If you’re like some people in my family, you don’t need any help getting up for turkey, stuffing, family, and football – but in the world of movies, there’s really no arguing that Thanksgiving kind of gets the shaft. I mean, Halloween gets all of the horror and Christmas gets all of the schmaltzy wonder, and really, aside from Peanuts, can you name a single movie dedicated to the in-between day that’s home to all the best food?
Well, after you scroll through this post, you’ll definitely be able to – and you’re going to be more excited than ever for the end of November.
#20. You’ve Got Mail
Image Credit: Warner Bros.
Not only does the film include Thanksgiving dinner, it’s just got a vibe about it that captures fall in NYC. Gimme.
#19. Avalon
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures
This story revolves around immigration and is, sadly, as relevant in 2018 as it was in the early 1950s.
#18. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures
Everyone needs a laugh while making grocery lists and trying not to stress about how many weeks you have left until you absolutely have to start shopping for Christmas, and this movie definitely delivers.
#17. Hannah and Her Sisters
Image Credit: Orion Pictures
Guys, this movie. THIS MOVIE. It’s great any time of the year, but is bookended by Thanksgiving dinners, which definitely qualifies it for this list.
#16. An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving
Image Credit: Hallmark Channel
This movie was adapted from a short story written by Louisa May Alcott (the very one) and is more than worth your time.
#15. Miracle on 34th Street
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox
If you’re thinking ‘that’s a Christmas movie, no fair!’ well, you’re forgetting that our memorable Santa was discovered at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. This movie is the best of both worlds, really, and should be on everyone’s post-parade, pre-football Thanksgiving day list of television.
#14. Home for the Holidays
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures
In this case, the holiday is Thanksgiving and it will make you appreciate your own family’s relative sanity, so it’s a win-win.
#13. Son-In-Law
Image Credit: Disney Movies
Guys. How did we forget this Pauly Shore gem? Bust it out this year and you won’t be sorry.
#12. What’s Cooking?
Image Credit: BeCause Entertainment Group
This movie follows four different families and four different meals, and proves that we’re all messed up in our own awesome way.
#11. Garfield’s Thanksgiving
Image Credit: CBS
You know you love it.
#10. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Image Credit: CBS
Come on, you didn’t think I’d leave this one off the list, right? It’s a classic for a reason!
#9. Funny People
Image Credit: Universal Pictures
The speech at the Thanksgiving table is everything.
#8. Beethoven
Image Credit: Universal Pictures
This is your annual reminder not to leave your perfectly cooked turkey sitting where your giant dog can snatch it off the counter.
#7. For Your Consideration
Image Credit: Warner Independent Films
It’s a movie about making a movie about Thanksgiving. Meta and wonderful.
#6. A Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving
Image Credit: Disney Movies
A sweet and perfectly seasonal watch for the whole family.
#5. March of the Wooden Soldiers
Image Credit: MGM
This Laurel and Hardy classic has been airing on Thanksgiving since 1963. The more you know!
#4. Free Birds
Image Credit: Relativity Media
Maybe don’t show this one to the kids until they’re old enough to both bond with animated turkeys and enjoy the delicious carcass in the same day.
#3. Pieces of April
Image Credit: United Artists
This little-known but nicely done Katie Holmes film about bonding with her estranged family over Thanksgiving dinner isn’t for the kids, but it it is perfect November faire.
#2. The Daytrippers
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures
When the main character thinks she has reason to believe her husband is having an affair, the whole family abandons their Thanksgiving dinner to drive to NYC to confront him.
#1. National Lampoon’s Thanksgiving Family Reunion
Image Credit: Fox Television
Hold off on Christmas Vacation for another few weeks and give this one a shot instead.
Enjoy Thanksgiving, my friends. It would be a shame to miss out on any excuse to stuff yourself silly.
