Mother's Day at the Movies: Treat Your Mom to a
Film-themed Outing

You might be planning an over-the-top, lavish Mother’s Day – and she totally deserves it. But here’s a secret: the number-one present your mom wants for Mother’s Day is time with you! With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a selection of filmed-in-Vancouver movies to cue up on Sunday, May 11, all with different moms’ tastes in mind. Watch the flick, then take your mom to the Vancouver locations you saw on-screen – you’ll see parts of the city you might never have seen before and, most importantly, the lady who gave you life will love it!   

For the mom who thrills to a sultry romance: Fifty Shades of Grey  The raciest love trilogy to hit cinemas in recent years, all three Fifty Shades flicks were filmed in Vancouver. Start with the original, where distinctive Vancouver neighbourhoods like Gastown, Coal Harbour and Stanley Park are showcased in all their glory. Then, it’s time to tour: start in Coal Harbour, whose sweeping water views background Christian’s many morning seawall runs (active moms will love following the 22km loop around Stanley Park, past English Bay and ending at Kitsilano Beach!). While in Stanley Park, find Beaver Lake, where Ana and Christian shared a steamy kiss in the wilderness. Make sure to check out the “Portland” café where Ana and Christian enjoy their first date; it’s now home to Di Beppe, a hip Italian restaurant serving Naples-inspired pizza. For more suggestions, check out the Fifty Shades of Grey self-guided itinerary.

For the mom who loves George Clooney: Tomorrowland  What mom hasn’t harboured a crush on dreamy George Clooney? In Tomorrowland, he stars as a former inventor who teams up with a young teen to delve into the secrets of space and time. After watching the movie, take your starry-eyed mom to the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and the nearby Museum of Vancouver, which both appeared in the film. Then head up to the University of British Columbia’s sprawling campus, which served as the film’s World’s Fair: your mom will adore wandering through the tranquil Nitobe Memorial Garden and exploring the awe-inspiring Museum of Anthropology.  

For the mom who cherishes family time: Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief  This all-ages favourite – based on the book by Rick Riordan – shares the story of a teen who discovers he’s the descendant of a Greek god. Watch the adventure, then set out on one of your own: the movie was shot in several Vancouver locations. Mom will particularly enjoy the Vancouver Art Gallery – for bonus points, take her for lunch on the patio of the charming Gallery Café; and The Westin Bayshore, where you can treat Mom (and yourself!) to a massage or pedicure at VIDA Spa.

For a mother-daughter movie marathon: The Twilight Saga  There’s something mesmerizing about the Twilight story – perhaps because it was the forerunner to a parade of vampire romance stories that followed. Whatever the case, the entire family will enjoy the thrilling tale of Bella Swan’s encounters with Edward Cullen, a gorgeous vampire who serves as the only bright spot in her new home. Surprise your mom by telling her the Seattle scenes are actually Vancouver, and take her to a few of the highlights: the striking Sun Tower on Beatty Street; Stanley Park, which hosted many of the forest scenes; and Mount Seymour, which can be seen in Eclipse’s camping scenes.

For the mom who adores her pet: A Dog’s Way Home  Once everyone in the family has stopped crying after seeing this heartwarming movie, treat your mom and pet to an outing they won’t soon forget. Vancouver is renowned as a pet-friendly city, and opportunities abound to explore with your furry friend. Mom and Fido will particularly enjoy a day trip to the Sea to Sky Gondola, where you can hike up the Sea to Sky Summit Trail, then purchase a “Buster the Dog Pass” to ride back down in the gondola with your pooch. More pet-friendly touring suggestions can be found here.

For more self-guided film-themed itineraries, click here. Happy Mother’s Day!