The Best Thanksgiving Movies To Watch With The Family This Year

There’s nothing wrong with a little screen time on Thanksgiving.

After all, Thanksgiving movies are the perfect way to wind down before the food coma settles in.

They’re also a great way to keep the family entertained when you need a break from the slate of football and basketball games, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and The National Dog Show.

Not that those aren’t worth watching, but let’s be honest — nothing beats a good Thanksgiving movie.

So, grab your favorite Thanksgiving treat, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, pour yourself a mug of hot apple cider and settle in for a Thanksgiving movie marathon the whole family can enjoy this season.

Best Thanksgiving movies for kids

The best Thanksgiving movies to watch with the family when you’re not watching football — Vika_Glitter / Pixabay

Looking for something to keep the kids entertained while you prepare the turkey?

Whether you’re getting the house ready for your guest’s arrival or looking for something to watch after your post-dinner celebration, nothing winds the kids down faster and easier than a Thanksgiving movie.

Who knows, maybe they’ll even learn a thing or two about gratitude, thankfulness and appreciation.

From animated adventures to heartwarming classics, these kids Thanksgiving movies (and TV episodes) capture the spirit of togetherness without putting anyone to sleep — even if that food coma is creeping up.

10. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

Rated: TV-G | Run time: 25 minutes | Where to watch: Apple TV

Starring: Todd Barbee (Charlie Brown), Robin Kohn (Lucy), Stephen Shea (Linus)

Charlie Brown accidentally invites Peppermint Patty and friends for Thanksgiving dinner before his family's celebration. With Snoopy and Woodstock's help, they prepare an unconventional feast of popcorn, toast, and jellybeans, learning valuable lessons about friendship and gratitude in this beloved Peanuts holiday special.

9. Free Birds (2013)

Rated: PG | Run time: 91 minutes | Where to watch: Prime Video

Starring: Owen Wilson (Reggie), Woody Harrelson (Jake), Amy Poehler (Jenny)

Two turkeys travel back in time to 1621 to remove turkey from the first Thanksgiving menu, hoping to change history and save their species from becoming the holiday's main course. This animated adventure combines comedy with an absurd mission to rewrite Thanksgiving tradition forever.

8. Sesame Street: A Very Sesame Street Thanksgiving (2017)

Rated: TV-Y | Run time: 25 minutes | Where to watch: HBO Max (Season 48, Episode 1)

Starring: Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird

The Sesame Street friends prepare for a Thanksgiving feast while learning about gratitude and what they're thankful for. Through songs, stories, and friendship, the beloved characters teach children about the meaning of Thanksgiving, sharing, and appreciating the good things in life.

7. Blue’s Clues & You: Thankful with Blue (2020)

Rated: TV-Y | Run time: 23 minutes | Where to watch: Prime Video (Season 3, Episode 2)

Starring: Josh Dela Cruz (Josh), Blue (animated character)

Josh and Blue explore what it means to be thankful as they prepare for Thanksgiving. Through interactive clues and problem-solving, young viewers join the duo in discovering reasons to be grateful, from family and friends to simple everyday joys, making Thanksgiving meaningful for preschoolers.

6. Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving (1999)

Rated: G | Run time: 63 minutes | Where to watch: Fandango

Starring: Jim Cummings (Winnie the Pooh/Tigger), Paul Winchell (Tigger), John Fiedler (Piglet)

This collection includes a Thanksgiving story where Pooh and friends learn about gratitude and sharing. The Hundred Acre Wood residents discover what makes the season special through heartwarming adventures that teach children about friendship, thankfulness, and the importance of being together during the holidays.

5. We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (1993)

Rated: G | Run time: 70 minutes | Where to watch: Prime Video

Starring: John Goodman (Rex), Jay Leno (Vorb), Rhea Perlman (Mother Bird), Felicity Kendal (Elsa)

Four dinosaurs travel to modern-day New York City to grant children's wishes of meeting real dinosaurs. While not explicitly Thanksgiving-themed, the story features the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade prominently, making it a nostalgic holiday watch with themes of wonder and adventure.

