Thanksgiving Movies for the Family

Films to Watch at Thanksgiving Family Gatherings

Oct 8, 2007 Mary McCarthy

Here's a list of touching holiday films to enjoy with the whole family during your Thanksgiving celebration

Thanksgiving is officially the busiest travel holiday of the year in America. With all the family gatherings going on, what are some movies the whole family can enjoy together at Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Movie: Miracle on 34th Street

There are several versions of this movie; the best is the original black and white 1947 classic starring Maureen O’Hara and Edmund Glynn. It’s the classic tale of whether Santa Claus is real, and the story takes place on Thanksgiving Day at the Macy’s parade in New York. No matter how many times you see it, it’s a truly heart-touching movie and a perfect way for the whole family to kick off the holiday season at Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Movie: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Nothing’s better for family viewing at the holidays than a good Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang holiday special. This 1973 classic tale of the ever-unlucky Charlie Brown putting together a Thanksgiving meal for his pals (of course he has to do it- there are so few grown-ups and they don’t speak English!) is charming and funny. The much-loved Vince Guaraldi music is featured as well. Perfect Thanksgiving film for the whole family

Thanksgiving Movie: Pieces of April

The plot of this adorable 2003 indie holiday film revolves around April (Katie Holmes), the black sheep of her family who decides to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for her dysfunctional family in her tiny New York apartment. All the classic family-coming-together-at-Thanksgiving emotions are here- so don’t watch this one if the crazy sister threw a fit and refused to come this year. This is a fun and entertaining Thanksgiving movie for families

Thanksgiving Movie: Home for the Holidays

In this 1995 holiday film, Holly Hunter plays a single mom who loses her job and finds out her daughter isn’t coming home for Thanksgiving at the same time. She flies home to join her zany family for Thanksgiving, making the people watching the film at your gathering seem normal by comparison! Who can resist a good dysfunctional family movie on turkey day? This movie is full of great actors including Hunter, Robert Downey Jr. and Anne Bancroft- perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings.

Thanksgiving Movie: What’s Cooking?

This 2000 movie follows four diverse families as they prepare their Thanksgiving dinner. Holiday family stress, as traditional as mom’s gravy, is cooked up in many humorous and touching ways in this warm film featuring many excellent actors such as Mercedes Ruehl, Julianna Margulies, Kyra Sedgewick, and Victor Rivers. A great Thanksgiving film for the family to enjoy.

Watching any of these films will be an enjoyable way to spend family time over Thanksgiving if you can somehow manage to get the football games turned off for awhile!

Happy Turkey Day!

Click here for some creative Thanksgiving centerpieces, new ways to cook your turkey this year, and Thanksgiving craft ideas for the kids.

Also read about some great Christmas movies for the whole family.

The copyright of the article Thanksgiving Movies for the Family in Film Dramas is owned by Mary McCarthy. Permission to republish Thanksgiving Movies for the Family in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Thanksgiving: Charlie Brown style!