Out of all the holidays, Thanksgiving is one that gets a pretty rough deal. Right after Halloween, all of that spooky orange décor immediately gets replaced with red and green somethings, while classic Christmas songs play on repeat. Santa Claus becomes a topic of everyday conversation, and the stressful adventures of shopping for the folks on our holiday list begin.
Still, we refuse to let Turkey Day slip on by without some proper acknowledgement — aside from the fact that we'll likely be digging into a yummy feast. (There's also the promise of spending a few quality days with our loved ones.)
So how can we get into that Thanksgiving Day spirit leading up to the fall holiday? With fun, festive movies about Thanksgiving, of course! While it's definitely true that classic Thanksgiving movies are few and far between — especially once we consider the countless December-friendly stories out there, many of which are played over and over from now until the end of the year — we've quickly discovered that there are more than we originally thought.
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For instance, we didn't even realize that Paul Blart: Mall Cop takes place on Black Friday! And remember that the horrifying scene in Beethoven when the massive St. Bernard steals food from the table? That happens on Thanksgiving. Of course, there are the more obvious options, too — such as Planes, Trains and Automobiles — as well as kid-friendly Thanksgiving cartoon movies, like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
All in all, we've found 40 great Thanksgiving family movies that are well worth watching.
'Turkey Drop'
A Freeform original, 2019's Turkey Drop is the network's Thanksgiving answer to cheesy Christmas movies. It's about a college freshman who returns home to the small town she grew up in to celebrate Thanksgiving with her family. Only problem is, she's pretty sure her high school boyfriend has plans to dump her over the holiday break.
'Friendsgiving'
The 2020 film Friendsgiving, starring Malin Ackerman, Kat Dennings, and Aisha Tyler, aptly sums up what it's like to gather with a large group of friends who don't see each other all the time. Whether with friends or family, Thanksgiving get-togethers are a prime setting for dysfunction to surface.
'Miracle on 34th Street'
It's the best of both holidays. Santa is first discovered after being cast for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, and does such a great job — possibly because he is Santa — that he ends up getting a seasonal gig at Cole's department store (or Macy's, if we're watching the original). Might as well watch both versions!
'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'
This Peanuts special is full of lessons about friends, sharing, and tradition — as well the important lesson that Lucy should not be trusted to hold a football. This year, the beloved cartoon airs on PBS on November 22. Even if it's not your fave, your kids should see it at least once.
'Addams Family Values'
Can someone tell us why, exactly, these kids are performing a Thanksgiving play at summer camp? Regardless, we're grateful for the scene where Wednesday Addams, who was cast as Pocahontas, basically tells the pilgrims to shove it. She goes off-script, rejects the feast invitation, and starts setting everything on fire. It's worth a watch.
'March of the Wooden Soldiers'
Sure, there's no feast, but in many parts of the country, the 1934 film The March of the Wooden Soldiers — which stars the iconic comedy duo Laurel and Hardy and tells a twisted tale about Mother Goose and other nursery rhyme characters — has been airing on Thanksgiving since 1963. It's a classic!
'You've Got Mail'
Not only does the Thanksgiving scene depict what a nightmare it can be to grocery shop for dinner, but Kathleen (Meg Ryan) gets stuck in the cash-only lane — with no cash! (The worst). Thankfully, Joe (Tom Hanks) come to her rescue. You've Got Mail is one of our fall movie faves that's perfect for Thanksgiving.
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'Home for the Holidays'
Since her daughter made plans of her own for Thanksgiving (which include having sex with her boyfriend), Claudia, who recently lost her job after having an affair with her boss, heads home to celebrate. In short, it's one of those movies that makes our own family gathering look pretty tame.
'Funny People'
Funny People, starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, and Leslie Mann, offers up just the sort of real-life humor we need to help us prep for the sometimes overwhelming Thanksgiving holiday. There's nothing like George's semi-serious dinner speech to remind us all how important it is to take in each moment.
'Free Birds'
What would Thanksgiving be without its signature dish? That's what a pair of turkeys is hoping to find out in this cute, kid-friendly cartoon about two birds who want to travel back in time and change Thanksgiving traditions. Just beware: It might make you — and your kids — feel just a little bit guilty about tucking into your turkey dinner.
