Entertainment
30 Greatest Movies About Mother-Son Relationships, Ranked
Father-daughter relationships in movies are fairly common in film, with some of the most touching and profound movies properly reflecting on the poignant connection. However, mother-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 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-son relationships, ranking these films based on their quality and analyzing the special connections they portray.
30
‘You Were Never Really Here’ (2018)
You Were Never Really Here is a brutal modern neo-noir thriller in which Joaquin Phoenix gives one of his greatest performances as Joe, a veteran of the Gulf War who has found a new life in New York City as a vigilante who rescues young girls from being trafficked. Joe’s mother is played by Judith Roberts, and she provides the only tangible, emotional bond within his life as he wrestles with dark thoughts and suicidal ideation.
You Were Never Really Here is a complex morality tale because it shows Joe’s selflessness within his decision to protect his elderly mother, despite the fact that he is otherwise a loner. The tender relationship between the two characters is best identified through the brilliant musical score by Jonny Greenwood, who offered a poignant aura of peacefulness within an otherwise ruthless R-rated crime thriller. —Liam Gaughan
29
‘Beau is Afraid’ (2023)
Beau is Afraid is not the first Ari Aster film to deal with complex depictions of mother-son dynamics, but it might be the weirdest. Joaquin Phoenix gives his strangest, most ridiculous performance to date as Beau, a self-loathing, immature loner who tries to visit his mother Mona Wassermann (Patti LuPone) in what becomes a dangerous and absurd journey across an apocalyptic America.
Beau is Afraid is just as polarizing as everything else that Aster has made, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it is destined to be a cult classic because of all the subtle thematic subtext and symbolism that is packed in. It’s by far one of the weirdest mainstream films to be released in the past decade, and the fact that Aster is continuously able to make such disturbing and thought-provoking features is a win for film fans everywhere. —Liam Gaughan
28
‘Marvin’s Room’ (1996)
Marvin’s Room is a heartfelt family drama about a complex dynamic of sisters, mothers, siblings, and redemption. Meryl Streep stars as a single mother who tries to take care of her two sons, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Hal Scardino, while reconnecting with her sister (Diane Keaton) after many years apart.
Marvin’s Room is unabashedly sentimental and catches all of its stars at an interesting point in their respective careers. Streep being vulnerability and pathos to the role of a complex mother who struggles to drift beyond her family legacy, DiCaprio has an early breakthrough role as a teenager dealing with significant mental health issues, and Keaton delivers a deeply moving Oscar-nominated performance as a woman who seeks to make up for lost time as she reaches the end of her life; it’s a feat of acting that is bound to be more powerful in the wake of her recent passing. —Liam Gaughan
27
‘Only God Forgives’ (2013)
Only God Forgives was a polarizing film from Nicolas Winding Refn, who reunited with Ryan Gosling after the success of Drive to make a stylized, hypnotic crime thriller that divided audiences when it debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013. Gosling stars as an underworld criminal in Japan who decides to seek vengeance for the death of his brother (Tom Burke) at the urging of his mother (Kristin Scott Thomas), who is a force of pure chaos.
Only God Forgives offers a commentary on violence by showing how a deeply misguided, troubled man is under the domain of a parent who treats him like property. There is a tremendous amount of dark comedy, as Thomas gives a wild performance that works within the ridiculous and sensationalist pulpy atmosphere that Refn created. The film’s Oedipal themes make it even more disturbing. —Liam Gaughan
26
‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’ (1974)
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore was an early film from Martin Scorsese that won Ellen Burstyn the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as a single mother who attempts to raise her son (Alfred Lutter) as she works shifts as a waitress. Although there’s a tremendously charming performance by Kris Kristofferson as her love interest, Burstyn’s performance is what makes the film so effective, and it proved that Scorsese is one of the more underrated feminist directors to emerge from the New Hollywood era.
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore holds up because it offered a demystified, grounded depiction of working-class life that thoughtfully represented the experiences of single mothers. While it felt like a slice of real life when it made its debut in 1974, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore now stands as a beautiful representation of American life from 50 years ago. —Liam Gaughan
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–Present)
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 their 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, so 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.
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