Six Heartwarming Films to Binge Watch with Your Mum This Mother's Day
Mother's Day arrives on Sunday, March 15, this year, offering a poignant annual reminder to cherish our mothers. For those fortunate enough to still have their mums in their lives, this day serves as a special occasion to express gratitude and strengthen bonds. While there are countless activities and elaborate gestures to mark the celebration, a traditional movie marathon remains one of the most understated yet effective ways to connect with your mum.
We have compiled a list of six films that are certain to spark meaningful conversations, allow you to experience each other's perspectives, and view the world through a fresh lens. These selections promise laughter, tears, and that profound connection of unconditional love, making them ideal for a Mother's Day viewing session.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
A genuinely fantastical cinematic experience, Everything Everywhere All at Once tells the tale of a middle-aged Chinese immigrant woman who becomes embroiled in an extraordinary adventure involving parallel universes, intricate family dynamics, and heaps of action. The narrative highlights a mother's devotion to her children, a theme worthy of celebration every day, not just on Mother's Day.
Helmed and written by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the film features Michelle Yeoh in the leading role as Evelyn Wang, earning her a well-deserved Oscar for Best Actress. This marked the first time an Asian woman claimed the top accolade at the esteemed awards ceremony, and also made her the first Malaysian to win any Academy Award. Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis also collected Oscars for their supporting performances. Everything Everywhere All at Once is available to stream for free on Channel 4.
The Sound of Music
You can never go wrong with this ultimate classic, especially on Mother's Day. Robert Wise's The Sound of Music has stood the test of time remarkably well. The charismatic Julie Andrews assumes the leading role of Maria, a young governess who arrives at the home of a widowed naval captain with seven children, filling their household with love, music, and warmth.
This fictional retelling of the real-life story of the Von Trapp Family singers brings a fresh lease on life to the family. If you're seeking an evergreen classic that ticks all the right boxes to watch with mum, The Sound of Music is a no-brainer, and it's available to stream on Disney+.
Lady Bird
For those yet to experience this Oscar-nominated Greta Gerwig masterpiece, Mother's Day could be the perfect occasion to immerse yourself in this poignant and bittersweet portrayal of the intricate yet unwavering bond between a millennial mother and her teenage daughter. The relationship between this mother-daughter pair can best be described as stormy yet affectionate, a description that likely resonates with countless other maternal relationships.
With Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf at the helm, Lady Bird is Gerwig's semi-autobiographical endeavour to tug at heartstrings through masterful and richly woven storytelling. Lady Bird is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Terms of Endearment
If the plan is to snuggle up with mum whilst you both dissolve into tears, then this film is the one. This 1983 classic tells the tale of a mother grappling with the new chapters unfolding in her daughter's life, from marriage to pregnancy and relationship woes. It delves into the complex relationship between a mother and her daughter, subtly reminding us that the love between parent and child transcends everything else.
Penned, produced, and helmed by James L Brooks, the picture is an adaptation of Larry McMurtry's 1975 novel of the same name. It features Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger in the principal roles, with Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito completing an impressive supporting ensemble. A Mother's Day essential, Terms of Endearment is available to stream on NOW and Sky and available to rent on Amazon Prime Video for £3.49.
The Joy Luck Club
Another guaranteed tearjerker on this list, The Joy Luck Club is the picture to watch if you genuinely want to understand your mum and vice versa. A poignant portrait of eight women—four mothers and their four daughters—the film illuminates cultural and generational differences, celebrating the joys of motherhood in all their complicated glory.
It's the moving story of four Chinese-American daughters and their immigrant mothers, taking a nuanced look at the complexities of their relationships to each other and the world around them. A perfect Mother's Day watch starring Tsai Chin, Kieu Chinh, Lisa Lu, France Nuyen, Rosalind Chao, Lauren Tom, Tamlyn Tomita, and Ming-Na Wen, The Joy Luck Club is available to stream on Disney+.
Freaky Friday
Pure chaos and unadulterated fun, Freaky Friday is a thoroughly enjoyable cinematic experience. Those seeking a lighthearted Mother's Day watch with mum can't go wrong with this millennial classic. Freaky Friday (2003) tells the hilarious tale of teenager Anna Coleman (Lindsay Lohan) and her widowed psychologist mother Tess Coleman (Jamie Lee Curtis), who find themselves caught in an extraordinary body-swapping predicament.
The pair are polar opposites, and it's sending them both round the bend. What unfolds is a riotous journey packed with romance, outrageous antics, and comedy—proper fist-pumping, side-splitting comedy. Perfect viewing if you fancy a proper giggle with your mum whilst sneakily gaining insight into her mindset, currently streaming on Disney+.
