Mother’s Day traditions vary from family to family. Some moms love to receive a beautiful planter of spring flowers, others a heartfelt card. Lots of families go out to lunch or have a special meal at home. Moms of young kids often want nothing more than a chance to get away from their mom responsibilities and enjoy an afternoon, a day, or even a weekend to themselves.
If your mom is the type who loves the gift of quality time, why not make it a movie night?
Choosing a movie based on your mom’s interests is definitely a way to have a special evening together. The best way to find out what movie to watch is to ask her, “What do you want to watch? ”
And if she’s not sure, here are some suggestions!
Steel Magnolias (1989)
This is a classic drama-comedy about a group of women who come together in a salon to navigate the complexities of life, including love and loss. The film stars Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Daryl Hannah and Shirley MacLaine. Although it has some wonderful laughs, Steel Magnolias is also an absolutely heartbreaking film. Make sure mom is up for a good cry before you start this one!
Little Women (1994 or 2019)
Either of these two adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel is a great option for Mother’s Day. The 1994 version stars Susan Sarandon as Marmee, the compassionate and strong matriarch of the March family. The 2019 version, directed by Greta Gerwig, Laura Dern plays this amazing mom from American literature.
Julie and Julia (2009)
This is a charming comedy starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams as two women who find themselves through cooking. Meryl Streep plays the world-famous chef Julia Child, and Amy Adams is a young writer who tries to emulate her cooking icon. The movie is very sweet and inspiring — a good, uplifting movie for Mother’s Day.
Mamma Mia! (2008)
A musical is always a great option! And why not a musical about a quirky mother/daughter pair and all the people in their lives? Mamma Mia! is set to the music of ABBA and takes place on a gorgeous Greek island. Meryl Streep plays Donna Sheridan, the mother of Amanda Seyfried’s character, Sophie. Without her mother’s knowledge, Sophie invites the three men who could be her father to her wedding. These guys are played by Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, and Colin Firth. Hijinks and dancing ensue!
Brave (2012)
Disney characters often grow up without moms so that they can go on an adventure, but Merida’s mom in Brave is anything but absent! The movie is all about the complicated relationship between Merida and her mother, Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson). When Merida tries to change her fate, she changes a lot more than that. To save her mom, she has to be brave in order to undo a terrible curse. Families with young kids can enjoy this sweet mother/daughter story on Mother’s Day.
