When it comes to holidays, many of them get overlooked on the screen. Indeed, there is an abundance of Halloween and Christmas-themed movies across various genres; others, like Easter and Valentine’s Day, don’t have as impressive a catalog; heck, there is only one Arbor Day movie! One such holiday beloved by families across the USA and Canada is Thanksgiving, a chance to get together, share some good food, and, for some, watch some football. Yet films set on Thanksgiving are few and far between, aside from a few oddities, like the killer turkey Thankskilling films or the bizarre entry into cinematic history, Blood Freak. Even within Netflix‘s massive catalog, one will be hard-pressed to find movies that directly celebrate the holiday.
The lack of Thanksgiving-themed movies feels like a missed opportunity, as while it is short-lived, it comes with family gatherings and activities; those not wanting to watch sports after a feast are likely to find themselves watching TV or a movie as they digest and wind down from a day of socializing. To help you out, we have put together eight films that perfectly capture the Thanksgiving spirit, whether you find yourself with family or found family.
Here are the 8 best Thanksgiving movies to check out on Netflix this weekend.
8
‘Always Be My Maybe’ (2019)
Childhood friends Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park) grew up close, both as friends and next-door neighbors, before the death of Marcus’s mother caused the two to drift apart. Years later, Sasha returns, now having become renowned as a celebrity chef, while Marcus, still in his childhood home, is chasing the dream of becoming a musician. The two reconnect and soon find themselves having feelings for each other. Yet, Sasha’s success and Marcus’s difficulty dealing with the past challenge their chance at a relationship.
Always Be My Maybe, at its heart, is a touching rom-com, backed by a strong script and performances that set it apart from many others in the genre. The movie is ideal for couples sharing the Holiday, as it explores the strength of relationships, family hardships, and, more importantly, a celebration of food as a means to bring people together. The movie also leans heavily on themes of reconnecting with the past. While some people are lucky enough to see their family regularly, others associate Thanksgiving with reconnecting with family and friends after long absences.
7
‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ (2021)
Before finding unparalleled success with KPop Demon Hunters, Sony Pictures Animation had put out a series of fan-favorite Original titles, including The Mitchells vs. the Machines. With the same visual charm, the animated film focuses on Katie Mitchell, an aspiring filmmaker, who is about to head off to college; she has to get through one more family trip as they drive her to her new school. Yet, on the trip, while dealing with some family drama, the recent launch of a new tech, an AI called PAL, leads to a robot uprising that forces the family to work together to save the world.
Humor and heart seep into every moment of this animated comedy, backed by some phenomenal voice performances from the likes of Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Olivia Colman, and Doug the Pug. An awkward family outing turned world-saving adventure celebrates the strength of sticking together as a family unit, making the movie perfect to watch on Thanksgiving. The best part is that the film has an abundance of charm that will make it appreciated by all generations; it is not just for kids.
6
‘Holidate’ (2020)
Two singles, Sloan (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey), fed up with how their family sees them, end up making a truce: they will be each other’s dates during the holidays – Thanksgiving included – to take the pressure off the constant expectations placed on them. However, on each holiday date, the two get to experience different sides of each other, indicative of the season, and slowly start to fall in love. What begins as a platonic “Holidate” makes way for romance.
Holidate touches on all the Holidays, giving Netflix fans a rare actual glimpse of Thanksgiving on the screen–we told you there are not many movies centered around it. The Thanksgiving scene, in particular, is a highlight, as Jackson accidentally overeats on a laxative-laced pie meant for another family member, turning an already awkward and chaotic scene into a messy affair. The movie is chock-full of humorous moments, and while it is a comedy, it also finds touching moments to draw viewers in and paints a rather romantic vision of the various holidays and how great it can be to have a partner in crime help you through the highs and lows of the festivities.
5
‘Nonna’s’ (2025)
Joe Scaravella (Vince Vaughn) struggles with the death of his mother, to whom he was exceptionally close. In an attempt to honor her legacy and their love for each other, which often centered on spending time in the kitchen, Joe decides to open a restaurant. The twist is that the restaurant will be run by “nonnas,” grandmothers who have a passion for cooking. Each brings their own regional knowledge and eccentric personalities to the kitchen to help launch a restaurant that is inspired by sharing food with family.
