On April 30 , 2015 , it was announced that Jon Lucas and Scott Moore were set to direct an untitled female-led comedy , based on their own original script . Bill Block of Block Entertainment and Raj Brinder Singh of Merced Media Partners would produce the film , along with Judd Apatow and Josh Church through Apatow Productions , while Merced Media financing the film . Leslie Mann was set to star in the lead role . This was Bill Block 's first film produced through Block Entertainment after leaving QED International . Paramount Pictures acquired the film 's distribution rights on May 8 , 2015 . The film was sold to different international distributors at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival . On June 1 , 2015 , Mann and Apatow exited the film because of scheduling conflicts . On October 26 , 2015 , it was reported that Paramount had left the project , with STX Entertainment coming on board to handle the American distribution . Mila Kunis , Christina Applegate , and Kristen Bell joined the film , starring in its lead roles , while Suzanne Todd produced the film along with Block . On January 11 , 2016 , Jada Pinkett Smith and Kathryn Hahn joined the film , with Smith playing Applegate 's blunt best friend , and Hahn also playing a mother . It was later revealed that Oona Laurence had also joined the cast
2015 Cannes Film Festival
2015 Cannes Film Festival
Bad Moms