In our home, after breakfast had been served in bed and gifts had been given, we would always pile into the living room and watch a few of my mom’s favorite movies on Mother’s Day. From romantic comedies to family films to… a few unconventional choices, it was always one of my favorite days; spending time with my mom, my dad, some great movies, and a big bowl of popcorn.
In honor of Mother’s Day and great mothers everywhere, I’ve compiled a list of five(ish) films that make for great viewing on Mother’s Day! Not all of these are suitable for watching with the kids, but moms are going to love them nonetheless. Let’s get started…
Stepmom
On Mother’s Day, one group of moms that seems to get overlooked are the stepmothers. Sure, literature and film have many characters that play the villainous “evil stepmother,” but in truth most stepmoms are great women who have the difficult task of loving and caring for a child that is not their own while making sure they aren’t a replacement for that child’s birthmother.
A great film for these underappreciated moms is the (appropriately titled) Stepmom. Starring Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Ed Harris, and a young Jena Malone, this movie tells the story of a terminally ill mother that must come to terms not only with her own mortality but with her ex-husband’s new wife acting as a caregiver for her children. Everyone involved puts in deeply emotional performances and weave a narrative that is heartwarming to mothers and stepmothers alike. Definitely a great film to watch on Mother’s Day.
Enchanted
Many mothers will be spending Mother’s Day with children well under the age of thirteen, so some family friendly entertainment would be preferable, right? However, you kind of get tired of watching the same ol’ Disney animated classics over and over again. What moms need is a movie that is kid friendly, has the same Disney fairy tale magic, but puts a twist on the old formula. Luckily, that is exactly what Enchanted is.
Starring Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, and Susan Sarandon, Enchanted takes the classic Disney formula and turns it on its head by throwing our fairy tale princess into the real world of New York City. The movie pokes fun at all the classic animated movie tropes while celebrating them at the same time and features numerous callbacks to the “golden age” of Disney movies. Plus, who doesn’t appreciate a story where the damsel saves the prince for a change?
Nicholas Sparks Movies
OK, I know this is cheating, listing more than one movie together in the same entry, but it’s kind of my thing (see my first Five Films post to see what I mean). Anyway, how can you choose one Nicholas Sparks movie over the others? All of them are great romantic stories that are sure to leave mothers and daughters (and, if they are “man enough” to admit it, fathers and sons) bawling into their tissues.
Who can forget the Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams led romance classic The Notebook? Perhaps mom would prefer Mandy Moore and Shane West sharing an ill-fated teen romance in A Walk to Remember. Maybe mom would love to see their favorite former officer and gentleman Richard Gere find love on the North Carolina coast with Diane Lane in Nights in Rodanthe instead. If all else fails, maybe seeing Kevin Costner and Robin Wright Penn uncorking the Message in a Bottle will be more up mom’s alley. If none of those work, there are still plenty of other Nicholas Sparks movies to choose from.
In fact, all of these movies are so great, I’m giving them away! Be sure to check the end of this post where I’m giving away a four pack of The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, Nights in Rodanthe, and Message in a Bottle on DVD! Not a bad Mother’s Day prize, am I right?
Magic Mike
This pick might not be best to watch during Mother’s Day, but it can sure make a mother’s night! As hard as mom works the rest of the year, being able to kick back and enjoy a little eye candy would be the perfect way to cap this special day. That’s why Magic Mike makes my list of five films for Mother’s Day.
The “plot” has male stripper Channing Tatum, “Magic Mike”, teaching a rookie the ropes of stripping, making money, partying, and picking up women. But let’s face it: not many people are watching this movie for the plot. Their here to see Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello, and more shirtless and gyrating on the stage. Not that there’s anything wrong with that; even moms need a little release, right?
Ghost
Out of respect to my mother, one of two Patrick Swayze movies had to top this list of five films for Mother’s Day: Ghost or Dirty Dancing. After much deliberation, I chose what I felt is the best movie of the two, a supernatural romance filled with a lot of heart, humor, and great acting. Ghost is easily one of the best movies to watch on Mother’s Day.
