Is ‘Mother’s Instinct’ the Same as ‘Maternal Instinct’? Where Can You Watch Both

Published 06/13/2026, 12:16 PM CDT

Credit: A Mother's Love Turns Deadly When She Suspects Her Best Friend's Betrayal / Movie Train via YouTube / Production: Freckle Films, Mosaic, and Versus Production / Distribution: Neon (US) and Studiocanal (UK)

It would seem that a lot of viewers have mistaken Mother’s Instinct for Maternal Instinct due to the fact that they share almost the same title. The resemblance has sparked questions about whether the two projects are connected or simply different versions of the same story. With both titles appearing across streaming platforms and online searches, the mix-up has become increasingly common.

As interest in both titles continues to grow, questions surrounding their nearly identical names and where they can be streamed have become increasingly common.

Are Mother's Instinct and Maternal Instinct one? Where can they be streamed?

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Mother’s Instinct and Maternal Instinct are not the same despite the similar titles. The resemblance has led to confusion for viewers searching for the movies online, with many asking if one is a sequel to the other, a remake, or an alternate title. In fact, the two projects are in different genres and tell very different stories. 

In the US, both movies are easily accessible on different streaming platforms. Mother's Instinct, featuring Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain can be streamed through Hulu, while it can also be bought and rented from various online sources. Maternal Instinct, however, is only available on Netflix.

Nevertheless, though the two projects seem to be similar due to their almost similar names and also due to the same topic, they are actually not. Mother’s Instinct is a thriller movie that involves the testing of friendship between two women and creates an atmosphere of suspicion and grief. On the other hand, Maternal Instinct is a true crime documentary that follows a real-life case where a mother is involved in a complicated investigation. 

10 Gripping True Crime Documentaries on Netflix That Will Hook You

While the title has drawn comparisons to Mother's Instinct, Netflix's Maternal Instinct tells a very different story rooted in real events and firsthand accounts. 

Inside Netflix's Maternal Instinct documentary

Maternal Instinct is a feature documentary about true crime. The film delves into the chilling, true story of a woman's complex web of deceit that culminates in the abduction and murder of her fetus. It traces the shocking case from its beginning to its end, with interviews, investigative details, and first-hand accounts, and examines the lasting impact it had on those involved. 

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The movie showed the real people involved in the case, such as Wade Griffin, Marcus Brookes, Jessica Brookes, and Taylor Parker. Their interviews and personal accounts are helping to piece together what happened at the center of the investigation. The documentary was directed by Jessica Dimmock and was produced by Joshua Levine and Jon Bardin.

Therefore, Mother’s Instinct and Maternal Instinct are far apart, despite having similar names. One looks at a fictional story through the lens of psychological suspense, whereas the other looks at a real-life case through documentary storytelling. Their overlapping themes may explain the frequent mix-ups, but their genres, narratives, and streaming homes clearly set them apart.  

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Have you watched either of these films? Let us know in the comments. 

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Bias Sinha

152 articles

Bias Sinha is an entertainment writer at Netflix Junkie, where she dives into Hollywood and all things celebrity culture with a sharp, timely lens. Previously, she covered pop culture and wrote on NBA for The Times of India. With a double Master’s degree in English and Education, and over 7 years of experience across creative writing, editing, proofreading, and academic content, she blends structure with storytelling ease.

Edited By: Adiba Nizami

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