The fact that so manymovies exist around the holidaysnearly cements the fact that we crave certain norms. With the current state of the world changing the way we look at just about everything, it’s not surprising that it’s effecting how we think, how we plan, and how we deal with bothcinema and the Thanksgiving holiday.
Thanksgiving dinners and gatheringsare bound to be ideological minefields this year, thanks to everything from Gaza and elections to artificial intelligence and civil rights. Instead of delving into the complications of these issues, sometimes people can bond better by simply watching something together, be it Thanksgiving Day football or, in our case, a great holiday film.
The really interesting thing about Thanksgiving movies is that many of the classics aren’t even straight-up Thanksgiving movies per se. Most of the time there’s really just one or two incredible scenes that are so strong, they spread the Thanksgiving cheer all throughout the film. So, with the world in a shape most of the people reading this have never experienced, and Thanksgiving having more curveballs than an MLB game, take solace in the fact that we have 30 films which are bound to make you feel a whole lot better, no matter where, how, or who you watch them with.
The qualifications for how a title is included in this list of Thanksgiving films are as follows:
30Funny People (2009)
Funny People
Funny Peopleis a quiet dramedystarring Adam Sandlerthat hits you like a punch in the gut if you can pay attention to the whole thing. The movie sees Sandleras a comedianwho is diagnosed with a terminal illness and given about a year to leave. He befriends another comedian, played by Seth Rogen, and the two of them form a very interesting friendship/business relationship. Again, you might be wondering, “Yeah, that sounds great, but where the heck is Thanksgiving?” Check out the video and the rest of the entry below.
Hides Pathos Behind the Comedy
Funny Peoplehas a Thanksgiving scene that takes this comedic film and turns it on its ear (see above). Sandler’s character, George, gives a toast that underlines how important it is to appreciate all the time we get to spend with the people we care about. This changes the tenor of the film which, given its main plot points, was probably headed for a major change anyway. While one of the least Thanksgiving-related films on this list,Funny Peopleends up having the last laugh with its unique look at how people act around the holidays.
29Rocky (1976)
Rocky Balboa is a struggling boxer trying to make the big time. Working in a meat factory in Philadelphia for a pittance, he also earns extra cash as a debt collector. When heavyweight champion Apollo Creed visits Philadelphia, his managers want to set up an exhibition match between Creed and a struggling boxer, touting the fight as a chance for a “nobody” to become a “somebody”. The match is supposed to be easily won by Creed, but someone forgot to tell Rocky, who sees this as his only shot at the big time.
Alright,Rockyis a prime example of a Thanksgiving film that isn’t a Thanksgiving film. In fact, the Thanksgiving scene in this film doesn’t end up in much of a sit down. It does culminate with the turkey being thrown out the window, however.Rockyisan iconic American storyabout a down-on-his-luck prizefighter who gets a title shot and gives the champion the fight of his life.
Iconic Underdog Story
In the case ofRocky, Thanksgiving is used to flesh out the cultural and psychological specificities of the characters.Rockyis very much about a man learning what he’s actually grateful for, which very much relates to Thanksgiving. By the end of the film, it’s no longer about winning a fight for Rocky, but recognizing the people in his life who love him and care for him.Watch on Maxor Prime Video, and rent on any digital platform.
28Son in Law (1993)
Son in Law
Son in Lawis obviously a much worse film thanRocky, but it’s also much more involved with Thanksgiving, which puts it at the edge of this list. It’s a pretty clever premise that could’ve gone many ways, but once you realize thatPauly Shore is the lead actor, you pretty much know what to expect here in this ’90s comedy. In the film, a college student (played by a young but already wonderful Carla Gugino) invites her RA (Shore) back home to her South Dakota farm. One thing leads to another and Shore is pretending to be Gugino’s fiancé.
Predictable Fish-Out-Of-Water Premise
WhatSon in Lawis very good at is mimicking the awkwardness and confusion of an extended family’s Thanksgiving dinner, especially if you’re a college student returning home. You may have changed quite a bit during college, and your family will have no idea. The clash of personalities and mindsets are funny and realistic in many ways, and the food looks delicious.Rent or buy on Prime Videoor other digital platforms.
