Here’s 10 Thanksgiving Movies You Have To Add To Your Watchlist
Leaves falling to the ground, wind breezing by, and the anticipation of all your Thanksgiving goodies. Yup, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie… Thanksgiving is almost here. What pairs better with a day filled of family gathering and food? Sure, there’s football, maybe board games, but Thanksgiving family movies have to be the most underrated holiday treat. Pop Culture Planet contributor Sam Schultz has you covered with 10 movies perfect for your Thanksgiving get together with a movie for everyone.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
There’s nothing like a throwback to kick off your Thanksgiving movie marathon. Despite being only 30 minutes long, the 1973 classic A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving still holds its crown as one of the most nostalgic Thanksgiving films of all time. Peppermint Patty invites everyone over to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving, even though he’s supposed to be at his grandmother’s. Charlie, Snoopy, and the gang help cook their own version of a Thanksgiving meal for everyone to enjoy! Filled with light hearted laughs, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is the perfect way to start your Thanksgiving.
Watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on Apple TV+.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Sticking with the theme of classics… here comes Planes, Trains and Automobiles. This 1987 comedy film follows Neal Page, an advertising executive on a business trip in New York, whom is desperately trying to get back home to his family in Chicago before Thanksgiving. When a couple of unfortunate mishaps occur, Neal is stuck traveling with Del Griffith, a shower curtain ring salesman. Together the pair must find a way home, fighting through the obstacles that’ll appear in their path. Directed by John Hughes and starring Steve Martin and John Candy, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is your classic all around hectic comedy with an important message at the end just in time for Thanksgiving.
Watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Pluto TV, Paramount+, and Prime Video.
Addams Family Values
For those who are looking for a darker comedy this Thanksgiving, look no further than Addams Family Values. The sequel to the 1991 film The Addams Family features the same beloved characters such as Gomez Addams, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Wednesday, and Pugsley. This time around the Addams Family are up to more lurid activities. Gomez and his wife Morticia are celebrating the arrival of a baby boy named Pubert. Meanwhile, siblings Wednesday and Pusley are not pleased with the new addition to the housebold. When nanny Debbie Jelinsky enters the fold, she tries to keep the kids in line, while also appearing to take a suspicious liking to Fester. What are Debbie’s true intentions?
Find out for yourself with Addams Family Values on Paramount+, Prime Video, and The Roku Channel.
Thanksgiving
There will be no leftovers…
Maybe a trip to the movie theaters is in store for you this Thanksgiving. Directed by Eli Roth this new slasher film setting is set in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the birthplace of the holiday. After a Black Friday riot ends in tragedy, a mysterious killer picks off residents one by one using items straight off the Thanksgiving table. What begins as random revenge killings is soon revealed to be part of a larger, sinister holiday plan. Will the town survive the holidays? The film stars Patrick Dempsey, Addison Rae, Milo Manheim, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Nell Verlaque, Rick Hoffman, and Gina Gershon.
Watch Thanksgiving in theaters.
Knives Out
Do you like murder mysteries? I know I do.
Knives Out is the perfect whodunnit for a family get together that will have everyone second guessing who the culprit is. Directed by Rian Johnson, Daniel Craig stars as Benoit Blanc, a famous private detective summoned to investigate the death of bestselling author Harlan Thrombey. Is it Harlans nurse? Or even worse… one of his family members? Packed with clues and plot twists, Knives Out will have you questioning even your own family.
The film stars Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Christopher Plummer, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, LaKeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, and Jaeden Martell.
Watch Knives Out on Pluto TV.
The Oath
The biggest nightmare on Thanksgiving? When people want to talk politics.
Starring Ike Barinholtz and Tiffany Haddish, The Oath is a dark comedy film that follows a politically divided family at Thanksgiving. Th U.S. government has asked all citizens to sign a loyalty pledge swearing allegiance to the United States government by Black Friday. With Chris being the only one in his family to not sign the oath, tensions are high at the Thanksgiving table. His own agitation and the unexpected arrival of two government agents sends an already hectic holiday dinner completely off the rails. The Oath will make you laugh while reminding you to keep controversial topics off the dinner table.
Watch The Oath on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Instant Family
While Thanksgiving is a time for appreciating your family, Instant Family shows that parenting isn’t as easy as it seems…
Starring Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne this family comedy drama will have you teary eyed yet smiling at the same time. When Pete (Wahlberg) and Ellie (Byrne) decide to start a family, they dabble into the world of foster care adoption. They intend to take in one small child, but when they meet three siblings — including a defiant teen — they find themselves having three kids overnight. Pete and Ellie must try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood with obstacles in their way. Will Pete and Ellie win over their new children and become a family?
Watch Instant Family on FuboTV and Paramount+.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Safety never takes a holiday… especially for Paul Blart.
The 2008 comedy film Paul Blart: Mall Cop is nothing short of an all around feel good movie that’s perfect for a family get together. A single father with a heart that won't quit and a self-sworn oath to protect his turf, Paul Blart (Kevin James) has always had huge dreams of becoming a State Trooper. Until then, he works at the local mall as a security guard. With his sharp mustache and gung-ho attitude, only Blart seems to take his job seriously. But then a team of thugs raid the mall the night of Black Friday and take hostages including his daughter and girlfriend. Untrained and only armed with his Segway, Blart has to channel his alter ego into reality and save the day.
Filled with silly scenes and plenty of light hearted laughs, watch Paul Blart: Mall Cop on Netflix.
Prisoners
If you love highly suspenseful crime thrillers, then Prisoners is right up your alley.
Keller Dover faces a parent's worst nightmare when his 6-year-old daughter Anna and her friend go missing on Thanksgiving. The head of the investigation, Detective Loki arrests a prime suspect, but a lack of evidence forces him to release his only suspect. Dover, knowing his daughter is depending on him, takes matters into his own hands.
Prisoners features Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, and Paul Dano. With emotional complexity and crafty twists, be prepared to be glued to the screen as emotions run rampant through your mind.
Watch Prisoners on Netflix.
Tower Heist
A heist comedy film with Eddie Murphy? Sign me up!
Tower Heist starring Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller follows employees of an exclusive apartment building who lose their pensions in the crooked scheme of Arthur Shaw, a Wall Street businessman. With the help of a criminal named Slide, the disgruntled employees attempt to break into Shaw’s apartment and steal back their money, all while avoiding FBI agents assigned to his case.
Set around Thanksgiving, Tower Heist is the perfect action comedy to garner a few laughs while anticipation builds.
Watch Tower Heist on Hulu.
