We’ll do what we can to campaign for more high-quality Thanksgiving movies to be made in the future, but until then, we’ll get by with what we’ve got. Check out these four Thanksgiving movies to get in the spirit before next Thursday.
Pieces of April
Pieces of April will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this film has many positives. Once you get past the very obvious low budget and numerous scenes of Katie Holmes haphazardly preparing food as if she’s never stepped foot in a kitchen in her life, you’ll find a lovely story about a fraught mother-daughter relationship and two people trying to mend it through a shared Thanksgiving dinner. At the very least, you’ll appreciate Patricia Clarkson’s Oscar-nominated performance and relate to the pressures of hosting your family for the first time.
Pieces of April is streaming now on Max.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
The most famous Thanksgiving movie of all, Planes, Trains and Automobiles isn’t even close to being John Hughes’ best holiday film – that distinct honor belongs either to Home Alone or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. (Unless you’re only looking at his directing work, in which case Planes, Trains and Automobiles wins by default.) But it still gets credit for having two fantastic leads and a humorous depiction of the commute home for Thanksgiving.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles is streaming now on Paramount+.
Hannah and Her Sisters
Holiday films don’t typically win Oscars, but Hannah and Her Sisters is no ordinary holiday film. In fact, the argument can be made that it’s not a true holiday film, it just happens to be set at the holidays. Nevertheless, this Woody Allen movie has multiple Thanksgiving scenes at the beginning and the end, and the middle is a worthwhile dramedy about relationships and family dynamics. This might not become a yearly rewatch, but it’s worth at least one viewing.
Hannah and Her Sisters is streaming now on Max.
Home for the Holidays
A film oozing with talented actors, Home for the Holidays is a must-watch Thanksgiving movie. Another film showcasing fractured family dynamics during the holidays, this Holly Hunter-led flick does so with a little more of the fun and festivity expected from a holiday film than the others on this list. If your Thanksgiving viewing has so far been limited to cheesy Hallmark originals, take it up a notch with Home for the Holidays.
Home for the Holidays is streaming now on Paramount+.