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Mother’s Day in quarantine is yet another special event that’s been hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Normally, we’d be taking our moms to their favorite restaurants, out shopping, or to the movies to show them how much they mean to us. This year, for many of us, those options are off the table. But just because you can’t celebrate with your mom in public—or, for some of us, in person—that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to make this Mother’s Day special.
If you’re looking for Mother’s Day ideas in quarantine, might I humbly suggest watching a movie together? If you’re sheltering-in-place, it’s a great activity to do indoors. But even if you’re not together, it’s easy to share streams while talking on FaceTime. (Or, if you must, while talking on my new nemesis, Zoom.) In fact, Decider’s Kayla Cobb even wrote this handy guide on how to watch Netflix, and other streaming services, with friends while social distancing.
Now the only question is: What movie are you going to watch? That’s up to you, of course, but here’s a list of 13 movies on Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ that might just be the perfect Mother’s Day movie for your mom this year. And if that’s not enough, you could also purchase a streaming gift card for your mom, so that she can stream titles whenever she wants. But of course, the best present is your presence, even if it’s virtual. Check out the list of 13 Mother’s Day movies on streaming below, and please don’t forget to call your mom.
ON NETFLIX:
'Otherhood' (2019)
Otherhood, a 2019 Netflix original that flew under the radar, couldn’t be more on-theme when it comes to Mother’s Day movies. You’ve got three iconic actresses— Patricia Arquette, Angela Bassett, and Felicity Huffman—playing suburban moms who decided to show up unannounced at their sons’ apartments when they forget Mother’s Day. Not only is this a movie your mom will love, but you’ll also make yourself look like a better child by comparison to the three lunkheads (Jake Hoffman, Sinqua Walls, and Jake Lacy) in this film.
'A Bad Moms Christmas' (2017)
Look, don’t ask me why, of all the films in the highly enjoyable Bad Moms franchise, Netflix has A Bad Moms Christmas. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles, Santa. Sure, it’s a little weird to watch a Christmas movie in May, but it’s worth it to watch Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn do their thing. These ladies will not only make your mom laugh, but they’ll also remind her that she can and should take time to have fun for herself. And if you don’t want to watch the Christmas version, you could always buy or rent the first Bad Moms.
'20th Century Women' (2016)
If your mom is the kind of person who watches all the Best Picture nominations before the Oscars, she might appreciate a viewing of the Mike Mills-directed drama, 20th Century Women. This movie has an acclaimed actress for every generation—Annette Bening, Greta Gerwig, and Elle Fanning—and is a rich portrait of a complex woman and mother. Give your mom the gift of acknowledging that moms are fully-realized human beings this Mother’s Day.
'Always Be My Maybe' (2019)
Does your mom love romantic comedies? Then you guys should check out one of the best new romantic comedies of the last five years, Always Be My Maybe. Starring Ali Wong and Randall Park, this movie is not only a cute When Harry Met Sally-esque friends-to-lovers situation, but it also features an extensive and hilarious cameo with Keanu Reeves. Moms love Keanu Reeves!
'Julie & Julia' (2009)
Nothing brings mothers and their children together like the inimitable Meryl Streep. This Nora Ephron film—her last before she died—finds Streep as the famed chef Julia Child, and Amy Adams as a blogger who attempts to tackle every recipe. It’s a heartwarming film that will hit all the right beats, especially in quarantine. And hey, maybe it will inspire you and your mom to finally make that bread together—even if it’s virtual cooking session.
'Room' (2015)
Hear me out on this: Nothing is more high stakes than being a mom who is quarantined… except being a mom who is kidnapped. Room—starring Brie Larson as a young woman who grows up and has a child in captivity after being kidnapped—is hardly a feel-good movie. But it is an excellent high-stakes thriller that will take your mind off your current quarantine woes, while celebrating a superhero of a mom.
ON HULU:
'Juliet, Naked'
This Mother’s Day, give your mom the gift of the hot-dad version of Ethan Hawke. Juliet, Naked—starring Hawke, Rose Byrne, and Chris O’Dowd—is charming romantic comedy will make you laugh more than it will make you swoon, but it’s a great hidden gem of a film streaming on Hulu.
'Good Will Hunting' (1997)
Look, I admit I don’t really have any way of connecting Good Will Hunting back to Mother’s Day, a movie in which the titular character has a notoriously terrible mother, other than the fact that it feels like a mom movie. I mean that in the best way. Moms love Robin Williams because moms have great taste!
'Mother' (2009)
This hidden gem from Bong Joon-Ho—who you might know as the director of a little film called Parasite—is once again not exactly feel-good Mother’s Day vibes. But it is a great thriller about a mother who’s determined to prove that her son, who is charged with murder, is innocent. If you and mom both love disturbing, depressing, but very good films, this is a great pick for you.
ON DISNEY+:
'The Incredibles'
My favorite fictional mom? Elastigirl, the badass superhero, and supermom voiced by Holly Hunter in The Incredibles, aka one of the best Pixar movies. If you’re a mom with young kids, this film will be a treat for you and your kids. Leave all the saving the world to the men? I don’t think so!
'The Sound of Music' (1965)
I don’t know about your mom, but my mom loves Julie Andrews, especially when she’s falling in love with the dreamy Captain Baron von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). This movie is not just a great Mother’s Day movie, it’s a great movie for feeling nostalgic for the outdoors. The hills are alive with the sound of music, we’re just not allowed to listen to it right now.
'Sister Act' (1993)
How about a nice laugh-out-loud comedy to lift everyone’s spirits on this quarantined Mother’s Day? This Whoopi Goldberg classic is just the ticket, and fun for the whole family. Who doesn’t love Sister Act?
'Brave' (2012)
Another great animated Disney film, Brave is a touching mother-daughter story that will particularly hit hard for anyone whose mom has ever transformed into a bear. What? Is that not relatable content?
