Parenthood is a magical milestone in many people’s lives, from planning and conception through to empty nest syndrome and beyond. While many people are eager to congratulate new parents and wish them well, few will honestly share how much of a challenge parenthood can be. It is, at once, the most challenging job that life can offer, while also being the most rewarding. In those challenging times, it can be very helpful to feel as though you are not alone in this crazy parenting game, and for someone to sympathize with your plight no matter how trivial or existential it may seem.
Movies can be a great outlet for new parents, as they can remind themselves that they are not alone in their struggles and try to see the humor in whatever situation they face. Whatever stage in your parenting journey you are at, whether you have toddlers, teenagers, or full-grown adults, you are sure to appreciate this list of touching movies that thoughtfully depict the troubles and triumphs of parenthood in its many forms. Here are nine of the best movies about parenting, ranked.
9 She’s Having a Baby
Paramount Pictures
The 80s classic romantic comedy She’s Having a Baby follows the lives of Jake and Kristy Briggs (Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern, respectively) from their wedding day through to the birth of their first child. Feeling pressure to have children and not really sure if he is up to the task, Jake begins acting like a big baby himself. Desperate to become a writer, Jake becomes discontent with the life he has. After trying to conceive unsuccessfully for a few years the couple begins fertility treatments and eventually conceives a child. When things take a turn in the delivery room, Jake is hit with the devastating realization that he might lose the woman he loves and throws all his machismo out the window and finally embraces fatherhood and partnership the way he should have from the beginning. She’s Having a Baby is one of the best movies about parenthood, because it deals with real issues couples face when planning a family like communication breakdown, societal pressures, doubts, and fertility issues all in a lighthearted comedic way.
8 Knocked Up
Apatow Productions
Knocked Up is a romantic comedy that tells the story of Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) and Ben Stone (Seth Rogen), two strangers who meet in a bar one night and go home together. After their brief affair, Allison discovers she is pregnant and decides to keep the baby. The pair try to foster a relationship and are successful for a time until it becomes glaringly obvious to Allison that Ben is not 100% committed to the idea of fatherhood. Knocked Up deals with complicated adult relationships whether it be two strangers committed to having a child together, or a long-term marriage with trust issues, with candidness, humor, and grace, which makes it one of the best movies dealing with parenthood.
7 The Kids Are All Right
Gilbert Films
In this touching family drama, Julianne Moore and Annette Bening star as a lesbian couple who must come to terms with the fact that their two teenaged children would like to have a relationship with their biological father/sperm donor (Mark Ruffalo). The Kids Are All Right is one of the best movies about parenthood because it is a hilarious and heartfelt masterpiece that eloquently explores the complexities of non-traditional families, and the natural yearning children have to know where they come from.
6 Somewhere
Pathe Distributions
Somewhere is a drama directed by Sofia Coppola about new celebrity Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) who, despite his fame, notoriety, and success, becomes disillusioned with life. When he unexpectedly becomes the primary caregiver to his 11-year-old daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning), her influence changes his life for the better, as he matures and becomes a more responsible person. Somewhere is one of the best movies about parenting for its tender depiction of father-daughter relationships, which, per NPR, is loosely based on Coppola’s experiences growing up with her famous father Francis Ford Coppola.
5 Parenthood
Imagine Entertainment
Parenthood follows the parenting journeys of Gil Buckman (Steve Martin) and his three siblings, while they face their own challenges along the way. Gil is a perfectionist who wants to be a better father to his kids than his own father was, while his sister (Dianne Wiest) is dealing with teenage pregnancy. Parenthood is one of the best parenting movies because of its attention to character development and its honest yet comedic look at intergenerational family relationships. It is a truly unique parenting movie in which there is a vast range of ages of characters which makes several of the characters both a child and a parent which offers up a unique perspective. Roger Ebert gave Parenthood a 4-star rating.
4 Tully
Bron Studios
Charlize Theron stars as the exhausted mom of three Marlo, who is gifted a night nanny in Tully. Throughout the film, the initially hesitant Marlo forms a deeper bond with the titular Tully. Tully is one of the best parenting movies because of its raw, and unflinching, yet empathetic depiction of motherhood, the loss of identity that follows, and the toll it takes on intimate relationships.
3 Riding in Cars With Boys
Columbia Pictures
Riding in Cars With Boys is based on Beverly Donofrio’s autobiography of the same name, which chronicles Donofrio’s struggles as a teen mom, single mother, and aspiring writer. Drew Barrymore stars as Donofrio in the film from ages 15-to 35. Riding in Cars With Boys is one of the best parenting movies, as it highlights the sacrifices mothers make for their children, as well as the challenges of being a teen mom.
2 The Pursuit of Happyness
Sony Pictures Releasing
The Pursuit of Happyness is an autobiographical account of the struggles of homeless single father Christopher Gardner (Will Smith) as he bounces from shelter to shelter trying to find work to make a better life for himself and his son. Gardner takes on an unpaid internship with a stockbrokerage, hoping it will lead to paid employment while having to continue his sales job selling bone density scanners to physicians to make ends meet. The Pursuit of Happyness thoughtfully depicts the lengths parents will go to give their children a better life.
1 Stepmom
1492 Pictures
In the best movie about parenthood, Stepmom follows divorced couple Luke and Jackie Harrison (Ed Harris and Susan Sarandon) who remain close and co-parent their shared children (Jena Malone and Liam Aiken) while simultaneously introducing Luke’s new partner Isabel (Julia Roberts) into the family unit. While the children are coming to terms with Isabel as their new stepmother, Jackie is secretly battling cancer. Stepmom is a heart-wrenching emotional rollercoaster of a movie that poignantly deals with real-world parenting issues such as divorce, illness, co-parenting, and passing on the torch of motherhood to another.
