Movies to watch with your mum on Mother’s Day
Our mums always have our backs. So when Mother’s Day rolls around, we can’t help but get excited about celebrating them. If you’re planning on spending some quality mum-and-daughter time at home on Mother’s Day this year, get the snacks out, grab a cosy blanket, and stream these 8 Malaysian movies that focus on themes such as motherhood and family bonds.
Table of Contents
1. Bu, Kasih Suci (2019)
Video credit: mm2 Entertainment Channel
Released in 2019, this Malaysian family-drama movie tells the story of three mothers, each with a different and relatable life story. One is a housekeeper, another a mother with an adult child, and the third an expectant mother. Their stories become intertwined when a car accident takes place, changing their families’ lives forever.
Main cast: Remy Ishak, Nadia Brian, Rashidi Ishak, and Nadiya Nisaa.
2. Show Me Your Love (2016)
Video credit: Neo Film Reviews
Show Me Your Love (2016) may be a Hong Kong film, but it’s directed and written by Malaysia-born scriptwriter Ryon Lee, and alternates between Hong Kong and Malaysia. The sentimental tale of family and love follows the story of Nin, a teacher in Hong Kong who is forced to return to his home country of Malaysia to mourn the death of his aunt who had raised him as a child.
Upon returning home, he is reunited with his estranged mother – however, he also discovers that she’s dying of cancer.
Main cast: Paw Hee-Ching, Raymond Wong Ho, Ivana Wong, and Michelle Wai.
3. Beautiful Pain (2016)
Video credit: The House Of Film
One of the first films in Malaysia that highlights autism is Beautiful Pain, released in 2019. This movie tackles the hardships and daily challenges faced by both children with autism spectrum disorder and their parents.
Upon discovering that their only son, Danial, is autistic, Alina and Razlan struggle to confront the harsh realities of raising a child with a disability that they hardly know about. The couple’s devotion and love for their child lead them to find ways to improve Danial’s quality of life.
But a tragic accident befalls the family, causing them to shift their lives once again.
Main cast: June Lojong, Remy Ishak, Nadiya Nisaa, Angeline Tan, and Ruminah Sidek.
4. Ma, I Love You (2023)
Video credit: Astro Shaw
Mei Ling may be an overprotective single mother – but she does it out of love. This tale of sacrifice and mother-daughter bond follows Mei Ling and her daughter Qi Qi, who share a close connection. However, Qi Qi has secretly desired to leave Malaysia for France to further her studies after she completes high school – and also to explore her independence.
Feeling betrayed by news of her daughter wanting to leave home, Mei Ling starts making selfish decisions to sabotage her daughter’s dreams, all in the name of having Qi Qi stay by her side. After several vain attempts, Mei Ling has to face something that often comes with motherhood: the grief that a parent feels when their children leave the nest.
Main cast: Ong Ai Leng, Siow Li Xuan, Loh Lai Kan, Felina Cheah, and Phei Yong.
5. Amma (2022)
Video credit: RTM
Directed by Sabri Yunos, Amma is an emotional telefilm that follows a single mother, Devika, who has a hearing impairment and speech disorder, and her daughter, Anju, who doesn’t know sign language. The two have a difficult time communicating with each other because of this, and also because Anju grew up mostly under the care of her grandmother.
To grow closer with her mother, Anju sets out on a path to learn sign language.
Main cast: Sangeeta Krishnasamy, Kashika Selvam, Angeline Tan, and Armand Ezra.
6. You Mean The World To Me (2017)
Video credit: Astro Shaw
You Mean The World To Me (2017) is a semi-autobiographical movie based on its director’s – Saw Teong Hin – life. In the candid film, a Penang filmmaker, Sunny, sets out to make a film on his dysfunctional family. But it proves to be difficult, as he is forced to confront ghosts from his past – including a life-altering incident that caused him to have an estranged relationship with his mother.
A reminder of the sacrifices that parents make for their children, the film also serves as a tribute to the unconditional love and bond between a family. As the film is set in Penang, the characters converse in Penang Hokkien – making it a truly unique Malaysian film that you’ll want to get ready the tissues for.
Main cast: Yeo Yann Yann, Frederick Lee, Neo Swee Lin, Steve Yap, Sue Tan, and Chelsia Ng.
7. Bawang Putih, Bawang Merah (1959)
Video credit: PFDM Malaysia
Bawang Putih, Bawang Merah is a classic Malay movie that weaves together a childhood-favourite movie, Cinderella, with an old Malay folk tale. The theme of motherhood is strong in this movie, which portrays the power of a mother’s love, which is strong enough to transcend life and death – the protagonist’s mother reincarnates into a magic tree that grants her all her wishes.
Main cast: Latifah Omar, Umi Kalthum, Mustapha Maarof, Mahmud June, and Siti Tanjung Perak.
8. M4M4 (2020)
Video credit: Luminaire Trailer Production
If you and your mum prefer a good psychological thriller over a tearjerker, M4M4 revolves around single mother, Aini, and her struggle to find justice when she discovers that her 15-year-old daughter is raped and murdered. It becomes her sole mission to track down her daughter’s murderer, as the police have failed to find any suspects.
Her investigation leads her to a group of men responsible for the crime. The plot twist lies in whether the widowed mother will be able to bring these men to justice for the heinous crime they had done to her daughter.
Main cast: Bella Dowanna, Eyra Hazali, Kodi Rasheed, and Nabila Huda.
Malaysian movies to watch on Mother’s Day
Watching movies are one way to spend quality time with your mum. So, if you’re not sure what to do this Mother’s Day, consider making some popcorn and watching one of our very own local movies with your mum.
Also check out these 27 Malaysian horror movies and 21 best Malaysian movies that are available to stream on Netflix if you are in need of more movie recommendations.
Cover image adapted from: IMDb, IMDb, & IMDb