Classic Mother's Day Movies to Watch With Your Mom

One of our favorite ways to celebrate Mom as a family on Mother's Day also happens to be a budget-friendly way to stay in, avoid crowds, and let Mom cuddle up on the couch in her pajamas (sound nice?). Yes, we're talking about streaming a movie! Or better yet, make it a marathon! Even if you can't get together in person, streaming services make watching a movie together for a virtual Mother's Day with your mom easier than ever. So we've rounded up 45 films, from the family-friendly to 18-and-up audiences, that have motherhood, family, and the adversities that we sometimes face together at their hearts.

We all know that the best Mother's Day gift every year is quality time, and a day spent relaxing with a meaningful movie sounds like the perfect activity. Whether you're in the mood for a hilarious comedy about a mother-daughter pair or a tear-jerker drama about families, this list has something for any taste. If you're looking to keep things light, Mamma Mia! is a great option that might also get you and your mom dancing and singing. Or, if you're looking for something more heartfelt, the quirky, endearing The Kids Are Alright is full of poignant moments. If you're known to binge some mother-daughter TV shows together, then these Mother's Day movies are right up your alley.

STREAM NOW

A well-meaning mama bumps heads with her independent daughter on the cusp of adulthood in this heartwarming story about ambition, self-love, and family that put star America Ferrera on the map.

STREAM NOW

Academy Award–winning director Alfonso Cuarón's masterpiece, Roma is the emotional, semi-autobiographical story of a family and their live-in maid, Cleo, in 1970s Mexico.

STREAM NOW

Based on the acclaimed best-seller, Wonder is the inspiring story of August, a fifth-grade boy with facial differences who sets off to attend a mainstream elementary school for the very first time—changing everyone's lives for the better in the process.

STREAM NOW

As a protest to her ex-beauty queen mom, Willowdean signs up for the local pageant and unexpectedly starts a body-positive revolution in her small Texas town, teaching her mom a lesson along the way.

STREAM NOW

Following the lives of four Chinese-American women, this film tells the compelling—and at times harrowing—stories of the women and their mothers and how they can learn from each other's past.

STREAM NOW

Though not for the faint of heart, this suspenseful sci-fi film follows a mother as she risks her life to save her two children from a malevolent supernatural being.

STREAM NOW

For mother-daughter duos who are each other's partner in crime, this classic tale follows two best friends as they run from the law. By the end of it, you'll be debating who's Thelma and who's Louise.

STREAM NOW

The legendary Judy Garland stars in this 1949 flick about a salesgirl who falls in love with her coworker. In the final scene, Judy's daughter Liza Minnelli makes an appearance.

STREAM NOW

Real life mother-daughter duo Laura Dern and Diane Ladd star in this film set in Georgia during the Great Depression. Fun fact: They both earned Oscar nominations for their roles.

STREAM NOW

The one and only Meryl Streep portrays the mother in this musical about a daughter who's desperate to find out who her dad is. So, what does she do? Invites three of her mom's former boyfriends to her wedding day!

STREAM NOW

Mamas with little ones in the house will appreciate this family-friendly movie. Even the adults will enjoy watching this animated feature about an ape who raises a human child as her own.

STREAM NOW

Set in New Zealand, The Piano tells the story about a mute pianist named Ada who's married off to a wealthy plantation owner by her family. Through her difficult life, she still manages to make her young daughter, Flora, her highest priority. The 1993 movie won three Academy Awards for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Original Screenplay.

STREAM NOW

Angela Bassett and Keke Palmer portray mother and daughter in this heartwarming tale about a young girl who hopes to make it to the National Spelling Bee. You'll be taken back to your elementary school days while watching this flick with the kids.

STREAM NOW

When Eliza (Uma Thurman) needs to plan her two year old's birthday party, she's convinced it will be a piece of cake. She soon finds out just how much work arranging a kid's celebration can be!

STREAM NOW

Princess Merida and Queen Elinor get along pretty well—until Merida is ordered to find a husband. After the two get into a tussle, Merida runs away, but must return to save her mother who's been turned into a bear.

STREAM NOW

This comedy proves that a mother will do literally anything for her kids. With a super-funny cast featuring Kathleen Turner, Sam Waterson, and Ricki Lake, it's a must-watch. (But not one to view with little kids!)

