Ahh, mums. Aren’t they the best? And not just biological I-carried-you-for-nine-selfless-months mums either. Any woman, folk or special someone that has shown us guidance, love and support deserves to be celebrated – this Mother’s Day, and every day. Whether you’re tucking into a movie with your own mum or you simply want to pay tribute to the many wonderful ladies of cinema history, fire up one of these stellar flicks and you’ll no doubt hit the spot.

LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI What if we offered you a flick with not one but TWO gorgeous mum-type lasses. That’s what director Kate Woods gave movie-watchers in 2000 with her coming-of-age Aussie masterpiece Looking For Alibrandi. It’s also what Josephine Alibrandi herself gets thanks to her lovely mum and nonna. Set in Sydney/Warrane’s inner-western suburbs, this treasure trove of a film is Australian teenhood in a time capsule. Josephine rubs up against ideas of what she’s to do and who she’s to be, all the while navigating the shifting tides of race, class, romance, friendship and, of course, mums.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS While Herbert Ross’ 1989 Steel Magnolias may focus its mother-daughter tension around Julia Roberts and Sally Field, it is possible to pretend for 118 minutes that this entire troop of rad ladies are all your own mothers, in some kinda way. Because, look – there’s Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and THE Dolly Parton. All of these spectacular women exemplify love, support and infinite kindness in this small-town epic of family and friendship. We hope they don’t mind if we join the family for the length of the film.

20TH CENTURY WOMEN It’s not everyday we get a gang of rad women in a film like Mike Mills’ 2016 20th Century Women. Annette Bening leads the charge as the mum of protagonist Jamie Fields (Lucas Jade Zumann), with lovely ladies Elle Fanning and Greta Gerwig in supporting roles. While Annette’s character might seem like the obvious vessel for motherhood in the film, Mike Mills described the movie as a “love letter” to the women who raised him. Instead of just one interpretation of what it's like to be a mum, we get a kaleidoscope of experiences that demonstrate the care, support and love of one’s chosen family – and boy is it beautiful.

ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET. Judy Blume fans – unite. This ripper movie from just a few years ago reimagines the author’s 1970 book as the sweetest coming-of-age tale of growing up and into yourself. Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, 2023’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. will break your heart wide open and then stitch it back together again, thanks to Rachel McAdams’ dazzlingly complex and heartwarming portrayal of Margaret' super-cool '70s mum. Like her daughter, she’s just trying to figure out this weird old thing called life.

LADY BIRD Greta Gerwig’s 2017 solo directorial debut Lady Bird may just be the mum film to end all mum films. It’s easy to think of this softly hilarious drama starring Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf as just another classic coming-of-age about teenagedom, but the thread that really weaves this tapestry of the human condition together is the relationship between Christine (aka Lady Bird) and her mum. Raw, tumultuous, messy, warm and oh so relatable, it’s rare to see such an honest depiction of mums and their daughters at the centre of a mainstream story. Lady Bird is as much an ode to Greta Gerwig’s teenagehood and her hometown as it is to her mum and mums everywhere. Watch it with yours for bonus warm and fuzzy vibes.

Still hungry for more rad flicks? Have a squiz at these witchy films or feast your eyes on these Aussie gems. Plus, sign up to our newsletter to never miss an ace list of flicks.