'Son in Law'
The Haunting of Hill House fans will appreciate seeing a young Carla Gugino as a small-town girl who brings back a quirky party boy (one-time "it" guy Pauly Shore) when returning home from college. This is a classic for '90s kids and will make you feel all the nostalgia. Honestly, we miss Pauly!
'Beethoven'
Beethoven is fun this time of year, especially when you're watching it with kids who've never seen it before — though the messes that ensue are likely to make every parent cringe. Dog owners will agree: It wasn't exactly wise to leave a large turkey within the reach of a smart, energetic, and daring St. Bernard.
'The House of Yes'
In The House of Yes, Parker Posey plays a Jackie O-obsessed twin who is not happy when her brother comes home for the holiday and announces that he's getting married. It gets a bit weird and incestuous at points, but is considered a cult classic nonetheless. It also stars Josh Hamilton, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Tori Spelling.
'Pieces of April'
In the Oscar-nominated 2003 film Pieces of April, a young Katie Holmes plays a wild child who ends up hosting her estranged family, which includes her dying mother and total-opposite sister, for quite an awkward Thanksgiving dinner. It also stars Oliver Platt and Patricia Clarkson.
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'Avalon'
It may take place in the late '40s and early '50s, but the story of immigration is still as timely as ever. Celebrating Thanksgiving as an immigrant is practically a rite of passage, and the tie-in in this film comes in the form of a scene where the family celebrates the holiday, and an argument erupts over cutting the turkey.
'Planes, Trains and Automobiles'
Struggling to get home for the holidays when you don't even like your only companion is never fun … but as a plot for a movie? It's freaking hilarious. Most of what comedy legends Steve Martin and John Candy did around the time Planes, Trains and Automobiles was made was laugh-out-loud funny, and this one is a total classic.
'What's Cooking?'
Following four different Thanksgiving dinners had in the homes of four different families living in Los Angeles, What's Cooking? proves that no matter where people come from or what their story is, every family has its own issues. And of course, they all tend to surface during holiday get-togethers.
'For Your Consideration'
This movie is really about actors making a movie, and after the project — which was originally titled Home for Purim but was later changed to Home for Thanksgiving to seem more mainstream — starts getting Oscar buzz, everyone gets a little too excited and things get kind of crazy. It's a fun watch.
'The Ice Storm'
Between affairs, drinking, drugs, and death, this one's not a traditional holiday film, but it does exemplify some of the issues that average American families experience when they get together for the holidays. For some families, all the secrets surface and the drama ensues, just like in The Ice Storm.
'The Daytrippers'
While home for Thanksgiving, Eliza discovers a note from her husband that makes her think he's having an affair. So the whole family packs up the car and heads to New York City to confront him. Definitely doesn't sound like a pleasant way to spend Thanksgiving, but it does make for an entertaining movie.
'Hannah and Her Sisters'
This story about Hannah, her sisters, and a lot of relationship drama — which also involves Hannah's ex and current husband — is connected by Thanksgiving celebrations at the beginning and end of the movie. The holidays are what always end up bringing families back together, aren't they?
'Garfield’s Thanksgiving'
In 1989's Garfield's Thanksgiving, the chunky orange cat Garfield is put on a diet. His owner, Jon, who has developed a crush on Garfield's vet, invites her to Thanksgiving dinner, but struggles to prepare a holiday meal that will impress his date. The kids will love this silly cartoon special.
'Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving'
In Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving, there's a bit of mix-up going on. The group thinks it's Groundhog Day after the wind blows the pages off of a calendar. It leads to a lot confusion over the snow and ends with a festive Thanksgiving celebration once it's discovered that it's still November.
'The Myth of Fingerprints'
Sometimes, all it takes is a few days of concentrated family time for everyone's secrets and past demons to come to light. That's just what happens over the Thanksgiving holiday in the 1997 film The Myth of Fingerprints, which stars Julianne Moore, Roy Scheider, Noah Wyle, and Blythe Danner.
'National Lampoon's Thanksgiving Family Reunion'
In National Lampoon's Thanksgiving Family Reunion, Mitch Snider and his long-lost cousin reconnect right before Thanksgiving. The two couldn't be more opposite from each other, though, and just like in all of the other National Lampoon's films, the holiday ends up being anything but smooth and stress-free.
