Akeelah and the Bee
Keke Palmer plays a spelling prodigy who overcomes a litany of obstacles to compete in the state championship, including the disapproval of her mother (played by Angela Bassett), a widow who is concerned for her daughter’s well-being. Eventually they come to an understanding and the end is absolutely h-e-a-r-t-w-a-r-m-i-n-g.
Freaky Friday
The classic life-swap story of a mother (Jamie Lee Curtis) and daughter (Lindsay Lohan) who each wakes up as the other — and they learn a lot about empathy in the process.
Crooklyn
Spike Lee’s semi-autobiographical 1994 movie tells the story of a young girl, her four brothers, and their life in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn. At the head of the family is a tough but loving mother (played by Alfre Woodard). And guess what? She gets sick! Yes, this is another tearjerker. But worth the emotional turmoil.
Stepmom
This one, however, will rip your heart out. It also stars Susan Sarandon, this time as a dying mom of two who needs to come to terms with the fact that her ex-husband’s new wife (Julia Roberts) will be in her children’s lives long after she’s gone.