"One of my favorite memories growing up was when my family used to snuggle on the couch on a Sunday night while watching ABC Family movies. The older I get, the more I realize what a bonding moment watching movies together has always been. We always excitedly chatted afterwards, talking about what we loved and what we didn’t. The shared experience is one I still treasure.
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As an adult, I love watching movies with my nieces and nephews. We make snacks, get candy, and bond over family favorites. They love talking to me throughout the movie (and long after it’s over), dissecting plot points and rehashing their favorite jokes. These days there are movies for everything, but I’ve realized that Mother’s Day family movies may be some of the ones that pull on your heartstrings most. Below, check out 30 Mother’s Day family movies to consider watching together this Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day Family Movies for Everyone to Enjoy
1. The Princess Diaries
Where to Watch: Disney+ | Rating: G
Arguably a modern-day classic, The Princess Diaries is pleasant to watch from beginning to end. Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) discovers she is a princess of the fictional country Genovia, and her estranged grandmother Clarisse (Julie Andrews) takes her under her wing to get her in tip-top shape for all her newfound princess duties. The connection between Mia and Clarisse blossoms as the films goes on, and the grandmother role of Clarisse to Mia is both nurturing and refreshing.
Can’t get enough? Lucky for you, the sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, is just as cute and Disney recently announced that a third Princess Diaries movies is in the works!
2. Turning Red
Where to Watch: Disney+ | Rating: PG
Mei Lee wants to be the perfect daughter in her mother’s eyes, but she also wants to explore her youth and cultivate her self-interests. When the 13-year-old finds herself literally turning into a big red panda when she gets too excited, she finds new ways to attempt to honor her family as well as pursue her passions.
The mother-daughter dynamic in the movie touches upon important milestones in a young teenager’s life. From a first period to learning that you’re not always going to please your mother, this is one of those Mother’s Day family movies that can bring you closer together, while still being lighthearted and silly enough to keep ya’ll feeling breezy.
3. Brave
Where to Watch: Disney+ | Rating: PG
Merida, the daughter of Scottish royals, is stubborn and defiant. Her stubbornness lands her in trouble with the Highland lords and she seeks help from a witch. Of course, trouble ensues, and she and her mother find themselves in a very eccentric situation. A princess movie with a twist, Brave exemplifies a young girl’s stead-heartedness and eagerness for adventure. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting when I watched it the first time around, but the story and message will stick with me forever.
4. Wonder
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video | Rating: PG
Auggie Pullman has a rare medical facial deformity and has gone under many extensive surgeries. As he approaches the fifth grade, his parents enroll him in school as opposed to his previous home-schooling. Auggie navigates school like any other fifth grader would: making new friends, learning new concepts, and, unfortunately, experiencing bullying. As Auggie and his family navigate this change, they experience a series of ups and downs but ultimately find comfort within each other and new friends. Wonder is a sweet movie that exemplifies the importance of sticking together. The book is a great read too!
5. Incredibles 2
Where to Watch: Disney+ | Rating: PG
When the Incredibles’ mom Elastigirl is asked to become the new face of superheroes to make the world fall in love with them again, Mr. Incredible stays home with the kids. Of the animated Mother’s Day family movies, this may be one of our favorites.
Sometimes, you can fall into a sequel trap, but The Incredibles 2 certainly delivered. Plus, this focuses on how families can change their structure and dynamic as new challenges come up. Once a working father, Mr. Incredible becomes the stay-at-home dad while Elastigirl is traveling for work. They have to learn to balance a new dynamic, and I love that they leaned into switching parenting roles and how to learn about that as a family.
6. Troop Beverly Hills
Where to Watch: Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video | Rating: PG
With its clever storyline and hilarious yet heartwarming mom-worthy moments, this landmark comedy featuring Shelley Long is absolutely perfect for Mother’s Day. Phyllis is a woman accustomed to luxury, so when she takes over her daughter’s Wilderness Girls troop, it comes as no surprise that traditional outdoorsy skills aren’t her specialty. Determined to succeed in her new role as den mother, however, she’s got a different agenda. Enter a whole new glammed out approach to camping and skill building that teaches her troop’s girls the art of survival in Beverly Hills.
7. The Parent Trap
Where to Watch: Disney+ | Rating: PG
I first was introduced to this zany comedy through the Hayley Mills version from 1961. It made me long for summer camp and for sure think I had a twin out there in the world I didn’t know about and they probably would be British. The update didn’t disappoint, either! When Annie and Hallie (both played by a young Lindsay Lohan) accidentally meet at summer camp, they uncover that they are, in fact, secretly twins separated at a young age. In hopes of meeting their one estranged parent (and getting them back together), Annie and Hallie switch places at the end of camp, and hijinks ensue.
