The 30 Best Movies to Watch After You’ve Survived Thanksgiving Dinner
Once the turkey has been carved and the pumpkin pie devoured, families often retreat to the living room for collective relaxation. Selecting the right film can help maintain the peace or provide a much needed escape from the chaos of a full house. The following list offers a variety of cinema options ranging from holiday themed classics to comforting dramas that pair well with leftovers. These movies feature themes of family dynamics, food, and the transition from autumn into the winter season.
‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ (1987)
Neal Page attempts to travel home to Chicago for Thanksgiving but faces a series of transportation disasters. He finds himself stuck with Del Griffith who is a talkative shower ring salesman with an endless supply of bad luck. The two men are forced to share a three day journey filled with burning rental cars and cramped motel rooms. Director John Hughes explores the unlikely friendship that forms between these two polar opposites during their chaotic road trip.
‘Home for the Holidays’ (1995)
Claudia Larson faces a series of unfortunate events including losing her job just before flying home to spend Thanksgiving with her family. Her parents and siblings present a chaotic mix of eccentric personalities that clash over the dinner table. The film captures the intense stress and humor inherent in large family gatherings during the holiday season. Holly Hunter leads an ensemble cast in this story about accepting the flaws within familial relationships.
‘Knives Out’ (2019)
A wealthy crime novelist dies under mysterious circumstances following his eighty-fifth birthday party at his country estate. His dysfunctional family gathers for the reading of the will while a private detective investigates the true cause of death. The relatives trade accusations and reveal deep seated resentments as they fight for their inheritance. This modern whodunit uses a sharp script to dissect class privilege and family greed.
‘Pieces of April’ (2003)
April Burns invites her estranged family to her small apartment in New York City for Thanksgiving dinner. She struggles to cook a turkey in a broken oven while her relatives drive in from the suburbs with their own emotional baggage. The story alternates between the chaotic kitchen preparations and the tense conversations taking place in the family car. This film depicts the effort required to mend broken relationships through the act of sharing a meal.
‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ (2009)
Mr. Fox breaks a promise to his wife by raiding the farms of three mean local farmers. The community of animals must band together to survive when the farmers retaliate with mechanical diggers and flooding. Wes Anderson utilizes stop motion animation and an autumnal color palette to bring this Roald Dahl story to life. The plot focuses on a father trying to balance his wild nature with his responsibilities to his family.
‘Hannah and Her Sisters’ (1986)
The narrative unfolds over two years and is bookended by three distinct Thanksgiving dinners hosted by the title character. Hannah serves as the stable center for her two sisters who drift through various romantic entanglements and existential crises. The film examines the complex web of support and jealousy that exists between siblings and their partners. Woody Allen weaves together multiple storylines that explore the search for meaning and happiness in New York City.
‘Addams Family Values’ (1993)
Wednesday and Pugsley are sent to a cheerful summer camp where they are forced to participate in a Thanksgiving play. They stage a mutiny during the performance that challenges the traditional narrative of the holiday. Meanwhile Uncle Fester falls under the spell of a black widow murderer who plans to kill him for his fortune. This dark comedy satirizes suburban norms and celebrates the macabre nature of the Addams clan.
‘Scent of a Woman’ (1992)
A prep school student takes a job over Thanksgiving weekend assisting a blind and irritable retired army colonel. The colonel drags the student to New York City for a lavish tour involving fine dining and driving a Ferrari. Their relationship evolves from hostility to mutual respect as the young man learns life lessons from the troubled veteran. Al Pacino delivers a performance that anchors this drama about integrity and finding a reason to live.
‘The Blind Side’ (2009)
The Tuohy family takes in a homeless teenager named Michael Oher and offers him a place to stay. They eventually become his legal guardians and support his pursuit of a football scholarship. A pivotal scene features the family sitting down for a Thanksgiving meal where they bond over football and food. The movie dramatizes the true story of how Oher went on to become an NFL player.
‘Rocky’ (1976)
Rocky Balboa is a small time boxer who gets a rare shot at the world heavyweight championship. He courts a shy woman named Adrian and their first date involves a visit to an ice skating rink on Thanksgiving. The film focuses on his rigorous training regimen and his desire to prove his worth in the ring. It portrays the grit of Philadelphia and the personal victory involved in going the distance.
‘Miracle on 34th Street’ (1947)
The story begins at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade where a man named Kris Kringle steps in to replace an intoxicated Santa Claus. He is hired to work at the flagship store but causes a stir by claiming to be the real Santa. A lawyer decides to defend him in court to prove that he is legally who he claims to be. This classic film bridges the gap between Thanksgiving and Christmas with a message about faith.
‘Spider-Man’ (2002)
Peter Parker gains superpowers after a spider bite and decides to fight crime in New York City. The film features a tense Thanksgiving dinner scene where the villainous Green Goblin begins to suspect Peter’s secret identity. Family and friends gather around the table while hidden secrets threaten to tear them apart. This superhero origin story balances action sequences with the personal struggles of a young man trying to do the right thing.
‘Little Miss Sunshine’ (2006)
A dysfunctional family piles into a yellow Volkswagen bus to drive their young daughter to a beauty pageant in California. The group includes an overworked mother, a failed self-help guru father, and a suicidal uncle. They encounter numerous mechanical failures and personal setbacks as they cross the country together. The film highlights how shared hardships can bring a fractured family unit closer together.
‘Dutch’ (1991)
A working class man offers to drive his girlfriend’s snobbish son home from a prep school in Georgia to Chicago for Thanksgiving. The boy resents the gesture and tries to make the journey as difficult as possible for his driver. They lose their car and money which forces them to rely on their wits to get home. The road trip format allows the characters to break down their class barriers and form a bond.
