The Ten Best Movies
About Mothers and Motherhood

1. Stella Dallas (1937)

A classic five-hankie weepie, Stella (Barbara Stanwyck) is a low-class woman who marries above herself. After the marriage fails, Stella makes the ultimate sacrifice to ensure her daughter’s happiness.

2. The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

Based on the famed novel by John Steinbeck, the movie follows the Joad family, Depression-era Oklahoma sharecroppers who move to California in hopes of work. The firm stars a young and luminous Henry Fonda and a brilliant Jane Darwell as the indomitable Ma Joad.

3. Mildred Pierce (1945)

Joan Crawford delivers an Oscar-winning performance as a successful single mom with a spoiled, demanding daughter.

4. I Remember Mama (1948)

powerful drama of a young Norwegian-American in San Francisco circa 1910 named Katrin (Barbara Bel Geddes) looking back on her family life, especially her mother (Irene Dunne).

5. Imitation of Life (1959)

In 1922 a Mexican journalist called for a celebration of Mother's Day in Mexico, which led to widespread observance of the holiday on May 10th. In the morning, many mothers are treated to a song sung by the family, or a serenade from a hired band. A family breakfast or brunch is customary, flower and chocolates are given, and cards are sent.

6. Two Women (1960)

Sophia Loren won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance as a widow trying to protect her innocent young daughter in World War II Italy

7. Mommie Dearest (1981)

The true story of the actress who played one of cinema’s archetypal mothers, Mildred Pierce: Joan Crawford. Based on the tell-all memoir by her adopted daughter, the movie features Faye Dunaway going all-out for camp in a classic "so bad it's good" movie.

8. Terms of Endearment (1983)

A bittersweet story of an unusual mother-daughter relationship between the controlling Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and her rebellious daughter (Debra Winger).

9. All About My Mother (1999)

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar’s homage to maternal love and his own mother, this remarkable film is both disturbing and deeply moving, and ultimately uplifting.

10. The Mother (2003)

A widow in her sixties begins an affair with a handyman half her age, played by the before-he-became-Bond Daniel Craig. The problem is the handyman is also involved with the widow's daughter.