The Definitive 2025 List: 15 Best Thanksgiving Movies For Every Holiday Mood

Finding the perfect movie to cap off your Thanksgiving feast on this December 13, 2025, can be a challenge. Unlike the clear-cut genre of Christmas films, the "Thanksgiving movie" category is a delightful melting pot of holiday travel disasters, dysfunctional family dramas, and even a surprising number of horror flicks. The best films capture the chaotic, heartwarming, and sometimes tense spirit of gathering loved ones around the dinner table, making the post-turkey slump the ideal time to press play.

Whether you're looking for a timeless comedy, a gripping mystery, or a non-traditional film that simply *feels* like the holiday, this curated list cuts through the clutter. We've gathered the most beloved classics, the freshest modern hits from 2023, and the most underrated gems to ensure your 2025 holiday viewing is perfectly paired with pie and leftovers, covering all your topical authority bases for the quintessential cinematic feast.

The Essential Classics: Timeless Films That Define Thanksgiving

These are the films that have earned their spot on the holiday calendar, watched year after year for their perfect blend of humor, heart, and holiday chaos. They are the cinematic equivalent of a perfectly roasted turkey.

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1. Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

A Masterpiece of Holiday Travel Misery. Directed by the legendary John Hughes, this road-trip comedy is arguably the quintessential Thanksgiving movie. It follows Neal Page (Steve Martin), an uptight marketing executive desperate to get home to Chicago for the holiday, and Del Griffith (John Candy), a well-meaning but incredibly annoying shower curtain ring salesman. Their disastrous journey, which involves planes, trains, automobiles, and a whole lot of unexpected detours, is a hilarious yet profoundly touching exploration of companionship and the true meaning of gratitude. The final, poignant reveal remains one of the most emotional moments in 80s comedy.

• Director: John Hughes
• Starring: Steve Martin, John Candy
• Genre: Comedy, Road Trip
• Why It's Good: It perfectly encapsulates the stress of holiday travel and the unexpected bonds it can forge.

2. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

The Must-Watch Animated Tradition. No Thanksgiving viewing guide is complete without this animated special. When Peppermint Patty invites herself and several others to Charlie Brown's house for Thanksgiving dinner, he and Linus scramble to put together a feast. The resulting menu—toast, popcorn, pretzel sticks, and jelly beans—is a charmingly non-traditional meal that celebrates friendship over formality. It's short, sweet, and a perfect palate cleanser for the whole family.

• Director: Bill Melendez
• Starring: Todd Barbee, Robin Kohn
• Genre: Animated, Family
• Why It's Good: It's a heartwarming, nostalgic look at friendship and tradition, featuring the iconic music of Vince Guaraldi.

3. Home for the Holidays (1995)

The Dysfunctional Family Drama. Directed by Jodie Foster, this film is for anyone who finds their own family gatherings a source of anxiety and dark humor. Holly Hunter plays Claudia Larson, who, after losing her job and kissing her former boss, heads home for a chaotic Thanksgiving with her eccentric family. The ensemble cast, including Robert Downey Jr. as her free-spirited brother Tommy, Anne Bancroft, and Charles Durning, delivers a messy, honest, and ultimately relatable portrayal of family love and exasperation.

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• Director: Jodie Foster
• Starring: Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Bancroft
• Genre: Drama, Comedy-Drama
• Why It's Good: It captures the intense, often-stressful dynamic of going back home for the holidays.

The Modern & Non-Traditional Picks: Films That Capture the *Vibe*

A "Thanksgiving movie" doesn't always have to be about the holiday itself. Sometimes, it's about the feeling: the crisp New England air, the tense family gathering, or the sheer spectacle of a film released during the holiday box office window. These modern classics fit the bill perfectly.

4. Knives Out (2019)

The Cozy Fall Whodunit. While the plot centers on a birthday party, Rian Johnson's acclaimed mystery is set in a sprawling, autumnal New England mansion, giving it undeniable Thanksgiving energy. The film, which features a massive ensemble cast including Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, and Ana de Armas, is a brilliant, twisty whodunit about the wealthy, dysfunctional Thrombey family after the death of their patriarch. The themes of greed, inheritance, and political squabbling make it a perfect, albeit non-traditional, holiday watch.

