The Best Movies About Thanksgiving, Ranked

Olivia Peterman
Updated January 23, 2024 42.4K views

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Vote up the movies you always want to watch after a big Thanksgiving dinner.

The finest Thanksgiving movies offer a welcome respite for anyone looking to escape the madness of the holiday. TV on Thanksgiving is mostly parades and football, but there are films with Turkey Day themes that fit. That's what this list is about: Thanksgiving films everyone can enjoy. Some are dramas and some are more family-oriented, but each movie on this list is either about Thanksgiving. Even if they're not about the holiday, they at least contain a classic Thanksgiving scene or two.

Thanksgiving movies aren't nearly as plentiful as oh, say, heartwarming Christmas movies (or Halloween movies for kids, for that matter) but there are options. Some of the best include the always hilarious Planes, Trains and Automobiles, the Jodie Foster-directed Home for the Holidays, the super-heavy drama The Ice Storm, and even Addams Family Values, which throws down against the hypocrisy of Thanksgiving.

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Over 2.7K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Thanksgiving Movies, Ranked
  • Planes, Trains and Automobiles
    1
    Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins
    1,231 votes
    In the comedic classic, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Neal Page (Steve Martin), a high-strung marketing executive, finds himself paired with Del Griffith (John Candy), an eternally optimistic, overly talkative salesman. The mismatched duo embark on a two-day journey of chaotic travel mishaps attempting to get Neal home to his family for Thanksgiving. The trials they face include plane reroutes, train breakdowns, and automobile disasters. Directed by John Hughes, this film cleverly intertwines humor with heartwarming moments, revealing the unlikely friendship that forms amidst the chaos. Despite their contrasting personalities and constant setbacks, Neal and Del persist in their cross-country trek, offering viewers a hilarious look at the perils of holiday travel.
  • Grumpy Old Men
    2
    Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret
    715 votes
    John Gustafson (Jack Lemmon) and Max Goldman (Walter Matthau) are two curmudgeonly neighbors who have been at each other's throats for years. The rivalry of the former friends intensifies when Ariel (Ann-Margret) comes along and provides a love interest for both of them. When Max finds out that John is experiencing family troubles and financial ruin, however, he steps in to help. Their bond is further cemented when John has a health scare and Max makes the ultimate sacrifice for his friend.
  • Addams Family Values
    3
    Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd
    785 votes
    In the sequel, Addams Family Values, we return to the macabre world of Gomez (Raul Julia) and Morticia Addams (Anjelica Huston). A new baby boy, Pubert, joins the household, prompting parents to hire a nanny, Debbie Jellinsky (Joan Cusack). Unbeknownst to them, Debbie is a cunning black widow with her eyes on Uncle Fester's (Christopher Lloyd) fortune. Meanwhile, children Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) are shipped off to a cheery summer camp. Amidst these chaotic events, the film skillfully intertwines dark humor with satire. This comedy was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction.
  • Son in Law
    4
    Tiffani Thiessen, Brendan Fraser, Carla Gugino
    594 votes
    Son in Law is a 1993 American comedy film starring Pauly Shore, Carla Gugino, Lane Smith, Cindy Pickett, Tiffani Thiessen, Patrick Renna, Dan Gauthier and Dennis Burkley.
  • Miracle on 34th Street
    5
    Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn
    413 votes
    In the heartwarming classic, Miracle on 34th Street, Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is hired as Santa Claus for Macy's department store. His unshakeable cheer and apparent authenticity capture the imagination of young Susan Walker (Natalie Wood), who's been taught not to believe in Santa by her pragmatic mother Doris (Maureen O'Hara). When Kris's sanity is questioned, a court case ensues to determine if he really is Santa Claus. This blend of drama, comedy, and fantasy won three Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Gwenn's charming portrayal of Santa.
  • Home for the Holidays
    6
    Holly Hunter, Robert Downey, Anne Bancroft
    555 votes
