10 Movies About Motherhood to Watch on a Cozy Night In

September is here, the days are getting shorter, and we’re moving into that cozy time of year. For me, one of the simplest (and most relaxing) things I love to do is curl up with a blanket and watch a good movie.

I know it’s not always at the top of a mom’s to-do list — between laundry, lunches, and little ones needing us. But here’s the truth: sometimes the most restorative thing you can do is let yourself sink into a story, even for a couple of hours.

I usually sneak in my movie time when I have a late shift and the kids are busy, or after they’ve gone to bed. It’s my way of pausing, breathing, and reconnecting with myself. And because I know I’m not the only mom who craves a little downtime, I’ve put together a list of 10 movies about motherhood. These films capture the humor, struggles, resilience, and love of being a mom, making them perfect for rainy days.

This film captures the push and pull of motherhood in a blended family. It’s raw, tender, and sometimes uncomfortable, but it reminds us that love comes in different forms. As a mom, it made me reflect on the legacy we leave with our children — not just through what we do, but through the love we share.

A heartwarming drama centered on a large family, showing how the matriarch’s influence holds everyone together. It’s about food, family, love, and the unique role mothers play in carrying traditions forward.

This one is all about mothers and daughters, the things we inherit, and the things we don’t always understand until much later. It reminded me of how culture, sacrifice, and unspoken love shape us as women — even when it doesn’t always feel like love at the time.

Sometimes we just need to laugh at the chaos. This comedy pokes fun at the unrealistic expectations placed on mothers, and it feels like a sigh of relief. It reminded me that none of us can be perfect, and we don’t have to be.

Directed by Spike Lee, this film gives us a heartfelt look at a Black family in Brooklyn through the eyes of a young daughter. At its core is the mother, holding the family together with love, discipline, and grit..

This one felt like looking in a mirror. It follows a day in the life of a mom juggling errands, writing, relationships, and the mental load that never seems to quit. It’s a simple story, but so relatable if you’ve ever felt like you're juggling a bunch of things while trying to hang on to your identity.

This animated film isn’t just for kids. Watching the tension and tenderness between a mother and her daughter made me think of the ways we sometimes clash with our kids, not because we don’t love them, but because we see so much of ourselves in them.

This coming-of-age story set in East Los Angeles explores the clash between a young Mexican-American woman and her traditional mother. It highlights generational tension, but also the fierce love that underpins it.

A lighthearted but very real look at the working mom juggle. Watching the main character try to balance career, kids, and expectations felt like watching my own life — the lists, the guilt, the constant feeling of being stretched too thin.

A beautiful film about family, culture, and sacrifice. Centered on a Chinese family’s decision to hide a grandmother’s illness, it raises questions about truth, love, and how mothers (and grandmothers) anchor family identity.

Final Thoughts

Motherhood is complex — equal parts messy, hilarious, and deeply beautiful. These films capture little pieces of that truth and remind us that we’re not alone in the journey. So the next time you get a rare quiet evening, grab a blanket, make some tea, and let yourself sink into a story that honors the wild, wonderful ride of being a mom.