STREAM NOW

A remake of the 1934 original, this classic stars Lana Turner, John Gavin, and Sandra Dee. It follows of the story of a widowed mother hoping to make it big in show business.

STREAM NOW

While Mom is away the kids will... run wild! Steve Martin stars in this remake of the 1950 original as a dad who has quite the time handling his 12 kids while his wife working.

STREAM NOW

In this thriller, Jon Cusack plays a con man who must pick sides in a dispute between his girlfriend and his alienated mother. Anjelica Huston and Annette Bening also star in the film.

STREAM NOW

Every parent knows how quickly rumors spread in high school. Although Olive's (Emma Stone) reputation is becoming tarnished by gossip, her mom and dad are there to pick her up and get her back on her feet.

STREAM NOW

Based on the novel by the same name, this old movie is still relatable to so many moms today. It tells the story of a working mother who will go to the ends of the earth to give her daughter a comfortable life.

STREAM NOW

This perfectly titled flick follows the lives of four families and their wild days leading up to Mom's special day.

STREAM NOW

Desperately wanting her mom, Jean, to be happy, Holly creates a fake persona acting as an admirer. But her genius plan backfires when her mom thinks the man is real.

STREAM NOW

Diane Keaton portrays a nosy mom who desperately wants her daughter (Mandy Moore) to find a boyfriend.

STREAM NOW

Country queen Dolly Parton stars in this classic flick that shows just how special friendship can be.

STREAM NOW

What happens when you and your mom trade identities? One crazy day!

STREAM NOW

Two teens meet their shared biological dad and show him what their unconventional lives are like.

STREAM NOW

A troubled middle-aged man moves back in with his mom, who's played by Debbie Reynolds.

STREAM NOW

Jane Fonda portrays the patriarch in this motion picture about three generations of strong, sassy women.

STREAM NOW

Join new guardian J.C. Wiatt (play by Diane Keaton), a young Manhattan woman who learns how just how difficult—and rewarding—raising a child can be.

STREAM NOW

Take a look at motherhood through the eyes of a photographer, who's played by Selma Blair.

STREAM NOW

Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger play a mother-daughter duo who share laughs and tears throughout their relationship.

STREAM NOW

Like any good Mom, divorcee Mildred (Joan Crawford) will do anything for her daughter.

STREAM NOW

Jackie Harrison (Susan Sarandon) is a dying mom who must accept Isabel Kelly (Julia Roberts), her husband's new lover.

STREAM NOW

When Jack (Michael Keaton) loses his job, he and his wife, Caroline (Terri Garr), decide to change things up in their household. Now, Caroline will work and Jack will be the stay-at-home dad—and the results are hysterical.

STREAM NOW

Meryl Streep plays a famous actress who's forced to move back in with her mom, who's portrayed by Shirley MacLaine.

STREAM NOW

Nicole Kidman stars in this tearjerker as an adoptive mother whose son travels around the world to find his birth family.

STREAM NOW

Moms and daughters who were involved in Girl Scouts will get a kick out of this comedy about a spoiled wife who becomes a den mother to a pack of prissy kids.

STREAM NOW

This critically acclaimed film follows 17-year-old Lady Bird and her conflicting relationship with her mom.

STREAM NOW

Both kids and adults will enjoy this movie starring Dennis Quaid as Nick Parker and Natasha Richardson as Elizabeth James.

STREAM NOW

As a single mother, Mrs. Flax (Cher) enjoys her life alone as she raises her two daughters by herself. But everything changes when she meets Lou Landsky (Bob Hoskins).

STREAM NOW

Based on a true story, this flick shows the life of writer Beverly Donofrio (Drew Barrymore), who becomes a mom at the age of 15.

STREAM NOW

Joyce (Barbra Streisand) joins her son Andrew (Seth Rogen) for a hilarious, event-filled road trip.

STREAM NOW

This heartwarming film shows a pair of parents-to-be taking a journey all around the country in order to find the best place to raise their child.

STREAM NOW

After tragedy strikes, Holly Berenson and Eric Messer team up to raise their goddaughter—with a few growing pains along the way.