8. Migration
Where to Watch: Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video | Rating: G
Join a fun-spirited family of ducks as they debate whether or not to head on an epic adventure to broaden their horizons. Like with any family adventure that pushes your unit out of its comfort zone, while it’s not easy peasy the entire time, the satisfying ends certainly justify the character-building means. What’s especially refreshing for Mother’s Day’s sake is that Migration’s dad, Mack, is cast as the anxious and reluctant parent, while the mom, Pam, is portrayed as the more daring and encouraging one.
9. Mary Poppins Returns
Where to Watch: Disney+ | Rating: PG
My family was obsessed with the original Mary Poppins movie. My grandmother loved the music, as did the rest of us, and having humans live in an animated world has long been a dream of mine. I always hoped to meet the talking penguins one day. When the sequel was set to come out many years after the original, I was a little nervous because Julie Andrews is a queen—but Emily Blunt was also incredible. She captured the same kind of benevolent love while also keeping the mystery of Mary Poppins alive.
Michael Banks is having a terrible time. His wife passed away (which could be a little triggering for those missing their moms this Mother’s Day), and he can’t find the banknote that will allow him to pay off his mortgage and save his family home. Unexpectedly, Mary Poppins returns, just as young as she ever was, to help the new Banks children this time. It’s a wonderful reminder that mother figures come in all forms.
10. Akeelah and the Bee
Where to Watch: Apple TV+ or Amazon Prime Video | Rating: PG
When young Akeelah gets the opportunity to enter into the National Spelling Bee, she wants to step up to the plate and push herself. Her mom champions her along the way, and she finds a tough but loving mentor. Will she be able to deliver when the time comes or will her nerves get in the way?
This movie has an all-star cast with Angela Bassett (swoon), Laurence Fishburne, and a young Keke Palmer! If that wasn’t enough, I love how it captures the competitive nature of something that should seem innocuous while continuing to bring the focus back to the primary story of a girl, who is poised to do anything, and all the challenges she faces.
11. Freaky Friday
Where to Watch: Disney+ | Rating: PG
This was one of my favorites growing up. What young kid doesn’t want adults to understand just how hard it is to be young? But now, on the other side of things, I love that the kids get to figure out how hard it is to be the parents, too. So it’s got something fun for everyone! Single mom Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and teenage daughter Anna (played by Lindsay Lohan) are getting on each other’s last nerve. After a strange fortune, they find themselves in each other’s bodies. Until they can find a solution, they have to play each other’s parts. Will they get to the end of the day without ruining each other’s lives?
Now, 20 years after the original movie first premiered, a Freaky Friday sequel is in the works that will bring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan back to the big screen together—and we couldn’t be more excited!
12. Becoming
Where to Watch: Netflix | Rating: PG
Besides being an exceptional leading lady in her own right, most of us are familiar with Michelle Obama’s dedicated efforts as both a mother and a humanitarian leader—akin to a community mother—for children of all backgrounds. This documentary is a captivating opportunity to discover her roots, witness her in action, and engage in thoughtful dialogues around girlhood, leadership, and embracing and sharing your gifts.
13. Pachamama
Where to Watch: Netflix | Rating: PG
The story follows a young boy, Tepulpai, on the precipice of growing up in the time of the Incas and the Spanish explorers. Tepulpai is excited for his future as a shaman until he is told by his community that he is not meant to be a Great One. But when the village is in trouble, Tepulpai steps up to show everyone what he truly is inside of him.
This film was such a sweet little gem to find when scrolling through Netflix. The movie’s title, Pachamama, refers to an earth-mother goddess from the indigenous people of the Andes. Honoring our Mother Earth is a theme in the movie, along with the lovely message: Just because people don’t see yourself the way you do, it doesn’t mean they are right.
14. Yes Day
Where to Watch: Netflix | Rating: PG
Yes Day is about exactly what the title suggests—a day of yesses to all your kid wishes when perhaps your parents would otherwise say no. Does it turn as untamed and chaotic as you might expect? Not necessarily! This is a silly watch with kids that the whole family is bound to get a kick out of. With Jennifer Garner playing the mom, the film has an added shine thanks to her reliably genuine, sunny, and bubbly acting. Just be prepared, you might be planting a seed to have your own day of saying yes to everything ahead of you.
15. Little Women
Where to Watch: Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video | Rating: PG
It doesn’t get more mom-centric than the story of a mother’s four enchanting daughters as they each blossom from girlhood to womanhood in their own creative way. When taken together, the March sisters are a little bit of everything—refined and elegant, bold and rebellious, lovers and dreamers.
