15 Feel-Good Movies to Watch This Mother's Day

From raucous comedies to inspirational dramas to moving musicals, these are our favorite uplifting films celebrating moms.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Donna (Meryl Streep), an independent hotelier in the Greek islands, is preparing for her daughter's wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), the spirited bride, has a plan. She secretly invites three men from her mother's past in hope of meeting her real father and having him escort her down the aisle on her big day. (Rated PG-13)

Bonus: Don't forget to add 2018's hit sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, to your Mother's Day movie marathon!

Freaky Friday (2003)

Single mother Tess Coleman (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her teenage daughter Anna (Lindsay Lohan) couldn't be more different, and it is driving them both insane. After receiving cryptic fortunes at a Chinese restaurant, the two wake up the next day to discover that they have somehow switched bodies. Unable to switch back, they are forced to masquerade as one another until a solution can be found. In the process, they develop a new sense of respect and understanding for one another. (Rated PG)

Bonus: See the original mother/daughter Freaky Friday duo—Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster—in the 1976 film.

Instant Family (2018)

When Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15 year old girl, they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must hilariously try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family. (Rated PG-13)

Bad Moms (2016)

When three overworked and under-appreciated moms are pushed beyond their limits, they ditch their conventional responsibilities for a jolt of long overdue freedom, fun and comedic self-indulgence. (Rated R)

Bonus: Watch the Bad Moms take on Christmas in the 2017 sequel.

Wonder (2017)

Based on the New York Times bestseller, this movie tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters the fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time. (Rated PG)

The Parent Trap (1998)

Identical twins Annie and Hallie (Lindsay Lohan), separated at birth and each raised by one of their biological parents, later discover each other for the first time at summer camp and make a plan to bring their wayward parents back together. (Rated PG)

Bonus: Check out the original 1961 film starring Hayley Mills.

Brave (2012)

Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida (Kelly Macdonald) defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse. (Rated PG)

Book Club (2018)

Four lifelong friends' lives are turned upside down to hilarious ends when their book club tackles the infamous Fifty Shades of Grey. From discovering new romance to rekindling old flames, they inspire each other to make their next chapter the best chapter. (Rated PG-13)

The Sound of Music (1965)

This tuneful, heartwarming film is based on the real-life story of the Von Trapp Family singers, one of the world's best-known concert groups in the era immediately preceding World War II. Julie Andrews plays the role of Maria, the tomboyish postulant at an Austrian abbey who becomes a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain with seven children, and brings a new love of life and music into the home. (Rated G)

Ricki and the Flash (2015)

In a film loaded with music and live performance, Meryl Streep stars as Ricki, a guitar heroine who gave up everything for her dream of rock-and-roll stardom, but is now returning home to make things right with her family. Streep stars opposite her real-life daughter Mamie Gummer, who plays her daughter Julie in the movie. (Rated PG-13)

The Blind Side (2009)

The real-life story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All-American football player and first-round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman (Sandra Bullock) and her family. (Rated PG-13)

Mother's Day (2016)

Bringing together Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson and Julia Roberts, along with Jason Sudeikis, this star-studded ensemble comedy from director Garry Marshall is a celebration of mothers everywhere. The big-hearted comedy invites us all to enjoy the laughter, tears and love as three generations come together in the week leading up to Mother's Day. (Rated PG-13)

Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer) is a precocious 11-year-old girl from south Los Angeles with a gift for words. Despite the objections of her mother Tanya (Angela Bassett), Akeelah enters various spelling contests, for which she is tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne). Akeelah's aptitude earns her an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee and in turn unites her neighbors who witness the courage and inspiration of one amazing little girl. (Rated PG)

Troop Beverly Hills (1989)

Shelly Long stars in this comedy as a spoiled Beverly Hills wife who decides to become the leader of her daughter's wilderness group. Though taking them on outings at the mall rather than in the woods, she later must prove her worth as a legitimate troop leader. After some zany incidents, all parties learn lessons of teamwork and selflessness. (Rated PG)

Little Women (2019)

Writer/director Greta Gerwig's new adaptation of the beloved story of the March sisters—four young women each determined to live life on her own terms—is both timeless and timely.

Bonus: Check out the other film adaptations of Little Women (including the 1994 version starring Winona Ryder)—there have been 7 total!

Images provided by IVA