White Mama (1980): cast, story & where to watch
1980 · Film · ★ 8.5
Released in 1980, White Mama is a drama and tv movie film directed by Jackie Cooper, running about 105 minutes. “A proud widow. A frightened homeless kid. Nobody cared about them until they cared enough to fight for each other.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A poor, elderly white woman living in a tenement in a black ghetto is befriended by a neighborhood boy, and the two of them form a mutually beneficial relationship: he provides her companionship and protection, and she becomes the mother he never had.
Who’s in it. White Mama stars Bette Davis as Estelle Malone, Ernest Harden Jr. as B.T. Williamson, Eileen Heckart as Three Bag Lady and Virginia Capers as Gorilla Sydney, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 8.5/10, White Mama sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch White Mama page.
If you liked it. Fans of White Mama tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch White Mama (1980)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for White Mama change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is White Mama worth watching?
- White Mama holds an audience score of 8.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and tv movie. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in White Mama?
- White Mama stars Bette Davis, Ernest Harden Jr., Eileen Heckart, Virginia Capers and Anne Ramsey.
- When was White Mama released?
- White Mama was released in 1980, with a runtime of about 105 minutes.