David (Jesse Plemons) puts his comedy career in New York on hold to return home to Sacramento and help take care of his mother, Joanne (Molly Shannon), who’s battling cancer. David is frustrated by his father, Norman (Bradley Whitford), who still hasn’t entirely accepted that David is gay 10 years after David came out, but that’s the least of the family’s problems after Joanne decides to discontinue treatment and meet death on her own terms.
Grandma (2015)
When things are tough with mom, maybe you can reach out to your cool grandmother? That’s what happens in Grandma: Elle (Lily Tomlin) is in the middle of her own relationship chaos when her granddaughter, Sage (Julia Garner), arrives, unexpectedly. Sage is pregnant, is scheduled to get an abortion that day, and needs $630 to pay for it. Since Elle doesn’t have the money, the two set off on a drive around Los Angeles to collect the cash from everyone they can find.
The Meddler (2015)
New widow Marnie (Susan Sarandon) relocates from the East Coast to Los Angeles to be closer to her daughter, Lori (Rose Byrne), a busy screenwriter. Since Lori rarely has time for her, Marnie fills her days with trips to the Grove, and by accepting invitations to parties with all of Lori’s friends, in the process inserting herself into their various life dramas.
Mom (2013–)
Christy (Anna Faris) had a difficult childhood with her substance-abusing mother, Bonnie (Allison Janney). Now, decades later, both of them are in recovery, and this sitcom portrays what it’s like to be in Alcoholics Anonymous, in middle age, with your mom: how hard can it be to forgive her for past mistakes, and how much support and love there is to be found from the other women in the program.
The Fosters (2013–2018)
Police officer Stef (Teri Polo) and educator Lena (Sherri Saum) raise their large blended family in San Diego: Stef’s biological son Brandon (David Lambert); adopted twins Jesus (Jake T. Austin in the first two seasons; Noah Centineo thereafter) and Mariana (Cierra Ramirez); and biological siblings Callie (Maia Mitchell) and Jude (Hayden Byerly), who initially come to Lena and Stef as foster children, but who are eventually adopted as well.
Brave (2012)
Scottish princess Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) is, at age 16, expected to marry the winner of the Highland games, much to the chagrin of her mother, Elinor (Emma Thompson). Merida runs into the forest, where she finds a witch’s hut and asks for a spell to change her fate. The witch gives her a cake, which Merida gives to Elinor upon her return home; it turns Elinor into a bear permanently, unless Merida can “mend the bond torn by pride” before the second sunrise.
Call the Midwife (2012–)
In Poplar, a rough East London neighborhood, a group of nuns and secular nurses live together in Nonnatus House. From there, they go out into the community to provide midwife services and lead public health initiatives for local residents, under the auspices of the recently established National Health Service. Warning: Rare is the episode that will not make you cry.
Stories We Tell (2012)
Director Sarah Polley tells her own story in this documentary—specifically, the history of her parents’ early relationship and Sarah’s conception. Home movies; interviews with Polley’s surviving family members and her parents’ friends; and her father’s narration all contribute to the richly layered effect.
Mildred Pierce (2011)
Todd Haynes’s miniseries remake of the classic melodrama stars Kate Winslet as the titular Mildred, a mother who sacrifices her own desires and happiness for the sake of her ungrateful daughter, Veda (Evan Rachel Wood in the later episodes), an aspiring singer.
The Kids Are All Right (2010)
Jules (Julianne Moore) and Nic (Annette Bening) are married Angelenos. Each has given birth to one of the teens they’ve raised together using sperm from the same donor. Their son, Laser (Josh Hutcherson), wants to try to find their biological father, but since he is not yet 18, he asks his sister, Joni (Mia Wasikowska), to do it. Thus are they connected to Paul (Mark Ruffalo), whose introduction into their lives causes unexpected disruption.
Mother (2009)
Parasite writer-director Bong Joon Ho directed and cowrote (with Park Eun-kyo) this film about a widow (Kim Hye-ja) who supports her intellectually disabled son, Yoon Do-joon (Won Bin), selling herbs and performing acupuncture. After a girl in the village is found dead, Do-joon is arrested and manipulated into confessing; his mother then sets about proving his innocence and freeing him.
All About My Mother (1999)