• Director: Rian Johnson
• Starring: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis
• Genre: Mystery, Comedy-Drama
• Why It's Good: Its setting, themes, and "cozy sweater" aesthetic make it feel like the perfect post-Thanksgiving dinner viewing.

5. The Blind Side (2009)

The Inspiring Sports Drama. This Oscar-winning film, starring Sandra Bullock, is often cited as a great Thanksgiving-time movie because of its themes of family, adoption, and gratitude, even if the holiday is not its central focus. It tells the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who is taken in by a wealthy family, the Touhys, and goes on to become a professional football player. It’s a feel-good drama that perfectly complements the spirit of giving thanks.

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• Director: John Lee Hancock
• Starring: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron
• Genre: Drama, Sports
• Why It's Good: It's a powerful story of generosity and found family that aligns with the holiday's underlying message.

The Unexpected Twist: For the Post-Dinner Thrill Seekers

For those tired of sentimental holiday fare, the Thanksgiving genre has recently seen a surge of dark, unconventional, and even terrifying entries. If you prefer a little gore with your gravy, these are the movies for you.

6. Thanksgiving (2023)

The New Horror Holiday Staple. Based on a mock trailer from the 2007 film *Grindhouse*, Eli Roth’s full-length slasher film *Thanksgiving* became an immediate, fresh, and gory holiday hit in 2023. The film is set in Plymouth, Massachusetts—the birthplace of the holiday—where a serial killer dressed as a Pilgrim begins to terrorize the town a year after a deadly Black Friday riot. It’s hyper-violent, darkly comedic, and a must-watch for horror fans looking for a truly "Thanksgiving-centric" plot, making it one of the most talked-about new additions to the holiday rotation.

• Director: Eli Roth
• Starring: Patrick Dempsey, Addison Rae, Milo Manheim
• Genre: Slasher, Horror
• Why It's Good: It offers a completely unique, R-rated take on the holiday, moving far beyond the typical family drama.

7. Home for the Holidays (1972)

The Forgotten TV Movie Thriller. For a truly deep cut, this made-for-TV horror film is a hidden gem. It follows four sisters who return home for Thanksgiving after their father receives a letter from their stepmother claiming their wealthy, invalid father is going to murder her. It's a tense, gothic thriller that predates many modern slasher tropes and features an impressive cast, including Sally Field and Jessica Walter. It’s a perfect, spooky alternative to the mainstream holiday lineup.

• Director: John Llewellyn Moxey
• Starring: Sally Field, Jessica Walter, Eleanor Parker
• Genre: Thriller, Mystery
• Why It's Good: It’s a genuinely creepy, underrated film that uses the claustrophobic family setting for maximum suspense.

More Highly Recommended Thanksgiving Movies for Your 2025 Binge

To round out your marathon, consider these additional films that bring different flavors to the holiday table, ensuring you have enough content to last through the entire long weekend.

• The Ice Storm (1997): A dark, critically acclaimed drama set over the 1973 Thanksgiving weekend, exploring the sexual and social turmoil of two affluent Connecticut families.
• Dutch (1991): Another John Hughes-penned road trip comedy about a working-class man (Ed O'Neill) who drives cross-country to pick up his girlfriend's snobby son for Thanksgiving.
• Addams Family Values (1993): While not strictly a Thanksgiving movie, the iconic summer camp sequence featuring a skewed, hilarious depiction of the First Thanksgiving is a holiday highlight often re-watched.
• Free Birds (2013): An animated adventure comedy about two turkeys who travel back in time to change the course of history and take turkey off the menu. A great option for younger viewers.
• You've Got Mail (1998): This romantic comedy features a memorable, heartwarming Thanksgiving scene that perfectly captures the charm of a fall in New York City.
• Scent of a Woman (1992): Al Pacino's Oscar-winning performance is centered around a trip to New York for Thanksgiving weekend.
• Sweet November (2001): A romantic drama starring Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron that is often associated with the late-fall, cozy-but-melancholy holiday mood.

Ultimately, a "good Thanksgiving movie" is one that brings your family together, whether it’s for a shared laugh, a collective jump-scare, or a thoughtful conversation. From the slapstick genius of *Planes, Trains & Automobiles* to the modern, razor-sharp edge of *Knives Out*, this list provides the perfect starting point for your 2025 holiday movie marathon.