Get the Whole Family in the Thanksgiving Spirit by Watching These Holiday Movies

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Thanksgiving might top the list of holidays that tire us out the most! Just think about it—we spend so much time whipping up the Thanksgiving dinner, attending an annual Friendsgiving, and making sure that those Thanksgiving activities go according to plan, that by the time we finish eating, we're about ready for bed! This is also around the time when people plop themselves on the couch, right in front of the TV, to put on a holiday flick. But which movie will you choose? Take a look at our list of the best Thanksgiving movies to watch this holiday!

It doesn't really matter what you're in the mood for. Whether you're looking for a comedy, romance, or kid-friendly cartoon, we have the perfect pick to include in your after-dinner Thanksgiving traditions. Feel-good movies like Free Birds and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving will entertain your whole family, while adults will love watching dramas like Rocky and The Big Chill after the little ones have gone to sleep.

So, whatever you choose, just know that most of these fan-favorite Thanksgiving movies have a few things in common: iconic dinner scenes, relatable family feuds, and overarching themes of gratitude. Who knows, one might even inspire this year's Thanksgiving Instagram caption, or contain a classic Thanksgiving quote!

Beethoven

Listen, if you're going to have a Thanksgiving meal, you gotta include your pets! Especially if it's Beethoven, the world's most adorable pup, who miraculously escapes some evil dognappers during the holidays.

Stepmom

This one is complicated, wholesome, and tearjerking all at once. Watch as Julia Roberts plays a woman who begins a fling with an older man with children. She takes on the role of stepmom, learning everything from her partner's ex-wife (Susan Sarandon), strangely enough!

The Joy Luck Club

The bond between a mother and daughter is a strong one, especially when the pair uses food as a way to connect. The Joy Luck Club is a film that brings these relationships to the forefront, making you appreciative and hungry after watching.

Dutch

It can be hard to raise a preteen, especially as a stepparent! But it can also be hilarious, as we see in this story about a stepfather who tries his best to relate to his girlfriend's son over the holidays.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a sweet film that is full of adventure and pure life lessons, most of which center around the importance of being thankful. The warm, orange colors and that final dinner scene will have you in the Thanksgiving mood in no time!

Pieces of April

New York City might be big, but its apartments sure are small! (Most of them, anyway.) Which is why this dysfunctional family is pretty alarmed when the spunky, eldest daughter of the bunch decides to bring everyone together in her tiny Manhattan apartment.

Grumpy Old Men

John and Max are two old men who go way back—but the catch is, they wish they didn't! After being rivals to one another for years, things escalate more than ever when a new woman moves into town, stealing both of their attention.

Hannah and Her Sisters

Thanksgiving is supposed to be wholesome and fun, but for these three sisters, it's a bit emotional. They've got a lot of baggage, but they also have each other, which is what makes it all the worth while.

Soul Food

Every family has their rough patches, but it's nothing that a mother's cooking can't fix! This film focuses on a family that finds themselves in a new phase of life once some secrets are unveiled. Their mother, and her soul food-filled meals, is what helps them overcome it all!

What's Cooking?

Thanksgiving may look a little different for every family, especially when it comes to the food! This hilarious film covers a few different families, unpacking the dynamics, comedic banter, and holiday menu choices.

Chicken Run

This flick is exactly what its title states: Chickens running! Kids will love this family-friendly comedy that follows a crew of chickens wanting to enjoy a meal, but needing to make an escape before they become the meal.

Knives Out

Who doesn't love a good mystery? You and your fam will love the fall and cozy vibes, but not as much as you'll love solving this seemingly never-ending family puzzle! The cast is made up of so many iconic names, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, and more!

Instant Family

Pete and Ellie have talked about becoming parents, but never expected to instantly gain three foster kids one day. They don't all get along at first, but that's exactly what parenthood is about: Figuring it all out as you go! This family-comedy is a perfect watch during the holidays.

Home for the Holidays

Listen, we all have those relatives that we learn to tolerate more than anything else. But sometimes, it just isn't possible! This single mom must brave herself before she endures something she cowers at year after year: Family Thanksgiving.

An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving

Taking place in the 1800s, we watch as a family (who seems to be doing fine, given their economic circumstances) is rudely interrupted by an estranged relative who thinks she can now boss everyone around due to her wealth and high social status. Oh, and to make matters worse: She does this all during the holidays!

