Being pregnant is hard work—which means you definitely deserve a relaxing couple of hours off your feet and on the sofa. Pop some kernels, grab the tissues and press play. Whether you’re looking to learn, laugh or cry, we’ve gathered up some of the best pregnancy movies to watch while you’re expecting.
1
Babies
Why we love it: Of the pregnancy documentaries out there, this one ranks among our favorites. It follows four human babies from around the world (Namibia, Japan, Mongolia and the US) during the first year of their lives, and proves that no matter the location or culture, babies are just babies. And they’re universally adorable.
What to know: Released in 2010. Rated PG. Running time is 78 minutes.
Where to find it: YouTube, Amazon Video, Tubi and Vudu.
2
Juno
Why we love it: This film (and its Oscar-winner screenplay) is a heartwarming, sarcastic, give-you-all-the-feels coming-of-age teen pregnancy movie that’s sure to stick with you. Here, 16-year-old Juno (Elliot Page) gets pregnant by quasi-boyfriend, Paulie (the adorably awkward Michael Cera), and decides to give the baby up for adoption. Juno’s caring dad and stepmom: awesome. Cera’s and Page’s smile-worthy dialogue: awesome. Prospective adoptive parents played by Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner: awesome. Hands-down one of the wittiest pregnancy movies around.
What to Know: Released in 2007. Rated PG-13. Running time is 96 minutes.
Where to find it: YouTube, Hulu and Vudu.
3
Knocked Up
Why we love it: A one-night stand between Alison (Katherine Heigl) and Ben (Seth Rogen) would have stayed a one-and-done thing if the duo didn’t accidentally make a baby that night. Toss this one onto the pile of silly but oh-so-enjoyable pregnancy movies: It’s heartwarming and hilarious to watch this pair of opposites (she’s a hard-working journalist, he’s a stoner) tackle the task of getting to know each other and preparing for a baby. If you love Judd Apatow, Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann as much as we do, you won’t be disappointed.
What to know: Released in 2007. Rated R. Running time is 129 minutes.
Where to find it: Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube and Vudu.
4
Baby Mama
Why we love it: Real-life mamas Tina Fey and Amy Poehler team up in this hilarious comedy about a single, career-oriented woman, Kate (Fey), who hires an immature, crazy lady, Angie (Poehler), to be her surrogate. High jinks ensue: Angie moves in with Kate; Angie lies about being pregnant, then (gasp!) Angie actually gets pregnant, but it’s her own baby with her ex-husband. Honestly, being able to rest your pregnant self on the sofa and hang with this dynamic girl-power duo is enough. The cherry on top? There are some solid laughs in this silliest of pregnancy movies.
What to know: Released in 2008. Rated PG-13. Running time is 99 minutes.
Where to find it: Peacock, Amazon Video, YouTube and Vudu.
5
Away We Go
Why we love it: Itching for some indie pregnancy movies? This one’s for you. Verona (Maya Rudolph) and Burt (John Krasinski) are expectant parents on a zigzagging journey across the country, trying to figure out where—and how, exactly—to raise their budding family. Through each encounter with friends and family, the couple learns about what parenting skills to shore up, what to avoid and how to weed through all the kooky advice out there. In the end, it’ll make you think about what “home” really means (and offer some good laughs along the way).
What to know: Released in 2009. Rated R. Running time is 98 minutes.
Where to find it: Peacock, Amazon Video, YouTube and Vudu.
6
Business of Being Born
Why we love it: It’s true this film is one of those pregnancy documentaries with an agenda: It has a bias in favor of un-medicated births. But no matter what kind of birth you’re planning to have, the movie offers an eye-opening and intimate look at pregnancy and birth in the US. The filmmakers were allowed to document every detail, up close and personal. Watch this one to admire the capacity of the human body and spirit and to feel emboldened to advocate for the birth you want.
What to know: Released in 2008. Rated PG. Running time is 87 minutes.
Where to find it: Amazon Video and YouTube.
7
Baby Boom
Why we love it: The 1980s served up a bunch of amazing pregnancy movies—and you know what? Three decades later, these now-classics still ring true. Baby Boom tells the tale of J.C. (Diane Keaton), a high-powered career woman who’s blindsided by parenthood. Unprepared and overwhelmed, she loses her job and her boyfriend, and high-tails it to the country to start again. Sounds like a downer? It’s not. In the midst of frustration and loneliness J.C. figures out how to meld her old life with the new and show everyone just what moms are made of.
What to know: Released in 1987. Rated PG. Running time is 103 minutes.
Where to find it: HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Video and Vudu.
8
Neighbors
Why we love it: Be warned: You will laugh. A lot. One of the funniest pregnancy movies on this list, the story opens with a young couple and new parents Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) who have inadvertently moved next door to a frat house. They try to channel their younger, child-free days and be cool and party with the young folk across the lawn. But they fail. Hard. You’ll crack up while totally identifying with their struggles.
