12 Best Thanksgiving Movies To Watch This Season
Christmas is just around the corner! But wait! Before you start binging Hallmark movies, remember there is another holiday just before the Christmas season. Thanksgiving is also a beautiful, cozy holiday that deserves just as much respect. And there are a ton of great movies suitable for this holiday season that capture the Thanksgiving essence. While Christmas films are mostly focus on the good in people and sentimentalism, Thanksgiving ones are more about the ups and own of the family dynamic (and food!). So, if you are in the mood for some cheesy, positive, stressful, and delightful movies, this list has it all. Here are some of our top picks for Thanksgiving movies.
There are a ton of great movies suitable for this holiday season
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The Best Thanksgiving Movies
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There is nothing more satisfying than putting on some comfy pajamas after a Thanksgiving feast, with a full belly and sitting down to watch a nice movie with your loved ones or on your own. But even if it isn’t Thanksgiving, if you are in the holiday spirit, these movies will win our heart over. Let’s check them out:
“Friends” also has great Thanksgiving specials you can give a watch
#A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
One of the best Thanksgiving movies you can enjoy this holiday season. This 25-minutes animated special follows Charlie Brown and the Peanuts crew and their trials of trying to put together the perfect Thanksgiving Day feast. And don’t be fooled, while you may think this movie is only for kids, once you’ve put it on, you won’t be able to resist its charm. This short movie even won an Emmy!
“Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. We should just be thankful for being together.” – Marcie
#Alice’s Restaurant (1969)
One of the older films on our list, this holiday classic is based on the song with the same name by Arlo Guthrie. This movie follows the adventures of Guthrie (who plays himself) and his friends who get into trouble after getting arrested for littering after a Thanksgiving dinner. This offbeat comedy will have you laughing at all the mishaps that happen.
This holiday classic is based on the song with the same name by Arlo Guthrie
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#Soul Food (1997)
Okay, we have to be honest with you, “Soul Food” doesn’t technically revolve around Thanksgiving. However, it does revolve around all things that make Thanksgiving special – family, food, and tradition. This heartfelt movie follows the story of a family trying to keep their traditions alive. When the family matriarch (grandmother Mama Joe) falls into a coma after a surgery, her kids are left to hold the family together, while still keeping their tradition of Sunday dinners alive. However, this turns out to be a hard task, as cracks in the family start to get exposed. This movie is beautiful, real and will have you bawling.
This movie revolves around all things that make Thanksgiving special – family, food, and tradition
#You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Are you a rom-com fan? Then this one is for you. “You’ve Got Mail” follows the story of booksellers Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) and Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) who meet in an online, anonymous chat room. However, little do they know they actually know each other and boy, do they not like each other in real life. With iconic Thanksgiving related scenes, this movie will become one of your all-time favorites. It’s charming, romantic, unexpected, and witty.
A beautiful romantic comedy for this season – funny and cute
#Krisha (2015)
One of the more darker movies on our list, if you are not in a mushy mood this Thanksgiving “Krisha” is a great movie choice. The story follows a woman who returns on Thanksgiving to the family she had once abandoned. The tension here can be cut with a knife. Watch as Krisha tries to regain her families trust once again after battling with addition.
One of the more darker movies on our list, this tense drama is worth the watch
#Chicken Run (2000)
Well, while this movie would be more accurate if it was with turkeys, it’s still a fun watch and if you ask us perfect for Thanksgiving. This iconic stop-motion film is centered around a group of chickens who are determined to escape their future of becoming chicken pies. Hilarious, upbeat and loveable, you’ll enjoy every second of this kooky comedy.
This iconic stop-motion film is centered around a group of chickens
#Hollidaysburg (2014)
While this movie’s synopsis may sound cheesy, trust us, it’s a great watch. “Hollidaysburg” tells us the tale of two former high school friends returning home for Thanksgiving after their first semester in college only to find themselves falling in love for one another. Cute, warm and strong, this movie will have your emotions all over the place.
While this movie’s synopsis may sound cheesy, trust us, it’s a great watch
#Little Women (2019)
Another “not exactly a Thanksgiving film, but still counts” title. However, it does technicallyyyyy take place around the holidays and in the run-up to Christmas. This 2019 adaptation of “Little Women” is beautiful in every sense of the word. One of histories greatest family dramas, this movie follows the lives of four sisters finding their way in life and the ties that keep them all together. If you are in the mood for something sentimental, you will love this.
This 2019 adaptation of “Little Women” is beautiful in every sense of the word
#Pieces of April (2003)
Another tear-jerker. But boy, is this movie worth the tears. The story is set around April who organizes a Thanksgiving dinner for her estranged family after her mother is diagnosed with cancer. “Pieces of April” ticks off all needed boxes that make a great Thanksgiving movie. It’s honest, relatable, and inspiring.
The story is set around April who organizes a Thanksgiving dinner for her estranged family
#The Humans (2021)
One of the newer movies on our list, “The Humans” is very touching. The story follows a family who has gathered in one of their run-down apartments for Thanksgiving. As the gathering progress the members become honest with each other about their dreams, fears, and secrets they’ve been hiding. A sobering drama that manages to truly capture the essence of human struggles and interpersonal relationships.
The story follows a family who has gathered in one of their run-down apartments for Thanksgiving
#The Oath (2018)
A politically charged comedy, this movie is everything but what you would expect (in a good way!). After a new government proposition asks citizens to sign a pledge of allegiance to the president before Black Friday, Chris (a high-strung news junkie) and his levelheaded wife struggle with disbelief. Watch what happens as they stumble while the Thanksgiving deadline approaches.
A politically charged comedy, this movie is everything but what you would expect
#Fanatstic Mr. Fox (2009)
One of the most beautiful films on this list. Wes Anderson’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is a great choice for a Thanksgiving movie. Creating a real fall setting with the warm orange, red and rustic tones, this movie is a great homage to the original Roald Dahl tale. This movie tackles topics of family dysfunctions, greed, broken promises, community, love and all that we have to be thankful for. It’s a perfect family movie to end the holidays with.
Wes Anderson’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is a great choice for a Thanksgiving movie
These were some of our favorite Thanksgiving movies you should give a watch this season. We hope you found this article interesting. Now grab some popcorn, your movie buddy, a cozy blanket and get comfortable to watch these classics.
These were some of our favorite Thanksgiving movies you should give a watch this season
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