A Bountiful Feast: Must-Watch Movies for Your Thanksgiving Celebration

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones and enjoy a feast. However, it’s also a time for amusement and rest. And seeing a fantastic film is the ideal way to relax after a satisfying lunch.

There is a Thanksgiving movie for everyone, whether you prefer funny slapstick comedy, touching family drama, or provocative social commentary. With selections to suit every taste and mood, here is a list of the top Thanksgiving films to watch this holiday season.

Classic Thanksgiving Comedies

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987): This John Hughes classic stars Steve Martin and John Candy as two mismatched travelers trying to get home for Thanksgiving. Their chaotic journey is filled with hilarious mishaps and heartwarming moments.
Home for the Holidays (1995): This heartwarming comedy follows Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter) as she navigates the ups and downs of her dysfunctional family during Thanksgiving. The film features a stellar ensemble cast, including Robert Downey Jr., Anne Bancroft, and Charles Durning.
Dutch (1991): This road trip comedy stars Ed O’Neill as a gruff construction worker who volunteers to drive his girlfriend’s spoiled son (Ethan Embry) home from boarding school for Thanksgiving. Their journey is filled with unexpected detours and life lessons.

Heartwarming Family Dramas

Pieces of April (2003): Katie Holmes stars as April Burns, a young woman trying to cook Thanksgiving dinner for her estranged family in her dilapidated New York City apartment. This heartwarming film explores themes of family, forgiveness, and second chances.
The Humans (2021): This adaptation of Stephen Karam’s Tony Award-winning play follows the Blake family as they gather for Thanksgiving in a pre-war duplex in lower Manhattan. The film delves into the complexities of family dynamics and the challenges of aging.
Krisha (2015): This independent drama tells the story of Krisha (Krisha Fairchild), a recovering addict who tries to reconnect with her family during Thanksgiving. The film offers a raw and honest portrayal of addiction and family dysfunction.

Animated Adventures for the Whole Family

Free Birds (2013): This animated comedy follows two turkeys, Reggie (Owen Wilson) and Jake (Woody Harrelson), who travel back in time to prevent turkeys from becoming the main course of Thanksgiving.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973): This beloved animated special follows Charlie Brown as he tries to host Thanksgiving dinner for his friends, with the help of Snoopy and Woodstock.
The Addams Family Values (1993): This sequel to the 1991 film finds the Addams Family celebrating Thanksgiving in their own unique and macabre way.

Thanksgiving Movies with a Twist

Knives Out (2019): This critically acclaimed whodunit follows a detective (Daniel Craig) as he investigates the death of a wealthy mystery novelist during a Thanksgiving family gathering.
You’ve Got Mail (1998): This romantic comedy stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan as two business rivals who fall in love online, unaware of each other’s true identities. Their relationship unfolds against the backdrop of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Scent of a Woman (1992): This drama stars Al Pacino as a blind retired Lieutenant Colonel who hires a college student (Chris O’Donnell) to accompany him on a Thanksgiving trip to New York City. The film explores themes of honor, integrity, and second chances.

Thanksgiving Movies for Foodies

Julie & Julia (2009): This biographical comedy-drama tells the parallel stories of Julia Child (Meryl Streep) and Julie Powell (Amy Adams), a young woman who challenges herself to cook all 524 recipes in Child’s cookbook in one year. The film features mouthwatering scenes of Thanksgiving cooking.
What’s Cooking? (2000): This ensemble comedy-drama follows four ethnically diverse families as they prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. The film offers a glimpse into the different cultural traditions surrounding the holiday.
Babette’s Feast (1987): This Danish drama tells the story of Babette (Stéphane Audran), a French refugee who works as a housekeeper for two elderly sisters in a remote Danish village. When Babette wins the lottery, she decides to prepare a lavish Thanksgiving feast for the sisters and their friends.

There is a Thanksgiving movie out there for everyone, whether you’re searching for a touching family movie, a funny comedy, or a thought-provoking drama. This Thanksgiving, get your loved ones together, grab some popcorn, and enjoy a movie feast.

Click on the images below to own designs