Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, feasting and of course, watching movies together. After the turkey has been carved and the pumpkin pie devoured, there’s nothing better than settling in on the couch for a classic Thanksgiving film. From heartwarming family comedies to thought-provoking dramas, these are the 25 best Thanksgiving movies to enjoy this holiday season.
25. The Humans (2021)
The Humans is a powerful drama that takes place over one Thanksgiving dinner in a crumbling New York City apartment. As three generations of the Blake family gather together, long-buried tensions and secrets bubble to the surface. With incredible performances from Richard Jenkins, Beanie Feldstein, Steven Yeun and more, The Humans is a raw and intimate portrait of family dynamics. While not always easy to watch, it’s a moving meditation on love, grief, and what it means to be human.
24. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
While primarily a Christmas movie, this classic begins at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, making it an honorary Thanksgiving film. When the actor playing Santa in the parade shows up drunk, a kind old man named Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) steps in – and proves to be so convincing that he’s offered a job as the Macy’s Santa. Kris insists that he really is Santa Claus, leading to a court case to determine his mental competency. With themes of faith, love and the power of belief, Miracle on 34th Street is the perfect feel-good holiday watch.
23. You’ve Got Mail (1998)
While not explicitly a Thanksgiving movie, Nora Ephron’s beloved rom-com does feature a memorable Thanksgiving scene. Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) and Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) are rival bookstore owners who unknowingly develop an online romance. When Joe discovers Kathleen’s true identity, he keeps the truth about himself secret as they continue to correspond and gradually fall in love. The film’s sole Thanksgiving scene, in which a despondent Kathleen rushes through making a meal for her family and friends, perfectly captures the stress of the holidays. But like the rest of the movie, it’s ultimately a sweet and charming moment.
22. Funny People (2009)
Judd Apatow’s Funny People stars Adam Sandler as George Simmons, a famous comedian who is diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. Faced with his own mortality, George decides to return to his stand-up roots and hires a young comic named Ira (Seth Rogen) to write jokes for him. The film’s Thanksgiving scene comes near the end, as a healthier George gathers with friends and delivers a poignant toast about appreciating the time we have with loved ones. It’s a rare serious moment in a movie that expertly blends big laughs with heavy emotions.
21. The Big Chill (1983)
The Big Chill follows a group of baby boomer college friends who reunite after 15 years for the funeral of one of their own. They spend a weekend together in a South Carolina vacation house, reminiscing about the past, revealing old secrets, and pondering their present lives. A big Thanksgiving dinner serves as the centerpiece of the film, allowing the characters to come together, air grievances, and ultimately find a sense of understanding and acceptance. With a classic soundtrack and an all-star ensemble cast, The Big Chill is a nostalgic and bittersweet look at friendship, aging and the passage of time.
20. Pieces of April (2003)
Katie Holmes stars as April Burns, the black sheep of her suburban family who invites them to her tiny New York City apartment for Thanksgiving dinner. As April struggles to prepare her first turkey with a broken oven, her family embarks on a road trip fraught with tension. Featuring a pre-fame Jesse Eisenberg as April’s boyfriend and Patricia Clarkson as her cancer-stricken mother, Pieces of April is a small, intimate indie that packs an emotional punch. It’s a reminder that family bonds can be messy and complicated, but are always worth fighting for.
19. The House of Yes (1997)
Based on the play of the same name, The House of Yes is a dark comedy about a severely dysfunctional upper-class family. When Marty Pascal (Josh Hamilton) brings his fiancée (Tori Spelling) home to meet the family at Thanksgiving, his mentally unbalanced twin sister Jackie-O (Parker Posey) becomes dangerously jealous. Secrets are revealed, shocking truths come to light, and the Pascal family implodes spectacularly over the course of one eventful holiday. The House of Yes is a twisted, campy cult classic anchored by a delightfully unhinged performance from indie queen Parker Posey.
18. What’s Cooking? (2000)
What’s Cooking? interweaves the stories of four diverse families – Vietnamese, Latino, Jewish and African American – all preparing for Thanksgiving dinner in Los Angeles. As each family cooks their traditional meal, the film explores the cultural and generational divides between parents and children, the struggle to maintain heritage while assimilating into American society, and the universal similarities that bind us. With a sprawling ensemble cast and mouthwatering food photography, What’s Cooking? is a celebration of family and diversity that will leave you hungry for more.
17. The New World (2005)
Terrence Malick’s dreamlike historical epic tells the story of Pocahontas (Q’orianka Kilcher) and her relationships with adventurer John Smith (Colin Farrell) and tobacco planter John Rolfe (Christian Bale). While not directly about Thanksgiving, the film does depict the first meeting between Native Americans and English settlers in 1607 Virginia. Malick’s signature visual poetry captures the natural beauty of the American landscape, while also grappling with the dark legacy of colonialism. The New World is a lush, meditative exploration of love, loss and cultural identity.
