While eating a feast with your family or watching football might be the perfect way to spend Thanksgiving Day, relaxing on the couch with a movie after a long day of cooking, eating, and entertaining is a universally cherished way to wind down the holiday.
Thanksgiving movies may not be as popular as Halloween, horror, or Christmas films—though we can’t ignore Red One’s underwhelming $32 million opening weekend in the U.S. against its $250 million budget—but there are a few heartwarming stories about families coming together to share a meal.
Sure, Wicked, Gladiator II, and Moana 2 might get you out of the house this Thanksgiving weekend, but here are the movies we’re cozying up with at home—perfect for the big day or any post-feast lounging until that
1. Addams Family Values (1993)
This is the perfect blend of spooky and traditional Thanksgiving, largely thanks to the Thanksgiving play at Camp Chippewas. Wednesday’s fiery revenge on her pilgrim-clad peers serves up sharp cultural critique, wrapped in dark comedy that makes it all the more satisfying.
The scene offers a sharp critique of the holiday, using dark comedy to make its cultural commentary both biting and entertaining.
2. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
Any Charlie Brown movie adds nostalgic charm to the holidays, but this one shines as Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang create new traditions together—a heartwarming reminder of the beauty in chosen families and the fresh memories waiting to be made each year.
In a season that often centers on togetherness in bounty and with gratitude, it’s a sweet nudge to cherish the connections we choose as much as the ones we’re born into.
3. The House of Yes (1997)
This is certainly a less conventional take on a family gathering. The House of Yes is a dark cult classic where Parker Posey’s Jackie-O-obsessed character schemes to derail her twin brother’s engagement—all against the backdrop of a chaotic Thanksgiving dinner.
Equal parts unsettling and absurd, it’s a reminder that not all holiday reunions end with pumpkin pie and warm hugs.
4. The Humans (2021)
Family dysfunction is a reality for many, and The Humans puts that dynamic on full display, developing the many personal problems that plague and strain their relationships
Set during a Thanksgiving gathering, the film delves into the personal struggles and strained connections that define this family’s dynamic. As the title implies, it’s a poignant exploration of what it means to be human—messy, vulnerable, and deeply relatable.
The Humans is a low-profile movie that has garnered critical acclaim but left audiences divided. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics have awarded the film a glowing 95%, while audiences have given it a tepid 45%.
So, where do you land? Watch for yourself, then take to your Letterboxd account to tell one side why they’re wrong.
5. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)
For those of you braving the holiday travel rush, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is the perfect movie to remind you of the impending hot mess that awaits at the airport, train station, or on the road.
It may not be as chaotic as your actual trip, but it’s full of laughs and heart to help you keep your sanity—because let’s face it, you’re the real MVP of the family.
Maybe save this one for after you’ve arrived, or watch it during your journey to commiserate with Neal (Steve Martin) and pray you don’t meet your own Del (John Candy).
6. Soul Food (1997)
After the death of the family matriarch, the younger generation attempts to organize the traditional Sunday dinner to reconnect the family.
For those of us hosting Thanksgiving (or Friendsgiving) for the first time, Soul Food highlights the true meaning of the season—emphasizing the importance of both old and new traditions in bringing people together.
This one trends wholesome, so it’s for the family.
7. Thanksgiving (2023)
On the opposite end of the wholesome spectrum, Thanksgiving (2023) delivers old-school slasher thrills—perfect for those who didn’t get their fix of the macabre in October.
Master of modern horror Eli Roth dedicated an entire grindhouse style film to Thanksgiving, set in Plymouth, Massachusetts—the holiday’s birthplace.
The film follows a man on a murderous rampage one year after a Black Friday riot turns deadly, making it the perfect escape for anyone looking to forget about the turkey roasting in the oven. Thanksgiving also stars Gen Z influencer-turned-popstar, Addison Rae.
With a tagline like “there will be no leftovers,” you know Thanksgiving is carving up its own slice of holiday mayhem.
Best to tuck the little ones in before hitting play on this one, if applicable.
Read More: Low-Budget Horror Movies Are Outperforming Big-Budget “Blockbusters“
8. You’ve Got Mail (1998)
While the ending of You’ve Got Mail will forever drive me up a wall, this classic rom-com delivers a Thanksgiving scene that perfectly captures the holiday madness. I mean, have you ever braved the grocery store on Thanksgiving? Chaos.
But leave it to Nora Ephron, the undisputed queen of rom-coms, to turn life’s messiest moments into something undeniably romantic.
Prepare for some 90s nostalgia or for those of you who weren’t there, marvel at the internet in the Age of AOL and dial up, and, as the film so richyly points out, the predecessors of Tinder.
But leave it to Nora Ephron, the undisputed queen of rom-coms, to transform even life’s most frantic moments into something undeniably romantic.
Get ready for a heavy dose of 90s nostalgia—or, if you missed that era, marvel at the humble beginnings of the internet in the Age of AOL and dial up internet. That’ll give you something to be thankful for: High-speed internet.
Read More: ‘Paddington 2’ Proves Family Films Can Be Cinematic Genius
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