The Perfect Films To Round Out Thanksgiving
Whether you’re looking for heartwarming family dramas, laugh-out-loud comedies, or classic holiday films that capture the spirit of togetherness, we’ve got you covered. These are the best Thanksgiving movies to enjoy during the holiday weekend.
Soul Food
While Soul Food isn’t about Thanksgiving, it’s packed with the spirit of family, food, and tradition that fits the holiday perfectly. The film follows Mama Joe, who brings her Chicago family together for Sunday dinners, but when she falls ill, family tensions come to the surface. Starring Vanessa Williams, Vivica A Fox, and Nia Long, it’s a heartfelt classic that’s sure to please any crowd.
Edmonds Entertainment, Soul Food (1997)
One True Thing
In Carl Franklin’s holiday drama, Meryl Streep and Renée Zellweger take you on an emotional journey as a mother and daughter facing what could be their last holidays together. The film is filled with laughter, tears, and heartfelt moments. Get ready to experience all the feels from Halloween to Christmas.
Monarch Pictures, One True Thing (1998)
The House Of Yes
In this dark comedy based on Wendy MacLeod’s play, a young man introduces his fiancée to his eccentric family over Thanksgiving. Things get wild when his mentally ill sister, who’s obsessed with Jackie Kennedy, starts causing chaos. It’s a quirky, offbeat story that’s not your typical holiday fare.
Bandeira Entertainment, The House of Yes (1997)
Addams Family Values
Yes, we’re going to say it. The Addams Family Values is even better than the first film, largely thanks to Wednesday Addams stealing the show with her iconic performance in a school play. With her deadpan delivery, she flips the script on Thanksgiving, giving a hilariously dark twist to the holiday’s history.
Paramount, Addams Family Values (1993)
Planes, Trains And Automobiles
In Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Neal Page (Steve Martin) just wants to get home to Chicago for Thanksgiving, but a surprise snowstorm lands him in rural Kansas. Stuck with the lovable but annoying Del Griffith (John Candy), the two navigate holiday travel chaos together, leading to plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments.
Paramount, Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
Prisoners
Denis Villeneuve, known for his brilliant storytelling and twist endings, delivers a gripping thriller with Prisoners. Hugh Jackman stars as Keller, a desperate father searching for his missing daughter, who was abducted on Thanksgiving Day. It’s a tense, edge-of-your-seat film that keeps you guessing until the very end.
Alcon Entertainment, Prisoners (2013)
Garfield’s Thanksgiving
Everyone’s favorite lasagna loving cat, Garfield, stars in a Thanksgiving special that’s sure to hit those nostalgic vibes. It starts with a vet visit and ends with Grandma saving the day by whipping up a perfect holiday feast. It’s a fun, heartwarming distraction for the kids while you get Thanksgiving dinner ready.
Film Roman, Garfield's Thanksgiving (1989)
The Big Chill
A group of old friends come together for the funeral of a close college buddy, sparking memories of the past, including a memorable Thanksgiving meal. As they reconnect, they face their regrets, insecurities, and lost dreams. It’s a heartfelt story about friendship, reflection, and the passage of time.
Columbia, The Big Chill (1983)
Grumpy Old Men
Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau play feuding neighbors who reignite their old rivalry when a charming woman (Ann-Margret) moves in nearby during the holidays. Both men compete for her affection, leading to plenty of laughs. It’s a fun, feel-good comedy about love and friendship.
Warner Bros., Grumpy Old Men (1993)
The Myth Of Fingerprints
The Myth of Fingerprints is a 1997 indie film about a dysfunctional New England family reuniting for Thanksgiving. Starring Blythe Danner, Julianne Moore, and Noah Wyle, it’s a mix of love, drama, and family tension, proving that coming home for the holidays often stirs up more than just old memories—and can lead to some unexpected twists.
Eureka Pictures, The Myth of Fingerprints (1997)
Funny People
When famous comedian George Simmons (Adam Sandler) finds out he has leukemia, he takes a young comic (Seth Rogen) under his wing, sharing laughs and life lessons along the way. In this heartwarming Judd Apatow comedy, George’s unforgettable Thanksgiving toast will have you laughing and tearing up at the same time!
Universal, Funny People (2009)
The Wiz
The Wiz musical features an all-Black cast, with Diana Ross as Dorothy and Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow, journeying through a magical New York-inspired Oz. Filled with unforgettable characters, colorful costumes, and upbeat songs like "Ease on Down the Road," The Wiz is a fun, family-friendly adventure about self-discovery and belonging—ideal for holiday viewing.
