Films about motherhood examine the diverse experiences and challenges of being a mother. These films often delve into the emotional depths of motherly love, sacrifice, and the complex relationships between mothers and their children. They can range from heartwarming and uplifting tales to dramatic and even tragic depictions, offering a broad emotional spectrum and often providing a deep insight into one of the most fundamental human connections.
“Room”, 2015
Director: Lenny Abrahamson
A harrowing and poignant story of a young mother and her son who try to adjust to the outside world after being held captive for several years.
Starring: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers, Joan Allen, Tom McCamus, William H. Macy, Cas Anvar, Randal Edwards, Amanda Brugel, Joe Pingue;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 118 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
“Steel Magnolias”, 1989
Director: Herbert Ross
Set in a small town, this film explores the bonds of friendship and motherhood through the lives of six Southern women supporting each other through triumphs and tragedies.
Starring: Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Tom Skerritt, Sam Shepard, Dylan McDermott, Kevin J. O'Connor;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Steel Magnolias” on the website imdb.com
“Erin Brockovich”, 2000
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Based on a true story, the film follows Erin, a single mother who becomes a legal advocate fighting against a power corporation responsible for contaminating a city's water supply.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Peter Coyote, Cherry Jones, Tracey Walter, Conchata Ferrell, Marg Helgenberger, David Brisbin, Dawn Didawick;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Erin Brockovich” on the website imdb.com
“Stepmom”, 1998
Director: Chris Columbus
A touching drama that showcases the challenges and emotional growth of a divorced mother and her former husband's new girlfriend as they navigate the complexities of modern family life.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Ed Harris, Jena Malone, Liam Aiken, Lynn Whitfield, Darrell Larson, Mary Louise Wilson, Andre B. Blake, Jack Eagle;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Stepmom” on the website imdb.com
“Little Women”, 2019
Director: Greta Gerwig
An adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel, focusing on the lives of the March sisters and their mother, navigating love, ambitions, and growing up during the Civil War.
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Louis Garrel;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Little Women” on the website imdb.com
“Akeelah and the Bee”, 2006
Director: Doug Atchison
A feel-good story about a young girl from a disadvantaged background, whose mother supports her journey to the National Spelling Bee.
Starring: Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, Curtis Armstrong, J.R. Villarreal, Sean Michael, Sahara Ware, Lee Thompson Young, Julito McCullum, Erica Hubbard;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Akeelah and the Bee” on the website imdb.com
“Freaky Friday”, 2003
Director: Mark Waters
A lighthearted comedy about a mother and daughter who magically swap bodies, leading to hilarious predicaments and a better understanding of each other’s lives.
Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Mark Harmon, Harold Gould, Chad Michael Murray, Stephen Tobolowsky, Christina Vidal, Ryan Malgarini, Haley Hudson, Rosalind Chao;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: fantasy, melodrama, comedy, family, music;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “Freaky Friday” on the website imdb.com
“The Blind Side”, 2009
Director: John Lee Hancock
Based on a true story, this film portrays a woman who, along with her family, takes in and eventually adopts a homeless teenager, nurturing his talents both academically and as an athlete.
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Jae Head, Lily Collins, Ray McKinnon, Kim Dickens, Adriane Lenox, Kathy Bates, Catherine Dyer;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama, sport, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “The Blind Side” on the website imdb.com
“The Kids Are All Right”, 2010
Director: Lisa Cholodenko
This film explores family dynamics, including motherhood in a non-traditional family, where two children conceived by artificial insemination bring their biological father into their life, challenging the family’s stability.
Starring: Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, Josh Hutcherson, Yaya DaCosta, Kunal Sharma, Eddie Hassell, Zosia Mamet, Joaquín Garrido;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “The Kids Are All Right” on the website imdb.com
“Joy”, 2015
Director: David O. Russell
Inspired by a true story, the film follows a struggling single mother who becomes a powerful businesswoman after inventing the Miracle Mop, showcasing the many roles a mother can play.
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Edgar Ramírez, Diane Ladd, Virginia Madsen, Isabella Rossellini, Dascha Polanco, Elisabeth Röhm, Susan Lucci;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Joy” on the website imdb.com
In conclusion, films focusing on motherhood offer a vital reflection of the multifaceted nature of this unique relationship and its impact on both individual and societal levels. From the raw emotional journeys presented in “Terms of Endearment” to the comedic yet heartwarming struggles depicted in “Bad Moms,” these narratives underscore the diversity of maternal experiences and the universal themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience. They challenge stereotypes, celebrate imperfection, and provide cathartic experiences for audiences. Whether viewed as a source of empathy, understanding, or simply entertainment, movies about motherhood resonate because they tap into the profound and primal connection shared between mothers and their children, one that transcends boundaries and continues to inspire filmmakers and viewers alike.
