10 Inspiring Single Mom Movies To Watch In 2023

If you are a single mom, there’s a lot you can learn by watching movies about single motherhood. These single-mom movies will make you laugh, be excited, be motivated, forget the problems, and hope for better days! Well, we have made a list of the best single mom movies that are must-watch for a single mom.

From rom-com to fantasy, the movies on this list fall into multiple genres. Let’s check them out. 

Best Single Mom Movies

Jojo Rabbit

Director: Taika Waititi

Stars: Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson

Plot: Jojo Rabbit is a WWII satire film written and directed by Taika Waititi. The main protagonist of this film is a 10-year-old German boy named Jojo Betzler. From a young age, Jojo dreams of fighting for his country, just like his mentor and imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler. Everything was perfect until he discovered that his mother was hiding a Jewish girl in their home.

Now Rosie Betzler, a single mother, needs to take up the responsibility of providing a warm, safe place for both of them. Jojo Rabbit reminds the power of resilience in a trying situation.

Room

Director: Lenny Abrahamson

Stars: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers

Plot: Like any mother, the protagonist of this movie dedicates herself to keeping his son happy and safe, nurturing him with love, and doing recreational activities like playing games and telling stories while being held captive in a room. Upon escaping, they experience a dramatic homecoming that may turn out to be the scariest thing yet: The Real World.

The emotional performances of Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay were just phenomenal in this movie. For the portrayal of Jack’s mother, Brie Larson went on to win an Oscar at the 87th Academy Awards.

Forrest Gump

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Stars: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise

Plot: Forrest Gump is a story of a kind-hearted Alabama boy, Forrest Gump, and his best friend, Jenny. In the beginning, the movie shows single mother Mama Gump’s struggle to raise her only son Forrest.

Although Forrest Gump was a slow-witted boy, his loving and supportive mother made every effort to ensure his success. His childlike craziness and never fading love for his childhood friend Jenny take him on a journey where he learns what his destiny is.

Erin Brockovich

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Stars: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, David Brisbin

Plot: Erin Brockovich is an Oscar-winning film about a single mother who took on corporate America. Desperate to find a job, Erin Brockovich persuades her attorney Ed Masry to hire her as a legal assistant in a California law firm for low wages. Despite her lack of formal education in the law, she catalyzes the groundbreaking $333 million case against Pacific Gas & Electric firm.

The character Erin Brockovich teaches that confidence and perseverance are key to overcoming the odds. 

Changeling

Director: Clint Eastwood

Stars: Angelina Jolie, Colm Feore, Amy Ryan

Plot: Changeling is directed by Oscar-winning director Clint Eastwood and starring Angelina Jolie. The story is based on true events, adding depth and emotional resonance to the film.

Walter’s father left Christine Collins when Walter was an infant, and she raised the boy all alone. Christine spends her nights taking care of her son and her days as a switchboard operator. After returning from work one day, Christine found that Walter is missing. Then she calls on LAPD to initiate a search.

St. Vincent

Director: Theodore Melfi

Stars: Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts

Plot: Melissa McCarthy’s compelling portrayal of a single woman truly brings the complexities of single motherhood life, supported by the wonderful performance of Jaeden Martell as Oliver. 

The film explores themes of friendship, acceptance, and the impact of one person’s positive influence on another’s life. It also highlights that people are not always who they seem to be at first glance, and everyone has struggles and challenges.

Look Who’s Talking

Director: Amy Heckerling

Stars: John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, Olympia Dukakis

Plot: “Look Who’s Talking” is a story of a single, career-minded mother, Mollie. After being dumped by her married lover Albert, she explores to find the perfect father for her baby. Then she meets James, and things take a new turn.

Thought-provoking, the film explores the theme of the ups and downs of parenthood.

Blended

Director: Frank Coraci

Stars: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Wendi McLendon-Covey

Plot: The story revolves around two single parents, Jim Friedman (Adam Sandler) and Lauren Reynolds (Drew Barrymore). While Lauren is recently divorced with two sons, Jim is a widower with three boisterous daughters. After a horrible blind date between Lauren and Oliver, their fates conspire to bring them together. Their love grows as their respective kids benefit from their thriving relationship.

While “Blended” has its share of laughs, it also highlights the challenges of blending families and single parenting.

The Babadook

Director: Jennifer Kent

Stars: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall

Plot: After the death of her husband, Amelia (Essie Davis) suffered from grief and exhaustion for a long period while raising her son. But things take a new turn when her son, Samuel, finds a pop-up storybook titled “Mr. Babadook” on his bookshelf.

Amelia’s portrayal of a grieving single mother echoes the impact of trauma on a family. While the dynamic between mother and son is central to the story, the movie also explores themes of grief, mental illness, and the human psyche.

20th Century Women

Director: Mike Mills

Stars: Annette Bening, Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig

Plot: The story revolves around Dorothea Fields (Annette Bening), a single mother in her mid-50s, trying to navigate the challenges of raising her teenage son, Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann), while running a boarding house.

Feeling disconnected from Jamie’s world,  Dorothea conscripts with two other women in the house to guide him on being a respectable man. The film explores the complexities of single motherhood during a time of great cultural shifts and societal challenges.

These above 10 single mom movies show the struggles of a single mom on a positive note. Tell us about your favorite single-mom movies in the comments section below.