'An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving'
Fun fact: Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women, also wrote the short story that inspired the made-for-TV movie An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving. Taking place in the 1800s, it's about a high-society woman who comes to town to reconnect with her estranged daughter and grandchildren.
'Holiday Engagement'
For those itching for something perfectly cheesy, Holiday Engagement, starring Bonnie Somerville, Shelley Long, Haylie Duff, and Jordan Bridges, is about a woman who gets dumped right before a four-day weekend with her family — so she hires someone to play her fiancé. Really, what could go wrong?
'Dutch'
Wow, getting home for the holidays seems to be the source of a lot of drama, huh? In the 1991 film Dutch, starring Ed O'Neill and Ethan Embry, the not-so-smooth trek home for Thanksgiving features a working-class guy who volunteers to pick up his wealthy girlfriend's son from prep school for the holiday break.
'A Family Thanksgiving'
This is kind of the Thanksgiving, Hallmark movie version of the The Family Man. In the film, a workaholic power woman finds herself in an alternate universe where she's a married "soccer mom" of two kids, and realizes what her life could have been. Yes, it's cheesy, but it's also a good reminder to be grateful for what we have.
'Holiday Inn'
There really should be a Bing Crosby movie for every holiday. Thankfully, the 1942 film Holiday Inn covers Thanksgiving. The story takes place at an inn that's only open for holidays and just like the trailer says, "There's a song for every holiday, and a holiday for every song" — and that includes Thanksgiving.
'Paul Blart: Mall Cop'
Of course the bad guys attempt to take over a shopping mall on Black Friday, and now it's up to Paul to save the day in the 2009 film Paul Blart: Mall Cop. It's the perfect comedy to watch after you fill up on turkey with the family and want to gear yourself up for — or talk yourself out of — Black Friday shopping.
'The Blind Side'
This real-life story is about a family who takes in a homeless teen who then becomes an all-star football player. At one point, he also makes Sandra Bullock's character realize that maybe it's better to sit down at the table and bond for Thanksgiving dinner, rather than spend it in front of a TV watching the game.
'Curly Sue'
In 1991's Curly Sue, starring Jim Belushi, Alisan Porter, and Kelly Lynch, a homeless con man and his adorable kid companion are taken in by a wealthy, but lonely, woman. For many, it's the movie's overall lesson about love and family that has turned it into a classic Thanksgiving must-watch.
'Grumpy Old Men'
The grumpy old men in this movie have been feuding for years. But when they find themselves both lusting after the same woman, they now have something to really fight about. Unfortunately, at one point, they choose to do it over Thanksgiving dinner, which is kind of a mood wrecker, but makes for a great comic moment.
'The New World'
In the 2005 drama The New World, starring Colin Farrell, Q'orianka Kilcher, Christian Bale, and Christopher Plummer, we are transported back to the very beginnings of America — and get a bit of a love story, too. Just remember: Even though it's based on historical figures, it's in no way a true depiction of historic events.
'Krisha'
Lesson learned: The Thanksgiving holiday probably isn't the best time to host estranged family members. The theme is explored yet again in this indie drama, and of course, secrets end up being exposed and pent-up emotions get released, as the main character reunites with family she hasn't seen in a decade.
'Jack and Jill'
Twins reuniting! Adam Sandler playing both Jack and Jill equals an extremely awkward — and totally hilarious — dinner. We're going to be honest here, though. This movie got pretty bad reviews, but maybe a weird, light comedy is just what we need while we sit around digesting all that food. Yeah, it is …
'Tower Heist'
In Tower Heist, which features an ensemble cast led by Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller, the staff of a high-rise building lose their pensions to what's discovered to be a Ponzi scheme run by Wall Street businessman Arthur Shaw. So they devise a plan to rob him — with the help of a criminal — during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
'Nobody's Fool'
Not to be confused with the 2018 movie of the same name, 1994's Nobody's Fool is a classic dramedy that stars Paul Newman, Bruce Willis, Jessica Tandy, and Melanie Griffith, and explores what happens when a stubborn, independent man is reunited with his son. This one was nominated for two Oscars!
'The Oath'
In this Thanksgiving comedy, which came out in 2018, a politically divided family fights over signing a "loyalty pledge" that's been issued by the government. (And we all know that politics never make for good dinner conversation.) Eek. The movie stars Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barinholtz.
