The short answer
The best Thanksgiving movies for 2026 are Planes, Trains and Automobiles (stream it on Paramount+), A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (Apple TV), Home for the Holidays and Pieces of April (MGM+), and Eli Roth’s horror film Thanksgiving (HBO Max and Hulu). We checked every US streaming listing below on October 13, 2026, so you can line up your Thanksgiving movies before Thursday, November 26, 2026.
- Best overall: Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), on Paramount+ and free with a library card on Kanopy
- Best for kids: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973), on Apple TV
- Best on Netflix: Holidate (2020) plus the Master of None episode “Thanksgiving”
- Best on Disney+: Miracle on 34th Street (1947), which opens at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Best horror: Thanksgiving (2023), on HBO Max and Hulu
- Best free option: Pieces of April and Hannah and Her Sisters, free with ads on Tubi and The Roku Channel
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Thanksgiving Day 2026
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Ranked movie picks
25 min
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving runtime
93 min
Planes, Trains and Automobiles runtime
Last checked: October 13, 2026. Streaming catalogs change at the start of every month, so confirm the service before movie night.
In this article
Thanksgiving movies are films set during, or built around, the American Thanksgiving holiday, which falls on the fourth Thursday of November. Most of them share one theme: a family (or a found family) trying to sit at the same table without falling apart. Some are road-trip comedies, some are quiet dramas, and a few are slashers. For the full holiday plan, start with our Thanksgiving 2026 complete guide.
Because Thanksgiving sits between Halloween and Christmas, it gets far fewer films than either holiday. As a result, the best Thanksgiving movies are scattered across almost every streaming service, from Paramount+ to MGM+, which is a premium channel owned by Amazon MGM Studios. So we built this list around one practical question: where can you actually watch each film in the US right now?
To answer it, we checked each title against JustWatch, a streaming search engine that tracks what is available on each US service. Below, you will find a ranked list, a mood guide, a service-by-service table, kid-friendly picks, Netflix options and the best Thanksgiving TV episodes.
What Are the Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch in 2026?
The best Thanksgiving movies to watch in 2026 are the comedy Planes, Trains and Automobiles, the animated special A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and the family dramas Home for the Holidays and Pieces of April. Here is the full list at a glance, with the US service where each one streams as part of a subscription.
| Title | Year | Rating | Where to stream (US) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planes, Trains and Automobiles | 1987 | R | Paramount+; free on Kanopy | Comedy night |
| A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving | 1973 | G | Apple TV | Young kids |
| Home for the Holidays | 1995 | PG-13 | MGM+; free on Kanopy, Hoopla | Family chaos |
| Pieces of April | 2003 | PG-13 | MGM+; free with ads on Tubi, The Roku Channel | Short and heartfelt |
| Addams Family Values | 1993 | PG-13 | Paramount+ | Dark comedy |
| Hannah and Her Sisters | 1986 | PG-13 | MGM+, Criterion Channel; free with ads on Tubi | Grown-up drama |
| Miracle on 34th Street | 1947 | G | Disney+, Prime Video | Parade fans |
| Thanksgiving | 2023 | R | HBO Max, Hulu | Horror fans |
| The Ice Storm | 1997 | R | Rent or buy only | Prestige drama |
| Free Birds | 2013 | PG | Paramount+ | Animated laughs |
| Nobody’s Fool | 1994 | R | MGM+ | Small-town drama |
| Avalon | 1990 | PG | Free with ads on The Roku Channel | Immigrant family story |
| What’s Cooking? | 2000 | PG-13 | Starz; free on Kanopy | Ensemble dinner |
| The Last Waltz | 1978 | PG | Prime Video, MGM+; free with ads on Tubi | Music lovers |
| The Humans | 2021 | R | Rent or buy only | Tense one-night drama |
Pro tip. Library apps are the most overlooked way to stream Thanksgiving movies. JustWatch lists Planes, Trains and Automobiles as free on Kanopy, which works with many US public library cards, so check your library before paying for a new subscription.
