In 2018, the short, award-winning film Bao captivated audiences everywhere. The film, directed and written by Domee Shi, follows the day of a woman going through empty nest syndrome, who is enchanted when one of her dumplings comes to life. A concise, yet effective portrayal of motherhood, the film won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. It’s one of the most iconic movies about motherhood.
The film, which was the first short by Pixar to be directed by a woman, is just one of many modern and creative portrayals of motherhood. From beloved characters who have become parents on hit TV shows to popular adaptations of books, there are more opportunities for visual storytellers to show unique and inclusive depictions of motherhood than ever.
TV Shows and Movies About Motherhood
From Carol Brady from The Brady Bunch to Lisa Landry from Sister, Sister to Lorelai Gilmore in Gilmore Girls, moms have always been the center of nearly every family-oriented TV show or film. As entertainment has become more inclusive, we’ve seen the narratives for mothers change, with storytellers approaching motherhood from various angles. From as early as Rosemary’s Baby, motherhood has proved to be a fascinating lens for filmmakers, as motherhood is not a one-size-fits-all role.
Real Women Have Curves (2002)
In Real Women Have Curves (2002), 18-year-old Ana Garcia (America Ferrera) faces a conflict between wanting to attend college and her mother’s (Lupe Ontiveros) expectations for her to marry, start a family, and manage their family-owned textile factory. The award-winning film expertly illustrates the generational gap between mother and daughter, a topic also explored in another film starring America Ferrera. In the 2023 film Barbie, Ferrera plays a mother grappling with her daughter entering adulthood.
The Boy and the Heron (2023)
The latest animated Oscar-winning film, from director Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, The Boy and the Heron, unexpectedly falls into the category of movies about motherhood. The film tells the story of a young boy, Mahito Maki, still grieving over the loss of his mother. After his stepmother mysteriously disappears into the forest, Mahito tries to find her, believing that it’s possible his own mother is still alive. Led by a grey heron, whom Mahito can communicate with, the film tackles themes like grief, acceptance, and family. The film was awarded Best Animated Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards.
Law and Order: SVU (1999)
Olivia Benson is an iconic character in the Law and Order universe. With over 500 episodes and 25 seasons, Benson (portrayed by Mariska Hargitay), is a role model for women all over the world. In 2017, the Emmy-award-winning series, which is filmed in NYC, introduced Noah, the adopted son of Benson, adding even more complexity to her character. The audience has seen Benson grow since the early days of the show and since adopting her son, viewers have witnessed her evolution from detective to sergeant to captain to Mom.
NYFA has been honored to host NYFA Guest Speaker Christopher Meloni, who co-starred as Benson’s Detective Elliot Stabler, and Wendy West, who has written for the show. Board member Matthew Modine also guest-starred on the series.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, featuring Rachel Brosnahan as Miriam “Midge” Maisel, tells the story of a 1950s housewife turned comedian after her husband leaves her. Midge, who has two children and ventures out as a single mother in New York City, is forced to learn how to be independent as she navigates a new career and the competitive and sometimes biting world of standup. Throughout the seasons of the hit show, Midge defies expectations and balances her aspirations with her responsibilities as a parent. The award-winning show was actually filmed in New York, presenting a unique challenge to revert parts of the city back to the 1950s.
Jane the Virgin (2014)
After Jane Villanueva becomes artificially inseminated, she becomes a single mother. The hit series Jane the Virgin follows her as she balances motherhood with dating and her professional goals. The Emmy-nominated series stars Gina Rodriguez as Jane, and follows the structure of a traditional telenovela as Jane raises her young son. In showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman’s words, the series “moves quickly” and has a specific rhythm that follows, “turn-on-a-dime emotional beats, relentlessly efficient scene changes, rapid-fire dialogue, and layers of surprise and self-referentiality.”
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (2017)
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, adapted from the famous book written by Judy Blume, follows the young titular Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) as she goes through adolescence. The film stars Rachel McAdams as her mother, Barbara, and Kathy Bates as her grandmother, Sylvia. The film takes a few creative liberties from the text, making it more of a movie about motherhood and growing up, pulling in more of Barbara’s and Sylvia’s experiences. The film was directed by NYFA Guest Speaker Kelly Fremon Craig.
