Thanksgiving: 10 Best Movies to Watch with Your Family

For those who celebrate it, Thanksgiving is a hectic affair – between meeting relatives, making sure the stuffing doesn’t burn, and trying to buy a last-minute pie, the day often flies by – and but there is always some time to fill.

Maybe you’re done with the Thanksgiving parade. Maybe the Westminster Dog Show — a staple of Thanksgiving — hasn’t started yet. Or maybe dinner is over and everyone wants to gather in front of the TV and digest in peace.

That’s why we’ve rounded up the 10 best Thanksgiving movies that you can watch with your loved ones before, during, or after the festivities.

Some contain famous Thanksgiving scenes or references, while others are just heartwarming, family-friendly flicks.

Click through the gallery below to browse our top 10 picks:

The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch with Your Loved Ones

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1/10The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch with Your Loved Ones

The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch with Your Loved Ones

1. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

You’ll have to make your way to see this movie as it’s just hit theaters and isn’t available to stream yet. If you can find a showing near you, this could be the ultimate Thanksgiving watch. It doesn’t get more family-friendly than Tom Hanks as everyone’s favorite Fred Rogers, host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The Independent’s review said it was “hard not to be moved by the film’s warmth and kind heart” – just what you need on the third Thursday in November.

YouTube / Sony Pictures Entertainment

The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch with Your Loved Ones

2. Addams Family Values (1993)

America’s favorite gothic family does Thanksgiving right. In a problematic piece, Wednesday plays a Native American and delivers an iconic monologue that challenges the whitewashed version of the holiday as told in American folklore.

YouTube / Paramount Pictures

The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch with Your Loved Ones

3. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

This Emmy-winning short film first aired in 1973 and has become a Thanksgiving staple. If you’ve ever experienced a kitchen disaster during the day, you can relate to Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy and Woodstock trying to put together a feast despite having no cooking skills at all. “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” airs Wednesday, November 27th on ABC and the show is also available to stream on Vudu and Amazon Prime.

YouTube/United Feature Syndicate

The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch with Your Loved Ones

4. You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Let’s set the record straight about You’ve Got Mail’s infamous Thanksgiving scene. Tom Hanks’ character “rescuing” Meg Ryan as soon as she realizes she’s stuck at a checkout with no cash is supposed to seem charming – but watch the scene again in 2019 and you’ll notice He’s actually just a condescending idiot. However, the film’s overall holiday feel (and the fact that the scene in question was filmed at the legendary Upper West Side grocer Zabar’s) make it a top choice for Thanksgiving.

YouTube / Warner Bros

The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch with Your Loved Ones

5. Rocky (1976)

Yes, Rocky. While the film’s Thanksgiving scene is extremely depressing (Paulie has a seizure and throws Adriene’s turkey through the window as Rocky watches), it’s always fun to revisit the 1976 classic that made the enduring Rocky/Creed film series emerged.

YouTube/United Artists

The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch with Your Loved Ones

6. Sweet November (2001)

We could tell you that this 2001 film stars Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron and leave it at that. However, we would like to add that the entire film is set in November and part of its plot revolves around Thanksgiving, making it a top pic for the holidays. It is a sad film that deals with the themes of love and terminal illness. So be prepared for an emotional viewing experience.

YouTube / Warner Bros

The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch with Your Loved Ones

7. Funny People (2009)

Adam Sandler gives a touching Thanksgiving toast as George Simmons, a stand-up comedian diagnosed with a likely fatal illness. “It kind of sucks being old, so just enjoy it. Enjoy time. Time flies, I promise you,” he tells a group of younger people, among other words of wisdom.

YouTube / Universal Pictures

The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch with Your Loved Ones

8. Free Birds (2013)

Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson and Amy Poehler narrate this animated film about turkeys who travel back in time to the first Thanksgiving to say goodbye to the traditional menu. You read that correctly. One caveat: If you’re watching the film with children, maybe take a few minutes to explain to them that they shouldn’t view this silly flick as an accurate depiction of the Thanksgiving story.

YouTube / Relativity Media

The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch with Your Loved Ones

9. Groundhog Day (1993)

Completely different: This Bill Murray/Andie MacDowell classic is a great family watch. Admittedly, it’s set in February, which means it’s not about Thanksgiving or the holidays per se, but it’s an ode to values like kindness, self-improvement, love, and empathy – all qualities that lend themselves well to this time of year.

YouTube/Columbia Images

The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch with Your Loved Ones

10. Toy Story (1995)

The 1995 Pixar classic was released the day before Thanksgiving – so it’s only right to watch it again on this day, 24 years later. It is available to stream on Disney+, Amazon Prime and Vudu.

YouTube / Buena Vista Image Distribution

You can read our explanation to understand the cultural and historical significance of the holiday that falls this Thursday.

Weather forecasts are also available ahead of the holiday weekend, which is usually a busy travel time.

Emma Bowman1 week ago

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