4. The Thanksgiving Movie (2020)

Rated: 7+ | Run time: 76 minutes | Where to watch: Prime Video

Starring: Simon Hill, Aidan Mccreary, Victor Merchan

Join Butterball the turkey and Missy the Dodo as they come to the rescue of Thanksgiving and embark on an unforgettable, clock-racing countdown to a holiday dinner. It's a Thanksgiving Movie for the ages.

3. Garfield's Thanksgiving (1989)

Rated: TV-G | Run time: 24 minutes | Where to watch: Tubi

Starring: Lorenzo Music (Garfield), Thom Huge (Jon Arbuckle), Gregg Berger (Odie)

Garfield faces his worst nightmare when Jon invites veterinarian Liz to Thanksgiving dinner and she puts the lasagna-loving cat on a diet. The special humorously explores Garfield's struggle between his enormous appetite and doctor's orders, while celebrating friendship and the true meaning of thanksgiving.

2. An Arthur Thanksgiving (2020)

Rated: TV-Y | Run time: 56 minutes | Where to watch: PBS (Season 23, Episode 102)

Starring: Arthur Read, D.W. Read, Francine Frensky (voiced by various actors)

Arthur and his friends learn about different Thanksgiving traditions as they prepare for the holiday. The special explores themes of gratitude, cultural diversity, and family traditions while the beloved aardvark and his Elwood City friends discover what makes Thanksgiving special for everyone in their community.

1. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Rated: PG | Run time: 89 minutes | Where to watch: Disney+

Starring: George Clooney (Mr. Fox), Meryl Streep (Mrs. Fox), Jason Schwartzman (Ash), Bill Murray (Badger)

While not explicitly about Thanksgiving, this Wes Anderson stop-motion masterpiece features themes of family, harvest, and communal feasting that resonate with the holiday. Mr. Fox's clever schemes against farmers create adventure and ultimately bring the animal community together for a heartwarming celebration of survival and togetherness.

Best Thanksgiving movies for teenagers

Let's face it — keeping teenagers engaged during family movie time can be a challenge.

They've outgrown the animated specials that have younger kids glued to the TV, yet they're not quite ready to sit through the classic Thanksgiving movies you want to put on for the third year in a row.

That's where these movies about Thanksgiving come in.

They've got just enough humor, heart and relatability to keep your teenagers from scrolling through their social media feeds or texting their friends about how lame their Thanksgiving celebration is.

Plus, they might actually enjoy spending time with the family — even if they won't admit it.

10. Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)

Rated: PG | Run time: 90 minutes | Where to watch: Prime Video

Starring: Kevin James, Jayma Mays, Raini Rodriguez, Keir O'Donnell

Security guard Paul Blart dreams of becoming a state trooper but must settle for protecting his New Jersey mall. When criminals take over during Black Friday, the bumbling but determined Blart becomes the only hope for hostages. This comedy features Thanksgiving weekend shopping chaos and one man's heroic transformation.

9. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Rated: PG-13 | Run time: 120 minutes | Where to watch: Prime Video

Starring: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Lisa Jakub

Divorced dad Daniel disguises himself as Scottish nanny Mrs. Doubtfire to spend time with his children. The film isn't Thanksgiving-specific but captures themes of family, love, and togetherness that resonate during the holidays, plus features memorable scenes of chaotic family dinners reminiscent of holiday gatherings.

8. The Blind Side (2009)

Rated: PG-13 | Run time: 120 minutes | Where to watch: Prime Video

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Lily Collins

The Tuohy family takes in homeless teen Michael Oher during Thanksgiving, changing his life forever. This inspiring true story showcases how one family's compassion during the holiday season transforms a young man's future, leading him to NFL stardom while exploring themes of gratitude, family, and belonging.

