7 Best Thanksgiving Movies

By: Laurie L. Dove & Suzie Dundas  | 
Steve Martin and John Candy
The hilarious Thankgiving romp "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," starring Steve Martin and John Candy, about two men trying to make it home for the holiday, was released in 1987. Paramount/Getty Images

It's not hard to come up with a long list of Halloween or Christmas movies, but finding the right film to watch after the Thanksgiving Day leftovers are in the fridge and the game is over can be a little more challenging.

Some of our favorite Thanksgiving movies revolve around families gathering for the holiday, while others highlight the people we choose to call family at the end of a hard day.

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From comedies to dramas to animated must-sees, we’ve got the seven best Thanksgiving movies to watch with friends and family this November.

1. 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'

Charlie Brown balloon, Macy's Day Parade
The Charlie Brown balloon leads the Macy's Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
  • Stream on: Apple TV+
  • Line you'll be repeating all weekend: "I think I'm losing control of the whole world."

When Peppermint Patty ("C'mon, you can do it, Chuck!") and her friends strongarm Charlie Brown into hosting a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, it's up to Woodstock and Snoopy to make the day a success.

With unconventional dishes like buttered toast and popcorn — and a relatable struggle with an uncooperative folding chair — Snoopy lends his own brand of wordless charm to the day's events.

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When the gang gathers around a ping-pong table for their unique meal at the end of the animated movie, the true meaning of Thanksgiving shines through and will make you feel thankful to be watching with family, even if your holiday dinner didn't go exactly as planned.

A classic for kids, parents and grandparents, the Emmy-winning movie was released nearly 50 years ago, but continues to top lists of the best Thanksgiving movies ever made.

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2. 'Addams Family Values'

thanksgiving movies
Christina Ricci dangles meat in a scene from the film "Addams Family Values" (1993). Paramount/Getty Images
  • Stream on: Paramount+, Pluto TV
  • Line you'll be repeating all weekend: "Where are we? It looks familiar ... of course! The gates of Hell."

If you're the type of movie watcher who prefers spooky October movies to feel-good Thanksgiving heart-warmers, why not split the difference and stream the star-studded "Addams Family Values"?

The slightly dark, kooky comedy is the sequel to 1991's "Addams Family," but don't worry if you haven't seen the first one as the plot isn't too hard to follow: Parents Morticia and Gomez Addams (exceptionally cast with Anjelica Houston and Raul Julia) must stop Christopher Lloyd's Uncle Fester from marrying a perceived gold-digger (Joan Cusack).

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But the highlight of the film is truly when Wednesday Addams, played by Christina Ricci, begrudgingly agrees to play Pocahontas in a summer camp Thanksgiving play. As you may expect, the play takes a dark turn, and Ricci gives a hilariously accurate spin on the real history of Thanksgiving to her fellow campers.

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3. 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles'

Steve Martin, left, and John Candy sit in a destroyed car in a scene from the film "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," 1987. Paramount/Getty Images
  • Stream on: Paramount+, Pluto TV, Philo
  • Line you'll be repeating all weekend: "Please, have mercy. I've been wearing the same underwear since Tuesday."

Director John Hughes' 1987 film "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" follows Neal Page (Steve Martin) and Del Griffith (John Candy) on a journey of Odysseus-like proportions. Suit-wearing advertising exec Page and blue-collar everyman Griffith become an impromptu travel duo after their flight is canceled, and the two race against time to make it home in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

But the long-distance journey leads to self-discovery with each man realizes he isn't quite the easy-going, always-knows-what's-best guy he thought he was. The laugh-out-loud movie is definitely a comedy — but offers a few redemptive lessons, too, like the importance of empathy, especially around the holidays.

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It'll leave your whole crew feeling a little more willing to put aside any differences that may have arisen from touchy subjects during Thanksgiving dinner earlier in the evening.

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4. 'Pieces of April'

Katie Holmes speaks at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival premiere of "Pieces Of April" in Park City, Utah. Fred Hayes/WireImage/Getty Images
  • Stream on: Tubi, The CW, Pluto TV
  • Line you'll be repeating all weekend: "I'm the first pancake."

