Father and daughter relationships in movies are fairly common in film, with some of the most touching and profound movies — including 2022’s heart-wrenching Aftersun — properly reflecting on the poignant connection. However, mother and son bonds are seemingly less discussed in cinema and are arguably more complex in the instances where they are, as seen in films like Hereditary and the new science fiction franchise Dune.
Most portrayals of mother-son bonds in pictures depict layered and sometimes even challenging connections. However, there are also exceptional movies that showcase healthy and loving relationships between mothers and sons. As such, we invite readers to take a look at some of the best movies about mother and son relationships, ranking these films based on their quality and analyzing the special connections they portray.
25
‘American Gangster’ (2007)
Ridley Scott’s well-directed crime drama counts on great performances and an interesting narrative. The story centers on an outcast in New York City (Russell Crowe) charged with bringing down Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), the man who inspired this semi-biographical movie.
Washington’s impeccable efforts are one of the best aspects of this Ridley Scott picture, though the supporting cast is also excellent (Ruby Dee, who plays Mama Lucas, even earned an Oscar nod for her role). Although the mother-son relationship at American Gangster‘s center is not the most prominent aspect, the bond between the two certainly plays a role in the film, representing family values and integrity. It is evident that Ruby Dee’s character is a central one and an anchor in Frank’s life, with her disapproval of his choices being a turning point for the character.
24
‘Donnie Darko’ (2001)
Perfect for fans of psychological dramas who haven’t yet watched this iconic 2000s cult classic, Richard Kelly’s Donnie Darko stars Jake Gyllenhaal and follows a troubled teenager plagued by visions of a man in a large rabbit suit who manipulates him to commit a series of crimes.
This captivating watch sustains its surrealist mood throughout, delivering a thoughtful message about fear, depression, sexuality, and identity. Family dynamics also play a poignant role in its narrative, particularly Donnie’s relationship with his mother, Rose (Mary McDonnell). While Donnie Darko is not inherently a movie that solely focuses on a mother-son relationship, it offers a nuanced portrayal of the bond between Donnie and his mother, contributing to the film being regarded as a compelling exploration of the bond between the two.
23
The ‘Dune’ Franchise (2021–)
After two flawless entries, Denis Villeneuve‘s science fiction hit Dune has proven to be one of the most promising film franchises. With memorable characters and an intriguing plot, this book-to-screen adaptation tells the story of Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides, a brilliant and seemingly gifted young man who is born into a great destiny beyond. His mother, played by Rebecca Ferguson, helps him find his fate.
Both Dune installments are unforgettable for plenty of reasons, including its absorbing storyline, astounding sound, and striking cinematography. However, the bond shared between its characters also stands out, particularly between Jessica and Paul. Jessica is an integral figure in her son’s rise to power, therefore their relationship, although incredibly flawed and even toxic at times, is also a key aspect of the movie.
22
‘Psycho’ (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock‘s Psycho is one of the filmmaker’s most famous works, and it is not difficult to understand why. The masterfully directed black-and-white 1960 picture centers on Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), a secretary on the run for embezzlement who takes refuge at an isolated California motel owned by a shy man (Anthony Perkins) and his mother with terrifying consequences.
Psycho — the first adaptation of the 1959 novel of the same name — is a perfect horror thriller by the legendary director. Through its fantastic build of tension and suspense, the masterful movie has revolutionized the horror genre and continues to influence several films in the category to this day. Although the film does not showcase the relationship between the two, it is clear that the protagonist’s mother holds power over him. After all, there would be no Norman Bates without Norma Bates.
21
‘Jojo Rabbit’ (2019)
One of the most emotionally devastating World War II movies is told from the perspective of a ten-year-old boy named Johannes “Jojo” Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis) living in Nazi Germany during the later stages of the war with his mother Rosie (Scarlett Johansson). Their life takes a wild turn when Rosie hides a Jewish girl in their home.
