Mother’s Day is fast approaching, a day to celebrate and uplift the mother figures in our lives, whoever they may be. Maybe you have dinner plans with a beloved grandmother or the aunt who helped raise you. Perhaps you’ve mailed a gift to a teacher who really made a difference in your life.

Or maybe you’ll be celebrating this Mother’s Day by enjoying stories featuring some of the best fictional moms in books and movies—someone who embodies the qualities you treasure most in a mom, whether that be kindness and compassion, loyalty and fierceness, or perseverance and a can-do attitude. Whatever it is you think makes a great mom, I hope you’ll find someone to love below. And I promise, no wicked stepmothers—though honestly, Ursula would probably make a pretty killer mom.

Find our favorite fictional moms and mother figures in these books and movies on the Libby and Kanopy apps, free from your library (Mom would approve).

Chilli Heeler (Bluey)

When I polled my coworkers for fictional mom suggestions, Chilli was top of the list—and if you’re a Bluey fan, I’m sure you’ll understand why! Chilli is funny and playful, smart and adventurous, athletic—did you know she plays hockey in her free time? And most importantly, she knows being a parent sometimes means making mistakes, saying sorry, and doing better in the future.

Read: Bluey 5-Minute Stories

Lucille Kojo-Carmichael (The Rugrats Movie)

While Lucy only makes a brief appearance in The Rugrats Movie, I had to include her on my list. Of all the Rugrats moms, Lucy is by far the most impressive: Harvard-educated doctor, pianist and singer, commercial jet pilot, skilled chef… what can’t this woman do? While Lucy has four children, we typically only see three-year-old Susie, through whom Lucy’s parenting skills are evident: Susie is kind, supportive, and always quick to stand up for what’s right. Plus, Susie expresses an interest in becoming a doctor just like her mom—a testament to how much she loves and admires her.

Watch: The Rugrats Movie

Jennifer Honey (Matilda)

While Miss Honey doesn’t begin her story as a mom, she embodies motherly qualities from the start. Kind and affectionate despite the abuse she has suffered since childhood, Miss Honey makes an ideal early childhood educator, especially for the precocious and mistreated Matilda Wormwood. Miss Honey (spoilers) decides to adopt Matilda when her biological parents must flee the country after their many crimes are uncovered, and the two go on to live a very happy life together.

Read: Matilda by Roald Dahl
🎧 Audiobook

Muneeba Khan (Ms. Marvel)

Mother to Kamala Khan—aka Ms. Marvel—Muneeba immigrated to the United States with her husband and infant son with the hope of building a better life for their family. While Muneeba’s parenting style may seem strict, she clearly loves her children and will do whatever’s necessary to keep them safe. She’s extremely observant, figuring out Kamala’s secret identity on her own but keeping quiet until Kamala is ready to share that information. Eventually, she comes to recognize and appreciate Kamala’s strength, sharing how proud she is of her daughter.

Read: Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson

Violet Bridgerton (Bridgerton book series)

Thanks to a certain television series, I’m sure we all know and love Violet Bridgerton. But did you know she made her debut in books? After her husband died tragically young, Violet was left to raise eight children (ranging in age from 18 to still in the womb) on her own. And while oldest-son Anthony took on the responsibilities tied to the viscounty, it was Violet who handled the emotional burden of raising happy, healthy children—and of course eventually helping them all find love, as any good matchmaking mama would.

Read: The Duke & I, Bridgerton book series by Julia Quinn

Brenda Morelli-Cushman (The First Wives Club)

This is a bit of a sneaky two-for-one inclusion: Not only is Brenda a cool mom who has a very loving relationship with her son, but this was one of my favorite movies to watch with my mom growing up.

For those unfamiliar with the film: The First Wives Club tells the story of three divorcées seeking vengeance against the ex-husbands who used and then discarded them. Brenda—played by Bette Midler—is a snappy, smart Sicilian-Jewish single mom, doing her best to maintain a mask of civility toward her cheating ex-husband so their son Jason won’t feel caught in the middle. While she, along with her two friends and co-leads, initially seeks to make her ex pay, the ultimate results of their plan are much more satisfying and highlight the compassionate natures of all three women.

Watch: The First Wives Club

Odette James (Bittersweet in the Hollow)

This was one of my favorite reads of 2023, and Odette is a huge part of why. While all the James women possess magical abilities (one can taste emotions, while another can communicate with the dead), Odette uses knowledge passed down through generations of magical women to help her Appalachian community, despite often being treated poorly for possessing such abilities. When her daughter Linden, the main character, is in danger, Odette makes a great sacrifice to save her, more than earning herself a spot on this list.

Read: Bittersweet in the Hollow by Kate Pearsall
🎧 Audiobook

Neneh Bangura (Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute)

After her husband abandons her with two daughters to raise, Neneh Bangura doesn’t sit around crying. She doesn’t even ask her no-good ex for much in the settlement. Instead, she runs herself ragged working a full-time job while going to school and taking care of two kids. By the time this story takes place, she’s worked her way up to become her school’s assistant head. While she’s not the focus of this story—her younger daughter Celine is— readers are sure to love her.

Read: Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
🎧 Audiobook

No matter what qualities you appreciate in a fictional mom, we hope you’ll find one you love on Libby or Kanopy this Mother’s Day!

RELATED READ: 6 mom-coms that explore the funny side of motherhood

Titles featured in this article:

Bluey 5-Minute Stories

The Rugrats Movie

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson

The Duke & I by Julia Quinn

The First Wives Club

Bittersweet in the Hollow by Kate Pearsall

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert