Thanksgiving is a special time for family, friends, and gratitude. One great way to enjoy this holiday is by watching Thanksgiving movies. These films are filled with heartwarming stories and memorable moments. In 2023, over 10 million people watched Thanksgiving movies to celebrate the holiday. These movies bring joy and warmth, making them perfect for cozying up with loved ones.
This year, we’ve compiled a list of 7 heartwarming Thanksgiving movies that will make your Turkey Day extra special. From timeless classics like “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” to modern hits like “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” there’s something for everyone. So, gather your family, grab some popcorn, and get ready to enjoy these delightful Thanksgiving movies that capture the spirit of the holiday. Watching Thanksgiving movies like “Home for the Holidays” and “Free Birds” will surely make your day brighter and more festive.
Holidate (2020)
- Title: Holidate
- Director: John Whitesell
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Release Date: October 28, 2020
- IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
- Box Office: $1.1 million
- Plot Focus: Two strangers agree to be each other’s plus-ones for holidays, but start developing real feelings.
- Cast:
- Emma Roberts (Sloane Benson)
- Luke Bracey (Jackson)
- Kristin Chenoweth (Aunt Susan)
- Frances Fisher (Elaine)
- Jessica Capshaw (Abby)
- Andrew Bachelor (Neil)
- Jake Manley (York)
- Platform: Available on Netflix
- Review: Critics praised the film’s humor and chemistry between the leads, though some found it predictable.
- Key Events: Sloane and Jackson agree to be each other’s holiday dates to avoid family pressure. They attend various holiday events together, facing funny and touching moments. As they spend more time together, they start falling for each other. The movie shows the importance of companionship and love during the holidays.
Sweethearts (Nov. 28)
- Director: Jordan Weiss
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Release Date: November 28, 2024
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
- Box Office: Not applicable (streaming release)
- Plot Focus: Two college freshmen decide to break up with their high school sweethearts on the night before Thanksgiving, known as “Drunksgiving.”
- Cast:
- Kiernan Shipka (Jamie)
- Nico Hiraga (Ben)
- Christine Taylor (Diane)
- Miles Gutierrez-Riley (Lukas)
- Charlie Hall (Simon)
- Ava DeMary (Claire)
- Joel Kim Booster (Palmer)
- Platform: Available on Max
- Review: Critics gave mixed reviews, praising the humor but noting the film’s predictability.
- Key Events: Jamie and Ben, best friends since middle school, attend the same college. They plan to break up with their high school partners on Drunksgiving. The night turns chaotic as they face unexpected challenges. They learn about friendship, love, and growing up.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1986)
- Director: John Hughes
- Genre: Comedy, Road Trip
- Release Date: November 25, 1987
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Box Office: $49.5 million
- Plot Focus: An advertising executive and a shower curtain ring salesman struggle to travel home for Thanksgiving.
- Cast:
- Steve Martin (Neal Page)
- John Candy (Del Griffith)
- Laila Robins (Susan Page)
- Michael McKean (State Trooper)
- Kevin Bacon (Taxi Racer)
- Dylan Baker (Owen)
- Platform: Available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+
- Review: Critics praised the film’s humor and the chemistry between Steve Martin and John Candy, making it a beloved Thanksgiving classic.
- Key Events: Neal Page, an advertising executive, wants to get home for Thanksgiving. His flight gets canceled, so he meets Del Griffith, a friendly but annoying salesman. Together, they face many problems like bad weather, car trouble, and misunderstandings. Despite all the chaos, Neal and Del start to become friends. Neal learns to appreciate Del’s positive attitude and kindness. In the end, they both make it home for Thanksgiving, showing the importance of patience and friendship.
Home for the Holidays
- Director: Shandrea Funnye
- Genre: Drama
- Release Date: December 28, 2020
- IMDb Rating: Not available
- Box Office: Not applicable (streaming release)
- Plot Focus: Marie and her children reunite for Christmas after two years, uncovering family secrets after their father’s death.
- Cast:
- David Alfonzo (Michael)
- Tessia Clark (Marie)
- William Etters (Jason)
- Nicole Jake Lee (Terry)
- Montez Lafayette (Keith)
- Rav’n Partee (Lisa)
- Nakia B. White (Ryan)
- Platform: Available on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play
- Key Events: Marie and her children haven’t celebrated Christmas together for two years. They come home for the holidays after their father’s death. During their time together, they discover family secrets. They face many challenges and have to learn how to understand and forgive each other. The family bonds become stronger as they support each other. The movie teaches the importance of family, forgiveness, and coming together during tough times.
Free Birds
- Director: Jimmy Hayward
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- Release Date: November 1, 2013
- IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
- Box Office: $110.4 million
- Plot Focus: Two turkeys travel back in time to prevent their species from being eaten on Thanksgiving.
- Cast:
- Owen Wilson (Reggie)
- Woody Harrelson (Jake)
- Amy Poehler (Jenny)
- George Takei (S.T.E.V.E.)
- Colm Meaney (Myles Standish)
- Keith David (Chief Broadbeak)
- Platform: Available on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play
- Key Events: Reggie is a turkey who doesn’t want to be eaten for Thanksgiving. Jake, another turkey, takes Reggie on a time-travel adventure to the first Thanksgiving. They meet native turkeys and try to stop the settlers from eating them. They face many challenges but work together to save their species. In the end, they manage to change history and ensure turkeys are safe. The movie shows the importance of teamwork and bravery.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
- Director: Bill Melendez, Phil Roman
- Genre: Animation, Family
- Release Date: November 20, 1973
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Box Office: Not applicable (TV special)
- Plot Focus: Charlie Brown hosts a Thanksgiving dinner with the Peanuts gang, despite various mishaps.
- Cast:
- Todd Barbee (Charlie Brown)
- Robin Kohn (Lucy)
- Stephen Shea (Linus)
- Hilary Momberger (Sally)
- Christopher DeFaria (Peppermint Patty)
- Peanuts Gang (Various voices)
- Platform: Available on Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
- Review: Critics praised the special’s heartwarming story and humor, making it a beloved Thanksgiving tradition.
- Key Events: Peppermint Patty invites everyone to Charlie Brown’s house for Thanksgiving. Charlie Brown is worried because he planned to go to his grandmother’s house. Snoopy and Woodstock prepare a simple meal with toast, popcorn, and jellybeans. The dinner doesn’t go as planned, and Peppermint Patty is upset. Marcie reminds everyone that Thanksgiving is about being thankful and together. In the end, Charlie Brown and his friends go to his grandmother’s house for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, showing the importance of friendship and gratitude.
Friendsgiving (2020)
- Director: Nicol Paone
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Release Date: October 23, 2020
- IMDb Rating: 5.5/10
- Box Office: $1.1 million
- Plot Focus: Newly-divorced actress Molly and her best friend Abby host a chaotic Thanksgiving dinner with their friends and family.
- Cast:
- Malin Åkerman (Molly)
- Kat Dennings (Abby)
- Aisha Tyler (Lauren)
- Jane Seymour (Helen)
- Chelsea Peretti (Claire)
- Christine Taylor (Brianne)
- Deon Cole (Dan)
- Ryan Hansen (Gunnar)
- Wanda Sykes, Margaret Cho, Fortune Feimster (Fairy Gay Mothers)
- Platform: Available on Amazon Prime Video
- Key Events: Molly and Abby plan a quiet Thanksgiving, but it turns into a big party with unexpected guests. Molly’s ex-boyfriend, friends, and family all show up, leading to funny and touching moments. The movie shows the importance of friendship and family, even when things get crazy.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
- Director: Wes Anderson
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- Release Date: November 13, 2009
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
- Box Office: $46.2 million
- Plot Focus: Mr. Fox’s farm-raising ways lead to trouble with three mean farmers.
- Cast:
- George Clooney (Mr. Fox)
- Meryl Streep (Mrs. Fox)
- Jason Schwartzman (Ash)
- Bill Murray (Badger)
- Willem Dafoe (Rat)
- Owen Wilson (Coach Skip)
- Platform: Available on Amazon Prime Video, Disney+
- Key Events: Mr. Fox steals from three mean farmers: Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. The farmers get angry and try to catch Mr. Fox by destroying his home. Mr. Fox and his family dig tunnels to escape. They outsmart the farmers by creating a new home underground. Along the way, they face many adventures, showing how clever and brave they are. The movie teaches the importance of family, teamwork, and never giving up.
The Humans (2021)
- Director: Stephen Karam
- Genre: Drama
- Release Date: November 24, 2021
- IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
- Box Office: $1.2 million
- Plot Focus: A family’s Thanksgiving gathering in a rundown Manhattan apartment reveals underlying tensions and complex relationships.
- Cast:
- Richard Jenkins (Erik Blake)
- Jayne Houdyshell (Deirdre Blake)
- Amy Schumer (Aimee Blake)
- Beanie Feldstein (Brigid Blake)
- Steven Yeun (Richard)
- June Squibb (Momo)
- Platform: Available on Amazon Prime Video
- Key Events: The Blake family meets for Thanksgiving at Brigid’s new apartment. During dinner, family secrets and old arguments come up. Everyone talks about their problems, making them feel sad and angry. By the end of the night, they start to understand each other better, showing that even though families fight, they still care for each other.
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As we come to the end of our list of 7 heartwarming Thanksgiving movies, it’s clear how these films bring families together. Thanksgiving movies like “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” and “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” have become holiday staples. In 2023, over 10 million people enjoyed watching Thanksgiving movies. These films highlight the joy and warmth of the holiday, making them perfect for cozy family time.
According to top movie sites like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, Thanksgiving movies consistently receive high ratings for their heartwarming stories. Watching Thanksgiving movies not only entertains but also helps us appreciate the importance of family and togetherness. So, this Turkey Day, make sure to watch some Thanksgiving movies with your loved ones and create cherished memories.