Garfield's Thanksgiving

Garfield is one of the most relatable cartoon characters, because he never wants to stop eating! Which makes sense why one of his favorite holidays is Thanksgiving. Throw this kid-friendly option on before or after you had your Thanksgiving feast, and it's sure to set the tone.

A Family Thanksgiving

Claudia is an ambitious lawyer who doesn't have much time for anything other than her career. But she's forced to rethink her priorities after a life-altering accident occurs. Just in time for the holidays, Claudia heads back to her hometown, embarking on a journey she never saw for herself.

Anne of Green Gables: Fire & Dew

Small, country town Green Gables is precisely where Anne Shirley found her true self. So preparing to say goodbye to the place she calls home (plus, everyone that inhabits it) is going to be tough. But a new life at a new school in a big city is calling her name!

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

No one knows the terrors that Black Friday can bring more than retail employees—especially Paul, a security officer (aka, mall cop) at a local mall. This Black Friday gets even more crazy for Paul when some scheming criminals begin their ploy to shutdown the mall, keeping any hostages they can. It's up to Paul to put a stop to them!

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

It's a Thanksgiving classic! Charlie Brown gets into another dilemma around the holidays, but it's nothing that can't be solved without some holiday magic and love from his close friends!

You've Got Mail

You've Got Mail is the unspoken, ultimate fall movie. Between the autumn leaves and cozy clothing showcased throughout the film—this one will fit right in during the Thanksgiving holiday! Plus, who doesn't want to watch Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan play two New Yorker's falling in love?!

Rudy

Putting a football game on TV is a given on Thanksgiving. Though, you could switch it up a bit by putting on Rudy, a movie about the sport that's sure to bring a few tears!

Friendsgiving

A peaceful holiday could never happen with this group of girl-friends! When they all come together for a long-awaited Friendsgiving, their spunky, wild personalities make things pretty interesting!

The Godfather

We know what Ree will be watching on Thanksgiving! This Mafia-thriller might seem a little intense to watch during the holidays, but the classic is loved by families everywhere!

Thanksgiving With The Carters

"The Thanksgiving Surprise" is something the Carters host every year. It's a sweet tradition that's perfect for welcoming some new in-laws who are attending the family's Thanksgiving festivities for the first time.

Turkey Hollow

Kids and adults alike will love this puppet spectacular by director Jim Henson.

Sweet November

This sweet romance movie takes place over the course of the month of November—which, of course, includes Thanksgiving.

Little Women

The March sisters are delightful companions all year round, but their stories are extra magical during the holidays.

Eat Pray Love

The title of this movie is basically a Thanksgiving motto. 😂Watch it after you finish your feast!

Ratatouille

This family-friendly cartoon was pretty much made for watching on Thanksgiving.

It's Complicated

Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin star in this hilarious comedy about family values and and an unusual affair. Come for the star-studded cast and stay for the Thanksgiving-worthy desserts.

Miracle on 34th Street

This Christmas favorite actually begins at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, making it the perfect movie to watch with your kids post-pie.

Free Birds

After one lucky turkey (Owen Wilson) gets pardoned by the president, he lives a totally carefree life—until another big bird (Woody Harrelson) kidnaps him to help in a history-changing mission that will get turkey off the Thanksgiving menu forever.

When Harry Met Sally

The quirky friendship between Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) is captivating any time of the year, but the changing leaves of New York City featured in many of the scenes make it a must-watch on Thanksgiving.

The Blind Side

When Leigh Anne Tuohy discovers that a young boy named Michael Oher is homeless, she offers him her couch to sleep on. That small gesture leads to inviting him to become part of her family in this heartwarming true story. Grab some tissues before watching the Thanksgiving scene!

Rocky

The classic about a small-time boxer is at the top of our watchlist year-round, but Rocky and Adrian's Thanksgiving date night makes it feel extra timely during the holidays.

Remember The Titans

Family, faith, and football are the themes of both Thanksgiving and this beloved sports movie about a newly integrated high school team.

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

The story of Jack Skellington's transition from celebrating Halloween to obsessing over Christmas makes it a great watch during the limbo between the two holidays.

The Big Chill

Prepare to feel nostalgic for Thanksgivings past as you follow a group of old college friends on their trip down memory lane.

A Looney Tunes Thanksgiving

"Bugs Bunny’s Thanksgiving Diet" and "Daffy Duck’s Thanks-for-giving Special" will keep the kids entertained while you're doing the dishes.

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