After Thanksgiving dinner, the kitchen winds down, and everyone drifts to the living room. It’s the perfect time to hit play on Thanksgiving movies – something that captures the holiday mood, keeps the conversation going, or just lets everyone relax together.
Family-Friendly Thanksgiving Movies
If kids are in the room, you’ll want films that keep the atmosphere light, funny, and wholesome. That’s where Thanksgiving movies for kids and families come in handy.
Top Picks for Kids:
1. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
- Duration: 25 minutes
- Type: Animated, Family, Comedy
- Cast: Peter Robbins (Charlie Brown), Todd Barbee (Linus), Christopher DeFaria (Peppermint Patty)
- Why Watch: This TV special has been a holiday staple for decades. Charlie Brown scrambles to put together a Thanksgiving meal with jelly beans and popcorn, while Peppermint Patty invites herself (and everyone else) over. It’s one of the most beloved classic Thanksgiving movies, teaching gratitude and kindness with Peanuts’ charm.
2. Free Birds (2013)
- Duration: 1h 31m
- Type: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- Cast: Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler
- Why Watch: Two turkeys discover a time machine and set out to rewrite history by taking turkey off the Thanksgiving menu. It’s colorful, funny, and filled with slapstick humor.
3. Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow (2015)
- Duration: 1h 30m
- Type: Family, Fantasy, Comedy
- Cast: Mary Steenburgen, Jay Harrington, Graham Verchere
- Why Watch: A Hallmark Channel original movie, this whimsical story follows two kids who, while spending Thanksgiving in a small town, stumble upon mysterious creatures in the woods.
4. An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving (2008)
- Duration: 1h 28m
- Type: Drama, Family
- Cast: Jacqueline Bisset, Helene Joy, Tatiana Maslany
- Why Watch: Based on a Louisa May Alcott short story, this Hallmark movie tells the tale of a struggling widow and her children during the holiday season.
5. Garfield’s Thanksgiving (1989)
- Duration: 24 minutes
- Type: Animation, Comedy
- Cast: Lorenzo Music (Garfield), Thom Huge (Jon Arbuckle), Gregg Berger (Odie)
- Why Watch: Garfield faces his worst nightmare: being put on a diet right before Thanksgiving. This short but hilarious special is a Thanksgiving comedy movie that kids will love and parents will find nostalgic.
These family Thanksgiving movies are perfect for cozy evenings with loved ones, and if you’re already planning ahead for December, you might also enjoy our list of the best family Christmas movies that capture the same warm holiday spirit.
Classic Thanksgiving Movie That Never Gets Old
Every holiday has its essentials, and Thanksgiving is no different. Classic Thanksgiving movies bring nostalgia and familiarity, making them ideal for yearly viewing.
Examples of Must-Watch Classics:
1. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Genre: Comedy, Adventure
- Cast: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins
- Why It’s a Classic: This hilarious road-trip comedy follows a man desperately trying to get home for Thanksgiving, only to be stuck with an overly chatty travel companion. It’s one of the funniest Thanksgiving movies ever made and remains a must-watch every year.
2. Home for the Holidays (1995)
- Runtime: 1h 43m
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Cast: Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Bancroft
- Why It’s a Classic: Directed by Jodie Foster, this heartfelt drama-comedy explores the ups and downs of family gatherings. With its witty humor and relatable chaos, it’s a perfect family Thanksgiving movie that never goes out of style.
3. Pieces of April (2003)
- Runtime: 1h 21m
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Cast: Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson, Derek Luke
- Why It’s a Classic: April invites her estranged family to Thanksgiving dinner. The story follows her struggle to prepare the meal in a cramped New York apartment, while her family makes the trip with doubts about seeing her again.
4. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
- Runtime: 1h 36m
- Genre: Fantasy, Family, Drama
- Cast: Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn
- Why It’s a Classic: Though often remembered as a Christmas movie, it begins with the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Its mix of holiday magic and heartwarming storytelling secures it a spot as one of the classic Thanksgiving movies.
5. The Blind Side (2009)
- Runtime: 2h 9m
- Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
- Cast: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron
- Why It’s a Classic: The film follows Michael Oher, a homeless teenager who is taken in by the Tuohy family. One of the most memorable moments comes during Thanksgiving, when he joins them at the table for the first time, showing how food and family mark a turning point in his life.
These top Thanksgiving movies still resonate because they highlight the same themes we celebrate today: patience, gratitude, and family chaos with a side of humor.