Starring the late Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg (who would win an Oscar for her performance), and Scandal‘s Tony Goldwyn, Ghost tells the story of Sam Wheat who is killed in an alleged mugging gone wrong. Sam’s love for his girlfriend keeps him from “moving on” when he believes she still be in danger. This is a great movie all around. All actors were on point, there is a lot of appropriate humor, plenty of thrills, and a love story that will forever be a classic.
What did you think of my choices? Do you have any Mother’s Day favorites you think should have made my list? Share them with me in the comments below!
Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: the Nicholas Sparks Giveaway! Like my previous giveaway, this contest is only open to those living in the United States or with an US PO Box. At least an e-mail address must be provided in order to contact you in the case you have won, but it will not be used or sold for any other purpose. Unlike last time, there will only be one (1) winner. No purchase is necessary and one free entry is provided. If you would like additional entries, feel free to complete any of the other tasks listed. Good luck!
Mother's Day Nicholas Sparks DVD Giveaway
Dawn says
May 9, 2015 at 3:14 pmOh yeah. mommy likes Nicholas Sparks movies. They are the ultimate chick flicks! You could have made the top five just his movies.
Ruth says
May 9, 2015 at 4:39 pmMagic Mike shouldn’t be watched with your kids, even the adult ones. That way, you don’t have to act like you don’t enjoy watching it, lol
Tanya C. says
May 9, 2015 at 5:59 pmThanks for the suggestions. I’ve heard great reviews on Spark’s books and movies, this is a great giveaway for someone to add to their collection!
Donna Ward says
May 10, 2015 at 7:58 amBeautiful story of Mother’s Day leading into the movies that Mom’s would enjoy – I’ve seen a lot of these, but not all and I’ve read a couple of Nicholas Sparks’ books and need to check out more! – and I yes, I too am a nerd and geek – thank you for the contest, also!
carrie abramson (@theregoesgypsy) says
May 10, 2015 at 4:10 pmI love this list! I especially agree with any/all nicolas sparks movies, they are the best!
AJ @ Roaming Family says
May 10, 2015 at 5:54 pmOk, out of this list I must admit that I am a huge Enchanted fan 🙂 It’s one of my favorite movies- so cute and sweet!
Aisha Kristine Chong says
May 10, 2015 at 7:34 pmEnchanted is definitely a good one to watch. I am sure moms would love it too.
lisa @bitesforbabies says
May 10, 2015 at 8:13 pmLol, Magic Mike makes me laugh but it would be a fun movie to watch with my mom! Stepmom has always been one of my all-time faves!
michele d says
May 11, 2015 at 6:06 amI love all your selections. I remember watching Ghost and ballin my eyes out. Step mom is another favorite of mine as well.
Fi Nà Neachtáin says
May 11, 2015 at 6:49 amJeanie Mac I’m awful, I’ haven’t seen any of the films you listed. I’ll have to change that soon!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
May 11, 2015 at 7:05 amThe only one on that list that I have seen is Ghost. I loved it back in the day, but it made me so sad that I doubt I would want to watch it again.
Penny Struebig says
May 11, 2015 at 8:01 amGreat list of movies! I have seen most of them, but had forgotten some of them. I need to add them to my netflix list. Great giveaway too!
jeanine says
May 11, 2015 at 8:02 amI love all of these movies. Such great ones, especially the tear jerkers. Those are my kind of movies. nights in rodanthe was really good, as was a walk to remember!
Rachel says
May 11, 2015 at 8:14 amThanks for the chance to win an awesome DVD set!
Krystal says
May 11, 2015 at 8:38 amStepmom is one of those great feel good movies. this is an awesome list!
Carmen Perez (listen2mama) says
May 11, 2015 at 9:53 amOh, I love all of these. I’m a huge Nicholas Sparks fan, both of his books and the movies!