Knives Out
This is the perfect fall movie, featuring the dysfunctional Thrombey-Drysdale family played by an all-star cast, including Christopher Plummer, Chris Evans, and Jamie Lee Curtis. While its only real connection to Thanksgiving is the cozy autumn setting, Rian Johnson’s Knives Out is the perfect cure for post-turkey drowsiness with its sharp wit and suspenseful twists.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
This animated classic captures the fun of Thanksgiving with Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang. It may seem like it’s just for kids, but its timeless charm is sure to win over viewers of all ages. Good luck watching it without a smile!
Lee Mendelson Film, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
Krisha
Trey Edward Shults’ intense thriller dives into family drama and tension. Set on Thanksgiving Day, it follows a woman’s struggle to rebuild trust with the family she once left behind due to addiction. It’s an emotional watch that flips the holiday on its head.
Fantastic Mr Fox
Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox may not mention Thanksgiving, but it’s full of the holiday spirit with its warm, autumn colors and quirky family dynamics. The film blends clever humor with a furry cast that’s always hungry for barnyard birds, topped off with a memorable dinner scene where Mr Fox gives thanks. It’s the perfect cozy, feel-good watch for Thanksgiving.
Twentieth Century, Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Friendsgiving
In Nicol Paone’s comedy, a star-studded cast, including Malin Akerman, Kat Dennings, and Aisha Tyler, brings the chaos of a dysfunctional Thanksgiving to life. The film turns a festive family gathering into a hilarious disaster as everyone struggles to get along. It’s a wild Turkey Day full of laughs with a group you might love—or can’t stand.
Fifth Season, Friendsgiving (2020)
The Oath
If you’ve ever dealt with tense political debates at family dinners, The Oath is the movie for you. This dark comedy, directed by and starring Ike Barinholtz, follows a Thanksgiving that goes off the rails when a controversial government oath sparks heated arguments. With a mix of absurd humor and sharp social commentary, it’s an entertaining take on family and politics during the holidays.
QC Entertainment, The Oath (2018)
The Object Of My Affection
For a perfect Friendsgiving movie, look no further than Jennifer Aniston starring alongside Paul Rudd. In this comedy, Aniston’s character is longing for a romantic connection with her gay best friend, making her “the only practicing heterosexual” at a quirky Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a fun, lighthearted watch filled with laughs.
Twentieth Century, The Object of My Affection (1998)
Thanksgiving
Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving-themed slasher is finally here, co-written with Jeff Rendell (who played the pilgrim in the original trailer). With plenty of gory thrills, it’s a bloody treat just in time for the holiday season.
For Your Consideration
Christopher Guest’s For Your Consideration is a clever mockumentary that’s perfect for fans of his unique comedy style. Starring Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, and Parker Posey, the film follows actors in a movie that changes its title from Home for Purim to Home for Thanksgiving after Oscar buzz starts swirling. It’s packed with the hilarious, over-the-top humor Guest is known for.
Castle Rock, For Your Consideration (2006)
The Vicious Kind
In this dark comedy, Brittany Snow and Adam Scott take on surprising roles. Snow plays a moody character making all the wrong choices, while Scott shines as the family’s black sheep during a less-than-cheerful holiday gathering. It’s a funny yet offbeat take on a dysfunctional Thanksgiving.
72nd Street, The Vicious Kind (2009)
Babette's Feast
This beautiful Danish film is perfect for fans of period dramas and heartwarming stories. It follows two devout sisters in a remote village who take in Babette, a French refugee, as their housekeeper. Years later, Babette uses her lottery winnings to prepare a lavish feast for the community, celebrating themes of generosity, gratitude, and the joy of sharing a meal.
Panorama Film A/S, Babette's Feast (1987)
Hannah And Her Sisters
In this heartfelt drama, Mia Farrow, Barbara Hershey, and Dianne Wiest play sisters who reunite with plenty of emotional baggage for three Thanksgiving gatherings. The film explores their complex relationships, secrets, and personal struggles, making it a rich family story filled with both tension and love.
Orion Pictures, Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Pieces Of April
In Pieces of April, April Burns (Katie Holmes) decides to host Thanksgiving for her estranged family after learning her mother (Patricia Clarkson) has cancer. As her family faces travel delays, April scrambles to pull together the perfect meal with help from her quirky neighbors. It’s a touching story of family, forgiveness, and unexpected connections.
Avalon
Directed by Barry Levinson, Avalon tells the heartwarming story of a Polish-Jewish family who immigrated to Baltimore in search of the American dream. What makes this film perfect for Thanksgiving is its memorable holiday scene filled with sibling rivalry, family drama, and even a kids’ table, something every family can relate to. It’s a classic tale of family traditions and the ups and downs of togetherness.
