5 movies that celebrate the essence of Thanksgiving and put you in the holiday spirit

There’s no time like family time, especially during holidays, and particularly on Thanksgiving—there is the food, the guests, the turkey and more. All you then need to make it a terrific Thanksgiving is the magic ingredient—a movie that you and your loved ones can watch together.

Here are five fantastic ones that you certainly shouldn’t miss out on.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

There’s a good reason why you’ll find this animated movie in every ‘best Thanksgiving movies’ list out there. And if you think it’s something that only kids will enjoy, you’re wrong—Charlie Brown is timeless. This classic follows the Turkey Day traditions and festivities of Charlie Brown and the Peanuts crew. Watch Woodstock and Snoopy pull apart a wishbone, eat a piece of pumpkin pie together, and smile from ear to ear. 

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

This is inarguably one of the best Thanksgiving movies out there. The major reason for this is its plot—which has nothing to do with the family dinner, but two guys who are trying their level best to make it in time for the proceedings. Steve Martin and John Candy make for a comical pair who weather the (snow) storm and are forced to stick together on what is one very eventful road trip. What follows is an unexpected friendship that will leave you laughing out loud in a film that is as hilarious as it is heartfelt.

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

This is a classic rom-com that you need absolutely no reason to watch. But if you’re looking for one, we’re pretty sure you already know that the classic scene between Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) and Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) in which Fox comes to the rescue in a Zabar’s cash-only line actually takes place on Thanksgiving. The chemistry between the lead pair is adorable, warm and fuzzy as you watch these two business rivals fall in love through one of the earliest versions of the Internet (remember anonymous chat rooms back in the day?). And you don’t get just one, but two Thanksgiving celebrations—both of which include song and dance that sets the mood for the occasion. 

Pieces of April (2003)

If you’re looking for a film that teaches you the dos and don’ts of playing the perfect host this Thanksgiving, you certainly won’t get a better one than this. The film revolves around the life of April Burns (Katie Holmes) who discovers that her mother (Patricia Clarkson) is diagnosed with breast cancer. She and her boyfriend invite her estranged family into their New York apartment for Thanksgiving. When the rest of the family face delays, Burns must prepare the meal and festivities with the help of her neighbour, who has absolutely no idea about her family dynamics.

Krisha (2015)

Not all families are perfect and a reunion with them, on Thanksgiving of all occasions, may not be smooth sailing. That’s exactly what Trey Edward Shults’ critically-acclaimed thriller is all about. The film revolves around the life of Krisha Fairchild, a recovering addict, who returns to the family she abandoned years ago on Thanksgiving (a very tense time to do so if you ask us). Tensions rise and tempers flare as she tries her very best to regain the trust of her loved ones only for her family to realise that she isn’t as reformed as she claims to be.