There are all sorts of debates about what is or isn't a Christmas movie, but what makes a Thanksgiving one? What's a good example you point to as like the Thanksgiving movie you'd watch every year? Is it vibe? Does it have to be about the holiday? Does it even have to be set during Fall? We've seen all sorts of wild movies and TV specials count for Christmas, but what makes a Thanksgiving one haha

Addams Family Values. Even though it's a summer camp, that Thanksgiving Day Play is so iconic it deserves to be shown every Turkey Day.

Interesting question.

I do tend to think that there's a distinction between holiday movie and a "Christmas"/"Thanksgiving" movie. A holiday movie is more a vibe set this time of year, the other two would be tied to the specific holiday.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles is obviously the most well-known - but I can't say I'd watch that every year either (even though it is fun).

Agree with Kofi though - probably the best 10 minutes of Thanksgiving programming ever.

1 minute ago, KOutlaw said:

Addams Family Values. Even though it's a summer camp, that Thanksgiving Day Play is so iconic it deserves to be shown every Turkey Day.

Home for the Holidays gives all the shine to Thanksgiving, and it also features a great performance from RDJ! It has my stamp of approval.

I think anything that captures the mood and spirit of the holiday makes it a Thanksgiving movie. Although I'd jokingly argue that Spider-Man (2002) is a Thanksgiving movie because it has one scene with a turkey dinner, it isn't really. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is a prime example because it captures that rush of the holidays, but also focuses on the importance of family and friends.

Spider-Man’s Thanksgiving dinner does capture the spirit of family meals though. Strained relationships, near-murderous tension, world changing secrets threatening to tear loved ones apart…

This is such a good question! Honestly, I can't think of any movies I really associate with Thanksgiving, though the Thanksgiving scene in 2002's Spider-Man is iconic (I see Cade beat me to the mention on this one, and I agree it thereby makes it a Thanksgiving movie). TV wise, The Mindy Project had a few fun and dramatic Thanksgiving episodes I like to revisit during the season.

The only movie I really associate with Thanksgiving is Planes, Trains, and Automobiles because the holiday itself is so integral to the plot. I think a movie needs to be set during Thanksgiving time for a majority of its run time to be considered a Thanksgiving movie.

But like Ben, I don't rewatch Planes, Trains, and Automobiles every year at Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, Die Hard on Christmas Eve is an annual tradition.

It's a shame that Eli Roth's Thanksgiving slasher movie is just okay, because that could easily have been the go-to answer for a generation.

Spider-Man (2002) has a Thanksgiving dinner scene and parade scene. Sounds like a Thanksgiving movie to me!

I'd say the three best that are about Thanksgiving are:

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles - getting home for Thanksgiving

Home for the Holidays - Thanksgiving with a dysfunctional family

Pieces of April - an estranged family and the daughter who wants to have one last Thanksgiving before her mom dies of cancer.

With Addams Family Values as a great bonus movie, thanks to that amazing summer camp play.

For me, a Thanksgiving movie needs to involve some sort of travel misadventures or food-related mayhem.

My two movies that fit the "Thanksgiving" category are Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and The Wiz.

That said, I don't actually watch either of them at Thanksgiving (usually.) In my house, the movie(s) we end up with for Thanksgiving are the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy like god intended.

Dutch 1991 Ed O Neil and Ethan Embry

I think any movie that takes place during Thanksgiving would qualify. My favorite has always been Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. I do wish there were more Thanksgiving movies.

On 11/26/2025 at 1:18 PM, kristyne said:

Spider-Man (2002) has a Thanksgiving dinner scene and parade scene. Sounds like a Thanksgiving movie to me!

It counts! lol