Momumental roles

Mother's Day is this Sunday. Here are some of the fiercest on-screen moms we've seen in recent years

1 Evelyn Wang in Everything, Everywhere, All At Once 

She knows that the universe is powered by love, daughter might need some convincing of it. There's fighting, bickering, rocks, googly eyes, laundry, taxes and a lot else. But Michelle Yeoh plays Evelyn so well, it's no wonder she won an Oscar. Perfect for Mother's Day.

2 Ming Lee in Turning Red

For much of the 2022 Disney film, Ming Lee is the classic overprotective Asian mom, preoccupied with reining in her daughter, even after Mei has turned into a giant red panda. She gatecrashes the gig her daughter has sneaked out to attend. But mama (voiced by Sandra Oh) loosens up in the end, giving us some endearing motherdaughter moments.

3 Joyce Byers in Stranger Things

Joyce is the fragile Mama Bear, using Christmas lights to communicate with her son, Will, trapped in the Upside Down in Season 1 (2016). She's rescued people, taken a little girl into her care, made deals with Russians and battled a Demogorgon. Get this woman a cup of coffee!