Set during a time when women faced many constraints compared to what we enjoy today, this iconic story adapted from Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel reveals a more empowered POV that we can all cheer for. The 1994 version is another touching watch, and will also be appealing if you’re a fan of ’90s Winona Ryder movies.
16. The Sound of Music
Where to Watch: Disney+ | Rating: G
You can’t go wrong cozying up to this timeless Julie Andrews classic as you debate between mother’s day family movies to watch together. Based on a true story, her character, Maria, is sent to be the governess of the seven von Trapp children. They’ve lost both their parents, so she’s essentially a mother figure, infusing their lives with joy, kindness, and of course, uplifting music. While older movies can be hit or miss with kids these days, the catchy songs, happy moments, and messages of hope woven throughout make this one lovable all around.
17. Dora and the Lost City of Gold
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video | Rating: PG
For all the moms tired of watching the cartoon Dora with their kids, this is not that. The cartoon never hooked me as a kid, but when the trailer came out for this movie, it completely changed my mind. I listened to a few interviews and they talked about how the creators wanted to think of Dora growing up alongside her fan base and decided to make her into a teenager. Not only did they let her grow up, but they also let her world grow up, too. It’s very tongue-in-cheek and self-aware.
Having grown up in the jungles of Peru, Dora is ill-prepared for her latest challenge: high school. And it’s the first time being away from her parents (played by Eva Longoria and Michael Peña). But when she realizes her parents are in trouble, she and a misfit gang from her school try to help save them. Will she conquer all the jungles she encounters, or will this be her last adventure?
18. The Perfect Man
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video | Rating: PG
A great watch for moms and daughters, The Perfect Man stars some big names like Hilary Duff, Heather Locklear, and Chris Noth. When it comes to love, Jean (Locklear) can’t seem to catch a break. And after each heart-wrenching breakup, she moves herself and her two daughters somewhere new. When her eldest daughter Holly (Duff) gets sick of moving and wants to make a home in New York, she begins plotting. She fabricates an online secret admirer for her mother, but could have never known just how quickly and heavily her mom would fall for the lie.
19. Cheaper By the Dozen
Where to Watch: Disney+ | Rating: PG
What could be livelier than mothering a family of 12? Or 13 if you include your partner. Just kidding, obviously! But if you’re looking for Mother’s Day family movies with that ideal blend of lighthearted humor alongside some reflective takeaways, then this one with Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, and Hilary Duff as frontrunners is meant for your queue. Each of the 12 Baker kids has a defining drama to empathize with, and both of their parents, who have made compromises in order to place their family above everything else, have relatable dilemmas you’ll appreciate.
20. My Neighbor Totoro
Where to Watch: Max | Rating: G
Sisters Satsuki and Mei move out to the countryside with their father while their mother recovers from a serious illness at a nearby hospital. When they move out there, they encounter a lot of fun and playful spirits in their home and in the neighboring lands. I love how the magical creatures help the two young girls, who are going through a difficult—and incredibly scary—time away from their mom. It’s a loving reminder of the resilience of kids, and your littles will love the fantastical spirits along the way.
Mother’s Day Family Movies Best for Older Kids
21. Mamma Mia!
Where to Watch: Netflix | Rating: PG-13
While single mother Donna prepares for her daughter Sophie’s wedding on the Greek island they live on, Sophie has plans of her own. Without her mother’s knowledge, she secretly invites three men to the wedding knowing that they all have the chance of being her father. This island musical and ensemble cast are must-sees. As one of the most musical of the Mother’s Day family movies, this one will leave everyone in the mood to sing.
With a great ABBA soundtrack behind it, Mamma Mia! is truly fun for everyone. Meryl Streep steals the show as Donna, and Amanda Seyfried takes our breath away with her singing as daughter Sophie. Not only does it highlight the importance of a mother in one’s life, but it also shows how influential a strong group of friends can be in your child’s life (we’re looking at you, Dynamos!).
22. Instant Family
Where to Watch: Paramount+ | Rating: PG-13
Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) decide to expand their family and dive into the world of foster care. Every expectation they have is blown out of the water when they end up with a teenager and her two younger siblings. As they laugh and struggle through it all, they have to decide if this is what they want to do after all.
I have watched this movie like a zillion times. I love so many aspects of it. If I’m being completely honest, it’s part of what piqued my personal interest in foster care in the first place. It does such a good job of showing how hard it is to be part of the foster care system as licensing workers, foster parents, and foster kids. The only beef I have with the movie is that it does tie everything up in a tidy bow, and I’m also not fond of how the biological parent is shown. But if you’re in the foster system, or if you’re interested in it, you get one of the more accurate portrayals in Hollywood with this movie.