‘Son in Law’ (1993)
A college student brings her eccentric resident advisor home to her family farm for Thanksgiving break. The guest struggles to adapt to farm life and clashes with the traditional values of the rural community. His unconventional behavior eventually wins over the family and helps them embrace change. This comedy contrasts the culture of Los Angeles with the lifestyle of the American heartland.
‘Tower Heist’ (2011)
The staff of a luxury apartment building discover that a wealthy tenant has swindled them out of their pensions. They plan a robbery to reclaim their money during the chaotic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The heist involves sneaking past FBI agents and navigating the complex security systems of the penthouse. The film combines elements of an action thriller with an ensemble comedy cast.
‘The House of Yes’ (1997)
A mentally unstable woman named Jackie-O becomes unhinged when her brother brings his new fiancée home for Thanksgiving. A hurricane traps the family inside their estate where dark secrets and obsessive behaviors come to light. The dialogue is sharp and fast paced as the characters engage in psychological warfare. This black comedy explores themes of obsession and family trauma in a theatrical setting.
‘What’s Cooking?’ (2000)
Four diverse families in Los Angeles prepare for their respective Thanksgiving dinners. The narrative weaves between Latino, Vietnamese, African American, and Jewish households as they deal with internal conflicts. Each family incorporates their own cultural traditions into the standard turkey dinner. The film showcases the multicultural nature of the holiday and the universal themes of family stress and love.
‘Soul Food’ (1997)
A close knit family in Chicago faces a crisis when their matriarch falls into a coma during an operation. The Sunday dinners that usually hold the family together begin to cease as long standing rivalries surface between the sisters. A young grandson conspires to bring everyone back to the table to resolve their differences. This drama emphasizes the importance of food and tradition in maintaining family bonds.
‘Krisha’ (2015)
An estranged woman returns to her sister’s house for Thanksgiving after years of battling addiction. The tension rises as she tries to prove she has changed while preparing a large turkey for the gathering. The chaotic sound design and camera work mirror her internal anxiety and the skepticism of her relatives. The film depicts the fragility of recovery and the weight of past mistakes.
‘The Holdovers’ (2023)
A curmudgeonly history teacher is forced to remain at a boarding school over winter break to supervise students with nowhere else to go. He forms an unexpected bond with a troubled student and the school’s grieving head cook. The story takes place in 1970 and explores themes of loneliness and found family during the holiday season. The snowy New England setting provides a cozy backdrop for the emotional character study.
‘Silver Linings Playbook’ (2012)
Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents after a stint in a mental health facility and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. He meets a young widow who agrees to help him if he enters a dance competition with her. The film features a chaotic family dynamic centered around Philadelphia Eagles football games and Sunday dinners. It addresses mental health issues with a mix of humor and dramatic intensity.
‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ (2001)
Harry discovers he is a wizard and travels to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The film features elaborate feasts in the Great Hall including a memorable Halloween and Christmas sequence that fits the festive season. The friendship between Harry, Ron, and Hermione solidifies as they investigate a mystery within the castle walls. This fantasy adventure provides a sense of wonder and comfort suitable for family viewing.
‘You’ve Got Mail’ (1998)
Two business rivals in the book industry unknowingly fall in love through anonymous emails. The story moves through the seasons in New York City and features iconic scenes set during the fall and Thanksgiving. The characters navigate the changing landscape of the neighborhood and their own professional lives. This romantic comedy captures the cozy atmosphere of autumn in Manhattan.
‘The Big Chill’ (1983)
A group of college friends reunite at a South Carolina vacation home for the funeral of a member of their group. They spend the weekend analyzing their lives and the ways they have changed since the 1960s. The kitchen and dining room serve as central locations for their conversations and confrontations. The film explores the passage of time and the enduring nature of old friendships.
‘Meet the Parents’ (2000)
Greg Focker visits his girlfriend’s parents’ home to propose marriage but encounters her intimidating father. He faces a series of humiliating disasters as he tries desperately to impress the family. The tension builds as his lies spiral out of control during the weekend gathering. This comedy plays on the anxiety of meeting potential in-laws and the struggle for acceptance.
‘Rushmore’ (1998)
Max Fischer is an ambitious but academically poor student who falls for a first grade teacher at his prep school. He befriends a wealthy industrialist who becomes his rival for the teacher’s affection. The film utilizes a distinct autumnal aesthetic and explores the pain of growing up. Wes Anderson directs this quirky story about ambition and unrequited love.
‘Paddington’ (2014)
A young bear travels from Peru to London in search of a new home and is taken in by the Brown family. He causes accidental havoc in their house while trying to understand human customs. A taxidermist pursues him with the intent of adding him to a museum collection. This film promotes themes of kindness and acceptance that resonate with the spirit of gathering together.
‘Dan in Real Life’ (2007)
A widower and advice columnist takes his three daughters to a family reunion in Rhode Island. He meets a woman in a bookstore and falls for her only to discover she is dating his brother. The family gathering provides a backdrop of group activities and meals where the secret tension plays out. The movie balances the humor of the awkward situation with the grief of moving on.
‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ (1989)
Clark Griswold attempts to create the perfect traditional Christmas for his family but faces constant setbacks. Relatives arrive uninvited and mechanical failures plague his elaborate decoration plans. The film often serves as a bridge movie watched right after Thanksgiving to usher in the next holiday. It satirizes the immense pressure parents feel to manufacture joy for their families.
Tell us which movie from this list is your annual post-turkey tradition in the comments.