7 Moms In Film & TV That We Love
With Mother’s Day quickly approaching this weekend, we’re in an extra sentimental mood. Reflecting on our own experiences growing up, and some of us having experienced motherhood firsthand, we often look to the media we consume for examples of what we aspire to be, and what we don’t aspire to be.
This week, we’re celebrating our favorite moms in film and TV — moms that embraced their roles with purpose and grace, loved their kids with all they had, and gave us all something to appreciate and emulate.
Mrs. Incredible from The Incredibles
Mrs. Incredible certainly isn’t like other moms — she’s a superhero with the ability to bend and stretch into any shape. But aside from that, there’s quite a bit about her we can actually emulate, like her incredible mix of sensitivity and strength, her courage and desire to protect, and her commitment to her family all while, you know, helping to save the world with her husband and kids by her side.
Julieta Madrigal from Encanto
Disney’s smash-hit movie musical, Encanto, tells the story of a family with magical powers — and Julieta’s power allows her to heal others through food (perhaps the most relational yet powerful ability). Growing up, Julieta always found herself drawn to nurturing those around her, which translated perfectly when she became a mother. Her empathetic heart, supportiveness, and undeniable skill with food make her a mother we’d all love to be more like.
Marmee March from Little Women
We’re lucky that we can experience Marmee in both the Little Women movies (1994 & 2019) and the original book by Lousia May Alcott. While the story centers heavily on the lives of her four daughters as they find love and discover who they are, Marmee is their constant throughout, never wavering in her responsibility to them, even in the hard times. Her strong yet loving presence creates a tight-knit family environment for her daughters to thrive in.
Clair Huxtable from The Cosby Show
This beloved TV mom left her mark on audiences around the world. Clair Huxtable was one of the first examples of a Black working mom on television (working as a lawyer and raising a family), making her both a memorable and inspiring woman. Her perfect mixture of stern parenting and a big, loving heart made her a wonderful mother to look up to.
Marilla Cuthbert from Anne of Green Gables
While Marilla wasn’t Anne’s biological mother, she took Anne in and assumed the role of her mother with intention, giving Anne the home and family she’d always so longed for. At first, we aren’t sure if Marilla’s strict parenting style and Anne’s wild imagination and flowery language will work together, but the two grow incredibly close, with Marilla coming to love even what she doesn’t understand about Anne.
Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls
After becoming a single mom as a teen, Lorelai had all the reasons in the world to give up. And while she made her fair share of mistakes (ahem, all of season 7), Lorelai never made excuses for herself and always showed up for Rory, no matter what. Lorelai always put Rory first, showing that she took her role as a mother seriously, all while being her daughter’s closest confidant.
Tami Taylor from Friday Night Lights
While Tami’s husband, Coach Taylor, normally gets all the praise for being a good father (and with reason), Tami also deserves her time in the spotlight; after all, she’s the image of what a good, faithful, intelligent, strong-willed woman and mother looks like. While sunny and charming, she isn’t a mom to be messed with — she takes her role on with an undeniable fire and grit, doing all she can to build her husband up and love her children with a fierce heart.