Flicks to enjoy with friends and family this Thanksgiving

By Arman Saxena     11/19/24 10:58pm

Many film fans discuss their favorite Christmas movies, Valentine’s Day movies and even Election Day movies, but Thanksgiving cinema is too often forgotten. Here at the Thresher, we want to acknowledge some of the best movies to see while enjoying a potluck, cooking for a Friendsgiving or spending a warm moment with loved ones this Thanksgiving break.

“The Royal Tenenbaums”

“The Royal Tenenbaums” doesn’t actually take place during Thanksgiving, but it is one of the best movies about family, which I think is the most important part of the holiday. Each scene in Wes Anderson’s masterwork depicts how our expectations of each other shape and change who we become and how we, as people, must reconcile with that. While not always a feel-good movie, its authenticity and humor make it easy to see yourself on the screen. It reminds you why family is essential, which can be easy to lose sight of when Thanksgiving gets hectic.

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— Jay Collura 

“Spider-Man”

Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” set a lot of precedent for the superhero genre, but I can’t think of a contemporary that uses any holiday quite like this. Drawing on the very real feelings of stress that can dominate Thanksgiving, Raimi creates a hilariously tense depiction of the holiday in which Peter Parker a) is found out by the Green Goblin, b) deals with the fact his crush is dating his best friend, and c) has to eat what appears to be a pretty lackluster dinner spread prepared by Aunt May. Always be thankful you don’t have to deal with all that on Thanksgiving.

— Jay Collura 

“Fantastic Mr. Fox”

Wes Anderson’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” the movie adaptation of the classic childhood book by Roald Dahl, is a beautiful stop-motion film perfect for fall. Using vivid autumn imagery, charming woodland creatures and sequences of perilous poultry heists, Anderson tells the story of Mr. Fox and his family as they narrowly avoid death at the hands of farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean. Ultimately, Mr. Fox discovers the importance of community, selflessness and making sacrifices for the ones we love. And, of course, what Thanksgiving is truly about — “We’ll eat tonight, and we’ll eat together.” 

— Caleb Lin

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”

Through a simple but charming story, Charlie Brown and his friends teach us the true meaning of Thanksgiving as he hosts a last-minute dinner. With a calming fall soundtrack, a distinct lack of adults and a quick resolution, Charlie Brown encourages everyone to remember why we enjoy this holiday. While only 25 minutes, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is a part of many people’s Thanksgiving traditions for a reason. If you’re looking to get into the Thanksgiving spirit, grab a piece of toast, jelly beans, pretzel sticks and popcorn, and take a few minutes to enjoy this classic. 

— Angelica Hernandez

“Planes, Trains, & Automobiles”

John Hughes’ “Planes, Trains, & Automobiles” is the quintessential Thanksgiving movie, capturing the chaos and comedy of the holiday season. Starring Steve Martin and John Candy, this film follows the misadventures of Neal Page and Del Griffith as they try to get home in time for Thanksgiving dinner. Their journey is filled with mishaps, misunderstandings and moments of genuine connection, reminding the audience of the importance of patience, kindness and humor during the holiday season — as difficult as they may be to muster when cooped up with your loved ones for a week. This film argues that, despite the chaos, Thanksgiving is a tender time of coming together.

— Arman Saxena

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