Thanksgiving Spirit

11 Movies to Get You In that Gobble Gobble Mood

Somehow, someway, we have come through on the other side of all that election anxiety with a new president and new hope. Seems like a perfect time for us all to take a nice deep breath to recenter ourselves, shall we? Inhale 2,3,4. Exhale 2,3,4. There we go…and we’re back!

Movies are a big part of getting us into the holiday spirit. All the scary movies surrounding Halloween get us in the mood for tricks and treats and there’s no denying that Christmas movies are arguably the best part of the season. But, for our forgotten, middle child of a holiday, Thanksgiving, there’s not much media wise we get that puts us in the mood for family and food. Maybe that’s why everyone is so quick to gloss over it in favor of Black Friday. However, this year, I decided to give Thanksgiving it’s due and put together a list of the 11 movies you should watch to get you in that festive mood!

Full disclosure, not all of the movies on this list contain direct reference to Thanksgiving but might just be associated with the general fall vibe!

11 Movies to Get You In that Gobble Gobble Spirit

Rocky Series

- Rocky is one of those movies that isn’t exactly about Thanksgiving but it is the day Rocky and Adrian have their first date so therefore…without Thanksgiving “AAADRIAAAAN” may never have happened! This time two years ago, Jonathan insisted we watch through the entire Rocky series as a lead up to the theatrical release of Creed 2 and honestly, it was a lot of fun. I had never watched them before and now I will always associate Rocky with November and Thanksgiving.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

- John Candy. Steve Martin. Comedy gold, right? I’ll be real, I’m not sure I’ve actually ever watched Planes, Trains, and Automobiles but I know it’s like THE Thanksgiving movie so what choice did I have but to include it on the list. Personally, I associate John Candy as Uncle Buck with Thanksgiving. No idea why, maybe it’s the coat/hat combo? Who knows? But you should check them both out cause John Candy is kind of the shit. 

Addams Family Values

- Whaaaa? The Addams Family? For Thanksgiving??? Uhh, yes. First of all, Addams Family Values is the best Addams Family movie and that is not up for debate. Second, if you’ve never seen it or it’s been a while you may be unaware that at the end of the movie, Wednesday and Pugsley are forced to take part in a play at their summer camp chronicling the first Thanksgiving. It’s. So. Good. Pugsley is the star of catchy opening number while Wednesday is cast as Pocahontas (yes the problematic nature of that is understood) and goes off on how terribly the Native Americans were treated by the Europeans. You gotta watch it. 

Wes Anderson Films  (Fantastic Mr. Fox, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums)

- This here is the three-for-one section on the list. Wes Anderson loves a good autumnal vibe in his movies and these were Jonathan’s suggestions to include. I’ll admit, I’m not always a big fan of Wes Anderson movies but I really liked Fantastic Mr. Fox and thought The Royal Tenenbaums was cool. I’ve tried at least twice to watch Rushmore and just can’t do it but that’s the one out of these three to have a true Thanksgiving scene in it. And, funnily enough, is the one that stars Talia Shire’s (aka Adrian from Rocky) son, Jason Schwartzman. Two members of the same family on one Thanksgiving movie list? Crazier things have happened. There’s something about Wes Anderson’s color palette, costume choices, and character’s dry delivery in these films that make them feel perfect for this time of year.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

- Popcorn and jellybeans, the ultimate Thanksgiving feast. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving might be my favorite of the the Charlie Brown holiday trio. The dinner is exactly what I imagine kids would put together for the holiday and I love when Marcie lets Patty know she’s kinda being a huge C U Next Tuesday…which I think is an important thing for kids to learn to do, call your friends out when they’re being the worst. Apple TV stole all the Charlie Brown specials this year so they won’t air on ABC anymore but you just might be able to find it if you search YouTube hard enough.

Son-in-Law

- I know you guys were concerned but don’t worry, Pauly Shore has made the list. I’ve loved Son-in-Law since I was a kid because it has everything. In addition to Pauly Shore this movie also has the “you’re killing me smalls” kid, the mom from Spy Kids/The Haunting of Hill House, and a brief cameo by Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It’s got your classic Pauly Shore as Crawl, a California stoner/surfer bro stereotype, who accompanies his farm girl bestie to her hometown for Thanksgiving. Hilarity ensues as this city boy attempts to fit into the family business of farming. I really must insist if you’re only going to watch one movie off this list…it should be this one. 

Alice’s Restaurant

- Did you know that they made that Arlo Guthrie song into a movie? Cause I didn’t. Alice’s Restaurant is a long ass comical “song” written by Guthrie as a Vietnam protest exaggerating a more or less true story from his past. My aunts listen to this while they’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner every year so that’s how I became familiar with it but only discovered it got turned into a movie while researching for this post. If you’re anti-war but pro Thanksgiving shenanigans, you can choose which way you’d like to enjoy Guthrie’s turkey day saga. 

Dead Poets Society

- Robin Williams is so incredibly missed. Dead Poets Society is one of his turns in a more dramatic film and he’s so good. The story is also beautiful and touching and heartbreaking. It’s set in the fall, in a private school, focused on the English teacher and the way he molds his class to be individuals. If that doesn’t scream November and Thanksgiving vibes I don’t know what will. 

The Other Sister

- I can’t believe I almost forgot this one! While The Other Sister takes place over at least a 12 month period, Thanksgiving marks a special moment for the main couple that I’d hate to give away. But more than that, this is a great movie about family and accepting those you love for who they are which is probably an important lesson for most of us at this time of year (unless they were a Tr*mp supporting racist then don’t accept them for who they are…just throw them out in the trash.)

What movie gets you in the Thanksgiving/Autumn mood? Are you familiar with any on my list? Let me know your thoughts in the comment below!