After eating an abundance of Thanksgiving dishes, the feast table is now cleared and leftovers have been stored away. To recover from overindulgence, an enjoyable activity to do with loved ones is to sit down and watch a classic Thanksgiving movie. Sure, the NFL season is still in full swing but nothing’s better than binging on timeless films. From A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving to Friendsgiving, here are the best Thanksgiving films to binge post-dinner time.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
We are kicking off this list with a Thanksgiving classic that shouldn’t be skipped. Peppermint Patty invites herself and her friends to join Charlie Brown for a thrilling Thanksgiving feast. Feeling rather unsure and helpless, Charlie Brown seeks help from his friends Linus, Snoopy, and Woodstock to help save the day.
Holidate
If you’re into rom-coms, Netflix’s Holidate film is a film worth checking out. Starring Emma Roberts and Luke Brace, these two co-stars’ characters are tired of being single during the holiday season. The duo agree to be each other’s plus-ones only on the holidays that take place throughout the year. After spending time in their fake relationship, they end up catching real feelings along the way.
Instant Family
With hopes of starting a family, Pete and Ellie, a married couple, navigate the option of adopting. Upon meeting teenage Lizzie, the couple is impressed by her. Social workers reveal that Lizzie has two younger siblings, Juan and Lita. So, if they want to adopt Lizzie, her two younger siblings also have to be adopted. Life with the children isn’t easy but the couple navigates their way to build a family connection and raise the three children with distinctive personalities at the same time.
Addams Family Values
Before you watch Addams Family Values, be sure to watch The Addams Family to become familiar with the mysterious, spooky family. In this sequel film, the odd Addams family is back with their crazy antics. Husband Gomez and wife Morticia are happy with the arrival of their new baby boy. However, siblings Wednesday and Pugsley aren’t fond of the idea and attempt to get rid of him. After failed attempts, a nanny named Debbie Jellinsky is hired and comes into the household — but she isn’t what she seems.
Beethoven
Before the Marley & Me film, the most famous dog in history was Beethoven. The story follows the St. Bernard dog and his family as they deal with his day-to-day antics. Suddenly, Beethoven’s life with his family becomes jeopardized by a conniving veterinarian who wishes to dognap him for a deadly experiment.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
After failing his police academy exam, leading protagonist Paul Blart (played by Kevin James) ends up working as a security guard at West Orange Pavilion Mall in New Jersey. His job is to patrol the mall and uses his Segway to travel through the vicinity. However, as Black Friday at the mall comes along, Paul finds himself in the middle of a heist organized by thugs. He is the one who has to save the day and lead the hostages to safety.
Friendsgiving
Friendsgiving is a Thanksgiving tradition that has grown in popularity over the past years. In honor of the celebration, a film titled Friendsgiving was made in 2020. The plot surrounds Molly and Abbey, who are joined by close friends and acquaintances, and host a dysfunctional, comical, and chaotic Thanksgiving dinner.
Free Birds
After being pardoned by the president, the lucky turkey Reggie gets to live a carefree life. His life is turned upside down after being kidnapped by another fellow turkey, Jake. He seeks help from Reggie to go on a timely mission to get turkeys off of the Thanksgiving menu.
Pieces of April
This 2003 film stars Katie Holmes as the leading protagonist, April Burns. The plot surrounds April living with her boyfriend in a New York City apartment which is miles away from her family. Her family relationship is rather strained but April takes matters into her own hands. She invites her estranged family over for Thanksgiving dinner after finding out her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis.
The Ice Storm
Family drama is a significant part of The Ice Storm’s plot. It is set in the 1970s, and two seemingly perfect families begin to crack at the seams over the course of the Thanksgiving break. Affairs, love, and more are a part of the families’ problems. Both parties attempt to figure their way through these problems with an ice storm taking place at the same time.
Home for the Holidays
Single mother Claudia Larson, played by Holly Hunter, lost her job and got ditched by her daughter for Thanksgiving. With these misfortunes, Claudia decides to travel back to her childhood home to spend the holiday with her family. Actor Robert Downey Jr. plays Claudia’s brother and actress Anne Bancroft plays the role of Claudia’s mother.
Miracle on 34th Street
Although this film can technically be labeled as a Christmas film, there are Thanksgiving elements within the plot. Kris Kringle, played by Edmund Gwenn, fills in the role of Santa in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. After a successful trial run, Kris is allowed to continue to roleplay as Santa at Macy’s main store location in midtown Manhattan.
Will you be watching any of these Thanksgiving films?
Let us know in the comments!
