Top 10 Most Rewatched Movies Over Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving weekend offers the perfect opportunity for families and friends to gather around the television for some shared entertainment. Viewers often gravitate toward films that feature holiday themes or cozy atmospheres that complement the festive season. JustWatch revealed the most watched movies during this period that range from animated classics to gripping dramas and hilarious road trip comedies. These films have secured their place as seasonal favorites that audiences return to year after year.

10. ‘Addams Family Values’ (1993)

The Addams family welcomes a new baby named Pubert while Uncle Fester falls for a black widow murderess named Debbie Jellinsky. Wednesday and Pugsley are sent to a cheerful summer camp where they stage a subversive Thanksgiving play. The film balances dark humor with themes of family loyalty and acceptance of those who are different. The Thanksgiving pageant scene remains one of the most iconic moments in holiday cinema history.

9. ‘The Last Waltz’ (1978)

This acclaimed concert film captures the farewell performance of The Band at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco on Thanksgiving Day in 1976. Martin Scorsese directs the feature which includes performances by guest stars like Bob Dylan and Neil Young. The documentary intersperses concert footage with intimate interviews that explore the rigors of life on the road. It serves as a time capsule of the rock era and a celebration of musical collaboration.

8. ‘Dutch’ (1991)

A working-class man named Dutch offers to drive his girlfriend’s snobbish son home from boarding school for Thanksgiving to bond with him. Their journey turns into a series of comedic disasters that strip away their pretenses and force them to rely on each other. The film explores the friction between different social classes while highlighting the importance of family connection during the holidays. Ed O’Neill stars in this road trip comedy written by John Hughes.

7. ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ (2001)

An orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry where he learns the truth about his past and his destiny to defeat a dark wizard. Harry makes close friends with Ron and Hermione while navigating the magical halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The film introduces the Great Hall and its festive holiday feasts that have become associated with cozy seasonal viewing. This adaptation establishes the magical world created by J.K. Rowling and sets the stage for the epic saga.

6. ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Young Dorothy Gale is swept away by a tornado from her farm in Kansas to the magical land of Oz. She embarks on a journey along the Yellow Brick Road to find the Wizard who can help her return home. Her companions include a Scarecrow seeking a brain and a Tin Man looking for a heart and a Cowardly Lion who needs courage. This Technicolor classic has been a television staple for decades during holiday broadcasts.

5. ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ (1973)

Peppermint Patty invites herself and her friends over to Charlie Brown’s house for a Thanksgiving dinner he is unprepared to host. Linus and Snoopy help him scramble to put together a makeshift meal of toast and popcorn and jelly beans. The special addresses the meaning of the holiday and the importance of gratitude among friends. This animated classic features the signature jazz score by Vince Guaraldi that defines the Peanuts atmosphere.

4. ‘The Hunger Games’ (2012)

Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister’s place in a televised fight to the death known as the Hunger Games. She travels to the Capitol where she must navigate political intrigue and train for the brutal survival competition. The story examines themes of sacrifice and rebellion against an oppressive government regime. Viewers follow her struggle to maintain her humanity while fighting for her life in the arena.

3. ‘Wicked’ (2024)

The story explores the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West and her unlikely friendship with Glinda the Good. Elphaba faces prejudice due to her green skin while discovering her immense magical potential at Shiz University. The film adapts the first act of the beloved Broadway musical and delves into the political corruption of Oz. Audiences witness the events that shape the characters long before Dorothy arrives.

2. ‘Knives Out’ (2019)

Detective Benoit Blanc investigates the death of a wealthy crime novelist during a family gathering. The eccentric Thrombey family comes under scrutiny as secrets and lies are uncovered within their estate. The plot twists subvert traditional whodunit tropes while delivering social commentary on class and entitlement. This modern murder mystery features an ensemble cast and a sharp script that keeps viewers guessing until the end.

1. ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ (1987)

A high-strung advertising executive struggles to get home to Chicago for Thanksgiving after his flight is diverted. He is forced to team up with an obnoxious but well-meaning shower curtain ring salesman. Their cross-country journey involves a series of transportation mishaps that test their patience and sanity. The film balances laugh-out-loud comedy with a poignant message about compassion and loneliness during the holidays.

Please let us know which of these movies you watched this holiday weekend in the comments.