Dan In Real Life
Peter Hedges’ film may not be a traditional Thanksgiving movie, but it’s full of holiday spirit with family drama, laughter, and touch football games in a charming New England setting. Starring Steve Carell and Juliette Binoche, with a fun cameo by Emily Blunt, it’s a heartwarming watch perfect for the season.
Touchstone, Dan in Real Life (2007)
She’s Gotta Have It
Spike Lee’s 1986 film She’s Gotta Have It isn’t your usual holiday movie, but it’s one to be thankful for. It features one of the most unforgettable Thanksgiving scenes where Nola Darling hosts a dinner with all three of her boyfriends, leading to heated conversations and bruised egos.
40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, She's Gotta Have It (1986)
North By Northwest
Although Hitchcock’s classic isn’t about Thanksgiving, it does feature a moment with a newspaper showing the events unfolding during the holiday.
MGM, North by Northwest (1959)
Home For The Holidays
In this Jodie Foster-directed comedy, Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter) heads home for Thanksgiving, only to be reminded by her quirky family why she left in the first place. With standout performances from Robert Downey Jr and Anne Bancroft, this film serves up plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments.
Paramount, Home for the Holidays (1995)
You've Got Mail
When bookstore owners Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) and Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) strike up a secret online romance, they have no idea they’re business rivals! Watch the sparks fly, and enjoy a bit of Thanksgiving song and dance in this timeless rom-com classic.
Warner Bros., You've Got Mail (1998)
The Vanished
In this wild thriller, Anne Heche and Thomas Jane play a couple who lose their 10-year-old over Thanksgiving weekend, leading to a chaotic chase full of bad decisions and shocking twists.
Adonais Productions, The Vanished (2020)
Mistress America
Greta Gerwig shines in this Noah Baumbach comedy as a self-taught, resourceful character who might not know how to cook a turkey but can figure it out with some Googling. The Thanksgiving scene is full of wit, laughs, and a bit of drama, making it a memorable highlight.
Fox Searchlight Pictures, Mistress America (2015)
Alice's Restaurant
Inspired by Arlo Guthrie’s famous song, this film tells the hilarious story of Guthrie (playing himself) and his friends, who get detained for littering right after Thanksgiving dinner. What starts as a small offense spirals into a series of unexpected events you won’t want to miss.
Elkins Entertainment, Alice's Restaurant (1969)
What's Cooking?
In this heartwarming comedy, four diverse families in Los Angeles—Vietnamese, Latino, Jewish, and African American—celebrate Thanksgiving, each bringing their traditions and challenges to the table. As they handle family dilemmas, they all bond over one shared love: food! What’s Cooking? is packed with laughs and touching moments, making it perfect for a cozy family movie night.
Because Entertainment, What's Cooking? (2000)
Tower Heist
In this lively comedy, Eddie Murphy and Ben Affleck lead a group of employees on a mission to reclaim their stolen pensions from a billionaire in their luxury Manhattan high-rise. Set just before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, this film is full of holiday energy, laughs, and a reminder that teamwork can make anything possible.
Instant Family
This heartwarming comedy, inspired by a true story, follows Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) as they decide to foster three siblings, only to find themselves hilariously overwhelmed. With a memorable Thanksgiving dinner scene, the film mixes humor and heartfelt moments as it explores the ups and downs of fostering and adoption.
Paramount, Instant Family (2018)
Remember The Titans
Though it’s not a Thanksgiving movie, this football classic is perfect for the season, capturing the spirit of teamwork and unity. Set in 1971, it follows a newly integrated high school team tackling racial tensions with Denzel Washington as Coach Boone, who teaches them that respect and brotherhood are bigger than the game. With an emotional story, powerful performances, and a great Motown soundtrack, this film’s message about coming together feels just right for the holidays.
Walt Disney, Remember the Titans (2000)
The Blind Side
With its themes of faith, family, and football, The Blind Side is a heartfelt Thanksgiving movie. Sandra Bullock shines as Leigh Anne Tuohy, who takes in Michael Oher and helps him go from a homeless teen to an NFL star. Plus, it has a touching Thanksgiving scene, making it a perfect holiday watch.
Yet, though it's such a beloved movie, The Blind Side was recently back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The real Michael Oher has alleged that the film is based on a lie: He was never adopted by the Tuohys but instead lived with them under a conservatorship. Even worse, he received little financial compensation for the film, while the Tuohys and each of their birth children got $225,000 and 2.5% of the movie's overall profits. Oher took the couple to court in August 2023, and a judge ended his conservatorship—the dispute over fair payment still continues.
