Cancel plans for a night in with that special woman in your life.
14 of the Best Mother-Daughter Movies and Series on Netflix Right Now
Cancel plans for a night in with that special woman in your life.
There’s no one like your mum for a movie night partner, is there? There’s something particularly comforting about cosying up on the sofa with her to binge-watch a new series or movie on a Sunday afternoon. You get to spend quality time together as mother and child, and you also get to lose yourself in something addictive for a few hours. It’s a win-win scenario and one that is fast becoming one of our favourite ways to spend time with our mothers.
Whether you’re settling in with a bucket of popcorn and an old favourite, a glass of wine and a buzzy binge or a takeaway pizza and this month’s most talked about latest release, each of these TV shows and films on Netflix are perfect for a mother-daughter night.
All you have to do is call your mum and invite her round – so what are you waiting for?
1. Gilmore Girls
It’s an oldie but a goodie. Gilmore Girls is one of the best mother-daughter viewings, because not only is it a series about mother-daughter relationships – and quite a few of them, too – it’s also easy, comforting watching with your own mum. Maybe this is a show you’ve both loved and shared over the years, or maybe it’s one of your favourites that you’re hoping to introduce to your mum. There’s no time like the present to settle in for a movie night with Lorelai, Rory (and Emily!) and the rest of the Stars Hollow gang.
2. Never Have I Ever
We love the mother-daughter relationship at the heart of this adorable Netflix teen comedy. Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) and Nalini (Poorna Jagannathan) have the kind of relationship that warms your heart: yes, Nalini can be a strict, rule-observing mum. But she also loves her daughter so much, and you can tell from the way they interact with each other. You’ll laugh (and cry) along with this series with your mum, trust us.
3. Emily In Paris
We don’t know what it is, but mums love Emily In Paris. Maybe it’s the Paris of it all, the beautiful scenery and the delicious pastries, maybe it’s the gorgeous fashion and accessories, or maybe it’s just the fact that it’s an easy-to-watch series about being young and in love and in a brand new city. We’ve all been there before, and it’s something we can all relate to. Now there are two seasons – and soon to be a third – of this crowd-pleasing favourite, book in an armchair holiday to Paris with your mum. Why not make an event of it, and cook French food and drink sparkling wine?
4. Bridgerton
Yes, Bridgerton is sexy. But it’s also romantic and swoony and full of period drama goodness, which is the kind of thing that’s perfect for a mother-daughter movie night. Our advice – unless you’re not at all awkward about watching raunch with your mum, and don’t mind giggling along to sex scenes together – is to either start with season two, given that there are barely any sex scenes until the very end. You can just settle in for the high-stakes romantic drama, the longing glances and the shots of Anthony Bridgerton in his wet shirt. Hello!
5. Schitt’s Creek
Towards the end of its many-season run, Schitt’s Creek was just about the most comforting thing on television shows to watch for a mother-daughter night. Those last few seasons are worth a rewatch, purely to see the ways in which the Rose family come together in their new life to support and love each other through it all. We love nothing more than laughing at the antics onscreen, a reminder of just how much fun you can have with the people you love.
6. The Crown
If Bridgerton is, ahem, a bridge far, why not try The Crown for your next mother-daughter movie night? Mums love period dramas and The Crown’s four seasons of royal family drama provides ample storylines to binge through, whether it’s Princess Margaret’s youthful rabble rousing, the Charles-Camilla-Diana love triangle or even Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s marriage, and the rumours of infidelity. We love the first two seasons of The Crown, for the window into young Elizabeth’s mind, but you can’t deny that Emma Corrin’s performance as Princess Diana in season four of The Crown isn’t astonishing. If your mum hasn’t seen the series yet, why not book a few mother-daughter movie nights in and help her binge through the lot before season five is released in November?
7. The Queen’s Gambit
This miniseries is another period drama that is ripe for a mother-daughter movie night. Anya Taylor-Joy stars as Beth, a chess genius who defeats sexism on her way to tournament glory. The costumes and production design are stunning, as is Taylor-Joy’s central performance. You and your mum will be gripped by this woman's strength from start to finish.
8. Set It Up
We’re often recommending this romantic comedy, which was one of the first – and still one of the best – of the new rom-coms made by the streaming platform. It’s just so charming, and feels like the closest thing we’ve had in recent years to a proper romantic comedy like the good old days. The premise is very simple: two overworked assistants scheme to set their overbearing bosses up in a relationship in the hope of catching a break, only to fall in love with each other themselves. (That old chestnut!) Glen Powell, who was just so brilliant in Top Gun Maverick, stars alongside Zoey Deutch, Lucy Liu, and Pete Davidson.
9. Julie and Julia
Written and directed by the infamous Nora Ephron, this delightful dual-narrative tale of food blogger Julie Powell (Amy Adams) and famous cookbook author Julia Child (Meryl Streep) is heartwarming and comedic. Brimming with delicious food, stunning Paris scenery, and an ongoing message of determination to meet two shared goals, Julie & Julia is a culinary adventure for all. It also features Stanley Tucci whose mere presence is always soothing for the soul. It's a real feel-good film to sit down and watch with mum.
10. Marie Antoinette
Directed by Sofia Coppola, this film follows the live of Austrian Duchess Marie Antoinette played by Kirsten Dunst. Every element of this film is to die for, the costumes, set design, even the soundtrack. Be entertained while being educated as you watch this cinematic masterpiece. If you’re looking for a film that will have both you and your mum’s eyes glued to the screen, you’ve just found it.
11. The Sinner
If you’re a fan of solving crimes and unveiling mysteries on tv shows, then treat yourself to watching a season of The Sinner. With each season being completely different from the last, this show is one you’ll be texting your mum about the day after trying to connect the dots, and organising your next evening to finish the season together. We recommend starting from the first season to watch Jessica Biel's incredible performance, but if you're craving a different storyline, try giving the second or third season a go.
12. Elvis
If you and your mum are fans of Elvis, then you’re both going to love spending an evening on the couch bopping your head along to this Baz Luhrmann treat. Starring Austin Butler as the King of Rock himself, this biopic is beautifully portrays the rise and unexpected fall of the musician we all adore.
13. Bohemian Rhapsody
Sticking in the biopic, music realm of film, Bohemian Rhapsody is another entertaining movie both you and mum can add to your watch list. Following the lives of the internationally loved band Queen, this is a poignant tale of how the group formed and relished in the limelight.
14. Peaky Blinders
If your mum is a fan of period-dramas, do her the pleasure of introducing her to Peaky Blinders. Set in Birmingham, England, in the 19th century, this action-packed family drama stars Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy, following the lives of the Shelby brothers and the mischeif they get themselves into, and surprisingly out of, all while trying to stay alive and keep the family business afloat. With every episode topping the one before, this is a show you’ll be watching be watching large chunks of at a time.