23. The Blind Side
Where to Watch: Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video | Rating: PG-13
A list of the best Mother’s Day family movies would be incomplete without a tear-jerker or two, and The Blind Side is just that. Based on a true story, The Blind Side portrays the story of football star Michael Oher and his journey to the NFL. A troubled teen, Michael finds himself struggling both inside and outside of school. When he meets Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock), she and her family take him in and eventually she and her husband become his legal guardians. Both Michael’s and the Tuohys’ lives are changed forever by the union. This sweet story reminds us that family doesn’t necessarily mean blood-related.
24. Because I Said So
Where to Watch: Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video | Rating: PG-13
Many of us have heard our own mother’s speak this phrase a time or two, and are probably guilty of using it on our own little ones more than we’d like to admit. But, if you ask us, it holds true because, like she also said, mother almost always knows best. Like any mother, Daphne Wilder (Diane Keaton) would do anything for her three daughters. It pains her to see her youngest, Milly (Mandy Moore), date the wrong men over and over again. That’s why she takes it upon herself to save the day. But, when she puts out a personal ad on Milly’s behalf, disaster strikes.
25. Mother’s Day
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video | Rating: PG-13
Of course we had to include Mother’s Day on this list of the best Mother’s Day family movies. From the producers who brought us Valentine’s Day and Pretty Woman comes an equally as enjoyable tale with another star-studded cast. In this lighthearted comedy, the week leading up to Mother’s Day is more chaotic than imagined for four intersecting families. Four women, each with their own struggles, deal with the trials of motherhood and the holiday becomes more important than ever.
26. Miss Juneteenth
Where to Watch: Netflix | Rating: Age 14+
A single mother, Turquoise, enters her 15-year-old daughter, Kai, in the same Miss Juneteenth pageant that she won when she was her daughter’s age. Though Kai isn’t thrilled about it, she tries anyway in seeing how much it means to her mom. We admire Turquoise and Kai as headstrong female protagonists, and that the film prioritizes the precious bond between mothers and daughters, as well as special aspects of Black culture, as things to be proud of.
27. Barbie
Where to Watch: Max | Rating: PG-13
Mothers and daughters everywhere have certainly flocked to see Barbie, and perhaps you’ve already crossed it off your must-watch list. But if you haven’t, or you’re due for a rewatch, Barbie is always a highly entertaining choice for a family flick. From bright songs and dance moves to gorgeous costumes and scenery, and then obviously, Barbie’s charisma and the inspiring storyline, it’s an all-around success. With it being Mother’s Day, the plot’s included mother-daughter angle makes it an extra fitting watch for the occasion, too.
28. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Where to Watch: Apple TV+ | Rating: PG-13
If you’re a mom who grew up loving Judy Blume’s memorable coming-of-age book during your girlhood or adolescence, then this film adaptation starring Rachel McAdams as Margaret’s mom and Kathy Bates as her grandmother is a true treat. Even if you aren’t familiar with the story, it’s definitely a worthwhile watch full of quirk and charm about finding yourself within the awkward space of puberty. Overall, it does a really nice job preserving a certain sweet innocence, while touching on the real dilemmas you face during that emotionally turbulent preteen to teen transition.
29. 13 Going On 30
Where to Watch: Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video | Rating: PG-13
As you curl up to decide on your Mother’s Day family movies, how about giving your kiddos a taste of what adulting is really like? They might think it’s all about having freedom and power, but if only our teenagers had a clue what else we adults have to endure. This beloved Jennifer Garner flick offers a playful and amusing glimpse of this youthful fantasy by portraying what happens when suddenly you go from age 13 to 30 overnight. Full of warmth, good feels, and stellar performances by Garner and Mark Ruffalo (her character’s love interest), it’s one of those cheerful rom-coms that will leave you smiling.
30. Mom’s Day Away
Where to Watch: Apple TV+ | Rating: Age 11+
While hopefully you’re enjoying the time to spend Mother’s Day with the fam, no one’s judging you if you’ve also secretly dreamed of carving out some solo time to celebrate yourself. Well, here’s the chance to live that fantasy vicariously whether you get to do so or not!
Laura, a stay-at-home mom, opts for a day of pampering followed by a resort getaway when she’s disappointed by her family’s unappreciative and unenthusiastic approach to Mother’s Day. But is a party without your loved ones there to celebrate really all it’s cracked up to be?
