By Haydn Elmore | November 14, 2022
There are plenty of movies available to watch during the Halloween and Christmas seasons, and Thanksgiving seems to be left out –but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of movies to bring the Thanksgiving vibes out. Here are a few good choices to check out.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
1. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973): The classic Peanuts special focuses on Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang trying to have the best Thanksgiving they can. “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is an easy and entertaining watch during this time of year with its delightful characters, charming sense of humor, and beautifully detailed animation that captures the look of Charles M. Schulz’s comic strips so well.
2. Knives Out (2019): Rian Johnson’s unique take on an Agatha Christie-like murder mystery has the late-fall atmosphere of Thanksgiving. Top-notch performances from the entire cast, beautiful cinematography reminiscent of classic murder mystery character close-ups, and tons of laughs capture both the tension and hilarity of Thanksgiving dinners. Not to mention its sequel, “Glass Onion” is currently playing in theaters.
3. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987): This delightful road trip comedy features Steve Martin and John Candy trying their best to get home in time for Thanksgiving. Martin and Candy’s chemistry and a sharp screenplay provide jokes that land with perfect timing. The film serves as a friendly reminder that it’s okay to have a quirky companion during the holiday season.
4. Spider-Man (2002): The original movie focuses on Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) being bitten by a radioactive spider, getting superpowers, and learning the responsibilities of being a hero while stopping the evil Green Goblin (played by Willem Dafoe). What does “Spider-Man” have to do with Thanksgiving you may ask? The film features a fantastic superhero origin story with excellent character development, stylish direction by Sam Raimi, and a tone which perfectly captures the cheesiness of the comics while providing enough space to let the more emotional moments sink in. Plus, there's a scene set at Thanksgiving dinner.
5. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009): This delightful stop-motion animated film based on the book of the same name by Roald Dahl features a fox and his friends trying to steal food for their village while escaping angry farmers in the process. The vibrant autumnal orange and yellow colors prominent in the film, and the focus on themes relating to relationships and sustenance will make you want to eat good food with your family and friends this Thanksgiving season.