What Are The Best Pregnancy Movies? – Let’s Review!
Nothing can take an expectant mom’s mind off her pregnancy like a good movie. In recent years, studios have started to focus some release towards the moms to be crowd, realizing movies that have been very successful at the box office. But when you’re sitting down to a movie, how do you know which ones are good and which ones stink?
To help, we decided to watch some movies for you and make a list of our 10 Best Pregnancy Movies In 2018 to give you some ideas of the options out there for mom and dad to watch and enjoy.
We hope that with our picks, we can make movie night a much more relaxing affair.
Ready? Let’s get some popcorn!
QUICK ANSWER: THE BEST PREGNANCY MOVIES
Contents
Pregnancy Movies Reviews
1. Life as We Know It
For some people, becoming a parent isn’t what they exactly had in mind for themselves. But as many know, life can have a way of changing those plans. Such is the case with Life as We Know It starring Josh Duhamel and Katherine Heigl.
Set up as a blind date by their mutual friends, Holly (Heigl) and Messer (Duhamel) have two things in common. They hate each other, but they love their goddaughter Sophie. In an unthinkable accident, Sophie’s parents are both killed and her godparents are chosen to be her guardians. Between their fighting and figuring out how to raise a child that is not their own, hilarity ensues as the two hated rivals start to see each other as more than just a date gone wrong.
Why we love it – The combining of Heigl and Duhamel brings a funny mix to a movie that on the outset is pretty sad. But through the trials and tribulations of learning how to be parents, they learn the best thing of all is family.
2. Juno
Teenage pregnancies happen more frequently than anyone would like to admit. With Juno, the circumstance of an accidental pregnancy is portrayed bravely and sincerely by Ellen Page, while at the same time showing that it has a real heartbeat as well.
When Juno (Page), a high school student becomes pregnant after having sex with her friend, Juno first considers abortion, but decides to find a family to adopt her child instead. Through this process, the movie shows that not every family is a traditional family and it doesn’t always have to be that way.
Why we love it – With its focus on the subject of teen pregnancy, Juno manages to put a humorous take on a real issue. Jokes aside, at the end of the movie, it’s the heart with which this movie is portrayed that makes it stand out. Because of this, it is one of the best pregnancy movies on our list.
3. Where the Heart Is
Being pregnant and alone can be a very hard thing for any expectant mother. Couple that with having a boyfriend abandon you in a Walmart and you’ll get the basis for the movie, Where the Heart is starring Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd in a heartwarming drama about family, small towns and regrets.
When traveling with her boyfriend, pregnant Novalee (Portman) is abandoned in a Walmart. Accidentally locked in a Walmart and nowhere else to go, she stays night after night. Once her water breaks, she ends up giving birth at Walmart with the help of a local man. Coming to, Novalee realizes that she has become an overnight sensation and with the help of her friends in this new town, she rebuilds her life and let’s go of her past.
Why we love it – With its superb acting, Where the Heart is shows that despite your circumstances in life, you can always turn things around. It shows that family is the most important thing, no matter what shape that family takes.
4. Waitress
An unwanted pregnancy in less than ideal situations can make it hard to see the joy that can come with the birth of a new child. In Waitress, starring Keri Russell, she learns to stand in her own and follow her own dreams.
Jenna (Russell) is a waitress in a small diner in a small town in the Deep South, who has an unhappy marriage with an abusive husband. One day, much to her dismay, she finds out she’s pregnant and instead of having an abortion, she decides to have the baby. When she meets her obstetrician, they begin an affair despite him being married. Through the help of her friends at the diner and regular, Joe played by Andy Griffith, Jenna finds the strength to leave her husband and take control of her life.
Why we love it – Between the all-star cast and amazing performances, Waitress is a movie that many women, unfortunately, can relate to. What this movie does well is show that no matter your circumstances, you can always come out on top.
5. The Back-Up Plan
Almost every woman at some point in their lives dreams about meeting Mr. Right. but it doesn’t always happen how they expect. In this comedy starring Jennifer Lopez, it shows that while the plan may be to meet Mr. Right, fall in love, get married and be a parent, sometimes your Backup plan is a better option.
Zoe (Lopez) dreams of meeting Mr. Right, getting married and starting a family. Her backup plan was always to take on being a mother alone and after enough Mr. Wrongs have come through her life, she commits to this plan. That’s when it happens, she meets Stan (Alex O’Loughlin, Hawaii Five-O), who turns out to be the man of her dreams. Zoe spends all her energy trying to hide her new pregnancy and coming bundle of joy from Stan, fearing that he’ll run the other way. Through misunderstandings and hilarity, Zoe realizes that the man of her dreams doesn’t want to go anywhere.
Why we love it – Wonderfully acted by both Lopez and O’Loughlin, the Back-Up Plan offers a look at how things can turn out for the best even if they don’t go according to the standard plan.
6. What To Expect When You’re Expecting
Based on the hit book, What To Expect When You’re Expecting takes a hard look at the trials and tribulations of what it actually means to be pregnant and how being a mother doesn’t necessarily mean carrying a baby for 9 months.
Following four women, the movie takes us through each of their journeys on their way through pregnancy. As much a movie showing the journey the mom’s go through, it also focuses on each father showing the doubt and fear that can come with a new baby. Through hard lessons and understanding and families coming together, this funny and heartwarming comedy shows that it’s not easy to get ready as a mom or dad no matter what the situation.
Why we love it – Between the all-star cast and wonderful look at what it means to be a pregnant mom or expectant Dad, What To Expect When You’re Expecting is one of the best movies about having a baby out there.
