As your mother has probably reminded you, today is a very important day… Mother’s Day! But, jokes aside, to all the moms out there, you are the real MVPs. I’m unsure of anything a mom can’t do? I know I can always count on my mom to:
- Solve the world’s problems over a cup of tea... or at least talk me through my worries and concerns.
- Get sh*t done. Book a virtual graduation party? Cook a delicious and nutritious meal? Launch a podcast? Check. Check. Check. All in a mom’s days work.
- Be a role model for calm and level-headedness even when the world feels like it’s falling apart.
For many of us, this Mother's Day will be an odd one because of COVID-19. (Honestly, what isn’t weird right now because of COVID-19?) But, as they say, physical distance does not need to mean emotional distance.
We may not be able to get together with our families for brunch, but we can send our moms a good old-fashioned Mother's Day card (late ones count too), video chat the whole family or even have a virtual movie night together!
In honor of this important holiday, my mom and I have collected a list of our Top 10 favorite movies & shows that celebrate the mother-daughter relationship. If you can’t be together this year we recommend watching a movie (or binge a season) together from afar. As I mentioned before, there are a whole bunch of ways to do so virtually and our friends at The Verge do a great job at laying out the options.
So without further ado, Our Mother-Daughter Top 10 Movies & Shows:
10. Bad Moms
What Is It: Movie - Comedy
Why We Love It: A guilty pleasure without a doubt. Bad Moms laughs off the "perfect mom" persona and indulges the wild side in all of us with the power trio - Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell & Kathryn Hahn.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
9. Little Fires Everywhere
What Is It: TV Series - Drama
Why We Love It: If you haven’t already read the book, do it. We’ve also enjoyed watching this 8 episode mini series together over quarantine. It expertly encapsulates the stories of two polar-opposite mothers, played by a couple of our favorite actresses, Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, and tells the stories of their unique struggles in raising their children.
Where to Watch: Hulu
8. Stepmom
What Is It: Movie - Drama/Comedy
Why We Love It: An ode to the step-mom - probably one of the hardest jobs out there. Stepmoms does a beautiful job illustrating both sides of the picture - of the mother (played by the fabulous, Susan Sarandon) and the step-mother (played by none-other-than, Julia Roberts) and demonstrates the overarching importance of family at the end of the day.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
7. Freaky Friday
What Is It: TV Movie - Comedy
Why We Love It: From the heyday of the Disney Channel Movie, Freaky Friday, is a 90s child classic featuring Jamie Lee Curtis as the up-tight mom and Lindsay Lohan as the rebel teen. Light-hearted and full of laughs, we’re a fan of old-school Lindsay and the corny, but true, lessons of walking in one another’s shoes.
Where to Watch: Disney+
6. Mamma Mia!
What Is It: Movie - Musical
Why We Love It: I get all of the emotions from this one - laugh, cry and, of course, sing and dance to the Abba soundtrack. Featuring the legend, Meryl Streep, as wild and restless mother, Donna, and talented, Amanda Seyfried, as love-struck, dreamer daughter, Sophie. This one is worth watching at least once a year for a joyful pick-me-up!
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
5. i’m sorry
What Is It: TV Series - Comedy
Why We Love It: Laugh-out-loud hilarious, i’m sorry, is an absolute treasure for it’s poignant comedy that plays on all the touchy subjects faced when raising a child in today’s world - race, death, LBGTQ and more. Comedian mother, played by Andrea Savage, is relatable-as-hell alongside her inquisitive daughter, Amelia and straitlaced husband, Mike.
Where to Watch: Netflix
4. Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood
What Is It: Movie - Comedy/Drama
Why We Love It: An early 2000s classic book-turned-movie featuring rockstar leading ladies - Ellen Burnstyn, Ashley Judd, Sandra Bullock & Maggie Smith. Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood paints a picture of the lives our mothers live before us and the gift of true friendship.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
3. Because I Said So
What Is It: Movie - Romantic Comedy
Why We Love It: In the leagues of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, 13 Going on 30 & some of our other favorite romantic comedies that they just don’t make anymore, Because I Said So, showcases hopelessly proud mother, Daphne (played by beloved, Diane Keaton) and her three grown girls, Milly (Mandy Moore), Maggie (Lauren Graham) and Mae (Piper Perabo). A nod to the overbearing moms out there, the movie is sweet and simple. Perfect for a glass of red, a warm chocolate chip cookie and your favorite fuzzy blanket.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
2. Steel Magnolias
What Is It: Movie - Comedy/Drama
Why We Love It: Can’t forget this true classic from the late 80s with dynamos like Sally Field, Julia Roberts and Dolly Parton. Steel Magnolias is a tear-jerker poetically telling the story of the sacrifices of motherhood. Having a child, being a mom isn’t easy, but it’s everything.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
1. Gilmore Girls
What Is It: TV Series - Comedy/Drama
Why We Love It: At the tippy top of our list by a mile - our hearts bleed for Gilmore Girls. We love it not only for the witty banter between role-reversed, mother-daughter duo, Lorelai & Rory Gilmore played by Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel (won’t lie, I think my mom and I may see a bit of ourselves in these two.) But layer on the rose-glowing comfort that piggybacks the memories of turning the television on every Tuesday as I was growing up to watchfully consume Rory’s coming-of-age story, Lorelai’s fire for life and, mother/grandmother, Emily’s watchful elegance. I still get warm nostalgia butterflies when Carol King’s Where You Lead plays.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Before we go, we did want to note that, we recognize this day can be hard for many around the world. To quote our friends at The Wing in their newsletter this week, a global community of women gathering to work, connect and thrive, (the-wing.com):
"We know that Mother's Day can also be a difficult day for many, for reasons entirely unrelated to COVID-19. For those whose mothers have passed on; for those who have strained relationships with their mothers and/or mother figures; for those who have lost children; for those struggling to become mothers; for anyone struggling with the weight of the day, we're thinking of you and wishing you the best this weekend, and always."
We couldn't have said it better ourselves. So much love to you all, today and every day!
XO, Natalie & Diane