The 15 Best Thanksgiving Movies, Ranked
We ranked these Thanksgiving movies by how well they capture the holiday, how well they hold up today, and how easy they are to stream in the US. In addition, each card lists the rating and the best way to watch.
1. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) — Best overall
John Hughes wrote and directed this road-trip comedy, in which an uptight ad executive (Steve Martin) and a talkative shower-curtain-ring salesman (John Candy) try to get from New York to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving. It is loud, then surprisingly tender, and it is still the first title most people name. Where to watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles? Right now it streams on Paramount+.
- Rating / runtime: R, 93 minutes
- Where to stream (US): Paramount+; free on Kanopy with a library card; also on YouTube TV and Fubo
- Best for: adults and older teens (the rating comes from one famous swearing scene)
2. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) — Best for kids
Peppermint Patty invites herself and her friends to Charlie Brown’s house, and Snoopy and Woodstock cook a feast of toast, popcorn and jelly beans. At 25 minutes, it is the easiest Thanksgiving watch for young children. Since Apple holds the Peanuts specials, it streams only on Apple TV.
- Rating / runtime: G, 25 minutes
- Where to stream (US): Apple TV (also via the Apple TV channel on Prime Video)
- Best for: preschoolers through grade school
3. Home for the Holidays (1995) — Best family-chaos movie
Jodie Foster directed this comedy-drama about a single mom (Holly Hunter) who loses her job and then flies home to Baltimore for a very messy family dinner. Robert Downey Jr. steals scenes as her brother. Notably, it treats awkward family moments with warmth rather than cruelty.
- Rating / runtime: PG-13, 103 minutes
- Where to stream (US): MGM+; free on Kanopy and Hoopla; free with ads on YouTube
- Best for: anyone who dreads the drive home
4. Pieces of April (2003) — Best short indie
Katie Holmes plays April, an estranged daughter cooking her first turkey in a tiny New York apartment while her family drives in to visit. Her oven breaks, so she has to knock on neighbors’ doors for help. At 80 minutes, it is short, funny and moving.
- Rating / runtime: PG-13, 80 minutes
- Where to stream (US): MGM+; free with ads on Tubi, The Roku Channel and YouTube; free on Kanopy and Hoopla
- Best for: a quiet night after the dishes
5. Addams Family Values (1993) — Best dark comedy
The sequel to The Addams Family sends Wednesday (Christina Ricci) to summer camp, where a cheerful Thanksgiving pageant goes spectacularly off-script. That scene alone earns it a place on any list of funny Thanksgiving movies.
- Rating / runtime: PG-13, 94 minutes
- Where to stream (US): Paramount+
- Best for: teens and fans of the Netflix series Wednesday
6. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) — Best grown-up drama
This ensemble drama follows three sisters across two years, and its story is framed by three Thanksgiving dinners. It is talky and adult, so it works best once the kids are in bed.
- Rating / runtime: PG-13, 107 minutes
- Where to stream (US): MGM+ and the Criterion Channel; free with ads on Tubi and The Roku Channel
- Best for: adults who like character dramas
7. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) — Best for parade fans
Technically a Christmas film, it opens at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, where a man who calls himself Kris Kringle replaces a drunk parade Santa. Consequently, many families watch it on Thanksgiving night to kick off the season.
- Rating / runtime: G, 96 minutes
- Where to stream (US): Disney+ and Prime Video
- Best for: the whole family, especially after the parade
8. Thanksgiving (2023) — Best horror
Eli Roth turned his fake trailer from Grindhouse (2007) into a full slasher set in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where a killer in a Pilgrim mask stalks the town a year after a deadly Black Friday stampede. It is gory and darkly funny, so keep it away from younger viewers.
- Rating / runtime: R, 106 minutes
- Where to stream (US): HBO Max and Hulu; also on YouTube TV and Fubo
- Best for: horror fans who want a holiday twist
9. The Ice Storm (1997) — Best prestige drama
Ang Lee’s drama follows two Connecticut families over Thanksgiving weekend in 1973 as a storm and their own secrets close in. However, it is not streaming on any subscription service right now.