16. The Daytrippers (1996)
When Eliza (Hope Davis) finds a love letter written to her husband Louis (Stanley Tucci), she turns to her dysfunctional Long Island family for advice. Her mother (Anne Meara), father (Pat McNamara), sister (Parker Posey) and sister’s boyfriend (Liev Schreiber) all pile into the family car and drive to Manhattan to confront Louis, with chaotic results. Set on Thanksgiving Day, The Daytrippers is a quirky, talky indie comedy that mines humor and pathos from the messy dynamics of family. The strong ensemble cast brings warmth and humanity to their flawed but lovable characters.
15. The War at Home (1996)
Emilio Estevez directs and stars in this powerful drama about a Vietnam veteran struggling with PTSD. When Jeremy Collier (Estevez) returns home for Thanksgiving after a long absence, his family is forced to confront the scars of war and the toll it has taken on their relationships. Kathy Bates and Martin Sheen give heartbreaking performances as Jeremy’s parents, who must reckon with their own guilt and grief. The War at Home is a somber but ultimately hopeful film about the importance of communication, understanding and forgiveness within families.
14. The Myth of Fingerprints (1997)
The Myth of Fingerprints follows the dysfunctional Thanksgiving reunion of the Sheldons, a New England family with plenty of unresolved issues. Long-buried resentments and attractions come to the surface as grown siblings Mia (Julianne Moore), Jake (Michael Vartan) and Warren (Noah Wyle) navigate their relationships with each other and their parents. Featuring a stellar ensemble cast that also includes Roy Scheider, Blythe Danner and Hope Davis, the film is a poignant and sharply observed portrait of a family in turmoil. It’s a reminder that the people we love most are often the ones who hurt us deepest.
13. The Ice Storm (1997)
Set over Thanksgiving weekend in 1973, Ang Lee’s The Ice Storm is a chilly, devastating look at two upper-middle-class Connecticut families in the midst of crisis. As married couples Ben (Kevin Kline) and Elena (Joan Allen) and Jim (Jamey Sheridan) and Janey (Sigourney Weaver) engage in a partner-swapping “key party,” their teenage children (Christina Ricci, Elijah Wood, Adam Hann-Byrd and Tobey Maguire) experiment with drugs and sexual awakening. With its impeccable period details and emotionally distant visual style, The Ice Storm perfectly captures the ennui and emptiness of the ’70s suburban experience. It’s a haunting meditation on the consequences of our choices.
12. The Vicious Kind (2009)
When Caleb Sinclaire (Adam Scott) reluctantly agrees to drive his brother Peter (Alex Frost) and Peter’s new girlfriend Emma (Brittany Snow) home for Thanksgiving, he finds himself unexpectedly attracted to Emma. As the weekend progresses, Caleb’s cynical exterior slowly melts away as he connects with Emma and confronts his troubled relationship with his father (J.K. Simmons). The Vicious Kind is a sharp, darkly funny indie dramedy that explores the complexities of love, sex and family with wit and insight. Adam Scott gives a revelatory performance as a man learning to open his heart.
11. Tadpole (2002)
Tadpole stars Aaron Stanford as Oscar Grubman, a precocious 15-year-old with a crush on his stepmother Eve (Sigourney Weaver). When Oscar comes home from boarding school for Thanksgiving, he pursues Eve while also befriending her best friend Diane (Bebe Neuwirth). A sophisticated coming-of-age story with a twist, Tadpole is a playful, literate comedy that tackles its taboo subject matter with humor and sensitivity. The film’s stylish cinematography and jazzy score evoke the spirit of French New Wave cinema, while the performances keep the story grounded in real human emotion.
10. Avalon (1990)
Barry Levinson’s Avalon is a sweeping, nostalgic saga about a Jewish immigrant family’s assimilation into American culture over the course of the 20th century. The film’s centerpiece is a Thanksgiving dinner scene that marks a turning point for the Krichinsky clan, as long-simmering tensions between tradition and modernity finally boil over. Told through the eyes of young Michael (Elijah Wood), Avalon is a poignant, richly detailed portrait of the American Dream in action. It’s a reminder of the sacrifices and compromises that shape our personal and cultural identities.
9. The Object of My Affection (1998)
The Object of My Affection stars Jennifer Aniston as Nina, a social worker who falls in love with her gay best friend George (Paul Rudd). As Nina and George navigate their complicated relationship, they lean on each other for support through various personal and professional crises. The film’s Thanksgiving sequence, in which Nina brings George home to meet her family, is a masterful blend of comedy and pathos that encapsulates the central themes of love, acceptance and chosen family. With its sensitive performances and refreshingly matter-of-fact treatment of LGBTQ+ issues, The Object of My Affection was ahead of its time.