What to know: Released in 2014. Rated R. Running time is 97 minutes.
Where to find it: Peacock, Amazon Video, YouTube and Vudu.
9
Nine Months
Why we love it: Full disclosure: This is not an A+ movie. It’s actually a profanity- and stereotype-filled romcom. But it stars Hugh Grant (swoon), and sometimes eye-candy and a little cursing is all you really need to get through pregnancy. Grant plays Samuel, a guy who’s decidedly anti-kid, who freaks out when his girlfriend Rebecca (Julianne Moore) announces she’s pregnant. Our favorite character? The bumbling ob-gyn, played by the late, great Robin Williams. Pregnancy movies tend to go over the top with the labor and delivery scenes, and this one is no exception—the moment features lots of screaming and fainting, but it’s so dramatized that it’s actually pretty amusing.
What to know: Released in 1995. Rated PG-13. Running time is 102 minutes.
Where to find it: Hulu, Starz and Amazon Video.
10
First Comes Love
Why we love it: Looking for pregnancy movies that take a more realistic approach? First Comes Love is an autobiographical pregnancy documentary made by filmmaker Nina Davenport. At age 41, she found herself single and itching to have a baby—so she did it on her own and documented her journey. There’s lots of candor and comedy in this unflinching look at baby-making in the modern world.
What to know: Released in 2013. Rated NR. Running time is 106 minutes.
Where to find it: Amazon Video and Apple TV.
11
Waitress
Why we love it: Before it hit Broadway, Waitress was a top-notch film. Keri Russell (Felicity, The Americans) will steal your heart in this charming, dark, quirky pregnancy movie about a woman who’s upset to find herself pregnant by her abusive husband. Russell plays Jenna, a waitress and world-class pie-maker, who dreams of running away from her no-good husband before the baby arrives. Her plans change, however, when she gets (very) close to her adorably nervous ob-gyn. It’s heartwarming to watch as Jenna embraces her pregnancy and begins to bond with her future daughter.
What to know: Released in 2007. Rated PG-13. Running time is 107 minutes.
Where to find it: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Video, YouTube and Vudu.
12
Look Who’s Talking
Why we love it: Here’s the quick-n-dirty: Unmarried accountant (Kirstie Alley) has an affair with a married man, gets pregnant and then dumped. She sets out to find a new man—and (surprise!) he’s been under her nose the whole time. What makes this flick one of our favorite pregnancy movies is not the need-a-man storyline (snooze) but all the ’80s vibes it oozes, and of course baby Mikey, whose hilariously cynical thoughts (even from the womb) are voiced by Bruce Willis.
What to know: Released in 1989. Rated PG-13. Running time is 93 minutes.
Where to find it: Vudu, YouTube and Amazon Video.
13
Life as We Know It
Why we love it: Holly (Katherine Heigl) and Eric (Josh Duhamel) are not married and can barely tolerate each other, but they both happen to be godparents to baby Sophia. After fate takes a disastrous turn, the pair are left as Sophia’s guardians. The movie is all about this bickering duo trying to work together to make a home for their pint-size ward. Does it rank among the Oscar-worthy pregnancy movies? Hardly. But the always-funny Melissa McCarthy kills it as the comedic neighbor, and there are some romantic moments that will totally make you go “aww.” Plus, the baby is just so cute!
What to know: Released in 2010. Rated PG-13. Running time is 112 minutes.
Where to find it: Netflix, Amazon Video, YouTube and Vudu.
14
40 Weeks
Why we love it: We’re (obviously) all about apps and emails that offer a week-by-week glimpse into what’s happening in pregnancy—but when you can get a 40-week rundown just by watching pregnancy movies? Possibly even better. Enter 40 Weeks, a pregnancy documentary that explores the emotional and physical changes you experience throughout the nine months through interviews with women across the country. There’s nothing like a little camaraderie when you’re expecting.
What to know: Released in 2014. Rated PG-13. Running time is 111 minutes.
Where to find It: Amazon Video, YouTube and Apple TV.
15
Bridget Jones’s Baby
Why we love it: Bridget Jones strikes again. In this sequel, she has broken up with Darcy (Colin Firth) and finds herself single at fortysomething. The twist? She’s unintentionally pregnant and scratching her head about who the father is: Her ex? Or is it Jack, her new beau (Patrick Dempsey)? Both are game to take the role of dad. While not nearly as iconic as the original Bridget Jones’s Diary, other pregnancy movies can’t touch its funny mix of feminism and screwball silliness.
What to know: Released in 2016. Rated R. Running time is 122 minutes.
Where to find it: YouTube, Amazon Video and Vudu.
