There are terrible moms, soft mothers, and mothers who would do virtually anything to protect their children. Mothers in real life and on-screen take many different forms, but what unites most of them is their unwavering love for their offspring. While there are countless iconic movies about the joys and trials of motherhood, this list is dedicated to the tales of mothers who have exhibited incredible strength and resilience in the face of adversity, often driven by their fierce and unbreakable love for their children.

The love of a mother can manifest in many ways, from sacrificing their own personal goals and aspirations to ensure their children's success, to enduring great physical or emotional pain to protect their children from harm. There are even mothers who have risked their own lives to rescue their children from danger. Whether it is pursuing a kidnapper across state lines, battling a formidable witch, or braving treacherous, haunted waters, these mothers have demonstrated that their unwavering drive to safeguard their offspring is an unstoppable force. As Mother's Day approaches, it is crucial to celebrate these badass moms in movies.

10 Karla Dyson — Kidnap (2017)

In the crime thriller movie, Kidnap, Halle Berry plays Karla, a mother who would stop at nothing to recover her kidnapped son. The plot revolves around a single mother who lives alone with her six-year-old son, but her life plunges into chaos when he is kidnapped during a carnival. Determined to rescue her poor son, she relentlessly pursues the kidnapper, willing to take any action necessary to reunite with her beloved son.

Losing a child is every parent's worst fear, and Karla is not willing to take such risks as she pursues her son's abductor with unwavering determination. This intense thriller, spanning 82 minutes, showcases the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child, as well as her willingness to sacrifice everything for that child. This mother’s actions may seem irrational, but it is that desperation to keep her child safe that drives her to such great lengths.

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9 Clara — Byzantium (2012)

In Byzantium, Clara (Gemma Arterton) is determined to start a new life and protect her daughter from their pursuers. Seeking refuge in the titular Byzantium, a once-grand hotel, Clara and her 16-year-old daughter Ella (Saoirse Ronan) hope to evade their enemies. However, their plans are disrupted when two strangers start tracking them down.

As a vampire who has lived for many centuries, Clara does whatever she believes to keep her daughter safe, even though these methods are often violent and ruthless. While this vampire mother’s actions are morally questionable, her love for her child is never in doubt. With a well-written storyline, Neil Jordan's vampire tale presents an innovative take on this overused trope and storyline.

8 Amelia — The Babadook (2014)

Written and directed by Jennifer Kent, The Babadook follows a widowed mother who must confront her son’s fear of a mysterious horrifying monster in their home. Starring Essie Davis, Barbara West, Ben Winspear, Daniel Henshall, Noah Wiseman, and Hayley McElhinney, this psychological thriller delves into the challenges of single parenthood, grief, and trauma.

The commendable performances from its talented cast, the deep exploration of grief, the slow build of the plot, the distinct creature design all come together to earn this horror film a place as one the best reviewed horror films. Essie Davis delivers a remarkable performance as a protective mother who refuses to give up on her child, no matter how powerful the supernatural force of the Babadook may be. Despite her own fears and doubts, she confronts this entity head-on before it consumes them both.

7 Evelyn Abbott — A Quiet Place (2018-2020)

In the post-apocalyptic world of A Quiet Place, even the slightest noise can lead to death, and to protect their family, Evelyn (Emily Blunt) and Lee (John Krasinski) must take extreme precautions. In the second installment of the series, Evelyn Abbott takes on the sole responsibility of keeping her children safe from these extra-terrestrial predators with the help of Emmett (Cillian Murphy).

This list of badass movie moms would be incomplete without this character, who epitomizes the resilience and strength of motherhood. Blunt's stunning performance during the intense birth scene showcases her character's bravery, as she fights through the pain of labor while trying to remain silent in order to avoid detection by the creatures. Surviving in A Quiet Place is hard, and doing so with children is a whole different level of bravery.

6 Meg Altman — Panic Room (2002)

In this intense home invasion thriller, Jodie Foster plays a mother who will stop at nothing to protect herself and her young daughter (Kristen Stewart) from three ruthless intruders. As the intruders break into their new home, Meg takes refuge in the panic room, but the criminals are determined to gain access at any cost. Even in the face of overwhelming danger, Meg showcases her maternal instinct to protect her child.

Similar to many of Fincher’s films, Panic Room is a stylish and intense thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats as the cat-and-mouse chase builds the tension. Meg proves to be a super-mom as she fiercely protects her daughter at every turn. Foster's powerful acting depicts the frustration and desperation that comes with seeing your loved ones in danger, and the lengths one would go to keep them safe.

5 Charly Baltimore — The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)

Directed by Renny Harlin, The Long Kiss Goodnight features Geena Davis as an amnesiac single mother and teacher, who gradually recovers memories of her past life as a top-secret agent. Her efforts to uncover the truth put her in danger as shady characters from her past pursue her, forcing her to rely on her lethal skills as an agent to protect herself and her young daughter.

Davis breaks away from her usual fragile, motherly roles as she portrays a fierce assassin willing to go to any lengths to protect herself and her child in Long Kiss Goodnight. Despite not being a commercial hit, the chemistry between Davis and co-star Samuel L. Jackson kept audiences engaged throughout the two-hour runtime.

4 Gail — The River Wild (1994)

Meryl Streep plays an expert river guide who fights hard to protect her family from dangerous criminals who are on the run from the government. Gail doesn’t only have to outwit these criminals, but she must also navigate the dangerous rapids to keep her family safe. Through her fierce determination and persistence, this action film highlights the importance of family and a mother's unrelenting desire to protect her loved ones.

Directed by Curtis Hanson and starring Streep, Kevin Bacon, David Strathairn, John C. Reilly, and Joseph Mazzello, The River Wild takes the viewers on a thrilling ride as it focuses on a mother’s fight to keep her family alive against all odds. River Wild certainly broke the stereotype of weak women in need of saving by presenting a 90s flick with a strong female character.

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3 Molly Weasley — Harry Potter (2011)

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Molly Weasley plays an important role in the battle of the Hogwarts, where she saves her daughter Ginny from the Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange. During this final battle, the atmosphere gets more intense as Ginny and Bellatrix engage in a fierce battle. But at the moment Bellatrix is about defeat Ginny, her mother steps in to challenge the Death Eater in a duel and ultimately defeats her.

Molly’s act of courage and maternal instinct solidifies her as a formidable warrior as well as an unforgettable movie mom. It is this power love she has for her child that plays a key role in the final defeat of Voldemort. Even the formidable Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange, could not withstand the power of a mother's sacrificial love and determination to protect her child.

2 Sarah Conor — The Terminator (1984-2019)

Sarah Connor is a waitress who is unaware that she is being hunted by a cyborg sent from the future to kill her and prevent the birth of her future son, who would lead a resistance against machines. With the help of a solider from the future named Kyle, she understands the gravity of the situation as she learns how to protect herself from this relentless cyborg assassin.

Despite starting as a clueless young woman waiting tables, Sarah evolves into a fearless hero willing to take on even the most terrifying foes in The Terminator. Her bravery and unwavering commitment to protect her child by any means necessary solidifies her as a true badass mom.

1 Malorie — Bird Box (2018)

This tense and gripping post-apocalyptic thriller revolves around a pregnant woman Malorie (Sandra Bullock) who is caught in the midst of a deadly epidermic that causes people to commit suicide. To escape this evil, she must travel dangerous paths with her two children to reach a safe haven where this epidermic has no power.

Throughout Bird Box, Malorie faces series of dangers that test her strength and resolve as a mother. However, with her children as her top priority, she embarks on a perilous journey down a dangerous river, never backing down in her quest to keep them safe.