Yes, yes, Thanksgiving is not an Italian holiday, but the movie’s focus on food and family makes Nonna’s an ideal film to throw on after a big meal on the big day. The family element here is utterly charming, with the team of nonnas, all with strong personalities but passion in equal measure, who will offer viewers some warm nostalgia as they reflect on times with their own grandparents. Adding an extra layer of heart to the Hallmark-esque story itself is that it is based on a true story.
4
‘All Together Now’ (2020)
Amber (Auliʻi Cravalho), a musically gifted teenager, struggles with her home life, living with her mother in a school bus. Despite her situation, Amber pushes to be involved in the community and tries to make the world a better place, often at the sacrifice of her own happiness. A glimpse of stardom and a chance to go to school for drama are uprooted when her mother faces further hardship and her secret comes out. However, Amber soon learns that the connections she has made in the community have made her stronger than she realized.
With all this talk of “birth family” get-togethers around Thanksgiving, it is essential to acknowledge that this is not a universal experience. However, having a “found family” to help one deal with hardship can be just as profound and loving an experience as growing up with one. Celebrating these kinds of connections, All Together Now captures how empathy can go beyond blood, and that you can find meaningful, lifelong connections to help deal with hardship. For those who sometimes feel alone during festivities, the movie is the perfect pick-me-up, offering a bit more realism than the family- and food-focused themes often associated with Thanksgiving.
3
‘Yes Day’ (2021)
Parents Allison Torres (Jennifer Garner) and Carlos Torres (Édgar Ramírez) have realized that their busy lives have left them disconnected from their kids. To combat this, they decide to create a new holiday for the family, “Yes Day,” wherein whatever the kids ask of them, they have to do together as a family. What starts as lighthearted fun turns into chaos as the requests get more outrageous. Yet, throughout, the family stays a strong unit, facing any adversity together.
The family-friendly antics of Yes Day make this ideal for a watch with the kids; get ready to temper their expectations about having their own holiday to dictate all the activities. The cast here is also phenomenal; Julia Garner gives one of her best comedic performances to date. Despite centering on a fictional holiday, Yes Day embodies many traits associated with Thanksgiving, from family togetherness to gratitude for those familial bonds. At the same time, the movie is earnest in showing that family time can also be a stressful affair, but one that is always worth taking.
2
‘Dumplin’ (2018)
A slice of Americana also perfectly complements the Thanksgiving holiday, as Dumplin’ delves into the world of pageantry in the fictional small southern town of Clover City, Texas. Here, plus-sized teen Willowdean “Will” Dickson (Danielle Macdonald) has lived in the shadow of her mom, Rosie (Jennifer Aniston), who grew up performing in pageantry and continues to be a member of the community. After Will’s aunt dies, her only supportive relative, the teen enters into competition as a means to revolt against her mom’s strict vision of beauty standards and unintentionally inspires other outsiders to join her. Through this act of defiance, Rosie must learn to find a new love and respect for her daughter.
Dumplin’ predominantly carries an uplifting message about body positivity and the importance of community. At the same time, the film explores mother-daughter relationships with sincerity, and also acts as a relatable coming-of-age story. Throughout the many themes Dumplin’ navigates, many of them play well into the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday: reconnecting, togetherness, gratitude, and acceptance. Of course, the holiday is predominantly an American celebration, making the film’s southern setting and signature ‘hospitality’ also help immerse one in the Thanksgiving spirit.
1
‘The Willoughbys’ (2020)
The Willoughby children—Tim, Jane, and the Barnaby twins—come from a long line of prestigious mustachioed eccentrics. Yet, the four find themselves longing more for a family than a legacy, under neglectful parents who barely acknowledge their existence. Deciding that their lives would be better served as orphans, the four set their parents up for a dangerous expedition. Yet, when they are assigned a babysitter, the group soon learn what real family is like, under her care and the adventures she takes the kids on.
The Willoughbys is one of those highly underrated Netflix Originals, a cozy animated family film with strong messaging and charm in abundance that has never really gotten its deserved accolades. The storybook-like animation and story structure have an instant, cozy, nostalgic touch, and the subsequent exploration of a found family is utterly uplifting. All these elements serve as an ideal way to celebrate the importance of spending time with family and, for parents, offer a message to pause and consider whether they are making the most of their time with their kids. The animated feature is perfect for the whole family; it is not just for kids, so watching together after a Thanksgiving dinner is also a great way to bond and share some laughs.
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