Back from the days when Katie Holmes was more famous for starring in "Dawson's Creek" than marrying Tom Cruise, she took a leading turn in "Pieces of April," a 2004 comedic drama.

Holmes plays April, who attempts to host her snarky, largely estranged family members for Thanksgiving dinner in her cramped New York City apartment, knowing it may be her mother's last. It's well-acted, and most of the main characters move flawlessly between deep emotional scenes and comedic banter.

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Though the movie was considered low-budget by Hollywood standards, it remains highly-rated, offering quirky moments and enough of an emotionally satisfying conclusion to secure it a place on any list of the best Thanksgiving movies.

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5. 'The Humans'

Actors, from left, Jayne Houdyshell, Amy Schumer and Richard Jenkins, along with writer/director/producer Stephen Karam and moderator Dade Hayes speak onstage during A24's "The Humans" panel Dec. 4, 2021, in New York City. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Deadline
  • Stream on: Amazon Prime Video
  • Line you'll be repeating all weekend: "Don't you think it should cost less to be alive?"

One of the most recent Thanksgiving movies is "The Humans," a highly relatable comedic drama released in 2021. Best described as a well-acted slow burn, the movie joins one family as they gather with their youngest daughter and her partner for Thanksgiving in her run-down New York City apartment.

Over the course of a few hours, each character's story begins to develop, allowing viewers to see an accurate portrayal of love, resentment and grief as the members struggle with everything from health issues to finances.

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Dark as it may sound, the film is peppered with authentically funny and touching moments, with comedic actors like Amy Schumer, Beanie Feldstein and Richard Jenkins giving stand-out performances.

While it may not provide the clean, happy ending of many of the best Thanksgiving films on this list, it's a good choice for viewers attracted to emotionally deep cinema, rather than big-budget Hollywood hits.

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6. 'Dutch'

Ed O'Neill, Bill Pullman
Bill Pullman, left, and Ed O'Neill talk in this scene from the film "Sibling Rivalry," 1990. O'Neill starred in the 1991 film "Dutch." Castle Rock Entertainment/Getty Images
  • Stream on: Tubi, The Roku Channel, Redbox, PLEX, Fandango at Home
  • Line you'll be repeating all weekend: "Nothing burps better than bacon."

Ed O'Neill (of ABC's "Modern Family" and "Married with Children") stars in this 1991 comedy about a meat-and-potatoes construction worker's attempt to stay firmly ensconced in his girlfriend's good graces by bringing her preppy son home from boarding school in time for the family's Thanksgiving dinner.

Though critics panned the movie during its initial release — and it does rely on some stereotypes that haven't aged well — it's full of heartwarming moments and seamlessly moves between classic '90s humor and touching moments that every blended family can relate to.

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This is also one of the best Thanksgiving movies if you're watching with your blended family. It's relatively tame for its PG-13 rating.

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7. 'Home for the Holidays'

Dylan McDermott, Home for the Holidays
Dylan McDermott, center, stars in "Home For the Holidays." Ronald Siemoneit/Sygma/Sygma/Getty Images
  • Stream on: Paramount+, Pluto TV
  • Line you'll be repeating all weekend: "Nobody means what they say on Thanksgiving, Mom. You know that. That's what the day's supposed to be all about, right? Torture."

With actors including Robert Downey Jr., Dylan McDermott and Holly Hunter, it's no surprise that "Home for the Holidays" is one of the most irresistible rom-coms from the 1990s — a decade in which there were plenty of rom-coms to choose from.

In the film, 40-something Claudia is dealing with quite a lot when Thanksgiving rolls around: She's a recently fired single mother whose teenage daughter decides to spend Thanksgiving without her. Claudia heads to her parents' home, where the next few days are filled with surprise revelations, hard decisions and, naturally, a fistfight.

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One of the film's best scenes is when the whole family is gathered around the table for Thanksgiving dinner, and even if your family isn't dealing with complex, multigenerational issues, nearly everyone should be able to smile at one of Claudia's most poignant lines: "We don't have to like each other; we're family."

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