Top 10 TV and Movie Moms That We Love!
For this Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating some of our favorite moms from TV and movies. Gone are the days when moms were one-dimensional background characters. Now we’re seeing dynamic, powerful women who show us there’s no one way to be an amazing mom.
You can be gentle or protective, loving or fierce, messy or full of grace. These fictional moms remind us that motherhood doesn’t have to look perfect to be beautiful. Here are a few of our top moms in movie and TV who inspire us to show up with heart, honesty, and a little bit of humor.
1. Joyce Byers – Stranger Things
We’re starting the list off strong with one of the most Meme’d moms in TV, THE Joyce Byers from Stranger Things. From the beginning of the show, we see Joyce as a hardworking single mother who loves her sons, but as the seasons progress, her grit, passion, and determination to solve the mystery of what happened to her son shows that she is more than just that! She’s a perfect representation of the fighter in every mom. We can’t wait to see how her story ends in the final season of Stranger Things rumored to premiere this year.
2. Lorelai Gilmore – Gilmore Girls
If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, then you know that Lorelei is the mom we all wish we had. Free-spirited, loving, and perfectly imperfect, she shows the humanity of moms. Lorelai represents every single mom or mom who is healing from her past, and balancing being a bestie and a parent to her kid. Where she leads, we’ll always follow Lorelei!
3. Rebecca Pearson – This Is Us
Rebecca Pearson is the glue that holds her family together. Whether her family is thriving or going through deep loss and change, Rebecca shows her strength and resilience in the way she supports her family. She’s not perfect but she’s real. She will love and support each of her kids and as an adoptive mom she loves all of her kids equally! We love the way she loves, but we wish this show didn’t make us cry so much!
4. Tami Taylor – Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights might be a throwback if you are younger, but it’s worth a watch if just for the amazing mom featured in Tami! Tami is the type of mom (and woman) who makes you feel seen, heard, and empowered—whether you’re her daughter, her student, or just someone watching from the couch. She’s not just “Coach’s wife.” She’s the moral center of the show and a powerhouse in her own right.
5. Marmee March – Little Women
Will we ever measure up to Marmee’s quiet strength, intelligence, and grace? Probably not, but we’ll always be inspired by this amazing girl mom. Marmee has the ability to run a household and mother each of her unique daughters without missing a beat. We love her for it. If you haven’t seen Little Women, Marmee’s character will heal any mommy issues you may have, and the sisterhood in it is a beautiful display of girlhood. Check it out!
6. Molly Weasley – Harry Potter
Molly Weasley is not just a witch—she’s a mom to all. Somehow, she manages the Weasley household while also fighting a war. We love how Molly balances being a nurturer to Ron, Harry, and all of her kids, while also being a protective mama bear who shows up to fight at the Battle of Hogwarts. Talk about mom magic!
7. Donna Sheridan – Mamma Mia
Donna is the definition of a cool, independent mom. She raised Sophie on a dreamy Greek island all on her own, built a business from the ground up, and somehow still found time to sing with her best friends in sparkly jumpsuits. We love how she shows that being a mom doesn’t mean losing yourself—Donna is strong, fun, and totally unapologetic. She’s proof that you can be both soft and fierce, and that sometimes the best kind of motherhood is the one where you figure it out as you go.
8. Helen Parr / Elastigirl – The Incredibles
Elastigirl is literally super, but it’s the way she juggles saving the world and raising her kids that makes her one of our favorite movie moms. She’s flexible in more ways than one. She’s keeping the family together, handling meltdowns (sometimes mid-fight scene), and reminding us that being a mom takes strength, sacrifice, and a whole lot of heart. She shows us you can be powerful and present. We love a multitasking queen.
9. Maria von Trapp – The Sound of Music
Maria didn’t expect to become a mom, but when she did, she stepped in with open arms and a heart full of love. She adopted the Von Trapp children as her own and nurtured them with music, laughter, and compassion. Maria reminds us that not all moms are birth moms. Sometimes motherhood means choosing to love, to lead, and to create a home where joy can grow. She shows us that the most beautiful families are built on love, not just blood relations.
10. Emily Mitchell – A Quiet Place
Emily Mitchell is the definition of a brave, badass mom. She’s raising her kids with so much love and tenderness… while literal monsters are lurking outside. And HELLO—she goes into labor in silence with a creature hunting her down?! Talk about next-level mom strength. Even in the middle of an apocalypse, she’s calm, resourceful, and completely committed to protecting her family. Emily reminds us that moms are warriors. That even when the world feels terrifying and uncertain, a mother’s love is louder than fear.
Celebrating All Moms
These moms from movies and TV remind us that there’s no one way to do motherhood. Whether you’re nurturing with quiet strength or fighting off monsters (literally or figuratively), being a mom is full of courage, love, and showing up even when it’s hard. This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating all the ways women love, lead, and make a difference. Here’s to the moms who inspire us—on screen and in real life.
Can’t get enough?
Keep the good vibes rolling with our Top 10 Female TV Characters Who Inspire & Empower — or binge our full blog library for more must-reads!
