nods to the equally delightful 1961 version starring Haley Mills.

20th Century Women

This quirky, Oscar-nominted film explores the relationship between a teenage boy and the women who raise him, including his free-spirited single mother played to perfection by Annette Bening.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Here we go again! If you and mom want more music, merriment, and Meryl, then you have to watch Mamma Mia's equally fun sequel.

The Joy Luck Club

This compelling film tells the stories of four Chinese-American women and their relationships with their mothers. Based on Amy Tan's acclaimed novel, The Joy Luck Club is a touching ode to mother-daughter relationships in all their power and complexity.

The Kids Are All Right

Two teenagers get to know their biological father in the acclaimed dramedy starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo.

Postcards From The Edge

This witty film starring Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine is based on Carrie Fisher's semi-autobiographical bestselling book about her relationship with her mother, fellow actress Debbie Reynolds.

Lion

The critically acclaimed film tells the true story of a man who used Google Earth to find his birth parents. Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman were both nominated for Oscars for their touching portrayal of a son and his adoptive mother.

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