7 Must-Watch Films About Motherhood

At first glance, the new film Nightbitch seems peculiar: Amy Adams stars as an artist who has stepped away from her gallery job to become a full-time mom and thinks she’s turning into a dog. The film captures the exhausting reality of motherhood, highlighting the primal instincts women experience and their often unacknowledged challenges. Adams’ character struggles to bond with others in mommy groups, make breakfast for everyone every morning, and deal with the chaos of bedtime (or what some parents call the “sundown scaries”).

The actualities of motherhood shown in Nightbitch are a reminder of the importance of community and staying connected to one’s passions. The film underscores how caregiving can isolate people, making finding spaces to feel understood even more important. Listen, we get it: parenting can be overwhelming at times—and everyone deserves to feel seen so they’re not compelled to run away with dogs at night. Movies have a unique way of making us feel like someone else gets it. So, in the spirit of Nightbitch, here are seven movies to stream when you finally get that break to yourself.

1. Kramer vs Kramer

This landmark film follows the complexities of motherhood, societal judgement, and parental sacrifice. Meryl Streep’s character, overwhelmed by her role as a mother and wife, decides to temporarily separate from her husband and child. The film then follows the journey of Dustin Hoffman’s character living as a single parent as well as a heart-tugging custody battle.

2. Everything Everywhere All At Once

This 2022 Academy Award Winner for Best Picture features Michelle Yeoh the emotional struggles of being a mother: she tries to reconcile her own dreams, failures, and expectations with her family’s needs. This sci-fi film is a fun, emotional, and visually mesmerizing adventure.

3. Freaky Friday

This 2003 Disney classic illustrates the OG premise of walking a mile in someone else’s shoes. Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis play a mother and daughter who magically switch lives and experience what the other goes through day-to-day. The two are forced to empathize with each other a bit more and build on their relationship.

4. Little Women

Who doesn’t love Laura Dern? As Marmee in Little Women (2019), she exudes warmth and resilience, balancing strength and vulnerability while raising four daughters during the Civil War. “I’m angry nearly every day of my life,” she says at one point, powerfully reflecting the hidden struggles of motherhood.

5. Bad Moms

It would only be right to include a comedy on this list. This star-studded cast of Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Christina Appelgate, and Kathryn Hahn join forces as tired moms who attempt to escape their daily responsibilities. They show the unrealistic expectations placed on mothers and the struggles of trying to “do it all.” And guess what? There’s even A Bad Mom’s Christmas, so you can stay festive while getting a good laugh.

6. Lady Bird

Lady Bird revolves around the complex, evolving relationship between a mother and her rebellious teenage daughter. It captures the push and pull of parental love and the inevitable misunderstandings that arise as they navigate the teen years. It’s also a wonderful reminder that love can exist alongside frustration. Saoirse Ronan is a gem and Laurie Metcalf’s portrayal of a hardworking mom is both relatable and heart-wrenching.

7. Brave

A fun one to watch with the kids, this Pixar movie is set in a medieval world. It follows spirited, 16-year-old Princess Merida and her mother, Queen Elinor, who go through a magical struggle in which Merida attempts to undo a spell that turned her mother into a bear. Throughout, they address miscommunication issues and the high expectations they set for each other. This is a timeless animated class that’s fun for the whole family!