If You’ve Got Just One Night: Dive Into Dark Motherhood
Con Mum (2025)
1 hr 38 min | True Crime Documentary
Still asking what to watch on Netflix right now but only have a couple of free hours?
What to Watch on Netflix Right Now
Cue up Con Mum, director Nick Green’s jaw-dropping doc about Dionne, a fraudulent “mother” who upends famed pastry chef Graham Hornigold’s life when she claims to be his biological mom.
Twists pile up faster than cream-puffs, making it the perfect palate-cleansing counterpoint to syrupy Hallmark fare. Watch with caution—and maybe text your own mum afterward.
If You Have a Whole Day: An International Motherhood Marathon
Spend Sunday exploring motherhood across four continents with three acclaimed dramas, each inspired by real life and boasting Oscar-nominated performances.
What to Watch on Netflix Right Now
- Roma (2018)2 hr 15 min | Mexico
Alfonso Cuarón’s luminous black-and-white film follows Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), an indigenous housekeeper whose quiet heroism anchors a Mexico City family. Marina de Tavira’s motherhood storyline parallels Cleo’s devotion, making this a layered love letter to caretakers everywhere. - Spencer (2021)1 hr 57 min | United Kingdom
Kristen Stewart re-imagines Princess Diana over one tense royal Christmas. Her lifeline? Her sons, driving her fiercest—and most fragile—moments. Ideal for viewers who like their royal drama served with psychological edge. - Lion (2016)1 hr 58 min | India/Australia
Lost at five, Saroo (Sunny Pawar/Dev Patel) is adopted by an Australian couple. Years later, he searches for his birth family with encouragement from adoptive mum Sue (Nicole Kidman). Expect tears of both sorrow and triumph.
Runtime check: A shade under six hours—just enough time for brunch, streaming, and a well-deserved nap.
If You’ve Got the Whole Weekend: Laugh, Cry, Repeat
Workin’ Moms (Seasons 1-7)
CBC/Netflix Original Sitcom
When you’re juggling childcare, career, and self-identity, sometimes laughter is the best survival tool. Catherine Reitman’s sharp Canadian comedy achieves just that.
Spanning seven seasons, it follows four Toronto women—Kate (Reitman), Anne, Frankie, and Jenny—through postpartum hurdles, office politics, and every tantrum in between.
If you’re pondering what to watch on Netflix right now that mirrors real-world parenting without sugar-coating it, this should be first in your queue.
Viewing strategy: Two seasons Saturday, two Sunday, finish on a weeknight. Bonus: Each episode runs about 22 minutes, perfect for folding laundry or feeding the baby (or yourself).
Last-Chance Farewell: Crossroads (Leaving Next Week)
Before Britney Spears said “Gimme More,” she co-wrote this 2002 road-trip gem (penned by none other than Shonda Rhimes).
Three childhood friends—Lucie (Spears), Kit (Zoe Saldaña), and Mimi (Taryn Manning)—drive cross-country to reconcile dreams, mothers, and first loves. It exits Netflix next week, so Mother’s Day is your final pit stop.
Honorable Mentions for Quick Adds
| Mood | Title | Why It Fits Mother’s Day | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet & Uplifting | Nonnas (2025) | Vince Vaughn hires Italian grandmothers as chefs—food & motherly wisdom abound | 1 hr 47 min |
| Teenage Nostalgia | Forever Series (2025) | Judy Blume’s classic first-love tale explores young hearts vs. parental fears | 8 eps x 30 min |
| Musical Escape | Karol G: Tomorrow Was Beautiful (2025) | Pop star reflects on family, fame & femininity | 1 hr 35 min |
Final Word
Whether you’re celebrating, grieving, or simply catching a break, deciding what to watch on Netflix right now is as simple as picking the runtime that fits your Mother’s Day.
From twisted true crime to heart-wrenching global dramas and cathartic sitcom chaos, Netflix’s catalog offers the right title for every kind of mom—or mom-memory—this weekend.
So brew the tea, pour the wine, or grab that pint of ice cream, and press play. Happy streaming, and Happy Mother’s Day.
