The Incredibles

The Incredibles

Elastigirl - a.k.a Mrs Helen Parr - from Disney Pixar animation The Incredibles, has been voted the most marvellous movie mum.

To mark Mother's Day this Sunday (10 March) LOVEFiLM worked with film education charity FILMCLUB and asked British schoolchildren across 7,000 schools, plus its two million members, to vote for their favourite on-screen mums.

A super mum in more ways than one, Elastigirl uses her powers to look after her family and simultaneously save the world from destruction. Her ability to bend over backwards - and into a pretzel - for her children earned her 26 per cent of the vote.

Lily Potter, played by Irish actress Geraldine Somerville throughout the entire Harry Potter franchise, was integral in the story of the Boy Who Lived sacrificing herself to provide supernatural protection to her baby wizard son from the evil Voldemort. Her bravery earnt her second place with 25 per cent of the votes.

12 per cent of those polled were won over by Donna Sheridan's fiercely independent spirit, and perhaps her singing voice too, voting her into third place. Abba-tastic single mother Donna wants the best for her daughter before her wedding in the musical adaptation of hit play Mama Mia.

At four is Bambi's mother, the only non-human entry in the list, who protects her fawn forsaking her own safety (10 per cent). The doe's death at the hands of a hunter's bullet kick-started events in the iconic Disney movie and still ensures there isn't a dry eye in the house.

Her pearls of maternal wisdom, her determination to get the best for Forrest despite his difficulties and the famous 'life is like a box of chocolates' line, firmly cemented Mrs Gump as a marvellous mum in the minds of film fans who voted her into fifth place (seven per cent).

Almost a polar opposite in demeanour, Morticia Addams is the somewhat sinister American 'mom' in sixth place (five per cent). Glamorously gothic, Morticia ensures the Addams' Family values and traditions are upheld.

At seventh with four per cent is kick-ass mum Sarah Connor of The Terminator movies. Super tough warrior mum Sarah Connor breaks out of prison to help her son and the Terminator prevent an epic war with machines.

Being quick-thinking and fiercely protective are two qualities that mother Meg Altman embodies in spades in the claustrophobic flick Panic Room. Meg is a tough mum who fights to protect her teenage daughter when burglars enter their house in this tense thriller. Three per cent of those polled voted her into eighth place.

In ninth is Granmamare from the Japanese animation Ponyo, who uses her powers to help her daughter find true love by transforming her from goldfish to human, captivating two per cent of voters.

In tenth place is strong-willed single mum Erin Brockovich who completes the list (one per cent). Erin juggles her family and her commitment to fighting for justice as a social activist.

The top 10 marvellous movie mums are:

Mrs Incredible - The Incredibles - 26% .
Lily Potter - Harry Potter - 25%
Donna Sheridan - Mamma Mia - 12%
Bambi's Mother - Bambi - 10%
Mrs Gump - Forrest Gump - 7%
Morticia Addams - Addams Family - 5%
Sarah Connor - T2: Judgement Day - 4%
Meg Altman - Panic Room - 3%
Granmamere - Ponyo - 2%
Erin Brockovich - Erin Brockovich - 1%

Sam Wainstein from FILMCLUB said: "Our top ten is a celebration of the marvellous movie mums who have lit up the silver screen.

"It's interesting to see the emphasis that film makers place on the role of the mother in movies, and what an integral part mums play in the stories of some of film's best loved characters - just as they do in real life."


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