- Rating / runtime: R, 113 minutes
- Where to stream (US): rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home
- Best for: serious film fans
10. Free Birds (2013) — Best animated movie
Two turkeys travel back in time to the first Thanksgiving to get turkey off the menu for good. It is silly, fast and made for kids, which makes it one of the few true Thanksgiving movies for kids.
- Rating / runtime: PG, 91 minutes
- Where to stream (US): Paramount+
- Best for: ages 5 to 10
11. Nobody’s Fool (1994) — Best small-town drama
Paul Newman plays a stubborn handyman in a snowy upstate New York town, and the story unfolds over the Thanksgiving holiday. It is gentle, funny and full of good performances.
- Rating / runtime: R, 110 minutes
- Where to stream (US): MGM+; free on Hoopla
- Best for: a slow, cozy evening
12. Avalon (1990) — Best immigrant family story
Barry Levinson’s film follows a Polish-Jewish immigrant family in Baltimore over several decades, and its Thanksgiving dinners mark how the family slowly drifts apart. Best of all, it is free to watch.
- Rating / runtime: PG, 123 minutes
- Where to stream (US): free with ads on The Roku Channel and YouTube
- Best for: multigenerational viewing
13. What’s Cooking? (2000) — Best ensemble dinner
Gurinder Chadha’s film cuts between four Los Angeles families, each with a different background, on the same Thanksgiving Day. It is a good reminder that every household does the holiday differently.
- Rating / runtime: PG-13, 110 minutes
- Where to stream (US): Starz; free on Kanopy
- Best for: a Friendsgiving crowd
14. The Last Waltz (1978) — Best for music lovers
Martin Scorsese filmed The Band’s farewell concert in San Francisco on Thanksgiving Day 1976, with guests such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. It plays well in the background while you cook.
- Rating / runtime: PG, 117 minutes
- Where to stream (US): Prime Video and MGM+; free with ads on Tubi and The Roku Channel
- Best for: classic-rock fans
15. The Humans (2021) — Best tense one-night drama
Stephen Karam adapted his own stage play about a family gathering for Thanksgiving in a run-down Manhattan apartment. It is uneasy, almost like a horror film without a monster, so pick it only if you want something unsettling.
- Rating / runtime: R, 106 minutes
- Where to stream (US): rent or buy only
- Best for: adults who like slow-burn drama
Which Thanksgiving Movies Fit Your Mood?
Pick a comedy for a crowded living room, a drama for a late night, and a horror movie only if everyone agrees. Here is how the main options break down.
Funny Thanksgiving movies
The funniest Thanksgiving movies are Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Addams Family Values and Home for the Holidays. In addition, the Netflix romantic comedy Holidate (2020) includes a Thanksgiving chapter in its year of holiday “dates,” and Free Birds covers the kid-friendly end of the scale.
Thanksgiving movies to watch with family
For mixed ages, start with A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, then move on to Miracle on 34th Street and Free Birds. For teens and adults, Home for the Holidays and Avalon spark the best conversations afterward. Meanwhile, if you want something to do between films, our Thanksgiving games and activities guide has ideas for every age.
Thanksgiving drama movies
The strongest dramas are Hannah and Her Sisters, The Ice Storm, Pieces of April, Nobody’s Fool and The Humans. Also worth seeking out is the indie film Krisha (2016), about a woman returning to her family for Thanksgiving; however, it is rent-or-buy only right now.
Thanksgiving horror movies
The best Thanksgiving horror movie is Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving (2023), on HBO Max and Hulu. Beyond that, the low-budget horror comedy ThanksKilling (2008), about a killer turkey, streams through the Screambox channel on Prime Video and on Philo. Fans of 1980s slashers can also find Blood Rage (1987), which is set on Thanksgiving, on Night Flight Plus.
Watch out. A sequel to Thanksgiving (2023) has been in development for some time, but we found no confirmed release date as of October 13, 2026. Be wary of streaming pages or videos that claim to show the full sequel.
Thanksgiving Movies on Netflix: What Is Actually There?