The Joy Luck Club (1993)
The Joy Luck Club, based on the novel by Amy Tan, explores the complex relationships between Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters, spanning generations and cultures. The film portrays generational and cultural conflicts and is an exploration of bonds between mothers and their daughters.
The film was produced by NYFA Guest Speaker Janet Yang. Similar themes were discussed in Everything, Everywhere, All At Once, as the villainous alter ego of Evelyn’s (Michelle Yeoh) daughter tries to destroy the universe.
Big Little Lies (2017)
The Emmy-award-winning television series Big Little Lies is another adaptation of a novel. Based on the novel by Australian writer Liane Moriarty, the series follows a group of mothers in the affluent town of Monterey, California. The main plot is a murder investigation, and in the background, viewers see each woman (Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, and Zoë Kravitz) experience modern motherhood in a different way. The show excels at depicting issues including overcoming societal expectations and domestic violence.
Soul Food (1997)
The family drama Soul Food explores the dynamic between the matriarch of the Joseph family, Big Mama (Irma P. Hall), and her daughters. After Big Mama falls ill, the family is forced to fend for themselves, dealing with issues of love, loss, jealousy, and infidelity, all over the family’s beloved Sunday dinners.
Also starring Vanessa Williams and Vivica A. Fox, the film was directed by NYFA Guest Speaker George Tillman and demonstrates the vital role many mothers have in their families.
The Idea of You (2024)
The Idea of You (2024) is one of the newest rom-com of the year, and most celebrated by mothers and late 30 and 40-somethings everywhere. The film centers around Solène, a single mother turning 40 who accidentally meets one of the members of a boy band, and has a whirlwind romance with him. Starring Anne Hathaway, the film was applauded for its coming-of-age story and bypassing ageist tropes. NYFA students had the opportunity to see the film early at our Miami campus.
“I feel fortunate to find myself at 41 years old with an incredibly fulfilling career. I’m worried that I’m not sure everyone my age can say the same thing,” Hathaway said in an interview with the NZ Herald. “I am really grateful and proud to be making a film that furthers the author of the book, Robin Lee’s desire to create a new type of archetype, which is a mother who is not just there as a nurturer, but is there as a whole person.”
Girls (2012)
For a majority of the HBO show Girls, audiences watched Lena Dunham’s Hannah grow up. In the last season, writers introduced an unexpected plotline: after a fling at the beach, Hannah got pregnant with her son, Grover. The plotline allowed viewers to watch Hannah grapple with the decision of embracing motherhood, ultimately, leaving New York City to accept a teaching job upstate.
The latter episodes also enabled the writers to deepen the relationship between Hannah and her mother Doreen, who served as a sounding board and support for her daughter.
Turning Red (2022)
Turning Red was an achievement for Pixar, covering adolescence and mother-daughter relationships with a creative approach to storytelling. The film uses a clever metaphor that aptly describes how young women can feel during puberty, and finds a way to demonstrate the bond between Meilin (Rosalie Chiang) and her mother Ming (Sandra Oh). Directed and co-written by Domee Shi, the film is a great example of how compelling and impactful films can be told using animation.
Rabbit Hole (2010)
The drama Rabbit Hole is a gripping and emotional story of loss, following the devastating experience of a mother, Becca. After a car accident that results in the loss of her young son, Becca (Nicole Kidman), tries to manage her grief by bonding with the teenager who mistakenly caused his death, Jason (Miles Teller). The film has a different, yet relatable story about motherhood, navigating the complexities of forgiveness, guilt, and sense of self.
Obvious Child (2014)
The film Obvious Child, starring Jenny Slate, tackled a different angle of motherhood – when you’re not ready to be a Mom yet. After an unplanned pregnancy, comedian Donna, stuck in arrested development, is forced to face adulthood and consider what she wants for her future. The film, which initially debuted as a short film (also starring Jenny Slate), highlights a lot of modern issues regarding motherhood, health, wellness, and dating, despite being made in 2014.
Tell Your Story at NYFA
For aspiring filmmakers, learning, practicing, and mastering the fundamentals is essential to creating an exceptional film, television show, or multimedia project. At NYFA, students are equipped with hands-on classes and projects that enable them to excel in their craft, as well as cutting-edge equipment, mentorship, and the opportunity to work with peers.
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Header image via Animation World Network.