7. Home for the Holidays (1995)

Rated: PG-13 | Run time: 103 minutes | Where to watch: Paramount+

Starring: Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Bancroft, Dylan McDermott

Claudia reluctantly returns to her dysfunctional family's chaotic Thanksgiving celebration after losing her job and kissing her boss. This comedy-drama perfectly captures the stress, awkwardness, and ultimately the love of family holiday gatherings, with all their imperfections, arguments, and unexpected moments of connection and warmth.

6. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)

Rated: R | Run time: 92 minutes | Where to watch: Paramount+

Starring: Steve Martin, John Candy

The quintessential Thanksgiving movie follows uptight marketing executive Neal trying to get home for the holiday. Paired with annoying shower-curtain-ring salesman Del, they endure disastrous travel mishaps across America. This hilarious yet heartwarming comedy explores friendship, gratitude, and the importance of getting home for Thanksgiving.

5. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Rated: 16+ | Run time: 115 minutes | Where to watch: Prime Video

Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton

Struggling salesman Chris Gardner faces homelessness while raising his young son and pursuing an unpaid stockbroker internship. Though not explicitly Thanksgiving-themed, the film's powerful themes of perseverance, hope, gratitude for small blessings, and father-son bonds resonate deeply with the holiday's spirit of thankfulness and family.

4. Addams Family Reunion (1998)

Rated: PG | Run time: 91 minutes | Where to watch: Not available for streaming

Starring: Daryl Hannah, Tim Curry, Ed Begley Jr., Ray Walston

The gloriously ghoulish Addams family gathers for their family reunion, bringing together eccentric relatives for macabre festivities. While not traditionally Thanksgiving, this gathering celebrates family bonds, acceptance, and being grateful for one's unique relatives, capturing the spirit of holiday family reunions with the Addams' signature dark humor.

3. Instant Family (2018)

Rated: PG-13 | Run time: 118 minutes | Where to watch: Prime Video

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Moner, Octavia Spencer

A couple adopts three siblings from foster care, navigating the challenges of instant parenthood. The film features a memorable chaotic Thanksgiving dinner scene that highlights the messy reality of blended families.

2. Little Giants (1994)

Rated: PG | Run time: 106 minutes | Where to watch: Prime Video

Starring: Rick Moranis, Ed O'Neill, Shawna Waldron, Devon Sawa

Underdog kids form a pee-wee football team to compete against their town's elite squad, coached by the protagonist's brother. The climactic Thanksgiving Day game becomes a battle of heart versus talent. This family comedy celebrates perseverance, teamwork, and sibling rivalry during the holiday football tradition.

1. Son-In-Law (1993)

Rated: PG-13 | Run time: 95 minutes | Where to watch: Prime Video

Starring: Pauly Shore, Carla Gugino, Lane Smith, Cindy Pickett

College student Rebecca brings her wild roommate Crawl home to South Dakota for Thanksgiving to avoid her ex-boyfriend. Crawl's outrageous California personality clashes hilariously with her conservative farm family. This '90s comedy explores culture clash, acceptance, and finding unexpected connections during the traditional Thanksgiving holiday.

When is the best time to watch a Thanksgiving movie?

You’ve picked out the right movie(s) and already know what type of treats you’ll be snacking on.

But now you’re stuck with a dilemma: when to watch the movie.

Since timing does matter on Thanksgiving, here’s a look at what you’ll need to plan around:

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on NBC and Peacock
The National Dog Show: 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on NBC
Packers vs. Lions: 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
Chiefs vs. Cowboys: 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+
Bengals vs. Ravens: 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock

There will also be a large slate of college basketball games starting at 11:00 p.m. ET — with the final game at 10:30 p.m. ET — on various networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FOX, CBS and CBSSN.

Unless you have a second (or third) TV in the house, a tough decision is looming.

If you’re not a sports’ fan, then Thanksgiving movies are the perfect thing to watch in the afternoon and evening. For hardcore football or basketball fans, you can always opt for an earlier showing of movies.

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However you go about it, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season with the family!

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The best Thanksgiving movies to watch with the family when you’re not watching football