9 of the Best Mother-Daughter Movies and Series on Netflix Right Now

Cancel plans for a night in with that special woman in your life.

There’s no one like your mom for a movie night partner, is there? There’s something particularly comforting about cozying up on the sofa with her to binge-watch a new series or movie on a Sunday afternoon. You get to spend quality time together as mother and child, and you also get to lose yourself in something addictive for a few hours. It’s a win-win scenario and one that is fast becoming one of our favourite ways to spend time with our mothers.

Whether you’re settling in with a bucket of popcorn and an old favourite, a glass of wine and a buzzy binge or a takeaway pizza and this month’s most talked about latest release, each of these TV shows and films on Netflix are perfect for a mother-daughter night.

All you have to do is call your mom and invite her round – so what are you waiting for?

1. Gilmore Girls

It’s an oldie but a goodie. Gilmore Girls is one of the best mother-daughter viewings, because not only is it a series about mother-daughter relationships – and quite a few of them, too – it’s also easy, comforting watching with your own mom. Maybe this is a show you’ve both loved and shared over the years, or maybe it’s one of your favourites that you’re hoping to introduce to your mom. There’s no time like the present to settle in for a movie night with Lorelai, Rory (and Emily!) and the rest of the Stars Hollow gang.

2. Never Have I Ever

We love the mother-daughter relationship at the heart of this adorable Netflix teen comedy. Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) and Nalini (Poorna Jagannathan) have the kind of relationship that warms your heart: yes, Nalini can be a strict, rule-observing mom. But she also loves her daughter so much, and you can tell from the way they interact with each other. You’ll laugh (and cry) along with this series with your mom, trust us.

3. Emily In Paris

We don’t know what it is, but moms love Emily In Paris. Maybe it’s the Paris of it all, the beautiful scenery and the delicious pastries, maybe it’s the gorgeous fashion and accessories, or maybe it’s just the fact that it’s an easy-to-watch series about being young and in love and in a brand new city. We’ve all been there before, and it’s something we can all relate to. Now there are two seasons – and soon to be a third – of this crowd-pleasing favourite, book in an armchair holiday to Paris with your mom. Why not make an event of it, and cook French food and drink sparkling wine?

4. Bridgerton

Yes, Bridgerton is sexy. But it’s also romantic and swoony and full of period drama goodness, which is the kind of thing that’s perfect for a mother-daughter movie night. Our advice – unless you’re not at all awkward about watching raunch with your mom, and don’t mind giggling along to sex scenes together – is to either start with season two, given that there are barely any sex scenes until the very end. You can just settle in for the high-stakes romantic drama, the longing glances and the shots of Anthony Bridgerton in his wet shirt. Hello!

5. Schitt’s Creek

Towards the end of its many-season run, Schitt’s Creek was just about the most comforting thing on television shows to watch for a mother-daughter night. Those last few seasons are worth a rewatch, purely to see the ways in which the Rose family come together in their new life to support and love each other through it all. We love nothing more than laughing at the antics onscreen, a reminder of just how much fun you can have with the people you love.

6. The Crown

If Bridgerton is, ahem, a bridge far, why not try The Crown for your next mother-daughter movie night? Moms love period dramas and The Crown’s four seasons of royal family drama provides ample storylines to binge through, whether it’s Princess Margaret’s youthful rabble rousing, the Charles-Camilla-Diana love triangle or even Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s marriage, and the rumours of infidelity. We love the first two seasons of The Crown, for the window into young Elizabeth’s mind, but you can’t deny that Emma Corrin’s performance as Princess Diana in season four of The Crown isn’t astonishing. If your mom hasn’t seen the series yet, why not book a few mother-daughter movie nights in and help her binge through the lot before season five is released in November?

7. The Queen’s Gambit

This miniseries is another period drama that is ripe for a mother-daughter movie night. Anya Taylor-Joy stars as Beth, a chess genius who defeats sexism on her way to tournament glory. The costumes and production design are stunning, as is Taylor-Joy’s central performance. You and your mom will be gripped by this woman's strength from start to finish.

8. Set It Up

We’re often recommending this romantic comedy, which was one of the first – and still one of the best – of the new rom-coms made by the streaming platform. It’s just so charming, and feels like the closest thing we’ve had in recent years to a proper romantic comedy like the good old days. The premise is very simple: two overworked assistants scheme to set their overbearing bosses up in a relationship in the hope of catching a break, only to fall in love with each other themselves. (That old chestnut!) Glen Powell, who was just so brilliant in Top Gun Maverick, stars alongside Zoey Deutch, Lucy Liu, and Pete Davidson.

9. Julie and Julia

Written and directed by the infamous Nora Ephron, this delightful dual-narrative tale of food blogger Julie Powell (Amy Adams) and famous cookbook author Julia Child (Meryl Streep) is heartwarming and comedic. Brimming with delicious food, stunning Paris scenery, and an ongoing message of determination to meet two shared goals, Julie & Julia is a culinary adventure for all. It also features Stanley Tucci whose mere presence is always soothing for the soul. It's a real feel-good film to sit down and watch with mom.