Taika Waititi‘s Oscar-winning Best Picture nominee is a remarkable film (though possibly not to everyone’s taste, considering the comic way it deals with sensitive themes) anchored by incredible acting efforts and striking cinematography that contrasts with the dark times it is set in. Still, one of Jojo Rabbit‘s strongest aspects is the positive, even if tear-jerking bond shared between Johannes and Rosie.
20
‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991)
With an enthralling premise and realistic mother-son relationship at its center, Terminator 2 arguably improves upon its predecessor. The story focuses on the bond formed between a cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger in an iconic role) identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah (Linda Hamilton), who must now protect her ten-year-old son John (Edward Furlong) from an even more powerful cyborg.
Being a single mother is a predominant theme in the Terminator franchise. And although the relationship between Sarah and John isn’t the most explored, it still plays a huge role in the film. With that said, Terminator 2 is a great action movie all around, whether that is for its enormous influence on pop culture, the memorable characters, or the genuinely engrossing narrative that stands the test of time.
19
‘Boyhood’ (2014)
Richard Linklater has always been the one to make believable movies about the mundane, and Boyhood is no exception. This charming and heartfelt drama, which began production in 2002 and finished in 2013, realistically depicts the coming-of-age of a young boy from ages six to eighteen (portrayed by Ellar Coltrane) as he grows up in Texas with divorced parents (Patricia Arquette and Linklater’s long-time collaborator, Ethan Hawke).
Although the relationship between Mason and his father is also predominant in the Richard Linklater movie, his bond with a struggling single mother is somehow even more memorable. The endearing mother-son connection portrayed in Boyhood makes the film even more enjoyable, especially because it is also a refreshing, realistic, and at times heartbreaking portrayal of motherhood. Plus, getting to watch Patricia Arquette aging gracefully is a blessing.
18
‘I Killed My Mother’ (2009)
The first Xavier Dolan on this list is I Killed My Mother. The filmmaker’s directorial debut is a romantic drama and semi-autobiographical story about Hubert as a young homosexual at odds with his mother. After garnering significant attention at the Cannes Film Festival, it sparked the interest of indie film enthusiasts alike.
I Killed My Mother is a thoughtful, honest, and poignant exploration of adolescence, identity, and familial conflict, with the relationship between Hubert (Dolan himself) and his mother Chantale (Anne Dorval, who also played a mother in his film Mommy) taking the center stage. Those who enjoy emotional direction and storytelling (or fans of HBO’s Euphoria) are probably going to want to give this intriguing film a watch.
17
‘Hereditary’ (2018)
Ari Aster‘s disturbing A24 horror movie meditates on loss and grief and follows a grieving family who is haunted by a sinister entity following the death of the matriarch of the Graham family. In the meantime, a series of shocking, disturbing, and life-altering occurrences take place while the family unearths terrifying buried secrets about their ancestry.
Hereditary is not exclusively a mother-son film, as it focuses on the family as a whole. However, Annie and Peter’s twisted relationship is a crucial aspect of the film and plays a big part in the story’s development, which examines generational trauma and how it reflects on motherhood, as well as the deterioration of mental health. If readers are looking for heartwarming mother-son films, this is definitely not the right pick. However, not mentioning Hereditary on such a list would be an omission.
16
’20th Century Women’ (2016)
20th Century Women is a personal project for filmmaker Mike Mills, who revealed that it was inspired by his own upbringing, making it an even more special watch. Set against the backdrop of 1979 Southern California, the coming-of-age tale tells the story of a teenage boy (Lucas Jade Zumann), raised by his mother (Annette Bening), and two other women (Greta Gerwig and Elle Fanning) who help raise him in one way or another.
While Jade Zumman’s on-screen counterpart is heavily influenced by the two other women with whom he shares a meaningful bond, his most special connection is still shared with his mother; it is evident that Dorothea and Jamie’s relationship is the highlight of 20th Century Women, although Bening’s character struggles to manage her own anxieties with parenthood.
