14 Movies to Watch with Mom This Mother’s Day

This Mother’s Day, start with brunch, follow with a mani-pedi and then grab the popcorn (and a bottle of wine) for a heartwarming flick that celebrates parenthood. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll definitely want to apologize to your mom for those teenage years. 

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‘Steel Magnolias’

With its standout cast (Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton and Daryl Hannah), this classic tells the story of love, loss and friendship in a small southern town. Disclaimer: Remove your mascara before watching.

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‘Mermaids’

A single mother (Cher) moves to a small New England town with her two daughters (Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci). Personalities (and love lives) clash, but your heart will swell watching this family figure things out.

‘Stepmom’

There are films that make your eyes well up and then there’s this one that will have you openly sobbing and grabbing the tissues. Julia Roberts plays the soon-to-be stepmom to Susan Sarandon’s two kids and yep, we’re crying already just thinking about it.

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‘Mildred Pierce’

A hardworking mother (Joan Crawford) has a difficult relationship with her spoiled daughter, but exactly how far will she go to protect her? This dramatic flick will definitely keep you glued to your seat, but if you want to spend the entire day on the couch, then check out the just-as-good miniseries starring Kate Winslet, Guy Pearce and Evan Rachel Wood.

‘Joy Luck Club’

Based on the best-selling novel by Amy Tan, this moving tale follows three generations across two continents as it explores cultural conflicts, mother-daughter bonds and how your parents’ experiences are inherently linked to your own.

‘The Kids Are All Right’

When a lesbian couple’s teenage children want to explore a relationship with their sperm donor father, things get complicated…fast. A smart and funny film about a modern family with an all-star cast (Julianne Moore, Annette Bening and Mark Ruffalo).

‘Bad Moms’

There’s no such thing as perfect parenting, and this laugh-out-loud film will be totally relatable to any mom. Keep watching for the hilarious (and ultra sweet) post-credits interviews with stars Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn and their real-life moms.

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‘Terms of Endearment’

Shirley MacLaine won an Oscar for her brilliant portray of Aurora, a fierce (and very funny) mom to daughter Emma (Debra Winger). These two may bicker constantly, but that doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. Another Mother’s Day flick that will have you reaching for the tissues.

‘The Parent Trap’

We’re partial to the Lindsay Lohan version for pure ’90s nostalgia, but the Hayley Mills original is just as good.

‘Lady Bird’

Greta Gerwig’s semi-autobiographical directorial debut scored her an Oscar nomination for her brilliant depiction of the highly complex relationship between a mother and daughter (beautifully portrayed by Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf). Tough love can be, well, tough.

‘Secrets & Lies’

When a young black woman decides to find her birth mother, she’s shocked to discover that the woman who gave her up for adoption so many years ago is white. The two form a bond and together work through their family’s titular secrets and lies in this very moving and skillfully acted melodrama.  

‘The Blind Side’

Based on a true story, a homeless teen is taken in by a wealthy family (Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw) and learns that love and hard work can make your dreams come true (in his case, becoming an all-American football player).

‘Freaky Friday’

When mom Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and daughter Anna (Lindsay Lohan) wake up to discover that they’ve switched bodies (thanks to some fortune cookie magic), chaos ensues. Watch when you need to take a moment to put yourself in your mom’s or daughter’s shoes.

‘Mamma Mia’

Jaw-droppingly beautiful Greek islands, ABBA music and Meryl Streep—what’s not to love? Watch it now, then book a date to see the sequel, hitting theaters this July.

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