Moviefone logo
Trending
'Wicked: For Good' Trailer
'Zootopia 2' Teaser Trailer
'Superman' Trailer
'Ironheart' Trailer
Buy TicketsHighlightsNew MoviesTV ShowsStreamingMovie ChartsVideosWhat to WatchIn TheatersMovie TheatersComing SoonMovie ReviewsMoviefone TVMade In HollywoodNewsCelebritiesNetflixPrime Video
The SubstanceThe SubstanceConclaveConclaveThe AccountantThe AccountantA Real PainA Real PainFlowFlowZero DayZero DayThe White LotusThe White LotusParadiseParadiseSeveranceSeveranceYellowjacketsYellowjackets
  1. News
  2. ›Features

12 Great Movies To Watch With Your Family This Thanksgiving

Sharon Knolle
October 17, 2018 - 1 min read

Thanksgiving is all about family, food and -- according to holiday movies -- all the stress and comedy that the day involves. Including just getting home in the first place! Here are a few must-see films to binge with the family on Turkey Day.

'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' (1987)

Steve Martin is just trying to get home for Thanksgiving when a blizzard grounds him and his fate-appointed traveling companion, John Candy. Everything that can go wrong does as they try to make it to Chicago in this John Hughes classic/

'Home for the Holidays' (1995)

Jodie Foster directs this holiday comedy about (what else?) an eccentric, dysfunctional family reuniting for Thanksgiving. The terrific cast includes Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Dylan McDermott, and Claire Danes.

'The Blind Side' (2009)

Southern mom Leigh Anne (Sandra Bullock, in her Oscar-winning role), invites homeless teen Michael (Quinton Aaron) to join her family for Thanksgiving -- and ends up adopting him – in this heartwarming true story.

'Dutch' (1991)

'Modern Family' star Ed O'Neill plays a working-class stiff who volunteers to pick up his new girlfriend's bratty teenage son (Ethan Embry) for Thanksgiving. Their pairing leads to one of the most awkward road trips since "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." Written (but not directed) by John Hughes.

'Addams Family Values' (1993)

Wednesday Addams (Christina Ricci) is (horrors!) sent to camp, where she burns down all their dopey traditions, including the annual Thanksgiving play. Light it up, Wednesday!

'Pieces of April' (2003)

April (Katie Holmes), who lives in Manhattan's then-grungy Lower East Side, invites her suburban family to her tiny apartment for Thanksgiving day. Complications are plentiful, including the fact that Mom Patricia Clarkson has breast cancer, and that April hasn't introduced her white family to her black boyfriend, played by the underrated Derek Luke. Worst of all? April's oven isn't working, forcing her to interact with her reclusive neighbors in order to find one willing to lend her a place to roast her turkey. Deadpan comic hijinks ensue.

'What's Cooking' (2000)

Four very different LA families prepare for Thanksgiving in this Sundance indie from Gurinder Chadha. Nothing, naturally, goes according to plan.

'About a Boy' (2002)

This fantastic British comedy is really more of a Christmas movie, but it does feature Hugh Grant learning to not be a "bloody island" and actually sort of be a dad to Nicholas Hoult. And it does feature the festive eating of a turkey (in the very last scene). And there's a nut loaf with parsnip gravy.

'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' (1971)

Five lucky kids tour Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder)'s famous factory and feast on chocolate, candy and snozzberry-flavored wallpaper. This movie taught generations to mind their manners, not overeat, and (ahem) leave room for dessert.

'Eat Drink Man Woman' (1994)

Not a Thanksgiving movie per se, but this early Ang Lee film is all about food and family. A widower who's also a master chef cooks for his three daughters, all of whom are bending tradition in their own "Fiddler on the Roof" kind of way. It was remade as "Tortilla Soup" with Hector Elizondo as the patriarch of a Latino family.

'Rocky' (1976)

This Oscar-winning boxing classic features a funny Thanksgiving-gone-wrong-scene and a sweet ice-skating first date with Adrian (Talia Shire) and Rocky (Sylvester Stallone).

'Hotel for Dogs' (2009)

Once orphans Andi (Emma Roberts) and Bruce (Jake T. Austin) start caring for stray dogs at an abandoned hotel, they can't stop! They even rig up an automated feeding system that the proper puppers can eat at the table. Pass the biscuits, Buddy!

 

 

planes trains and automobileshome for the holidaysthanksgiving movies
FeaturesBest Movies EverMoviesFall MoviesHoliday Movies
Sharon Knolle
Article by Sharon Knolle
Freelance Writer

Sharon has been writing for Moviefone since 2009 and has also written for IMDB, USA Today, TV Guide and Forces of Geek.