7. Away We Go
Finding the perfect home to raise your child in can take a lot of time and effort. Trying to do this while you’re pregnant can make it harder still. In Away We Go, two parents try to find the perfect place to raise their expected baby while visiting family across the country with some not expected results.
Starring John Krasinski (The Office) as Burt and Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live) as Verona, both are 30-something self employed people who don’t necessarily have it all together to raise a child. When their initial plan to live at Burt’s parents house goes sideways, they decide to travel the country visiting family along the way, trying to find the best place for their new family to begin. In the end, they discover that the best place is wherever the two of them are.
Why we love it –.With its amazing cast and wonderful direction, Away We Go can show parents that while you may want to be in the best place to live when raising your child, sometimes the absolute best place to be is home.
8. Knocked Up
One night stands can definitely happen from time to time. On most occasions, this would not result in pregnancy, In Knocked Up from Director Judd Apatow, when two complete opposites meet, the result is a hilarious look at life’s little mishaps.
Starring Katherine Heigl as Alison Scott, a career driven woman who has just gotten a promotion decides to celebrate with her sister (Leslie Mann) at a club, where she meets Ben (Seth Rogen), a slacker whose main career is less than ambitious. After a few too many drinks, the two end up having a one night stand in which Allison gets pregnant. After many misunderstandings and arguments, the two have a baby girl together.
What we love it – Knocked Up is a movie about two complete opposites, taking a situation that neither of them planned to be in and finding a way to make it work between them, Between the laughter and the heartwarming moments, this is easily one of the best movies on our list.
9. Baby Mama
When some women are unable to carry a child, they may choose to use a surrogate instead, having them carry the child to term. But when they do this, what do they do if the surrogate is less than an ideal option? Baby Mama starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler imagines just a scenario with hilarious results.
Kate (Fey) is a very successful business woman who has always put work before family. Now in her late 30’s, she decides that she wants to have a child but cannot due to a health issue. Rather than adopt, Kate hired Angie (Poehler) an immature, obnoxious woman to carry her child. Once Angie gets pregnant, Kate starts planning for her new arrival. However, unbeknown to Kate, the in-vitro never took and Angie struggles to fake the pregnancy and keep the money Kate paid. With twists and turns, Baby Mama will keep you laughing from beginning til end.
Why we love it – With two of the more popular Saturday Night Live actors starring, its easy to see why Baby Mama is one of the funniest pregnancy movies available.
10. Nine Months
When a dad to be first hears he’s going to be a father, some can welcome the news with excitement, while others, let’s just say it can be hard to get used to the idea. In Nine Months, a soon to be dad has to decide between the life he loves and the life he could have.
Starring Hugh Grant, Nine Months tells the story of Samuel Faulkner, a child psychologist, who likes his life, including dating ballet teacher Rebecca (played by Julianne Moore). But when she’s tells him that she’s pregnant, his fears of marriage and parenthood mount when he meets other parents with unruly children, fearing that his life is over. After Rebecca leaves, Samual comes to the realization that he would much rather be a father than never know his child at all.
Why we love it – Nine Months is a comedy that looks at the emotions that a dad to be may go through. Even in the strongest relationships, dad may not be ready and with this film, it can be a good representation of that.
How We Chose the Top Pregnancy Movies in Our List
Choosing the best pregnancy movies isn’t as simple as you may think it is. There can be a lot of different things to consider when movie time comes. Our criteria included:
Story
Even the most popular movie can be a waste of time if the story isn’t engaging. A good movie grabs you from the first few minutes and doesn’t let go til the end. Now, we’re not talking about horror films here but if you’re bored while watching a movie, it’s likely because the story isn’t that great.
Cast
How many times have you and your friends said that you wanted to go see the new Channing Tatum movie? It’s not because you’re dying to see 29 Jump Street or something like that, unless maybe you are. But it’s more likely that you’re going to see the actor and studios realize this. Which is why they put the biggest stars in the biggest movies.
Reality
In any movie, there can always be some breaks with reality. Whether it be a man flying or aliens, movies can take some liberties. With pregnancy movies however, they can be a reflection on real life and in some cases mirror your own circumstance which can make it more relatable.
Humor
Going through pregnancy can be a painful process. Watching a movie about pregnancy should make you laugh. Part of watching a funny movie is to help distract you from real life and a movie with a lot of humor can help.
Benefits of a pregnancy movie
Watching a movie can offer viewers many benefits outside of enjoyment of the movie. For a pregnant mom to be, these can be very beneficial for their bodies and what they’re going through. These benefits include
Laughter
Laughter can have many benefits and not just for a pregnant mom to be. Laughing can lower your blood pressure, release endorphins, and improve heart health. These are all wonderful benefits for a pregnant mom as laughter can also help produce a general sense of well-being.
Stress reduction
All that laughing that you’re doing can be a major stress reliever. The stresses of the day can slip away at least for a little while so you can sit back, laugh and enjoy the movie and at the same time help both you and your baby.
Relaxation
All this laughter and stress relief can only lead to one thing that many doctors prescribed or expectant moms. Relaxation. Enjoying a movie can help you relax, breathe easier and feel more comfortable.
Choosing what’s best for you
Movie night can be a sacred thing in a lot of houses and choosing the best pregnancy movie to watch can take a lot of time and effort to make sure that both dad and especially, mom to be enjoy every minute of it.
Our hope is that with our list of the 10 Best Pregnancy Movies in 2018, our recommendations will easily help you choose a movie to watch.
Do you have a Pregnancy Movies on our list? Let us know how you like it in the comment section below.
Last Update on the 20th of September 2017
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