Bad and Badass Moms:
A Horror Movie Watch List
for Mother’s Day!

Aliens (1986): Fifty-seven years after surviving an attack aboard her spaceship by alien creatures, Officer Ripley awakens from hyper-sleep to warn everyone wanting to return about the danger that lies ahead.

Ripley encounters an Alien mama who is no joke. She plans to do what it takes for her babies to survive. This Alien Queen is going to make a nice warm home for her children no matter what it takes…even if that’s inside of you.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Aliens is only available for rental but if you have not seen it, do yourself a favor and spend the $3.99.

The Babadook (2014): It is tough enough to be a single mother, let alone, with a son who has a crippling fear of monsters. Samuel finds a disturbing book on his shelf about a creature that is more than just folklore. The best gift you could get her this mother’s day is a long and restful nap.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Directv, Shudder, AMC+ (Amazon), and available for rental.

Black Christmas (2006): Mothers show love for their children in many different ways. For Billy’s mom, it is locking him away in an attic for years. Maybe the sorority girls that moved in can be his family now. Try treating your mom to a batch of homemade cookies.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Vudu, Tubi, Redbox, Pluto TV, and available for rental.

Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker AKA Night Warning (1981): Billy stumbles across a murder mystery and his Aunt Cheryl is hell-bent on keeping him with her…at all costs.

We recently saw this film and were stunned by just how good it is and completely shocked we hadn’t seen it before. Don’t be fooled by the corny movie poster. Such a well-developed story and an incredible performance from Susan Tyrrell. An aunt’s love can be just as strong as a mother’s especially when she’s all you have… Also, starring Jimmy McNichol (sibling from famous 80s sweetheart Kristy McNichol) and Julia Duffy (Newhart, Designing Women, Shameless)

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: DirecTV, AMC+, Shudder, and available for rental.

Child’s Play (1988): Karen is a good mother, and wants to treat her son Andy to the hottest new toy, the Good Guy doll. Sure, the doll is possessed by the soul of a deranged serial killer named Charles Lee Ray a.k.a Chucky, but hey, it is the thought that counts. Karen still deserves a box of chocolates.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Starz, and available for rental.

Cujo (1983): Your mom is there to protect you from all the bad things in the world. Who would have thought that man’s best friend would be such a nightmare? Donna’s idea of marital fidelity is questionable but her mom skills deserve a relaxing island getaway minus all the pesky animals. This Mother’s Day, try getting your mom a cat.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Only available for rental.

The Exorcist (1973): Mothers are willing to do anything for their daughters; take care of them when they are sick, make sure they get into a good school, let them go out with jerks even though you are against it, and in Chris MacNeil’s case, have the devil purged from their body. Get this woman a dozen, no, two dozen roses!

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Netflix and available for rental.

Friday The 13th (1980): Pamela Voorhees was a great mother. She worked hard as the cook of a summer camp and took care of her son all by herself. All she asked for was a little help one day, and what happened? Those counselors went off to have sex and neglected her poor boy, leaving him to drown in the lake. His name was Jason, and the 13th was his birthday, but today is Mother’s day, so knit this woman a scarf and cap. They do not have to match.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Fubo, AMC+, DirecTV, Sling, and available for rental.

Goodnight Mommy (2014): Your mother, or Mutter, if you are German, sometimes needs some help of her own when getting home from a full face operation. Luckily, this Mutter has twin boys to help her out. Get her some German Chocolates, even if you suspect she is not really your mother.

Note: This movie is great and under-viewed. Just watch it.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: AMC+ (Amazon), Shudder, Roku, Tubi, Pluto TV, and available for rental.

Hereditary (2018): Annie Graham endures more trauma than any mother should ever have to go through, when- and then- Well, there is the- Oh man- Ok, there is not too much I can say about this movie without giving away major spoilers. Let’s just say that Annie deserves a nice long weekend at the spa.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Showtime, Fubo, Directv, Kanopy, and available for rental.

Flowers in the Attic (1987): Mother’s wicked ways run in the family and grandma is no picnic either. This mother’s idea of protecting her children is not what you’d consider loving. In the end, she gets to have her cake and eat it too. This year, get your siblings to pitch in and get mom a new grandkid.

Fun Fact: This V.C. Andrews demented tale was originally set to be directed by Wes Craven but studios found his version to be too twisted a tale. What a bummer. That would have been incredible! (This move is still really good.)

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla, Tubi, and available for rental.

Mommie Dearest (1981): Christina is the lucky little girl to be adopted by the famous Hollywood legend Joan Crawford. You’d think life would be a basket of roses but you’d think wrong…get Joan a box of wire hangers for this holiday!

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Fubo, DirecTV, Sling, AMC + (Amazon/Roku), and available for rental.

Mother’s Day (1980): This mother lives in a secluded house in the woods with her two boys she loves very much. To show their appreciation, her sons bring her a slew of people to help put on demented plays and to ultimately torture for her enjoyment. I think she deserves a solid gold ax pendant from Kay Jewelers.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder and available for rental.

The Others (2001): Grace will do anything to protect her children, especially from the things that go bump in the night. Give this mother a million kisses and hugs because she will continue to hold on tight and never let go.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: The Others is unfortunately no longer streaming. If you can get your hands on a copy, watch it! We’ll update when it becomes available again.

Psycho (1960): Running a family business can be fun but difficult. Norman Bates and his mother, Norma, have it all down. Norman runs the motel, checks guests in, changes the bedding, and makes sure the shower is working. Norma stays at the house and makes sure Norman is being a good boy. Show her how much she cares by getting her a new dress, sized men’s large.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Available for rental only.

The Ring (2002): As a parent, you try to shield your children from movies that are inappropriate. Well, Rachel may have accidentally let her son watch a tape that heralds your death in a week. Now she must do everything she can to save him. What a good mother. Do not wait 7 days to get her a nice Hallmark card.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Netflix, Paramount+, and available for rental.

Rosemary’s Baby (1968): Give it up to all of the first-time moms! Rosemary is a brand new proud parent and it hasn’t been an easy pregnancy. She is happy to care for this beautiful, amazing, possibly evil, bundle of joy… This mother deserves a good night out.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Paramount+, EPIX, Directv, and available for rental.

Serial Mom (1994): Mommy just wants what’s best for you, and she will do everything she can to make sure of it. Ok, this mom may or may not be a serial killer, but she is still your mom! Now is a good time to get her that electric carving knife she always wanted.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Starz and available for rental.

Virus: 32 (2022): A mother desperately tries to protect her daughter from a rapidly spreading virus that transforms people into uber-violent, fast ravenous hunters. She figures out that after each attack they take 32 seconds to recover their strength before they can strike again.

This film is very TENSE! Well developed story and just plain good! This Argentinian Spanish film is subtitled in Engish and gives 28 Days Later meets Dawn of the Dead vibes.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: AMC+ and Shudder.

The Brood (1979): A man tries to uncover an experimental psychologist’s therapy techniques on his own institutionalized wife, amongst a series of violent murders! 

This film is a Cronenberg classic. He’s a genius and his films typically do not disappoint. Not sure why were haven’t seen it yet!

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: HBO MAX and available for rental.

Mother! (2017): A couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disturbing their tranquil reality.

Mother! is directed by Darren Aronofsky (whom we love!) but the film had mixed reviews by the audience and critics, but we plan to watch it!

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Available for rental only.

Rattlesnake (2019): A single mother is helped by a strange woman after her daughter is bitten by a rattlesnake. She then finds herself making an inconceivable deal with the devil to pay back the stranger.

Looking forward to watching this soon! This has badass mom written all over it.

Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Exclusively on Netflix.