    Home for the Holidays, directed by Jodie Foster, serves up a relatable slice of Thanksgiving family dynamics with a comedic twist. The film follows Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter), who is dreading the annual ordeal of returning to her eccentric family's nest after losing her job and making a romantic misstep. Larson's parents (Anne Bancroft and Charles Durning) bring a sense of chaos and warmth to the holiday season, and her mischievous brother (Robert Downey Jr). The movie brings together humor with heartfelt moments. It explores themes of familial bonds, personal acceptance, and the bittersweet taste of coming home.
  • Beethoven
    7
    Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, Dean Jones
    624 votes
    When the family of George Newton (Charles Grodin) decides to adopt a cute St. Bernard puppy, the patriarch soon feels displaced by the dog. Before long, the adorable canine, dubbed Beethoven, has grown considerably, leading to household mishaps. While George's wife and kids dote on Beethoven, it takes time for him to see the pooch's finer qualities. However, Beethoven's life with the Newton family is jeopardized when a scheming vet (Dean Jones) tries to nab the dog for a deadly experiment.
  • Thanksgiving
    8
    Patrick Dempsey, Ty Olsson, Gina Gershon
    69 votes
    Thanksgiving is an American slasher film directed by Eli Roth, inspired by a fictitious Grindhouse trailer. Starring Patrick Dempsey, Addison Rae, and Milo Manheim, the plot revolves around a small Massachusetts town terrorized by a killer in a John Carver mask during Thanksgiving. Tragedy ensues as a Black Friday stampede leads to deaths, setting the stage for a year of gruesome murders targeting those involved. The film received generally positive reviews, praising its blend of humor and over-the-top gore.
  • Dutch
    9
    Ed O'Neill, Ethan Embry, JoBeth Williams
    507 votes
    Working man Dutch (Ed O'Neill) is dating the divorced Natalie (JoBeth Williams), and he offers to drive her stuffy 13-year-old, Doyle (Ethan Randall), from his private school in Atlanta to his mother's home in Chicago for Thanksgiving. Doyle is not interested as he blames Natalie for the divorce and wants nothing to do with Mom's new boyfriend, especially given the man's lowly, working-class roots. This pairing makes for a journey filled with bickering, mishaps and, eventually, bonding.
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas
    10
    Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara
    420 votes
    In the hauntingly whimsical film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon), the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, stumbles upon Christmas Town. Enchanted by its stark contrast to his eerie homeland, Jack decides to replicate Christmas in Halloween Town. But he struggles to grasp the true spirit of this holiday. Directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, this stop-motion animated musical has won numerous awards for its unique blend of horror and holiday cheer. Sally (voiced by Catherine O'Hara), a rag doll smitten with Jack, adds a tender element to this dark yet enchanting tale.
  • The Blind Side
    11
    Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron
    577 votes
    In The Blind Side, Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) encounters Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless teenager with a troubled past. Offering him shelter and support, the Tuohy family helps Michael discover his potential as a student and football player. This true-life drama, directed by John Lee Hancock, is an inspiring tale of compassion and opportunity. Bullock's performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. The film also netted a nomination for Best Picture, underscoring its profound impact on audiences and critics alike.
  • Four Brothers
    12
    Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, André Benjamin
    363 votes
    In Four Brothers, the Mercer siblings, namely Bobby (Mark Wahlberg), Angel (Tyrese Gibson), Jeremiah (André Benjamin), and Jack Mercer (Garrett Hedlund) converge upon Detroit after their adoptive mother, Evelyn Mercer (Fionnula Flanagan) is slain in a convenience store robbery. Stricken by her unexpected death, the brothers unite to unravel the mystery behind their mother's murder. Their journey of vengeance takes them deep into the city's underbelly, exposing a web of corruption and deceit. The film, directed by John Singleton, deftly combines elements of action and crime drama with an underlying theme of familial bonds and retribution.