Alisha says
May 11, 2015 at 10:01 amI LOVE this list! I can’t believe I still haven’t seen Magic Mike…for shame! And stepmom was awesome movie but kinda sad at the end. Great list!
Rosey says
May 11, 2015 at 11:34 amThe notebook is just my all-time favorite movie. it doesn’t get any better than that, does it? 🙂
Megan Elford says
May 11, 2015 at 1:24 pmGreat list! I usually get the day to myself on Mother’s day, and one of these years when I run out of things to do, I may just sit down for a Mother’s Day movie marathon! It sounds so relaxing 🙂
MYKIDSGUIDE says
May 11, 2015 at 2:44 pmThis is an amazing list for mother’s day AND ANY OTHER MOM-DAUGHTER DAY. I love the step mom movie. it is so powerful
Angelic Sinova says
May 11, 2015 at 3:05 pmyay for including Enchated! It’s such an UNDERRATED Disney movie (but it’s one of my favorite live action Disney films!) It always puts a smile on my face <3
Erica Brooks says
May 11, 2015 at 3:52 pmGood picks. I love Ghost. I’ve heard so many good things about the Notebook but I’ve never seen it.
Tanj from A Travelogue says
May 11, 2015 at 6:39 pmI love this list but i love enchanted the most. great giveaway, nicholas sparks movies are a must see!
Jennifer Stewart says
May 11, 2015 at 8:48 pmI will agree with all your choices except the Nicholas Sparks movies. I don’t like any of his but I don’t like sappy movies! Believe it or not I watched 50 shades for mothers day! After the kids went to bed of course!
Miranda (Myrabev) says
May 12, 2015 at 12:29 amThese are all beautiful movies and I have seen almost all of them. I agree with your sentiments on step moms not all are evil some are just trying to do a very difficult job to the best of their abilities.
Rebecca Swenor says
May 12, 2015 at 1:36 amThese are all amazing movies for mother’s DAy. I have to admit I have not seen Magic mike yet. I am for sure going to be renting this one. Thanks for sharing. This is an awesome giveaway.
Michele says
May 12, 2015 at 2:34 amThese are all definitely great movies to lie back and relax while watching with kids or not!
Joanne T Ferguson says
May 12, 2015 at 4:06 amWhat a great list for Mother’s Day and I’d like to re-watch every one! Ghost makes me cry every time I see it!
Bonnie @ wemake7 says
May 12, 2015 at 9:15 amThese look like a lot of great movies to enjoy on mother’s day. I had to chuckle about the eye candy lol. Thanks so much for hosting a giveaway.
Cassie says
May 12, 2015 at 9:24 amYou came up with a great list of movies babe. It was a great idea to offer the Nicholas Sparks movies as a giveaway. Good luck to all who enter!
Yona Williams says
May 12, 2015 at 4:18 pmI love the movie ‘Stepmom’ although it’s incredibly sad. Great acting all around the board in this movie. I am cracking up that Magic Mike has made this list…my Mom actually wants to see this – lol.
Stephanie says
May 12, 2015 at 5:43 pmMagic mike is a great movie to watch without the kiddos (it made me laugh 🙂 ), Enchanted is great to watch with the small ones- such a cute movie!
XmasDolly says
May 13, 2015 at 1:04 amnow you know I’m goin to have to watch enchanted & ghost tomorrow two favorites of mine. they’re so cool. enchanted is a hoot! I love whoopi in ghost too. okay movie day tomorrow lol thanks… i’ve been needing a break 🙂
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
May 16, 2015 at 1:43 pmWe’ll try watching out movies on Mother’s Day next year. Thanks for sharing your list!
jared's mum says
May 18, 2015 at 4:04 ami am sure every mum would enjoy a Nicolas Sparks’ film on her special day. I know i would! that Susan Sarandon + Julia Roberts film also look interesting, i must watch it soon! Belated Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful mums around!
Alanna says
May 20, 2015 at 1:10 amThis is such an awesome giveaway!! Thanks so much for sharing!!