11 Thanksgiving Movies, Ranked

If you thought Thanksgiving and horror can’t go hand-in-hand, this flick serves to prove you wrong. Co-written and directed by Eli Roth, this slasher movie revolves around a string of Thanksgiving-themed killings that follow a Black Friday massacre. While we can’t say it’s a top pick for the warm and fuzzy feelings of the season, Thanksgiving is a must for horror (and Patrick Dempsey) fans alike.

Sure, this Netflix rom-com encompasses a slew of holidays, but Holidate‘s Thanksgiving is one to remember, making it a perfectly acceptable contender. The movie follows two singletons, Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey), who meet at the mall while she’s exchanging a gift she received from her sister. One thing leads to another and the duo decides to be each other’s plus-one to all holidays moving forward without any romantic angle. Of course, not catching feelings is easier said than done. But this flick is the perfect remedy for a rom-com craving at Thanksgiving time.

Hallmark may be best known for its Christmas movies, but it has had a couple of Thanksgiving ones over the years — and this gem, starring Autumn Reeser and Antonio Cupo is among its best, period. In typical Hallmark fashion, Reeser’s Emily, a parade coordinator in Chicago, and Cupo’s Henry, a consultant brought in to take a look at the event’s finances, go from being at odds to falling in love — and it all culminates in her best day ever. — Meredith Jacobs

Another John Hughes holiday original, this coming-of-age comedy follows a blue-collar man as he embarks on a road trip to bring his girlfriend’s spoiled son home from boarding school for Thanksgiving. The boy has little respect for his mother — who was not born wealthy, like his father and himself — and even less for her new working-class beau. After being dragged literally kicking and screaming into the car, the kid spends the entire cross-country ride home trying to sabotage the trip, leading to some hilarious (and eyebrow-raising) moments between the two, equally stubborn guys as they learn to understand each other along the way. — Amanda Bell

If you aren’t looking for a plot-heavy watch but are hungry for good tunes, this concert film captures The Band as they perform on Thanksgiving Day in 1976. Billed as their farewell concert, The Last Waltz is a must-see for music fans as the event also featured a slew of heavy-hitting talents including Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell.

This 2022 TV movie brings the famous onscreen family back to screens for a Harvest Festival Fair celebration. While gearing up for the holiday festivities in 1934 though, the Waltons’ lives are changed by the unexpected arrival of a mysterious young boy. This film is the perfect way to introduce the Waltons to a whole new generation, serving up wholesome family fare for a crowd of all ages.

Again, not technically set at Thanksgiving, Peter Hedges’ film Dan in Real Life follows Dan (Steve Carell), a widowed father of three who travels to Rhode Island for an annual family gathering. On the road there, he meets Marie (Juliette Binoche) and the pair have an instant connection. The only problem? When Dan arrives at his parent’s home, his brother Mitch (Dane Cook) introduces his new girlfriend, who happens to be Marie. An underrated gem, this movie may not be set at Thanksgiving, but it delivers Thanksgiving vibes in spades.

Also a Peter Hedges flick, Pieces of April tells the story of April (Katie Holmes), a woman who is estranged from her family but invites them for Thanksgiving as her mother Joy (Patricia Clarkson) is dying of breast cancer. As April’s dysfunctional family makes their way to her New York City apartment, she comedically prepares the meal for the big event. If you’re looking for a realistic depiction of a chaotic Thanksgiving, this is the top pick.

This heartwarming — and, at times, gutting — family drama centers on the Johnsons as they mourn the loss of their matriarch, Mother Joe, and try to carry on her tradition of hosting home-cooked family meals. With bitter sibling rivalries, a suspected hidden treasure hunt, and a lot of hard conversations, the family comes together for their mama’s meal, for better and for worse. — Amanda Bell

Louisa May Alcott’s 19th-century classic comes to life in Greta Gerwig‘s gorgeous adaptation of Little Women, led by the powerful Saoirse Ronan as Jo March with Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, and Eliza Scanlen as sisters Amy, Meg, and Beth. Revolving around their youth in Amherst, Massachusetts, Little Women may not focus on Thanksgiving, but its warm familial moments make it a pitch-perfect selection for your Thanksgiving watch list. Plus, Laurie’s (Timothée Chalamet) love confession to Jo feels like necessary autumn viewing for the foliage alone.

Not much needs to be said when it comes to the best Thanksgiving movie of all time. That’s right. The best. Planes, Trains & Automobiles is an unbeatable title, holding the reigning spot since it debuted in 1987. Advertising exec Neal (Steve Martin) encounters shower ring salesman Del (John Candy) during a harrowing journey to get home to Chicago from New York City in time for Thanksgiving. Various obstacles get in their way, including each other, but kindness wins in this heartfelt comedy.