27One True Thing (1998)
One True Thing
One True Thingis a poignant family drama that follows a daughter’s journey to unravel her mother’s complex life. It follows Ellen Gulden, a successful New York journalist in her 20s, who is forced to put her burgeoning career and new life behind and return to her hometown to take care of her mother, Kate, who is diagnosed with terminal cancer. The movie delves into Ellen’s evolving relationship with her mother and her father, George, who cannot seem to process his wife’s illness.
A Thanksgiving Reflection on Family Bonds
Nothing short of a heartfelt classic about unconditional love and familial sacrifice,One True Thingis directed with a deft touch by Carl Franklin. Its emotionally charged narrative and exceptional performances from Meryl Streep as the resilient Kate and Renée Zellweger as the reluctant Ellen are both touching and nuanced. In what will be their last Thanksgiving and Christmas together, the film creates a delicate balance between aspirations, disappointments, and ultimately, theunbreakable mother-daughter bondthat ties them together.
26Nobody’s Fool (1994)
Nobody’s Fool
Adapted from Richard Russo’s 1993 novel of the same name,Nobody’s Foolcenters around Donald “Sully” Sullivan, a charming but short-tempered old man living in the small town of North Bath, New York. As a freelance construction worker, he’s often at odds with those around him, but his vehemently independent life is turned upside down when his estranged son, Peter, returns home. The movie captures the humor and heartache of Sully trying to reconnect with Peter and also be more present in his grandson’s life.
About Heartbreak, Redemption, and Second Chances
A delightful family treat for Thanksgiving,Nobody’s Foolis a movie that flawlessly combines comedy and drama with a touch of melancholy. Directed by Robert Benton and elevated by Paul Newman’s Oscar-nominated performance, the movie plays out over the holidays and not only nails its depiction of small-town life but also draws some truly rich and nuanced characters. The ensemble cast also includes Jessica Tandy and Melanie Griffith, who add complexity to the narrative and remind us that in life, even at an old age, there’s always some room for mischief.
25Dan in Real Life (2007)
Dan in Real Life
A heartfelt comedy starring Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, and Dane Cook,Dan in Real Lifefollows the life of Dan Burns, a widowed advice columnist who is devoted to raising his three daughters but has a hard time balancing his personal and professional life, as he spends Thanksgiving at his parents’ house. Dan meets Marie at a bookstore and is instantly smitten, but things take a sharp turn when he discovers that Marie is dating his brother, Mitch, with the news leaving him disheartened.
Family Comedy With a Sentimental Premise
Directed by Peter Hedges,Dan in Real Lifestands out for its beautiful combination of humorous and poignant moments. Even though the movie isn’t a typical Thanksgiving comedy, it opens with an energetic premise that revolves around Dan’schaotic extended family. Carell and the rest of the cast deliver genuine and relatable performances and make every gag and romantic mishap entertaining to watch. The setting, the tone, and the conclusion capture the essence of the holidays and cement the film as an underrated gem with one of Carell’s most subtle performances.
24The Humans (2021)
The Humans
The Humans, directed by Stephen Karam, focuses on a family’s Thanksgiving gathering in a rundown Manhattan apartment. The ensemble cast, including Richard Jenkins and Amy Schumer, portrays the complex relationships and underlying tensions among family members. As the evening progresses, the family’s fears and insecurities are laid bare, creating a poignant exploration of human vulnerability and connection. The Humans is an adaptation of Karam’s Tony Award-winning play.
Set against the backdrop of a cramped, run-down New York City apartment,The Humansis a recent masterpiece directed by Stephen Karam in his directorial debut and adapted from his own 2015 Tony Award-winning play of the same name. The story centers around the Blake family as they gather for Thanksgiving; throughout dinner, we see their underlying secrets, fears, insecurities, burdens, and unresolved conflicts of the family members come to the surface.