Related News

Every John Hughes-Directed Movie, Ranked
Every John Hughes-Directed Movie, Ranked
Quiz: Which Thanksgiving Movie Are You?
Quiz: Which Thanksgiving Movie Are You?
Things You Never Knew About 'Planes, Trains, and Automobiles'
Things You Never Knew About 'Planes, Trains, and Automobiles'
10 Thanksgiving Movies You Need to Watch on Netflix
10 Thanksgiving Movies You Need to Watch on Netflix

More News on Moviefone

Kenneth Branagh Joins ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’
Kenneth Branagh Joins ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’
‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Feasts on the Box Office
‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Feasts on the Box Office
Movie Review: 'Superman'
Movie Review: 'Superman'
Jon M. Chu to Direct ‘Hot Wheels’ Movie Adaptation
Jon M. Chu to Direct ‘Hot Wheels’ Movie Adaptation
Kenneth Branagh & Lily Gladstone Join ‘Thomas Crown Affair’
Kenneth Branagh & Lily Gladstone Join ‘Thomas Crown Affair’
'Ballard' Exclusive Interviews: Maggie Q and Cast
'Ballard' Exclusive Interviews: Maggie Q and Cast
  • New Movies
  • Movies In Theaters
  • Movies Coming Soon
  • Movies Streaming Now
  • TV Shows
  • Best Movies
  • Best TV Shows

Follow Moviefone

FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTikTokRSS

Movie and TV Reviews

Top Movies

The Substance poster
The Substance
Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?
71
Conclave poster
Conclave
What happens behind these walls will change everything.
72
The Accountant poster
The Accountant
Calculate your choices.
71

Top Series

Zero Day poster
Zero Day
Truth has been weaponized.
70
The White Lotus poster
The White Lotus
Same luxury. New reservations.
76
Paradise poster
Paradise
Read between the lies.
77

Latest Trailers

'Acapulco' Season 4 Trailer2:14'Acapulco' Season 4 Trailer
'Alice in Borderland' Season 3 Teaser Trailer1:34'Alice in Borderland' Season 3 Teaser Trailer
'Miss Governor' Trailer1:56'Miss Governor' Trailer
'Hold The Fort' Teaser Trailer55s'Hold The Fort' Teaser Trailer
'Invasion' Season 3 Teaser Trailer38s'Invasion' Season 3 Teaser Trailer
'Hellcat' Teaser Trailer35s'Hellcat' Teaser Trailer
Moviefone logo

Join our Newsletter

Movies
Best Movies to WatchTop Movies Right NowWhat to Watch TodayMovies in Theaters This WeekUpcoming Movie Releases2025 Movie Release CalendarBrowse Movies by Keywords
TV Shows
Best TV Shows to BingeTop TV Shows Right NowNew TV Shows This WeekTrending TV ShowsTV Shows by KeywordsLatest TV Show TrailersExclusive TV Show Clips
Streaming
Streaming Now & UpcomingWhat's New on NetflixTop Picks on Prime VideoNew Releases on Disney+Popular Movies on HuluWhat to Watch on MaxStreaming Now on Apple TV+
Showtimes
Showtimes & TicketsMovie Showtimes in LAMovie Showtimes in DallasMovie Showtimes in New YorkAll U.S. Movie TheatersAMC Theatres ListingsCinemark Theatres Listings
Videos
Movie & TV Show VideosLatest Movie TrailersMoviefone TV EpisodesMade in Hollywood InterviewsExclusive Movie ClipsCelebrity InterviewsMade In Hollywood Teen
Movie GenresSummer MoviesHoliday MoviesMusic MoviesComedy MoviesFamily MoviesHistory Movies
TV GenresComedy TV ShowsAdventure TV ShowsHorror TV ShowsThriller TV ShowsHistory TV ShowsMystery TV Shows
NewsMovie NewsTV NewsMovie PhotosBehind the ScenesBest Movies EverMarvel Cinematic Universe
CelebritiesAna de ArmasZoe SaldañaZendayaNatalie PortmanCharlize TheronJennifer Lawrence
Movie ReviewsWickedRed OneGladiator IIWallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most FowlHereticWe Live in Time
FacebookXInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTikTokRSS
AboutContact UsSitemapTerms of ServicePrivacy Policy
Copyright © 2025 Moviefone Media LLC
Asset 1This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb.