Movie fans can easily list their favorite holiday films, rom-coms and sports flicks. But Thanksgiving movies? It's not exactly a huge genre, though maybe it should be.
People who celebrate Thanksgiving with a big dinner are perfectly set up to flop on the couch and watch something afterward. Here's a rundown of 10 of the best films with some relation to the holiday, plus information on where to stream them. (Sadly, Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant isn't available, or it would be included here.)
Warning: Spoilers for some of the movies ahead.
YouTube Planes, Trains and Automobiles Planes, Trains and Automobiles might be the most well-known Thanksgiving movie of all Thanksgiving movies. The 1987 comedy was directed by John Hughes, who directed practically everything in the 1980s, and stars Steve Martin and John Candy as two travelers who spark an unlikely friendship as Martin haplessly tries to get home in time for Thanksgiving. Martin and the late Candy have the perfect personalities to play this odd couple, making the film a charming and hilarious Thanksgiving treat. Where to watch: It's free if you have Paramount Plus, or you can rent it at numerous streaming sites, including Prime Video, YouTube and Apple TV. See at Paramount Plus
YouTube She's Gotta Have It Spike Lee's first full-length feature is 1986's She's Gotta Have It. (It's in black and white, but a fan apparently colorized the scene below.) Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns) is a Brooklyn graphic artist juggling three men who all join her for an awkward Thankgiving dinner. Lee adapted the film into a Netflix series that ran for two seasons, from 2017-19. Note that Lee himself later regretted a rape scene from the film, and it wasn't used in the series. Where to watch: The film and the series are both on Netflix. See at Netflix
YouTube A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Forget turkey and stuffing. Anyone who's seen the Emmy Award-winning 1973 movie A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving knows it's not a real Thanksgiving without popcorn, jelly beans, pretzels and toast. Where to watch: Apple TV See at Apple TV Plus
YouTube Rocky There's a Thanksgiving scene in the original Rocky, and while it's not exactly full of family warm fuzzies, take any excuse to watch (or rewatch) the best picture winner of 1976 about a struggling Philly boxer who overcomes all odds. Star Sylvester Stallone reportedly wrote the screen play in just three days, but it's been an American legend for more than 45 years. Where to watch: You can rent it on Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube and other streaming sites. See at Apple TV Plus
YouTube Miracle on 34th Street Sure, Miracle on 34th Street is a famed Christmas movie. But it starts at Thanksgiving, and since you're probably watching it after the turkey has been carved and the pies put back in the fridge, it's time to start the Christmas season anyway. Where to watch: Free on Disney Plus or Prime Video for subscribers, or rent at numerous streaming services. See at Disney Plus
YouTube Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow Muppet creator Jim Henson died in 1990, but his namesake company, run by his children, is still making movies and shows. Rapper Ludacris narrates Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow, a Thanksgiving-set family-friendly film, which includes goofy monsters that will be familiar to any Muppet fan. Where to watch: Prime Video See at Amazon Prime
YouTube Grumpy Old Men Not a lot of Grumpy Old Men centers around Thanksgiving, but the 1993 comedy still belongs on this list. You may be gathering with older generations for Thanksgiving, and this comedy set in Minnesota is one of the few that recognizes the friendships, romances, and feuds of more seasoned folks. Star Ann-Margret is still with us at 81, but Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon have, of course, passed on. Where to watch: Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV See at Paramount Plus
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