14 Shows Every Mom and Daughter Should Watch Together
Can’t agree on a show? Try these.
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When deciding what to watch on TV, mothers and daughters often have a hard time finding common ground. Generational divides and differing tastes can make it tough to find shows that a parent and their child can enjoy together. But while daughters may prefer to binge-watch Fleabag or Gossip Girl, and moms may prefer to reruns of Seinfeld or This Is Us, there’s still room to find common ground.
Whether it’s a drama about scheming moms like Desperate Housewives, the feel-good story of a warm relationship like Lorelai and Rory in Gilmore Girls, or the over-the-top antics of Moira and Alexis Rose in Schitt’s Creek, there are plenty of great shows out there that appeal to all audiences—and incorporate mother-daughter relationships that are sure to make watching TV with your mom all the more special.
Here, 14 of our favorites.
Gilmore Girls
Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel star as Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, the dynamic mother-daughter duo who face hardships and heartbreak together throughout this 7-season dramedy. Creator Amy-Sherman Palladino’s wit and warmth in the show’s writing, paired with Graham and Bledel’s chemistry, makes Gilmore Girls a must-watch for any mother-daughter duo.
Plus, Netflix followed up on Lorelai and Rory’s story with a sequel, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.
Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives centers around a group of dramatic suburban moms who experience scandal, tragedy, and the troubles of neighborhood gossip. The juicy series stars Eva Longoria and Felicity Huffman, and is definitely a guilty-pleasure series moms and daughters can enjoy.
Dawson's Creek
Before Michelle Williams was an Oscar-nominated actress Marylin Monroe, she played Capeside’s new girl Jen Lindley in Dawson’s Creek. This classic teen drama is a title that will absolutely keep moms and daughters entertained.
Mom
Mom follows the relationship between single mom Christy Plunkett (Anna Faris) and her mother Bonnie Plunkett (Allison Janney) who are both recovering addicts working together to raise Christy’s children. The plot leans into the “like mother, like daughter” trope, but brings relatability and a lightheartedness to the story.
Schitt’s Creek
After losing their fortune, the Rose family finds refuge in their only remaining asset—the town of Schitt’s Creek—where they adjust to the small town quirks of their fellow townspeople. The tongue-in-cheek humor of the comedy, as well the eccentric nature of matriarch Moira Rose and her daughter Alexis, makes for a perfect mom-daughter watch. Plus, real life father and son Eugene and Dan Levy co-created the series—so you know they understand family dynamics well.
Sex and the City
While some scenes in Sex and the City may raise mom's eyebrow, it's true that most woman can relate to at least one of the Sex and the City characters.
And, Sex and the City recently returned with And Just Like That..., a sequel set years after the events of the initial run. So there's even more episodes if you want to sink into a good binge-watch.
Grace and Frankie
Grace and Frankie are shocked to realize their husbands are in love with each other, and with no one to turn to but each other, the unlikely pair must find a way to be roommates and navigate their lives as they move forward. The brilliance in the writing, combined with the charm of Hollywood legends Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, makes Grace and Frankie a truly one-of-a-kind comedy.
Hacks
Hacks follows a mentor-mentee relationship between famed comedienne Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and young comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), who learn to put aside their generational and creative differences and become close comrades. For moms and daughters who love female leads with strong personalities, it's a must-see.
Modern Love
Modern Love is an anthology series that’s based on The New York Times column of the same name. Each episode offers a different story about a person’s personal journey with love, heartbreak, and loss. If your mom (or your daughter!) is a sucker for a good love story, this is definitely a show for her.
The Crown
The Crown, the historical retelling of Queen Elizbeth II’s journey as the reigning British monarch, is a perfect show to watch with a parent. It’s likely that you or mom have lived through the historical events shown in the series (season five will take viewers through the 1990s), which makes it a good conversation starter for future mom-daughter coffee or lunch dates.
Parenthood
Parenthood centers around the close-knit relationship between two parents and their four adult children (and their children), and it's a must-watch for moms and their daughters in search of a program they can laugh and cry at together.
Modern Family
The award-winning TV series about an unconventional blended family offers audiences a chance to have a laugh and reminisce about their own crazy family experiences. If you and mom need a well-loved sitcom with plenty of episodes, this 11 season show has you covered.
Downton Abbey
Historical dramas are often a hit with moms—which makes Downton Abbey the perfect show for mothers and daughters to dive right into. The six season series set in Yorkshire follows the lives of the Crawley family, and the people who work for them through the early 20th century. Now there are two films that follow the Crawley family even further—including the just-released Downton Abbey: A New Era.
The Marvelous Mrs Maisel
Amy Sherman Paladino strikes again with the fast-paced and witty The Marvelous Mrs Maisel. Midge Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan), the protagonist, is a Jewish housewife turned-stand-up-comedian. She is a strong personality with talent, beauty, humor, and of course, a hilariously complicated relationship with her parents.
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