Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and food. What better way to celebrate than by watching some great family movies together? From heartwarming tales of forgiveness to hilarious comedies, we’ve got you covered.
This Thanksgiving, start a new Thanksgiving tradition by gathering your family around the TV for a marathon of some heartwarming and funny family movies. From classic feel-goods like “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” to newer films like “The Book of Life,” we’ve got you covered with 30 great picks. So grab some popcorn, get comfortable, and enjoy!
Here are 30 of the best family movies to watch this Thanksgiving:
1. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is a classic animated movie is the perfect Thanksgiving film for kids and adults alike. It tells the story of Charlie Brown and his friends getting together for a Thanksgiving feast, complete with all the traditional fixings.
2. Addams Family Values
The Addams Family Values is a dark comedy is a sequel to The Addams Family and follows the family as they prepare for Thanksgiving. The film is full of hijinks and laughs and is sure to entertain everyone in the family.
3. Home for the Holidays
Holly Hunter stars in this holiday comedy-drama, Home for the Holidays, about a woman who comes home for Thanksgiving, only to find that her family is falling apart. The film deals with themes of family dysfunction and estrangement, but ultimately has a message of hope and forgiveness.
4. Pieces of April
Katie Holmes stars in this heartwarming film about a woman who tries to cook a Thanksgiving dinner for her estranged family, despite her lack of experience in the kitchen. Pieces of April is funny and touching and will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to connect with their family.
5. The Blind Side
This Academy Award-winning film tells the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless teenager who is taken in by a wealthy family and goes on to become a successful football player. The Blind Side highlights the importance of family and helping others, and is sure to inspire everyone who watches it.
6. Soul Food
This movie follows a Black American family as they deal with various issues in their lives, all leading up to a big Thanksgiving dinner. Soul Food is full of humor and heart and will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
7. Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Steve Martin and John Candy star in this classic road trip comedy about two men who are desperately trying to get home for Thanksgiving. Planes, Trains and Automobiles is full of laughs and adventure and is the perfect movie to watch if you’re looking for a good laugh.
8. Book of Life
This animated film tells the story of a young man who must choose between the life he knows and the life he wants. Book of Life is visually stunning, and its message of following your heart is sure to resonate with everyone in the family.
9. Tower Heist
This action-comedy stars an all-star cast, including Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, and Alan Alda. The plot follows a group of people who plot to rob the penthouse apartment of a wealthy businessman. Tower Heist is full of laughs and excitement, and is perfect for anyone looking for a good heist movie.
10. Thanksgiving Family Reunion
This made-for-TV movie follows a family as they gather for Thanksgiving at their estranged father’s house. The film deals with themes of family dysfunction and forgiveness, and is sure to strike a chord with anyone who has ever had a complicated relationship with their family.
11. Free Birds
This animated film tells the story of two turkeys who travel back in time to prevent themselves from becoming Thanksgiving dinner. Free Birds is cute and funny, and is perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
12. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
This stop-motion animated film from Tim Burton is a Halloween/Christmas classic. It tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who becomes obsessed with Christmas and sets out to kidnap Santa Claus. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is both spooky and festive, and is sure to be a hit with everyone in the family.
13. A Bug’s Life
This Pixar classic tells the story of an underdog grasshopper who must save his colony from a gang of evil grasshoppers. A Bug’s Life is fun and exciting, and has a great message about working together and fighting for what’s right.
14. Ratatouille
This Oscar-winning Pixar film, Ratatouille, follows a rat who dreams of becoming a chef and ends up helping a young boy achieve his own dream of becoming a great cook. The film is full of humor and adventure, and is sure to please everyone in the family.
15. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Honey, I Shrunk The Kids is a classic family film that follows an inventor who accidentally shrinks his kids down to microscopic size. The kids must then find their way back home, while avoiding all the dangers that come with being tiny. It’s a fun and exciting movie that the whole family will enjoy.
