In some countries, September 25th is celebrated as National Daughters Day—a time to honor the girls and women who bring so much joy and meaning to their families. What better way to mark the occasion than by settling in for a heartfelt movie night featuring stories that capture the unique bond between parents and daughters?
The relationship between parents and daughters can be complicated: sometimes tense, often tender, and always meaningful. These five films explore that bond, each showing just how powerful, fragile, and moving it can be.
1. Lady Bird
“I just wish that you liked me,” Lady Bird says. Her mom replies, “Of course I love you.” “But do you like me?” It’s a painfully relatable exchange. Parents are expected to love their kids, but do they like who they are? Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut is a fascinating look at the complex relationship between a mother and daughter at a most contentious time—senior year of high school. This coming-of-age dramedy expertly explores this dynamic to heartwarming results.
2. Turning Red
If you’re a parent and you have a daughter who isn’t quite a kid anymore but not quite a teenager, the animated film Turning Red is the perfect pick for movie night. Through the magical lens of Disney-Pixar, Turning Red explores the emotional rollercoaster that is puberty and adolescence. The film follows Mei and her mother Ming, whose overprotectiveness creates frequent clashes. When Mei discovers she transforms into a red panda whenever she feels overwhelmed, it is her mother who ultimately helps her navigate the chaos. Through its magical storytelling, the film reminds us that beneath all the growing pains, unconditional love between parent and daughter shines through.
3. Paper Moon
The 1973 classic Paper Moon stars real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O’Neal as Moses, a con man, and Addie, a young girl who may or may not be his biological daughter. Their journey begins when Moses meets Addie at her mother’s funeral and reluctantly agrees to take her to her aunt’s home. Along the way, the two run scams together, and what starts as a reluctant partnership slowly develops into something resembling a true father-daughter bond. The film shows that family is not only defined by blood, but by trust, love, and companionship.
4. Beasts of the Southern Wild
Magical realist film Beasts of the Southern Wild tells the story of six-year-old Hushpuppy and her ailing father, Wink, as they try to survive in a flooded area called “the Bathtub." As the world around them deteriorates, Wink struggles to prepare Hushpuppy for life without him. His harsh and unpredictable ways come from love, as he tries to make her strong and resilient enough to face a world that won’t be easy on her.
5. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
The acclaimed 2023 adaptation of Judy Blume’s seminal coming-of-age novel follows Margaret as she navigates puberty, adolescence, and the difficult questions that come with growing up, all while learning from her mother, Barbara. In one of the film’s most poignant moments, Barbara shares that she was disowned by her own mother because of the choices she made. This vulnerability helps Margaret understand her mother more deeply and brings the two closer together. It is a touching reminder of how a parent’s past shapes the kind of parent they become.
From growing up to growing apart and back together again, these films capture the joys and challenges of being a daughter (or of raising one). Whether you’re watching with family or simply reflecting on your own story, these movies offer heartfelt reminders of the love, struggles, and magic in the bonds we celebrate on National Daughters Day.