8. Scent of a Woman (1992)
Al Pacino won his first Oscar for his tour-de-force performance in this drama about a blind, retired Army Ranger who takes a prep school student (Chris O’Donnell) on a wild Thanksgiving weekend in New York City. As the two men bond over their shared feelings of isolation and disillusionment, they learn valuable lessons about integrity, courage and the true meaning of friendship. With its iconic tango scene and Pacino’s grandstanding final monologue, Scent of a Woman is a showcase for the actor’s larger-than-life charisma. But it’s also a moving story about the transformative power of human connection.
7. Krisha (2015)
Writer/director Trey Edward Shults made his feature debut with this shattering drama, based on his own family history. Krisha Fairchild stars as the titular character, a troubled woman who returns to her estranged family for Thanksgiving after years of struggling with addiction. As Krisha tries to make amends and reconnect with her loved ones, the weight of her past mistakes threatens to destroy everything. Shot in Shults’ own home with a cast of his real-life relatives, Krisha is a raw, unflinching portrait of a family in crisis. It’s a masterful study of the ripple effects of trauma and the fragile bonds of blood.
6. The Last Waltz (1978)
Martin Scorsese’s legendary concert film captures the final performance of The Band, who bid farewell to their fans with a star-studded Thanksgiving farewell show in 1976. Featuring electrifying performances by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton and more, The Last Waltz is a joyous celebration of the power of music to bring people together. But it’s also a bittersweet elegy for an era, as The Band reflects on their long, strange trip through the highs and lows of the ’60s counterculture. With its stunning cinematography and soulful interviews, The Last Waltz is a feast for the eyes and ears.
5. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
No list of Thanksgiving movies would be complete without this classic John Hughes comedy. Steve Martin stars as Neal Page, a high-strung advertising executive who just wants to get home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. But when his flight is cancelled, Neal finds himself stuck with Del Griffith (John Candy), a well-meaning but annoying shower curtain ring salesman. As the two men embark on a disastrous cross-country journey by any means necessary, they forge an unlikely friendship based on mutual understanding and respect. With its perfect odd-couple pairing and quotable one-liners, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a hilarious and heartwarming ode to the travails of holiday travel.
4. Home for the Holidays (1995)
Directed by Jodie Foster, this underrated gem follows Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter), a single mom who loses her job and flies home to Baltimore for Thanksgiving with her dysfunctional family. Over the course of a chaotic holiday weekend filled with sibling rivalries, political arguments and shocking revelations, Claudia learns to embrace the messy imperfections of her loved ones – and herself. With an all-star cast that includes Robert Downey Jr., Anne Bancroft and Charles Durning, Home for the Holidays is a warm, witty celebration of the ties that bind. It’s a reminder that family is always worth coming home to, no matter how crazy they drive you.
3. Addams Family Values (1993)
In this delightfully dark sequel, Wednesday Addams (Christina Ricci) is sent to summer camp, where she stages a Thanksgiving revolt with the help of her fellow outcasts. Subverting the whitewashed mythology of the holiday, Wednesday’s play tells the real story of the Native American genocide, complete with graphic violence and historical accuracy. It’s a brilliant, biting satire of American hypocrisy that still feels shockingly relevant today. With its macabre humor and gleeful rejection of conformity, Addams Family Values is a twisted delight that will make you thankful for your own weird, wonderful family.
2. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Woody Allen’s masterpiece follows the intertwined lives of three sisters – Hannah (Mia Farrow), Lee (Barbara Hershey) and Holly (Dianne Wiest) – over the course of two years, bookended by Thanksgiving dinners. As the women navigate the complexities of love, art and infidelity, they grapple with questions of identity, purpose and the meaning of life itself. With its witty, philosophical screenplay and impeccable ensemble cast, Hannah and Her Sisters is a rich, layered exploration of the human condition. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, there is always something to be grateful for.
1. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
For generations of viewers, the holiday season wouldn’t be complete without this beloved animated special. When Peppermint Patty invites herself and her friends over for Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown and Linus must scramble to throw together a last-minute feast of jelly beans, popcorn and toast. But as Linus reminds us in his moving speech about the origins of Thanksgiving, the holiday isn’t about the food – it’s about coming together with loved ones and giving thanks for all our blessings. With its simple sincerity and heartfelt message, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is a beloved holiday classic that captures the true spirit of gratitude, friendship and family. It’s the perfect way to kick off your own Thanksgiving celebration.
So there you have it – the 25 best Thanksgiving movies to watch this holiday season. From classic comedies to powerful dramas, these films offer something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a good laugh, a good cry or just a reminder of what really matters, these movies will leave you feeling grateful for all the blessings in your life.
So grab some pumpkin pie, gather your loved ones and settle in for a cinematic feast. Happy Thanksgiving!