16
Father of the Bride Part II
Why we love it: One thing screwball pregnancy movies are great for? Putting any panic you might be feeling into perspective. In Father of the Bridge Part II, mom (the amazing Diane Keaton) and grown-and-married daughter are pregnant at the same time. Of course, the soon-to-be-granddad and dad (Steve Martin) flips out as reality hits. There’s plenty of eye-roll- worthy comic chaos as the characters face baby shower and nursery mayhem, and a lot of life-crisis drama to boot.
What to know: Released in 1995. Rated PG. Running time is 106 minutes.
Where to find it: Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube and Vudu.
17
Storks
Why we love it: There’s absolutely no need to wait ’til you have kids to watch animated movies. And with Storks, you can get your craving for cartoons and pregnancy movies out of the way. In this sweet, family-friendly film, Nate, the only child of workaholic parents (Jennifer Aniston and Ty Burrell) sends a letter to the baby-making birds up on Stork Mountain, asking for a brother. There, the long-dormant baby-making machine cranks out a little boy who has to be delivered by a couple of storks (voiced by Kelsey Grammer and Andy Samberg). It’s pretty darn entertaining. Plus, those big, animated baby eyes are just too much.
What to know: Released in 2016. Rated PG. Running time is 87 minutes.
Where to find it: Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube and Vudu.
18
What to Expect When You’re Expecting
Why we love it: Okay, so not all pregnancy movies are going to knock your socks off. But it’s pretty fun to watch this cast of big-name stars (Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Anna Kendrick, Chace Crawford, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Rock and more) fumble their way toward parenthood as they pass in and out of each other’s lives. You’ll laugh in recognition as they stumble through pregnancy and adoption.
What to know: Released in 2012. Rated PG-13. Running time is 109 minutes.
Where to find it: Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube and Vudu.
19
Junior
Why we love it: Looking for outlandish laughs? Start streaming this throwback Arnold Schwarzenegger/Danny DeVito flick. In Junior, Schwarzenegger plays a gynecologist who, get this, impregnates himself using a fertility drug he and his colleague (DeVito) develop. (Who says pregnancy movies aren’t creative?) If nothing else, it’s a hoot to see Schwarzenegger sport a bump and navigate the challenges of pregnancy, like morning sickness and labor pains.
What to know: Released in 1994. Rated PG. Running time is 110 minutes.
Where to find it: YouTube, Amazon Video and Vudu.
20
The Beginning of Life
Why we love it: The Beginning of Life is a groundbreaking pregnancy documentary, filmed across eight nations, that explores how a child’s early environment impacts his cognitive, social and emotional development. Instead of a sciencey snooze, you’ll get a fascinating look at how and why social environments are just as important as genetics when it comes to influencing children’s development. This is among the pregnancy movies that are definitely worth the watch.
What to know: Released in 2016. Rated G. Running time is 96 minutes.
Where to find it: Netflix and Apple TV.
21
Three Men and a Baby
Why we love it: Three bachelors are living the life in New York City when a baby is suddenly dropped off on their doorstep—and it turns out one of them is the father. If you love the idea of seeing grown men make some pretty ridiculous bloopers while taking care of a baby, you’ll dig this film—one of the classic pregnancy movies out of the ’80s. (After 30 years, Tom Selleck’s retro mustache is totally back in style.)
What to know: Released in 1987. Rated PG. Running time is 102 minutes.
Where to find it: Disney Plus, Amazon Video, YouTube and Vudu.
22
Boss Baby
Why we love it: Boss Baby is essentially an animated primer on parenthood that illustrates who’s really in charge once you have a baby (you guessed it—the baby). It’s contrived, silly and oddly insightful. The inimitable Alec Baldwin, who voices the mini boss, is reason enough for this flick to make it onto our list of best pregnancy and baby movies.
What to know: Released in 2017. Rated PG. Running time is 97 minutes.
Where to find it: Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube and Vudu.
23
The Back-Up Plan
Why we love it: If you’re craving a no-thinking-required romcom with a side of physical humor, this one might be for you. The Back-up Plan revolves around Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) who conceives twins through artificial insemination, only to meet the man of her dreams (a hot goat farmer, no less) on the very same day. Zoe is weepy and puky and her boyfriend comes to terms with what being a parent is all about. Not exactly among the pregnancy movies that sparkle with cinemagic, but cute all the same.
What to know: Released in 2010. Rate PG-13. Running time is 104 minutes.
Where to find it: Amazon Video, YouTube and Vudu.
24
The Object of My Affection
Why we love it: Nina (Jennifer Aniston) invites the recently-dumped George (Paul Rudd) to move into her spare room. Nina has a boyfriend. George is gay. Long story short: Nina becomes pregnant, her boyfriend is a loser and she turns to her roomie George and asks if he’d raise the baby with her. He says yes, and then things get complicated (as pregnancy movies tend to). Silly as it sounds, it gets at the heart of what everyone wants in a co-parent.
