For Mother’s Day! Cheers to these 9 great movie moms

Thank you Mama! We take Mother’s Day as an opportunity not only to say thank you to our own mothers, but also to take a look at some great film mothers of the past few years. We’ve rounded up 9 prime examples of memorable mother characters in movies for you.

It’s Mother’s Day again and it’s time to pay tribute to all the mothers in the world. And there are also numerous great mother figures in the film world, who keep showing us what a mother can achieve. Here are nine movie moms who have made us laugh, cry and think over the years.

Attention spoilers! In order to be able to tell you about the following great film mothers, we unfortunately cannot avoid one or the other spoiler.

1. Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy (“Blind Side”)

Maternal love is not tied to biological relationships and can transcend all borders and obstacles. At least that seems to be one of the messages behind “Blind Side – The Great Chance” (2009). Sandra Bullock plays tough career woman and mother Leigh Anne Tuohy in the drama, who takes in a strange boy. Although he comes from a difficult background and her superficial friends want to dissuade her from her actions, she stands behind the new family member.

And not only that: Leigh Anne spared no expense or effort to promote and support the already 17-year-old Michael Oher. She and her husband take over his guardianship and make it possible for him to pursue a career as a professional football player – all without thinking about his own advantage. Sandra Bullock won the 2010 Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as the film mother.

2. Julie Walters as Molly Weasely (“Harry Potter” series)

They handle family stress, take care of house, job and whatever else comes up and become real lionesses when someone dares to harm a hair of their loved ones. Hardly any other film mother demonstrates as skillfully how much mothers can surpass themselves when it comes to the well-being of their children as Molly Weasely (“Harry Potter” series).

The film mother, played by Julie Walters, has not only raised seven children of her own, but also takes Harry Potter under her wing as the unofficial eighth child. She also runs the household, keeps Mr. Weasely on track and is involved in the Order of the Phoenix. Also the tiny little thing that with Bellatrix Lestrange she defeats one of the most powerful evil witches of the entire film series should not go unmentioned. How did she do it? As a mother, she doesn’t see it as a joke when someone attacks her children.

3. Juliette Binoche as Vianne Rocher (“Chocolat”)

Vianne and Anouk Rocher are not only mother and daughter, they are also best friends and confidants. It’s hardly surprising, given that the Mexican-born nomad in “Chocolat – Ein Klein Bissis enough” (2000) never stays in one place for too long. When the north wind blows, she moves on to the next town, where she sets up a small chocolate shop every time.

The self-chosen nomadic life also brings with it some difficulties and Vianne has to take care of herself and her daughter on her own. Nevertheless, she always has time for Anouk and involves the girl in all decisions. When it becomes clear that her daughter no longer wants to roam the world, Juliette Binoche’s mother faces a difficult decision. But in the end she even gives up her beloved wandering life so that her daughter can be happy.

4. Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich (“Erin Brockovich”)

What better occasion than Mother’s Day to sing the praises of the achievements and sacrifices that mothers make for their families, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Julia Roberts demonstrates this particularly impressively in “Erin Brockovich” (2000). And for the film mother, things are really getting tough: After a car accident, the former beauty queen is left with a mountain of debt. The single mother of three children doesn’t stick her head in the sand, but fights in an unconventional way to save her family from ruin.

Without any prior knowledge, she manages to get a job as a clerk in a law firm – and uncovers an unbelievable environmental scandal. Despite sacrificing a lot of quality time with her children, Erin fights for the people involved. Not least because she thinks about protecting her own children. In 2001, Julia Roberts even won the Oscar for best actress for her convincing performance.

5. Holly Hunter as Helen Parr (“The Incredibles”)

Even superheroes don’t have it easy. This is all the more true when they are also mothers and have to manage a gang of rascals, also special children, as well as a frustrated superhero husband. When a new super villain suddenly appears on the mat in the cartoon fun “The Incredibles” (2004), film mother Helen Parr aka Elastigirl is in top form.

Voiced by Holly Hunter, Movie Mom proves that moms are just real superheroes (even if they don’t usually have movie-worthy powers in real life).

6 – 9. Meryl Streep as Donna (“Mamma Mia!”), Lisa Metzger (“Couch Talk”), Gail Hartman (“The Wild River”) and Miranda Priestly (“The Devil Wears Prada”)

Four times mother, four times different: While it is relatively easy for other actresses to decide on a mother role, Meryl Streep’s choice is anything but easy. In “Mamma Mia!” (2008) she deals with three potential fathers as a singing single parent for the sake of her daughter.

In “Couchgeflüster – The First Therapeutic Love Comedy” (2005) she puts her own views aside so as not to endanger her son’s happiness in love.

However, Meryl Streep proves that she can also be quite different as the film mother in “Am wilden Fluss” (1994), where she risks her own life to fight to save her family.

And even in “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006) she does everything for her children and makes sure that the offspring can look forward to the unpublished manuscript for the new “Harry Potter”.

All these versions have one thing in common: Meryl Streep is absolutely convincing in every single one.