It's Mother's Day! The special occasion calls for a celebration of the bond between mothers and their kids. There are several memorable films that explore the different sides of motherhood and the mother-child relationship. From classics to comedies, there's a slew of films to add to your watch list. Whether you're looking for a movie to watch with your mom or simply get into the spirit of the day, here's a diverse list of Hollywood films that capture the essence of Mother's Day.

Everything Everywhere All At Once

The Academy Award-winning film Everything Everywhere All At Once isn't just a mind-blowing piece of cinema, it's also a great mother-daughter story. It follows Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh) who discovers her powers as her reality is altered when a multiverse opens up. Her battles across timelines doubles up as an emotional journey to repair her bond with her daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu) who has grown distant over the years. The film gets real about the equation between mothers and their kids. It also has an incredibly satisfying heart-to-heart in which we see an Asian mother apologising to her child. That in a nutshell says a lot about how much this movie has done for mothers and daughters.

Mother's Day

This movie chronicles events leading up to Mother's Day celebrations. It follows different families over the week leading up to the special occasion. And it covers quite a range. The star-studded cast of the film includes some of the biggest female stars including Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson, Shay Mitchelle and others. While the comedy-drama keeps it light, it doesn't shy away from the complexities of motherhood. With a diverse bunch of mothers, it's a great starter movie to watch.

Freaky Friday

Freaky Friday is a classic mother-daughter story. This 2003 movie knew how to pack in important themes about the mother-child relationships in a thoroughly entertaining ride. Starring a perfectly cast Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, the film sees a mother and daughter who end up switching bodies after getting mysterious fortunes in fortune cookies at a Chinese restaurant. The two then quite literally have to step into each other's shoes. By the end of the film, they each have a better understanding of the other.

Brave

The 2012 Disney film follows Merida, a Scottish princess who doesn't conform to tradition. Her controlling mother Elinor would like nothing more than for her to marry an eligible suitor. As her desire for freedom grows, Merida ends up making a wish that transforms her mom into a bear. And so ensues their journey as mother and daughter to truly understand each other. While Elinor begins to see Merida's free spirit and appreciate her as she is, Merida also sees the importance of her mother and her love. Brave might be a children's animated movie but it captures the nuances of motherhood well. Moreover, it celebrates the mother-daughter bond along with its ups and downs.

Bird Box

A post-apocalyptic horror movie might not sound like a typical Mother's Day watch but Bird Box's central theme is motherhood. The highly gripping plot revolves around Malorie (Sandra Bullock), a mother of two. She has to protect herself and her children against supernatural beings that can cause humans to commit suicide if they look at them. Malorie takes on several life-threatening challenges to keep her children alive and goes to great lengths to protect them from harm. And she does it with a blindfold on. However, the film doesn't just focus on the sacrifices but also the resilience of a mother in a harsh world.

Bad Moms


When it comes to relatable movies centred around mothers, Bad Moms is an essential. The film is about three mothers who are overworked and exhausted. Like most mothers, they struggle to balance their mommy duties with their own individual hopes and desires. Through the course of the film, we see how demanding motherhood can be from working on events in their kids' schools to managing their homes. The film sees the characters embrace their imperfections and find the sweet spot between caring for their families and prioritising themselves. It's a funny and incredibly real portrayal of being a mom.

Little Women

Little Women is a classic that explores various facets of womanhood. The 2019 film directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Tomothée Chalamet, Meryl Streep and others, is an adaptation worth watching. The film showcases a strong and independent matriarch in Marmee, the mother of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. As a mother Marmee is gentle and nurturing. She's also strong and a great role model for her daughters. We also see different generations of moms as the girls grow up and experience motherhood themselves. The film is a fresh look at what it means to be a mother.

Mama Mia!

Mama Mia! is perhaps the best Mother's Day movie because it's one of the best celebrations of motherhood. The musical film filled with covers of hit ABBA songs places motherhood at its core. It follows Donna (Meryl Streep), a single mother who raises her daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) and runs a successful business on a Greek island. The film doesn't just offer a look at Donna as a mom but also gives her enough backstory to fully explore her perspective. The film is uplifting and spotlights the enduring love of mothers.

Stepmom

If we were to describe the 1998 drama starring a stellar cast including Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Ed Harris and others, in one word it would be heartwarming. The film revolves around Jackie (Sarandon), a divorced mother of two who is diagnosed with cancer and Isabel (Roberts) a woman who becomes the stepmom to Jackie's kids. While the two moms start out with a strained equation, they ultimately begin to appreciate each other's presence and develop a deep bond. The film focuses on not just the complexities of family dynamics but also the power of empathy. As an exploration of motherhood and the bonds between mothers and kids, the film is a moving watch.

Not Without My Daughter

This is probably the most intense film on the list. Not Without My Daughter is an extraordinary yet true story of Betty (Sally Field), an American mom who fights to rescue her daughter Mahtob (Sheila Rosenthal) from her abusive Iranian husband. Set against the backdrop of a humanitarian crisis, the film spotlights a mother's determination when it comes to protecting her child.

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