Christmas movies seem to dominate this time of year, but before you dive into those wonderfully cheesy Hallmark holiday movies or take a look Red consider spending some time at the cinema during the week of Thanksgiving watching, well, Thanksgiving movies! An often overlooked (and honestly quite rare) type of holiday movie, the Thanksgiving movie could barely touch Turkey Day, but has tons of fall vibes (like the Nora Ephron classic You have mail), completely focused on getting home in time for Thanksgiving dinner (like Planes, trains and cars) or fall somewhere between the two (such as Sweetheartswhich starts streaming on Max November 28).
A Thanksgiving movie could be the perfect side dish for your turkey dinner this holiday season—and is certainly a great idea for the post-dinner coma. Here are seven of the best Thanksgiving movies to stream this holiday season.
Sweethearts (November 28)
Sweethearts follows two best friends and college freshmen who must accomplish one goal during the Thanksgiving holiday: breaking up with their significant others in high school, also known as a “Turkey Dump.” Kiernan Shipka, Nico Hiraga and Caleb Hearon star in this coming-of-age comedy. Sweethearts premieres Thanksgiving Day (November 28) on Max.
Stream on Max
The people (2021)
During a time of unrest, a family gathers in a small apartment in New York’s Chinatown for Thanksgiving dinner. Richard Jenkins, Jayne Houdyshell, Amy Schumer, Beanie Feldstein, Steven Yeun and June Squibb star in this underrated A24 film based on the Tony Award-winning play of the same name. You can stream it for free via Amazon’s Prime Video.
Stream on Prime Video
Holiday (2020)
While not exclusively a Thanksgiving movie, Holiday relates to Turkey Day! Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey star in the romantic comedy about two single adults who team up to be each other’s dates for every family holiday of the year. You can stream Holiday on Netflix.
Stream on Netflix
Friendship Celebration (2020)
A group of dysfunctional friends come together for a Friendsgiving and bring vegan food and a whole lot of drama. Malin Åkerman, Kat Dennings, Aisha Tyler, Chelsea Peretti, Christine Taylor, Jane Seymour, Deon Cole, Wanda Sykes, Margaret Cho and Fortune Feimster star in Friendsgiving, streaming on Starz.
Stream on Starz
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Another non-specific Thanksgiving movie, what Fantastic Mr. Fox What it lacks in official Turkey Day scenes, it makes up for in stolen turkeys, elaborate dinner scenes, and a beautiful fall color palette. George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray are the vocal stars of this 2009 Wes Anderson film. You can catch Fantastic Mr. Fox streaming on Disney+.
Stream on Disney+
You have mail (1998)
Not all Nora Ephron movies some kind of perfect fall movie? You have MaiI may just have that one iconic Thanksgiving scene, but I’ll take any excuse to return to this 1998 romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Plus Elwood Edwards, the voice behind the iconic ‘You’ve Got Mail!’ notice, passed away earlier this month. So for both reasons I recommend visiting again You have mail this Thanksgiving. It’s not currently streaming anywhere, but you can rent it for $4 on Amazon.
Rent on Amazon
Planes, trains and cars (1986)
Steve Martin and John Candy star in this heartwarming John Hughes film about two strangers who are continually brought together after a series of travel mishaps as they try to get home for Thanksgiving. You can stream Planes, trains and cars on Paramount+.
Stream on Paramount+