Netflix has very few Thanksgiving movies in the US right now; the best options are the rom-com Holidate and Thanksgiving episodes of Master of None and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. None of the classics in our top 15 are on Netflix as of October 13, 2026.
Is there a Thanksgiving movie on Netflix?
Yes, but only one strong pick: Holidate (2020), starring Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey as two singles who agree to be each other’s plus-one for every holiday, Thanksgiving included. It is rated TV-MA, so it suits adults. JustWatch confirms Holidate streams on Netflix, including the plan with ads.
- Master of None, Season 2, “Thanksgiving”: follows one friend’s coming-out story across decades of Thanksgiving dinners (Netflix)
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine: the precinct’s Thanksgiving episodes stream on Netflix and Peacock
- Netflix tip: search “Thanksgiving” in the app in November, because Netflix often adds seasonal titles at the start of the month
In short, Netflix works for a sitcom marathon but not for the classic Thanksgiving movies. For a broader list of what is good on the service, see our guide to the best movies on Netflix.
Best Thanksgiving Movies for Kids
The best Thanksgiving movies for kids are A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (Apple TV), Free Birds (Paramount+) and the TV special Garfield’s Thanksgiving (Paramount+). Each one is short, gentle and easy to fit before dinner.
| Title | Rating | Length | Where to stream (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) | G | 25 min | Apple TV |
| Garfield’s Thanksgiving (1989) | Not rated (TV special) | 23 min | Paramount+ |
| Free Birds (2013) | PG | 91 min | Paramount+ |
| Miracle on 34th Street (1947) | G | 96 min | Disney+, Prime Video |
| Mayflower: The Pilgrims’ Adventure (1979) | PG | 97 min | Prime Video |
Where can I watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving?
You can watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on Apple TV, Apple’s subscription streaming service, which holds the Peanuts specials. Its JustWatch US page lists Apple TV (and the Apple TV channel on Prime Video) as the only subscription options; otherwise, you can buy it on DVD or Blu-ray.
In past years, Apple has also opened the special to non-subscribers for a short free weekend. For example, AppleInsider reported a free window on November 15 and 16, 2025. Apple had not announced a 2026 free window as of October 13, 2026, so check the Apple TV app in early November.
Thanksgiving movies on Disney Plus
Disney+ has few true Thanksgiving movies; the best are Miracle on 34th Street (1947) and Spider-Man (2002), whose tense Thanksgiving dinner scene is when Norman Osborn figures out Peter Parker’s secret. In addition, Disney+ carries The Simpsons, which has several Thanksgiving episodes.
Where to Stream Thanksgiving Movies by Service (US)
Paramount+ and MGM+ have the most Thanksgiving movies right now, while Netflix and Disney+ have the fewest. Use this table to decide which single subscription covers the most titles.
| Service | Thanksgiving titles streaming (US) |
|---|---|
| Paramount+ | Planes, Trains and Automobiles; Addams Family Values; Free Birds; Garfield’s Thanksgiving; Rocky (1976) |
| MGM+ | Home for the Holidays; Pieces of April; Hannah and Her Sisters; Nobody’s Fool; The Last Waltz; Rocky |
| HBO Max | Thanksgiving (2023); The Daytrippers (1997); Friends |
| Hulu | Thanksgiving (2023); Bob’s Burgers; Gilmore Girls; The Simpsons |
| Prime Video (included with Prime) | Miracle on 34th Street; The Last Waltz; Rocky; Mayflower: The Pilgrims’ Adventure; Gilmore Girls |
| Disney+ | Miracle on 34th Street; Spider-Man (2002); The Simpsons |
| Netflix | Holidate; Master of None; Brooklyn Nine-Nine |
| Peacock | Brooklyn Nine-Nine |
| Apple TV | A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving |
| Starz | What’s Cooking? |
| Free (Tubi, The Roku Channel, Kanopy, Hoopla) | Pieces of April; Hannah and Her Sisters; Avalon; The Last Waltz; Home for the Holidays; Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Kanopy) |
So, if you only add one service for the holiday, Paramount+ covers the top comedy and two kids’ picks. On the other hand, MGM+ is the better choice for adult dramas. Also note that Rocky (1976) earns its spot because Rocky and Adrian’s first date happens on Thanksgiving.
