20 Movie Ideas for Moms and Sons to Watch Together

Mother and son bonding is essential to establishing a great parent-and-son relationship. One good, timeless way of doing such is watching movies together. Doing so may even help knock down walls standing in the way and find common ground. 

So, enjoy the shared experience of quietly enjoying a film together by watching these 20 movie ideas for both mom and son to watch and bond with.

1. 101 Dalmations

When Cruella De Vil kidnapped her 15 puppies, Perdita hurried to find them before time runs out, and they’re gone forever, while her human owners do the same. The two mothers do everything within their ability to save the puppies, proof that a mom will do anything for her children.

2. Back to the Future 

Marty McFly’s parents are gearing up for a high school dance when he met them after going back in time. His mom’s past version did try to make out with him, but in the end, he helped her fall in love with his father.

3. Bigfoot Family

This cartoon tells of a boy discovering that his dad is Bigfoot and that he also had the same powers. When the dad decided to utilize his fame to protect a wildlife preserve from extensive oil drilling in Alaska, the boy and his mom journey to save him.

4. Boy Erased 

In this tale about a conversion therapy camp, the protagonist, Jared, and his mom go on a heartfelt journey. Together, they learn to celebrate and accept his homosexuality. 

5. Boyhood 

Boyhood tells of a mother-son relationship, which may be rocky at times, but is eventually strengthened through adversity. 

6. Home Alone

Every mom’s worst nightmare is to unintentionally leave their child behind at home, alone for a week, while they’re off vacationing in France. This Christmas classic shows a mother and son learning how to love and appreciate one another.

7. Jerry Maguire 

With his round glasses, spiky hair, and endless charisma, Ray, together with his single mother, steal the show. You’re cheering for them to find happiness and for the protagonist to shut up and make them a family.

8. Jojo Rabbit 

Jojo Rabbit features a German mother during World War II working hard to protect her son and teaching him how to stand up for what’s right.

9. Moonlight 

Moonlight sends a complex portrait of motherhood as the son witnesses his mother’s spiral into drug addiction within three acts. The movie is captivating as well as it’s gut-wrenching.

10. Mother

This Korean thriller highlights a mother’s search for the murderer who framed her son for a girl’s horrific massacre. Mother is a fascinating and dark telling of motherly love and devotion.

11. Room

The film follows a mother giving birth to her son while still living in captivity in her abductor’s garden shed. The mom’s drive to shelter her son from the gruesome truth of the world while understanding she can’t protect him forever is familiar to every parent.

12. Stepmom

When a mom is diagnosed with a terminal disease, she comes to terms with the new wife of her ex-husband mothering both her children. The film celebrates a family dealing with unfavorable circumstances in the best way they can.

13. Tarzan 

This Disney classic follows a loin-clothed adult man getting a new mom in the form of a loving gorilla after his mom dies.

14. The Blind Side 

The Blind Side is a heartwarming portrayal of an adoptive family based on the true story of Michael Oher, an NFL football star, and his adoptive mother.

15. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

The film tells of the unexpected and startling consequences of a forbidden friendship at a German concentration camp between a son of a commandant and a Jewish boy on the other side of the fence.

16. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 

This drama documents the life of a man who was born old and aging backward. His mother died in labor, but a nursing home caretaker immediately takes him in. The duo’s lives are intertwined as he gets younger while his adoptive mother continues to grow old.

17. The Fox and the Hound

When the little fox is orphaned as a baby, Tod gets taken in by both a human and mama owl. He grows up with unconditional love from the two mother figures, which helps him make difficult choices as he grows older and understands the importance of love and friendship.

18. The Kids Are All Right

This movie follows a lesbian couple having a relatively perfect family with their two children, Laser and Joni. Incidentally, both children, conceived from one donor, want to learn the identity of their biological father.

19. The Land Before Time

A baby Apatosaurus, Littlefoot, is orphaned when his mom is killed while shielding him from a carnivore. But his mother’s advice on how to arrive at the Great Valley may save his life.

20. The Lion King

This classic Disney film narrates the tale of a young lion cub dealing with the terrible loss of his father and how he ultimately steps up to defend his family from danger.

Plan a Fun Movie Night

Nothing is better than having a cinema experience from the comfort of your home. You can have a great time and bond with your son without spending an enormous amount on a movie ticket and snacks. You can even plan the movie night just how the two of you like it to ensure you have a lot of fun. Here are some of the easiest ways to make a simple mother-son movie night all the more exciting and fun. 

Prepare the Basics

You do not need to have much for a good movie night, but a large screen and good speakers are essential. Suppose you plan to watch the movie in your living room. In that case, you may not need the most powerful speakers but surround sound speakers can really elevate the experience, allowing both of you to get immersed in the movie. In terms of screen, a large television is a great option, but you can also opt for a projector if you have a large blank wall. 

Select Your Movie

The movie you select will set the tone for the night, so you must pick a film that both of you are excited to watch so that you can have the best time together. There are a variety of movies perfect for mothers to watch with their sons, and some have been listed above. If you cannot choose, it is best to vote and check out what critics and audiences have rated that movie online. 

Create a Cozy Environment

One of the best things about watching a movie at home is that you can create a comfortable and cozy environment at home. You can get your favorite seating arrangement or get cozy with blankets on the sofa. Remember to dim the lights to get that dark cinema experience. 

Conclusion

Mother-and-son bonding is an essential part of a boy’s life, as it helps them establish healthy relationships further in life. There are many mother-son activities that you can indulge in. Still, if you are looking for an easy way, you can have regular movie nights with a fun movie and yummy snacks.