UK's top 20 best-loved movie mothers revealed to celebrate Mother's Day
There's been plenty of iconic mums in the world of film!
Last updated 7th Mar 2024
When it comes to on-screen mums, there has been an array of brilliant movie characters who are mothers over the years. From Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! to The Addams Family's Morticia Addams, we've seen brilliant actresses play strong matriarchs that have captured the hearts of viewers.
As we celebrate Mother's Day on 10th March, we thought it would be the perfect time to take a look at some of the iconic mothers from the world of film. Ahead of its Oscars coverage on Mother's Day, ITV has conducted a poll, revealing the top 20 best-loved mums from the movies. Is your favourite on here?
Take a look at the top 20 best loved movie mums:
1) Donna Sheridan - Mamma Mia! (2008)
Voted the most popular movie mum in a poll conducted by ITV, Donna Sheridan was a much-loved character in the 2008 Mamma Mia! film. Played by Meryl Streep, Donna owned the hotel Villa Donna and was mum to Sophie (Amanda Seyfried).
2) Morticia Addams - Addams Family Values (1993)
The matriarch of the Addams family, Morticia Addams has been played by a number of actresses over the years, including Catherine Zeta-Jones in the Netflix series Wednesday, and Anjelica Huston in the films The Addams Family and Addams Family Values. Morticia is mum to Wednesday, Pugsley and Pubert.
3) Sarah Connor - Terminator 2 (1991)
One of the main protagonists in the Terminator films, Sarah Connor is portrayed by Linda Hamilton in The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Terminator: Dark Fate. Sarah has a son called John Connor, who's future she is willing to sacrifice everything for.
4) Miss Honey - Matilda (1996)
Played by Embeth Davidtz in the 1996 film, Miss Honey is Matilda's kind teacher, who encourages and inspires her. Miss Honey also goes on to adopt Matilda (Mara Wilson), with the pair becoming a happy family.
5) Maria Von Trapp - The Sound of Music (1965)
Maria Von Trapp is played by Julie Andrews in the 1965 musical The Sound of Music. She is sent to become a governess to Georg Von Trapp's seven children, with the pair later marrying and Maria becoming stepmum to the children.
6) Mrs Gump - Forrest Gump (1994)
Sally Field plays Mrs Gump in the 1994 comedy drama film Forrest Gump. Mrs Gump runs a boarding house and is Forrest's mum, who encourages her son to fulfil his potential and loves him unconditionally.
7) Miranda Hillard - Mrs Doubtfire (1993)
Played by Sally Field, Miranda Hilliard is an interior designer who is mum to Lydia, Christopher and Natalie. She hires Mrs Doubtfire to be her housekeeper, unaware that it is actually her ex-husband Daniel.
8) Lorraine McFly - Back To The Future (1985)
Lorraine, played by Lea Thompson, is the mum of Marty McFly in the 1985 science fiction film Back To The Future. When Marty is accidentally sent back in time to 1955, he prevents his parents from falling in love - subsequently having to get them together and go back to the future.
9) Mrs Robinson - The Graduate (1967)
Anne Bancroft played Mrs Robinson in the 1967 romantic-comedy drama film The Graduate. Mrs Robinson seduces the 21-year-old graduate Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), who then falls in love with Mrs Robinson's daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross).
10) Evelyn Abbott - A Quiet Place (2018)
Emily Blunt plays Evelyn Abbott in the 2018 film A Quiet Place. Evelyn is married to Lee (John Krasinski) and mum to their four children Regan, Marcus, Beau and Abbott. Lee and Evelyn struggle as they bring up their children in a post-apocalyptic world.
11) Ellen Ripley - Aliens (1986)
Ellen Ripley is the sole survivor of an alien attack, who is played by Sigourney Weaver. In the film, Ellen's daughter Amanda sadly dies, with Ellen escaping to return to Earth with Corporal Dwayne Hicks, android Bishop and a young girl called Newt.
12) Jeanine Stifler - American Pie (1999)
Jeanine Stifler is played by Jennifer Coolidge, who is the mum of Steven Stifler (Seann William Scott). She also appeared in American Pie 2, American Wedding and American Reunion.
13) Leigh Anne Tuohy - The Blind Side (2009)
Sandra Bullock plays Leigh Anne Tuohy in the 2009 film The Blind Side, which is based on the 2006 book of the same name by Michael Lewis. Leigh Anne is the adoptive mother of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), who goes on to play in the NFL.
14) Queen Ramonda - Black Panther (2018)
Angela Bassett plays Ramonda in the Black Panther, who is the Queen Mother of Wakanda. She is the mother of T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) and Shuri (Letitia Wright).
15) Sofia - The Color Purple (1985)
Sofia was played by Oprah Winfrey in the 1985 period drama film The Color Purple. A strong-minded and fiercely independent woman, Sofia is a mother and is married to Harpo.
16) Mrs George - Mean Girls (2004)
She's not a regular mom, she's a cool mom! The iconic character of Mrs George was played by Amy Poehler, mum to Regina George (Rachel McAdams) and Kylie (Nicole Crimi).
17) Nina Banks - Father of the Bride (1991)
Nina Banks is played by Diane Keaton in the 1991 film Father of the Bride. She is the wife of George (Steve Martin) and mum to Annie (Kimberly Williams) and Matty (Kieran Culkin). The film sees Annie marry her husband Bryan MacKenzie (George Newbern).
18) Katherine Johnson - Hidden Figures (2016)
Played by Taraji P. Henson, Katherine Johnson is a mathematician who worked at NASA during the Space Race. The 2016 film is loosely based on the book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly.
19) Mary Taylor - E.T. (1982)
Played by Dee Wallace, Mary Taylor is a single mother to Elliott, Michael and Gertie. Elliott (Henry Thomas) befriends the alien E.T., going on to help him find his way back home.
20) Ellen Brody - Jaws (1975)
Lorraine Gary plays Ellen Brody, the wife of police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), who is hunting a man-eating shark, alongside marine biologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and professional shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw).
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