Pro tip. Several Thanksgiving movies are also available as add-on channels inside Prime Video, such as Paramount+, MGM+ and Apple TV. If you already pay for Prime, you can add one channel for November and cancel it afterward.
Best Thanksgiving TV Episodes to Stream
The best Thanksgiving TV episodes are “The One with All the Thanksgivings” from Friends (HBO Max), “Thanksgiving” from Master of None (Netflix) and “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving” from Gilmore Girls (Hulu, Prime Video). Because they run 20 to 45 minutes, they are perfect between courses.
| Show | Episode to watch | Where to stream (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Friends | The One with All the Thanksgivings (Season 5) | HBO Max |
| Master of None | Thanksgiving (Season 2) | Netflix |
| Gilmore Girls | A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving (Season 3) | Hulu, Prime Video |
| Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Thanksgiving (Season 1) | Netflix, Peacock |
| Bob’s Burgers | Any of its many Thanksgiving episodes | Hulu |
How to Plan a Thanksgiving Movie Marathon
A good Thanksgiving movie marathon starts short and family-friendly in the afternoon, then moves to longer, more adult films after dinner. Here is a simple lineup that fits around the meal and the football.
- Morning: watch the parade, then Miracle on 34th Street (96 minutes)
- Before dinner: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Garfield’s Thanksgiving (under an hour combined)
- After dinner: Planes, Trains and Automobiles (93 minutes)
- Late night: Pieces of April for something heartfelt, or Thanksgiving (2023) for scares
Finally, confirm each title the week before. Streaming deals often end on the first of the month, so a film listed here in October can leave a service on November 1.
Our verdict
If you watch just one of these Thanksgiving movies this year, make it Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Paramount+. For kids, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on Apple TV remains the holiday staple, while Home for the Holidays and Pieces of April are the best grown-up picks. Netflix is the weakest service for the holiday, so plan on Paramount+, MGM+ or a free library app instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles?
You can stream Planes, Trains and Automobiles on Paramount+ in the US, according to JustWatch as of October 13, 2026. It is also free on Kanopy with a participating library card and available on YouTube TV and Fubo. Otherwise, you can rent or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV or Fandango at Home. Check again in November, since catalogs change monthly.
Where can I watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving?
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving streams on Apple TV, which holds the Peanuts specials, and through the Apple TV channel on Prime Video. In 2025, Apple also offered a free weekend for non-subscribers on November 15 and 16. As of October 13, 2026, Apple had not announced a 2026 free window, so check the Apple TV app in early November.
Is there a Thanksgiving movie on Netflix?
Yes, but Netflix has only a few Thanksgiving titles in the US. The best movie is Holidate (2020), a rom-com with a Thanksgiving chapter, rated TV-MA. In addition, Netflix carries the Master of None episode Thanksgiving and the Thanksgiving episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Classics like Planes, Trains and Automobiles are not on Netflix right now.
What are the best Thanksgiving movies on Disney Plus?
The best Thanksgiving-related movies on Disney Plus are Miracle on 34th Street (1947), which opens at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Spider-Man (2002), which has a memorable Thanksgiving dinner scene. Disney Plus also streams The Simpsons, which has several Thanksgiving episodes. Otherwise, the service has very few true Thanksgiving movies.
What are good Thanksgiving movies to watch with family?
Good Thanksgiving movies to watch with family include A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Free Birds and Miracle on 34th Street for mixed ages. For teens and adults, Home for the Holidays and Avalon work well. Because Planes, Trains and Automobiles is rated R for language, save it for older kids. Most of these stream on Paramount+, Apple TV, Disney+ or MGM+.
What is the funniest Thanksgiving movie?
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) is widely considered the funniest Thanksgiving movie, thanks to Steve Martin and John Candy as mismatched travelers. Other funny picks include Addams Family Values, with its chaotic Thanksgiving pageant, and Home for the Holidays. For kids, the animated Free Birds is the silliest option, and it streams on Paramount+.
