Mother Dearest: The 12 Most Memorable Movie Moms

Mothers are often viewed as iconic figures in movies, the strong, steady rock on whom the family relies. When life is about to tear apart the world as we know it, these fierce females of film are able to hold it together.

Then there are the other mothers: the bitches, psychotics, and camptastically crazy birds who leave us gasping, laughing, and quoting for years to come. These are the dames who go against type—in some cases for good, and in other cases less so—and as such we love them all the more for it. And while we could have made a list of mothers we love or mothers we hate, here are a batch that us gays remember most.

The Graduate (1967)
Starring: Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman

Long before cougars were cool (thanks to the genius show Cougar Town) and the term MILF had entered our daily vocabularies (thanks to Stifler's mom, played by Jennifer Coolige in the American Pie movies), there was Mrs. Robinson. She and Benjamin had a nice affair... until things got a little complicated when Ben fell for her daughter. Christmas must have been a bit awkward.

Grey Gardens (1975)

Forget the musical or HBO's more recent dramatization, one of the most memorable mothers in screen history was also a real woman—Big Edie Beale—captured in the original Grey Gardens documentary. ’Cause every mother should talk trash about her daughter when she leaves the room.

Carrie (1976)
Starring: Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie

"I can see your dirty pillows!"
"Eve was weak! Say it, woman! "
"They're all gonna laugh at you!" (SQUAWK!)

Margaret (Piper Laurie) from Carrie perhaps the most bizarre mom on our list. With a the philosophy, "If she’s old enough to bleed, she’s old enough to be hit over the head with a Bible" she's pretty f-ed up. And yet no matter how disturbing she may have been in this film, she's an easy go-to for great movie quotes.

Mommie Dearest (1981)
Starring: Faye Dunaway and Diana Scarwid

Sure, we could have listed Joan Crawford from 1945's Mildred Pierce for demented maternal figures, but why do that when you have Faye Dunaway portraying Joan Crawford in the must-see movie for guys getting their gay membership cards. Yes, that's right, Mommie Dearest, which you totally expected to see on the list. And why not? It's got everything you want in a good Mother's Day movie: screaming, slapping, strangling. What's not to love?

Terms of Endearment (1983)
Starring: Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger

On the flip side of crazy, self-absorbed moms are the ones who care a bit too much. Enter the ever-brilliant Shirley MacLaine in Terms of Endearment. Yes, you could make an argument that a film like Steel Magnolias would also fit into this category—and it would—but there's just something about how MacLaine dominates this film that makes her stand out. Clearly, she's not the kind of mother you want to cross.

Postcards from the Edge (1985)
Starring: Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine

Shirley MacLaine returns, this time in a movie from writer Carrie Fisher and playing character based on Fisher's mom Debbie Reynolds. With snappy lines, an over-the-top performance that borders on being dragmatic, and where the best consolation she can offer is that she’s a better parent than Joan Crawford, this was an all-around top mom in our book.

Serial Mom (1994)
Starring: Kathleen Turner and Mink Stole

There was a time, not long ago, when mothers never made prank phone calls or murdered people. Well, times have changed (as evidenced by moms who bully their kids' adversaries online), but none are as delicious as Beverly Sutphin. She's one twisted sister we wouldn't mind having in our court.

Mean Girls (2004)
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Tina Fey, Rachel McAdams and (for our purposes) Amy Poehler

Mrs. George: I'm not a regular mom, I'm a cool mom. Right, Regina?
Regina: Please stop talking.

Though she's not the focus of the film, Regina George's mother is like Stifler's mom in the American Pie movies: one of the most memorable, quoted, and talked about characters. She may not be the best mom in the world, but we'd definitely invite her to our housewarming party.

The Incredibles (2004)
Starring: Holly Hunter and Craig T. Nelson

So your mom is kind of nerdy and frumpy, and she's not really getting along with your dad. And to make matters worse, you have these cool powers you're not allowed to use. But you know what? She's also a freakin' super hero! And even though she yells at you (it's for your own good, BTW), when the crap hits the fan she can kick ass and save lives like no one else. Check it!

Beauty Shop (2005)
Starring: Queen Latifah

Gina is a very giving mom. She's moved all the way from Chicago to Atlanta so her daughter can attend a fancy music school. And unlike most of the moms on our list, she’s not afraid to communicate with her kid and let her know that she's still a young, sexy lady. "Do you think these pants make my butt look big?"

Hairspray (2007)
Starring John Travolta, Queen Latifah and Nikki Blonsky

While no one can ever top Divine in the original John Waters movie, John Travolta seemed to be living it up as Edna Turnblad in this film adaptation of the Broadway musical. The audience felt that energy and Travolta got rave reviews for his performance. It's was almost as if he was finally letting a side of himself take flight, a queer side, a side that rarely gets to be on public display.

The Help (2011)
Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer

Since 2009, whenever these kinds of "Movie Moms" lists are created, everyone suggests Precious. Sure, Mo’Nique deserves big props for playing Mary, who like Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest was both physically and mentally abusive. (Though at least Joan had money and a nice house, which—unlike Mary’s—was always spotless.) But the truth is that most of the white mothers in The Help were pretty gross, and it was only through the love those kids received from domestics like Aibileen and Minny that they turned out well. It's why they get voted as some of our favorite moms.

Not seeing your favorite movie mom on the list? Let us know in the comments below!