  • Pocahontas
    13
    Irene Bedard, Judy Kuhn, Mel Gibson
    577 votes
    A stirring exploration of history and culture, Pocahontas is a 1995 animated musical film from the creative minds at Disney. The narrative focuses on Pocahontas (voiced by Irene Bedard), a Native American woman, and her unexpected romantic entanglement with Englishman John Smith (Mel Gibson). This tale of two worlds colliding unfolds against a backdrop of early American colonization, offering rich historical context. Notably, the film won two Academy Awards for its musical score. Striking visuals enhance this compelling tale, making it a memorable cinematic experience.
  • Scent of a Woman
    14
    Al Pacino, Chris O'Donnell, James Rebhorn
    477 votes
    In the stirring drama Scent of a Woman, Charlie Simms (Chris O'Donnell), a student from an impoverished background, takes a thanksgiving job to care for blind, cantankerous retired Army Ranger Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade (Al Pacino). Unforeseen adventure ensues as Slade leads them to New York City, introducing Charlie to life's finer pleasures. The film, notable for Pacino's Oscar-winning performance, skillfully intertwines themes of integrity and redemption while subtly highlighting the struggles of disability and class disparity. It's a compelling exploration of unlikely friendships, personal growth, and the power of second chances.
  • alice's restaurant
    15
    Arlo Guthrie, Patricia Quinn, James Broderick
    294 votes
    Arlo Guthrie plays himself in this film based on his song of the same name. After getting kicked out of college, Arlo decides to visit his friend Alice (Pat Quinn) for Thanksgiving dinner. After dinner is over, Arlo volunteers to take the trash to the dump, but finds it closed for the holiday, so he just dumps the trash in the bottom of a ravine. This simple act of littering gets him arrested, and sends him on a bizarre journey that ends with him in front of the draft board.
  • The New World
    16
    Colin Farrell, Christian Bale, Q'orianka Kilcher
    323 votes
    Arriving with a British expedition in Virginia in 1607, Capt. John Smith (Colin Farrell) is captured by Native Americans. His life is spared thanks to Pocahontas (Q'orianka Kilcher), daughter of the tribe's chief. Smith and Pocahontas fall in love, to the mutual dismay of the Native Americans and the British. Smith is sent away, and his death is reported. An unhappy Pocahontas marries settler John Rolfe (Christian Bale). When Smith turns up alive, Pocahontas is torn between the two men.
  • Hannah and Her Sisters
    17
    Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Michael Caine
    375 votes
    Hannah and Her Sisters is a captivating drama-comedy, directed by the acclaimed Woody Allen. The narrative revolves around Hannah (Mia Farrow), and her two sisters, Holly (Dianne Wiest) and Lee (Barbara Hershey). Hannah, being the stalwart of the family, often finds herself tangled in the lives of her eccentric siblings. The film intricately weaves their stories over a span of two years, revealing complex relationships and personal transformations. Celebrated for its sharp writing and stellar performances, it clinched three Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay. A compelling exploration of love, infidelity, and ambition.
  • Pieces of April
    18

    Pieces of April

    Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson, Oliver Platt
    316 votes
    Quirky and rebellious April Burns (Katie Holmes) lives with her boyfriend in a low-rent New York City apartment miles away from her emotionally distant family. But when she discovers that her mother (Patricia Clarkson) has a fatal form of breast cancer, she invites the clan to her place for Thanksgiving. While her father (Oliver Platt) struggles to drive her family into the city, April -- an inexperienced cook -- runs into kitchen trouble and must ask a neighbor (Sean Hayes) for help.
  • What's Cooking?
    19
    Alfre Woodard, Dennis Haysbert, Ann Weldon
    218 votes
    You are invited to a tasty Thanksgiving dinner that will all at once transport you to four different worlds and take you home again. On the menu this November are turkey, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie -- but also tamales, spring rolls, kugel, mac & cheese, love, betrayal, sibling rivalry, prejudice, politics, uninvited guests, unexpected accidents, outrageous conversations -- and all the other succulent and spicy surprises that arise when modern families come together for an annual meal.