The tradition of watching Thanksgiving movies is not just for the sake of doing it but rather to remind ourselves to be thankful. When you curl up on the couch with your loved ones to watch a classic holiday film, a satisfying sense of gratitude comes up. At the end of the day, there’s so much more to this holiday than eating all the amazing food. 

Having a wonderful stack of movies is also important this year as there is not going to be any big celebrations that you might look forward to. So, here are some of the best ‘Turkey Day’ films to entertain your guests, and most importantly, to be thankful for the family and friends you have.

Also read: The history behind the festival of Thanksgiving

The Oath (2018)

‘The Oath’ is not a typical Thanksgiving movie that makes you feel good. In a not-too-distant future, the government decides that everyone must take a loyalty pledge on Black Friday that opens a rift during one family’s Thanksgiving dinner.

What’s Cooking (2000)

The British/American drama tells the story of four diverse families celebrating Thanksgiving in their own ways. As each family prepares its meal, combining traditional American turkey with specific cultural dishes, the families also struggle with generation gaps, sibling squabbles and unexpected guests.

Also read: From menu to decoration: Prepare for Thanksgiving in advance

Lady Bird (2016)

This critically acclaimed movie revolves around a young woman, whose life gets stuck between high school and college. The lady tries to contain herself by spending the Thanksgiving dinner with her new boyfriend and manages to irritate her mother.

Funny People (2009)

The film is not exactly about Thanksgiving but has a thankful feel to it. The film is about a comedian, who learns of a terminal illness, might be a reminder to be grateful. The pivotal scene of the drama, of course, takes place around the holiday table.

Krisha (2016)

The film is about a woman, who returns to her family that she abandoned, on Thanksgiving Day. The holiday becomes expectedly tense as she enters the house. The film won the Grand Jury and Audience Awards at the 2015 South-by-Southwest Film Festival.

Also read: Planning a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, here’s a list to help you out

Home for the Holidays (1995)

The film showcases the often hilarious reality of family dynamics during the holiday season when a woman decides to spend Thanksgiving with her dysfunctional family.

Alice’s Restaurant (1969)

This classic film features Arlo Guthrie playing a drifter who connects with friends for Thanksgiving. Things start going interestingly downhill when they all decide to take a load of trash to the dump, only to find the dump closed. They toss the trash off a cliff, which leads to police involvement, criminal records, and a host of other problems. The movie is a comedic take on human relationships.