Are there Thanksgiving movies? Yes, here are 14

Are there Thanksgiving movies? Yes, but not as much, as in Christmas movies.

Watching Christmas or Halloween movies is an important part of celebrating this holiday. The tradition does not carry over to Thanksgiving in the same way.

That’s probably because millions of Americans spend their Thanksgiving TV time watching football — 34.1 million Americans watched the NFL on Thanksgiving in 2023, according to the NFL.

But if football isn’t your thing, or if you want to celebrate with movies leading up to Thanksgiving Day — which is Thursday, Nov. 28, this year — there are Thanksgiving movies to watch.

Most of the movies are not as Thanksgiving-themed as your typical Christmas or Halloween movies, but there are enough to make the list.

Here are 14 Thanksgiving movies to celebrate this year.

14 Thanksgiving movies to watch this year

‘Free Birds’

Since being pardoned by the president, Reggie (Owen Wilson) has enjoyed an easy life for turkey, without the fear of being slaughtered for Thanksgiving dinner.

Her carefree life gets a boost when Jake (Woody Harrelson), a daredevil, hires her for a mission to travel back in time to the first Thanksgiving. Mission? Change the fate of turkeys by preventing them from becoming the centerpiece of Thanksgiving celebrations.

Notes: PG

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Paramount +

‘The Blind Side’

When a homeless African American teenager, Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), is taken in and cared for by mother of two Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and her husband, Sean (Tim McGraw) who have strong desire, they help Michael to see his family. ability as a student and athlete.

Supported by his new family, Michael discovers his talent for football, academics and the ability to love and be loved.

Notes: PG-13

Where to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Apple TV+

‘Tower Heist’

Josh Kovaks (Ben Stiller) devoted himself to his job of managing a luxury apartment complex in New York City. So when he finds out that his life savings have been stolen by one of the rich residents of the building, he plans to get it back.

Josh recruits a group of co-workers who have also been extorted from ex-con, Slide (Eddie Murphy), to get their money back.

The group plans a heist for Thanksgiving Day, and with the chaos at the Macy’s Day Parade, they hope to find what was taken from them.

Notes: PG-13

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

‘Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving Season’

This year for Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown intends to spend the holiday with his grandmother. But Peppermint Patty has other plans in mind, and decides to invite her and the other Peppermints to Charlie’s house for Thanksgiving.

Charlie emphasizes how to prepare the perfect Thanksgiving meal – he has no cooking skills! So instead, he recruits Snoopy to throw a party, even though his cooking repertoire is also limited.

Notes: G

Where to watch: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video

‘Dan in Real Life’

Overworked widower Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is too busy to meet women. Dan offers advice in his newspaper column on raising his three troubled daughters.

During a Thanksgiving family gathering, Dan meets Marie (Juliette Binoche) at a local bookstore, with whom he falls hard. Hours later, Dan is reintroduced to Marie as his brother’s (Dane Cook) new girlfriend.

While everyone is under one roof for Thanksgiving weekend, Dan is worried about seeing his brother and Marie. Relations are getting worse when Dan fails to hide his feelings.

Notes: PG-13

Where to watch: Disney +

‘Planes, Trains and Cars’

When advertising executive Neal Page’s (Steve Martin) return home for Thanksgiving is interrupted by a snowstorm, he is forced to meet Del Griffith (John Candy), a free shower curtain ring salesman.

Together, the couple embark on a frantic three-day journey across the country using all available means of transportation, including planes, trains and automobiles.

Notes: R, for specific language

Where to watch: Paramount+, Pluto TV

‘Jack and Jill’

Jack Sadelstein (Adam Sandler) dreads Thanksgiving every year because that’s when his identical twin, Jill (Adam Sandler), visits him every year and stays way too long.

Jill’s stay seems to be extended even further when she meets the actor Al Pacino (Al Pacino), who loves her. As the romance between the young couple sours, Jack fears that Jill will be staying in town for the New Year.

Notes: PG

Where to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Apple TV+

‘Holiday Home’

After losing her job, and learning that her daughter will be spending Thanksgiving with her boyfriend, single mom Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter) reluctantly returns home to spend the holidays with family. his not working.

Claudia prepares for the weekend with her strict parents, eccentric aunt (Geraldine Chaplin), wild brother (Robert Downey Jr.) and proud brother-in-law (Steve Guttenberg).

The holiday weekend takes an unexpected turn when Claudia meets her brother’s charming friend, Leo Fish (Dylan McDermott).

Notes: PG-13

Where to watch: Paramount+, Pluto TV

“The Joy of Garfield”

At the vet’s place the day before Thanksgiving, Dr. Liz Wilson expresses concern about Garfield’s weight and suggests that he go to dinner. Then Garfield’s owner, Jon, invites Liz over for Thanksgiving dinner – where she can take a closer look at Garfield’s food.

Notes: G

Where to watch: Peacock

‘Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow

During a visit to Turkey Hollow, the Emmerson children (Graham Verchere, Genevieve Buechner) are swept up in the hunt for the “Howling Hoodoo” monster.

At the same time, an evil neighbor plans to frame the Emmersons’ aunt (Mary Steenburgen) for stealing a turkey, and it’s up to the Emmerson brothers to stop the plan.

Notes: PG

Where to watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV

‘Dutch’

Dutch Dooley (Ed O’Neill), is a good-hearted, practical man. His patience is tested when his girlfriend asks him to pick up her rebellious son, Doyle (Ethan Embry) from her private school and bring him home for Thanksgiving.

Doyle wants nothing to do with his mother’s new boyfriend, throwing them into a battle of wills and they make a hectic journey home.

Notes: PG-13

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

‘The Old Joy of Thanksgiving’

Based on a short story by Louisa May Alcott, a widowed mother (Jacqueline Bisset) struggles to put food on the table for her three children and keep their family together. The eldest daughter, who dreams of becoming a writer, sends her divorced, wealthy grandmother for help.

When their grandmother is born, old desires are re-opened and the family must learn to overcome past differences and heal.

Notes: PG

Where to watch: Pluto TV, Tubi

‘The Addams Family Values’

The Addams family welcomes a third child into the family. While Morticia (Anjelica Huston) and Gomez Addams (Raul Julia) celebrate the arrival of their new son, Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) are not happy about their new sibling.

Morticia and Gomez hire a girl, Debbie Jelinsky (Joan Cusack), to help with the new baby. But when Debbie betrays Uncle Fester, Wednesday suspects that Debbie has sinister plans.

Notes: PG-13

Where to watch: Paramount+, Pluto TV

‘Stones’

“Rocky” hit theaters on Thanksgiving in 1976. It’s been considered a Thanksgiving movie in the same way that it’s arguably been considered a Christmas movie. So, take it or leave it.

Small-time boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) gets an immediate shot at the world heavyweight title when he is unexpectedly chosen as the unexpected opponent of reigning champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers).

With coaching from former bantamweight boxer Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith), Rocky pushes to overcome professional and personal challenges.

Notes: PG

Where to watch: MGM+