Funny Thanksgiving Movies
Let’s be honest, sometimes the best way to survive a holiday with extended family is through laughter.
1. The Oath (2018)
- Runtime: 93 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Satire
- Cast: Ike Barinholtz, Tiffany Haddish
A dark political comedy set during Thanksgiving, where family tensions boil over as relatives debate whether to sign a government loyalty oath. Awkward dinners have never been this funny, or this uncomfortably real.
2. Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
- Runtime: 91 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Action
- Cast: Kevin James, Jayma Mays
Though not strictly a Thanksgiving film, it often airs during the holiday season and brings slapstick humor to the table. Kevin James’ bumbling mall cop antics are goofy enough to get the family laughing after dinner.
3. Krisha (2015) – Dark Comedy Option
- Runtime: 83 minutes
- Genre: Dark Comedy, Drama
- Cast: Krisha Fairchild, Trey Edward Shults
For those who like their humor with a sharper edge, Krisha blends comedy and tension at a dysfunctional family’s Thanksgiving gathering. It’s awkward, raw, and funny in a way that makes you wince and laugh at the same time.
4. Dutch (1991)
- Runtime: 107 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Road Movie
- Cast: Ed O’Neill, Ethan Embry
This road trip comedy follows a man tasked with bringing his girlfriend’s spoiled son home for Thanksgiving. Packed with slapstick humor and unlikely bonding moments, Dutch is a hidden gem among Thanksgiving comedy movies.
Related: Best Comedy Movies of All Time
Thanksgiving Movies on Netflix
Sometimes the best option is the one you can stream right away. Luckily, there are plenty to suit different moods.
1. Holidate (2020)
- Duration: 1h 44m
- Type: Romantic Comedy
- Cast: Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, Kristin Chenoweth
- Why Watch: Though it spans multiple holidays, “Holidate” kicks off with a Thanksgiving dinner scene where awkward family questions push the characters into a fake-dating pact. It’s a fun, modern pick if you’re in the mood for Thanksgiving comedy movies that double as one of the best romance movies.
2. Friendsgiving (2020)
- Duration: 1h 35m
- Type: Comedy
- Cast: Malin Åkerman, Kat Dennings, Aisha Tyler
- Why Watch: Centered entirely on a chaotic Thanksgiving gathering, this film explores friendship, found family, and messy holiday traditions. It’s a solid choice if you’re after funny Thanksgiving movies or movies about Thanksgiving with a modern twist.
3. Christopher Robin (2018)
- Duration: 1h 44m
- Type: Family, Fantasy, Drama
- Cast: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Jim Cummings (voice of Winnie the Pooh)
- Why Watch: While not strictly a Thanksgiving-themed movie, its cozy atmosphere, themes of rediscovering joy, and heartwarming story make it perfect to stream on Netflix.
4. Yes Day (2021)
- Duration: 1h 29m
- Type: Comedy, Family
- Cast: Jennifer Garner, Édgar Ramírez, Jenna Ortega
- Why Watch: Though not tied directly to Thanksgiving, it’s perfect for post-dinner entertainment. Parents agree to say “yes” to their kids’ requests for 24 hours, leading to chaos and bonding. Its message of family connection fits the holiday spirit.
Streaming services update their catalogs often, so check Netflix’s holiday section around November. You’ll usually find a solid lineup of Thanksgiving movies without having to dig too deep.
One small note, though: what’s on Netflix here might not be the same where you are. That said, Netflix libraries by country aren’t identical everywhere. A title that shows up in the U.S. might not appear if you’re streaming from abroad.
With a VPN like LightningX VPN (over 2,000 nodes in 70+ countries), you can access a wider range of Thanksgiving-themed movies.
It’s also useful if you’re streaming on public Wi-Fi that your connection stays encrypted, so you can enjoy your holiday lineup without worrying too much about who’s watching your traffic.
Quick List of Top Thanksgiving Movies
For those who just want the essentials, here’s a list that checks all the boxes:
- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
- Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
- Home for the Holidays
- Pieces of April
- Free Birds
- Friendsgiving
Consider this your starter pack of top Thanksgiving movies to line up for the long weekend.
Final Thoughts
Movies are one of the simplest ways to bring people together on Thanksgiving Day. Here, there are plenty of good Thanksgiving movies of all kinds. So, this year, after the turkey is carved and the dishes are stacked in the sink, gather your loved ones and press play on one of these best Thanksgiving movies.
