The turkey’s been gobbled and everybody’s waiting for the tryptophan to kick in. So now what? If you’re not watching a football game or gearing up for family Black Friday shopping, Thanksgiving movies could be on the agenda.
Maybe you’re still stuck on Halloween movies or you’ve already started watching those Hallmark Christmas movies, but there are plenty of films out there that fit the Thanksgiving holiday perfectly. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly Thanksgiving movie, a holiday rom-com, or even some flicks to kick off the Christmas season, we’ve found Turkey Day entertainment options for everyone. And yes, they all have something to do with Thanksgiving.
(Now, if you’re looking for Thanksgiving movies for kids specifically, we have a larger list for that!)
Family-Friendly Thanksgiving movies
If you’ve got kids around during Thanksgiving, you’ll want to check out these family-friendly Thanksgiving movies. Some are classics, some are animated, and others are lesser known, but all of them have a G or PG rating so everyone can enjoy them.
1. Beethoven (1992, PG)
Watch Beethoven on Peacock
2. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973, NR)
Watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on Apple TV Plus
3. Curly Sue (1991, PG)
Watch Curly Sue on Amazon Prime Video
4. A Family Thanksgiving (2010, TV-G)
Watch A Family Thanksgiving free on Pluto TV
5. Free Birds (2013, PG)
Watch Free Birds on Starz
6. Garfield’s Thanksgiving (1989, TV-PG)
Watch Garfield’s Thanksgiving free on YouTube
7. Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow (2015, PG)
Watch Turkey Hollow on Prime Video
8. The Thanksgiving Movie (2020, NR)
Watch The Thanksgiving Movie on the Roku Channel
9. A Very Gaga Thanksgiving (2011, TV-PG)
Watch A Very Gaga Thanksgiving on YouTube
10. A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving (1991, NR)
Watch A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving on YouTube
11. The Wiz (1978, G)
Watch The Wiz on Prime Video
Romantic Thanksgiving movies
In the mood for something a little more cozy? If you’re hungry for a rom-com on Thanksgiving, these movies check all the boxes for couples and hopeless romantics — from crowd favorites like You’ve Got Mail to the Hallmark-like niche film The Prince and Me:
1. Autumn in New York (2000, PG-13)
Watch Autumn in New York on Prime Video
2. Holidate (2020, NR)
Watch Holidate on Netflix
3. Holiday Engagement (2011, NR)
Watch Holiday Engagement free on YouTube
4. Holiday Inn (1942, NR)
Watch Holiday Inn on Prime Video
5. Home for the Holidays (1995, PG-13)
Watch Home for the Holidays on Starz
6. The National Tree (2009, TV-G)
Watch The National Tree on Peacock
7. The Prince and Me (2004, PG)
Watch The Prince and Me free on YouTube
8. Stuck in Love (2012, R)
Watch Stuck in Love on Peacock
9. Sweet November (2001, PG-13)
Watch Sweet November on Prime Video
10. The Vicious Kind (2009, R)
Watch The Vicious Kind free on Pluto TV
11. What’s Cooking? (2000, PG-13)
Watch What’s Cooking? free on Tubi
12. You’ve Got Mail (1998, PG)
Watch You’ve Got Mail on Hulu
Thanksgiving Comedy Movies
Laughing burns calories, so after stuffing yourself full of turkey, watching a comedy might be your best next move. If you’re having a lighthearted holiday or hosting a Friendsgiving, these are the best comedy movies that bring in the Thanksgiving vibes:
1. Addams Family Values (1993, PG-13)
Watch Addams Family Values free on Pluto TV
2. Alice’s Restaurant (1969, R)
Watch Alice’s Restaurant on YouTube
3. For Your Consideration (2006, PG-13)
Watch For Your Consideration on Hulu
4. Friendsgiving (2020, R)
Watch Friendsgiving on Netflix
5. Funny People (2009, R)
Watch Funny People on Peacock
6. Grumpy Old Men (1993, PG-13)
Watch Grumpy Old Men on Paramount Plus
7. Lez Bomb (2018, NR)
Watch Lez Bomb on Peacock
8. Little Fockers (2010, PG-13)
Watch Little Fockers on Peacock
9. The Oath (2018, R)
Watch The Oath on Prime Video
10. Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009, PG)
Watch Paul Blart: Mall Cop on Hulu
11. Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987, R)
Watch Planes, Trains & Automobiles on Pluto TV
12. The Santa Clause (1994, PG)
Watch The Santa Clause on Disney Plus
13. She’s Gotta Have It (1986, R)
Watch She’s Gotta Have It on Netflix
14. Son in Law (1993, PG-13)
Watch Son in Law on Hulu
15. Tower Heist (2011, PG-13)
Watch Tower Heist on Peacock
16. The Turkey Bowl (2019, R)
Watch The Turkey Bowl on Prime Video
Thanksgiving Drama Movies
In case your Thanksgiving gathering didn’t have enough drama of its own, these Thanksgiving movies will fill the void. Some of these are dramatic introductions into the yuletide season, while others deal with real-life situations. Here are our picks for Thanksgiving movies that bring the drama:
1. American Gangster (2007, R)
Watch American Gangster on Peacock
2. Avalon (1990, PG)
Watch Avalon on Prime Video
3. The Big Chill (1983, R)
Watch The Big Chill on HBO Max
4. The Blindside (2009, PG-13)
Watch The Blindside on HBO Max
5. Cold Turkey (2013, NR)
Watch Cold Turkey free on Tubi
6. The Daytrippers (1996, R)
Watch Day Trippers on HBO Max
7. Deadfall (2012, R)
Watch Deadfall free on Redbox
8. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986, PG-13)
Watch Hannah and Her Sisters on YouTube
9. The House of Yes (1997, R)
Watch The House of Yes free on Pluto TV
10. The Humans (2021, R)
Watch The Humans on Paramount Plus
11. The Ice Storm (1997, R)
Watch The Ice Storm on Hulu
12. Krisha (2015, R)
Watch Krisha on Paramount Plus
13. Little Women (2019, PG)
Watch Little Women on Prime Video
14. Miracle on 34th Street (1947, NR)
Watch Miracle on 34th Street on Disney Plus or Prime Video
15. Nobody’s Fool (1994, R)
Watch Nobody’s Fool free on Pluto TV
16. Palo Alto (2007, R)
Watch Palo Alto free on Peacock
17. Pieces of April (2003, PG-13)
Watch Pieces of April free on The Roku Channel
18. Rocky (1976, PG)
Watch Rocky on Prime Video
19. Scent of a Woman (1992, R)
Watch Scent of a Woman on Prime Video
20. Soul Food (1997, R)
Watch Soul Food on HBO Max
21. Tadpole (2002, PG-13)
Watch Tadpole on Vudu
Tell us what you think