The Humans Explores the Cracks in a Dysfunctional Family
The Humansis an emotional minefield, one that’s infinitely relatable and that most of us jump over, arms flailing, every holiday season. It is as wretched as it is unsettling, despite its realistic premise. Anchored by phenomenal turns from Richard Jenkins, Jayne Houdyshell, Amy Schumer, Steven Yeun, June Squibb, and Beanie Feldstein, the film navigates topics like aging, dysfunction, and the universal human need for connection and understanding. A sobering and intimate exploration of family dynamics, it received massive critical acclaim and holds a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
23Mistress America (2015)
Mistress America
In Mistress America, Tracy (Lola Kirke) is a lonely college freshman in New York, having neither the exciting university experience nor the glamorous metropolitan lifestyle she envisioned. But when she is taken in by her soon-to-be stepsister, Brooke (Greta Gerwig) – a resident of Times Square and adventurous gal about town – she is rescued from her disappointment and seduced by Brooke’s alluringly mad schemes.
Mistress Americafollows the story of Tracy Fishko, a lonely college freshman in New York City who becomes friends with her soon-to-be stepsister, Brooke, an adventurous woman in her 30s. Brooke is preparing to open a quaint restaurant and Tracy, enchanted by her larger-than-life ideals, joins the whirlwind journey, only for them to fall out. When Tracy finds herself alone on Thanksgiving, she reaches out to Brooke and they spend the time of their lives together.
A Story of Two Mismatched Souls
Directed by Noah Baumbachand co-written by Baumbach and Greta Gerwig,Mistress Americais one of the best collaborations between the two artists. It captures the quirky and chaotic energy of life in New York City through the eyes of Gerwig’s character, whose infectious and effortless personality elevates that of Lola Kirke, who plays Tracy.Mistress Americawas praised by critics for its fresh and humorous take on the coming-of-age genre, the lighthearted and insightful moments shared by the main characters, and their underlying vulnerability, which is on full display during Thanksgiving, a setting that serves as a catalyst for self-discovery and friendship.
22The Big Chill (1963)
The Big Chill
Old friends getting together to kick around old times usually ends up being a great time… in real life. In ‘reel’ life, it starts off great but then the layers start getting peeled back, old scars are revealed, and suddenly things go from rosy to ragged. InThe Big Chill, a bunch of friends (one of the best casts ever assembled) get together for a lost weekend which comes on the heels of a funeral for their friend from college.
Emotionally Sensitive and Well-Written
The Big Chillis in many ways the first real Friendsgiving film. While the actual Thanksgiving holiday only appears in a flashback (and casts a serious shadow over the film’s proceedings), the idea of people coming together over memories and meals is pertinent throughout the film. Sure,The Big Chillboth is and isn’t a holiday movie. That doesn’t mean it can’t evoke enough emotion to remind us we should be thankful for things (like our friends before they’re gone).Rent or buy on Prime Videoor other digital platforms.
21Thankskilling (2008)
Thankskilling
ThanksKilling is about a fowl-mouthed homicidal turkey axing off college kids during Thanksgiving break. It is an independent horror film that was made for under $3,500 in 11 days. It later got a small investment to help complete the marketing and distribution of the film. It’s campy, twisted, and downright hilarious.
If you don’t mind a little stupidity and violence after your Thanksgiving meal,Thankskillingis a so-bad-it’s-good classic waiting in the wings. It’s a dumb Thanksgiving movie for sure, but it’s all-in with the holiday and never takes itself seriously, making for a fun horror movie 15 years before Eli Roth’s more polished and brilliantThanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Turkey as an Antagonist
Beginning with a topless Pilgrim from Plymouth being killed with a tomahawk by a wisecracking turkey,Thankskillingannounces its intention right off the bat, and has a blast diving into the motifs and symbols of the holiday. The plot is so over-the-top and borderline incomprehensible in the funniest of ways, but the vibe is all Thanksgiving, and the villain (Turkie) is basically the horror genre’s mascot for the holiday the same way an evil Santa Clausrepresents Christmas horror.Watch for free on Tubiand Pluto TV.