What to know: Released in 1998. Rated R. Running time is 122 minutes.
Where to find it: Hulu, Starz, Amazon Video, YouTube and Vudu.
25
The Switch
Why we love it: We’re closing out our list of best pregnancy movies with The Switch, a romcom with a charming cast. Kassie (Jennifer Aniston) decides to have a baby by way of donated sperm. Her buddy Wally (Jason Bateman), who’s secretly in love with her, is not too pleased—so he swaps the donated seed for his own. Fast-forward a few years to when Wally meets Kassie’s son Sebastian, who also happens to be his. Watching Wally and Sebastian connect, and be silly, anxious misfits together, is a sweet peek into father-son bonding.
What to know: Released in 2010. Rated PG-13. Running time is 101 minutes.
Where to find it: Amazon Video and Paramount Plus.
FAQs
Which movies are best to watch during pregnancy? ›
- What to Expect When You're Expecting. ...
- Father of the Bride #2. ...
- Babies. ...
- Riding in Cars with Boys. ...
- Juno. ...
- Three Men and a Baby. ...
- A Happy Event (Un Heureux Evenment) ...
- Baby Mama.
- The Letdown. Romantic comedy Motherhood is beautiful, but can also be tough. ...
- Gilmore Girls. Romantic comedy An amazing mother-daughter bond between Lorelai and Rory. ...
- Jane the Virgin. Romantic comedy A pregnant virgin! ...
- Pregnant? ...
- Modern Family. ...
- Life as we know it. ...
- The good wife.
The Pregnancy Pact | |
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TV poster | |
Written by | Pam Davis Teena Booth |
Directed by | Rosemary Rodriguez |
Starring | Thora Birch Madisen Beaty Camryn Manheim |
...
- 2008 – The Business Of Being Born. ...
- 2012 – Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin And The Farm Midwives. ...
- 2012 – The Face of Birth. ...
- 2014 – The Milky Way. ...
- 2014 – Microbirth. ...
- 2016 – Why Not Home? ...
- 2018 – These Are My Hours.
What to Expect When You're Expecting is a 2012 American romantic comedy film directed by Kirk Jones and distributed by Lionsgate. It was written by Shauna Cross and Heather Hach and is based on Heidi Murkoff's 1984 pregnancy guide of the same name.
Is it OK to watch movies during pregnancy? ›McLaren suggests pregnant people avoid noises louder than 115 decibels, “which is equivalent to the sound of a chainsaw, as well as very low-frequency sounds that you can feel as a rumble or vibration.” As long as the sound at the theater is below this range, McLaren says going to the movies is generally safe for ...
What week does morning sickness start? ›Even though it's called morning sickness, it can last all day and happen any time of day. At least 7 in 10 pregnant women have morning sickness in the first trimester (first 3 months) of pregnancy. It usually starts at about 6 weeks of pregnancy and is at its worst at about 9 weeks.
Can a 7 year old get pregnant? ›A woman can get pregnant and have a baby as soon as she begins ovulating, or producing eggs. This typically occurs about a year after they first begin menstruating, which usually happens between the ages of 11 and 12. Some women start ovulating late, though, and others, extremely early.
Can loud noises hurt a fetus? ›Increased noise levels can cause stress. This can cause changes in a the body that can affect your developing baby. Sound can travel through your body and reach your baby. Very loud noises may be able to damage your baby's hearing.
How many high schoolers get pregnant? ›3 in 10 teen American girls will get pregnant at least once before age 20. That's nearly 750,000 teen pregnancies every year. Parenthood is the leading reason that teen girls drop out of school. More than 50% of teen mothers never graduate from high school.
Is it OK to watch movies during pregnancy? ›
McLaren suggests pregnant people avoid noises louder than 115 decibels, “which is equivalent to the sound of a chainsaw, as well as very low-frequency sounds that you can feel as a rumble or vibration.” As long as the sound at the theater is below this range, McLaren says going to the movies is generally safe for ...
Can you watch action movies while pregnant? ›After about 24 weeks of pregnancy, the sense organs of the baby begin to develop. After this period, loud noises can be disturbing for the unborn baby. This area should be considered before the mother goes for a movie.
Can we go to Theatre during first trimester pregnancy? ›If you are comfortable with loud sounds then you can enjoy theatre and movies during pregnancy. Increased noise levels can cause stress. This can cause changes in a pregnant woman's body that can affect her developing baby. Sound can travel through your body and reach your baby.
Is what to expect when you're expecting on Netflix? ›Watch What to Expect When You're Expecting | Netflix.