13. The Santa Clause
This holiday classic, The Santa Clause, stars Tim Allen as Scott Calvin, a man who accidentally becomes Santa Claus after killing the real Santa on Christmas Eve. The film is full of laughs and holiday cheer, and is sure to get everyone in the family into the Christmas spirit.
16. Elf
Elf, a modern classic stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human who was raised at the North Pole by elves. When he learns that he is not really an elf, he sets out on a journey to find his father in New York City. The film is full of laughs and holiday cheer, and is sure to become a family favorite.
17. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
This classic comedy follows the Griswold family as they try to have the perfect Christmas, despite all the obstacles that seem to be conspiring against them. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is full of laughs and holiday hijinks, and is sure to get the whole family laughing.
18. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
This classic Dr. Seuss tale, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, follows the grumpy Grinch as he tries to ruin Christmas for the citizens of Whoville. The film is full of holiday cheer and is sure to please everyone in the family.
19. A Charlie Brown Christmas
This holiday classic follows Charlie Brown as he tries to find the true meaning of Christmas. A Charlie Brown Christmas is heartwarming and will leave everyone in the family feeling festive.
20. It’s a Wonderful Life
This classic film tells the story of George Bailey, a man who is contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve. He is visited by an angel who shows him what life would be like if he had never been born. It’s a Wonderful Life is heartwarming and inspirational, and is sure to make everyone in the family appreciate their own lives.
21. Miracle on 34th Street
This holiday classic tells the story of Kris Kringle, a man who is hired to play Santa at the Macy’s department store in New York City. He quickly becomes a sensation with the kids, but some adults begin to question his sanity. Miracle on 34th Street is full of holiday cheer and is sure to become a family favorite.
22. The Polar Express
This modern Christmas classic, The Polar Express, tells the story of a young boy who takes a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. The film is full of festive fun and is sure to get everyone in the family into the holiday spirit.
23. The Pursuit of Happyness
This inspirational film, The Pursuit of Happyness, tells the true story of Chris Gardner, a man who struggles to make ends meet while trying to provide for his young son. The film is moving and will leave everyone in the family feeling hopeful.
24. Rudy
This inspirational film tells the true story of Rudy Ruettiger, a man who overcame all odds to achieve his dream of playing football for Notre Dame. Rudy is motivating and will inspire everyone in the family to pursue their dreams.
25. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a classic animated film which follows Rudolph, a young reindeer who is born with a shiny red nose. He is ridiculed by the other reindeer, but eventually becomes a hero when he saves Christmas. The film is heartwarming and will leave everyone in the family feeling festive.
26. A Christmas Story
This holiday classic tells the story of Ralphie Parker, a young boy who dreams of getting a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. A Christmas Story is full of laughs and nostalgia, and is sure to become a family favorite.
27. We Are Marshall
We Are Marshall is an inspirational film that tells the true story of the Marshall football team, which was devastated by a plane crash in 1970. The film is motivating and will inspire everyone in the family to persevere through adversity.
28. White Christmas
This classic musical tells the story of two men who team up to put on a big Christmas show in an effort to save a struggling inn. White Christmas is full of festive songs and holiday cheer, and is sure to get everyone in the family into the spirit of the season.
29. Love Actually
This romantic comedy follows a group of interconnected people as they deal with the ups and downs of love during the holiday season. Love Actually is funny, heartwarming, and will leave you feeling all the feels.
30. Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Mr. Popper’a Penguins is a family comedy that tells the story of Mr. Popper, a man who unexpectedly inherits six penguins and must learn to take care of them. The film is sure to make everyone laugh, and will also teach some valuable lessons about family and responsibility.
In Conclusion
There are so many great family movies to watch during the Thanksgiving holiday. Whether you’re looking for something heartwarming, inspirational, or just plain fun, there’s sure to be a movie on this list that everyone in your family will enjoy. So curl up on the couch with some popcorn, grab the turkey and stuffing, and enjoy spending some quality time with your loved ones this Thanksgiving.
