24 Thanksgiving Movies to Watch (and the Bakery Treat to Pair with Each)
Thanksgiving movie night is its own tradition. The turkey is done, the dishes are soaking, and everyone finally sits down together. All that is missing is the right film and something good to eat while it plays.
This list has both. Below are 24 Thanksgiving movies to watch, sorted into five moods, with a bakery treat from La Creme Bakery Cafe in Frisco, TX to pair with each one. Every pairing links to the item on our site, so you can order for pickup and have everything ready before the opening credits.
How to Use This List
Not every Thanksgiving movie is set on Thanksgiving, so we label each one honestly:
- Set on Thanksgiving: the holiday is the story, or a major part of it.
- Thanksgiving-lite: the holiday shows up in a scene or sets the mood, and the film still fits the evening.
- Best for: Family (all ages), Everyone (teens and up), or Grown-ups (check the rating first).
Ratings and release years are listed so you can choose with kids in the room. For where to stream, check your streaming service, since availability changes often.
Section 1: Family Favorites and Animated Specials
Short, gentle and easy to put on while the table is still being cleared. These suit the whole family, including the youngest viewers.
1. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
Set on Thanksgiving.
Best for: Family.
This 25-minute special is the easiest first pick of the night. Snoopy and Woodstock host a feast that looks nothing like a traditional one, and it ends on a warm note about gratitude.
Pair it with: Snickerdoodle Cookie. Cinnamon sugar, soft and quick to share around.
2. Free Birds (2013)
Set on Thanksgiving.
Best for: Family.
Two turkeys take a time-travelling trip to change the holiday menu for good. It is silly, fast and a hit with kids.
Pair it with: Monster Cookies. A big, loaded cookie for a big, loud comedy.
3. Garfield's Thanksgiving (1989)
Set on Thanksgiving.
Best for: Family.
Garfield cares about exactly one thing, and it is dinner. A short, funny special for anyone who has ever eyed the food before it hit the table.
Pair it with: Cinnamon Roll. Warm, sweet and worth every bite.
4. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Thanksgiving-lite (feast scenes).
Best for: Everyone.
Wes Anderson's stop-motion adaptation is full of long dinner tables and big family meals. It is quirky, stylish and a good pick when the kids have gone to bed and the adults want something clever.
Pair it with: Chocolate Hazelnut Croissant. Flaky, rich and a little fancy, just like the film.
5. Addams Family Values (1993)
Thanksgiving-lite (the camp play).
Best for: Everyone. Wednesday and Pugsley's summer camp ends in a very unusual Thanksgiving pageant. It is a dark, funny pick for older kids and teens.
Pair it with: S'mores Cookie. A campfire classic, fitting for a camp story.
Section 2: Comedies
When the family gathering gets loud, these are the films that make the chaos feel normal. Check the rating on each before you press play.
6. Dutch (1991)
Set on Thanksgiving.
Best for: Everyone.
A road trip across the country to bring a boy home for Thanksgiving, with plenty of bickering along the way. A good one to rediscover.
Pair it with: Salted Butter Cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookie. Simple and buttery, a good match for a simple, sweet story.
7. Son-in-Law (1993)
Set on Thanksgiving.
Best for: Everyone.
A college student brings a new friend home for the holiday, and the family has opinions. Pure 90s comedy.
Pair it with: Strawberry Cream Croissant. Light, fruity and a fun break from heavier fall flavors.
8. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Thanksgiving-lite (listed on holiday roundups).
Best for: Everyone. A family comedy built around one very committed disguise. It turns up on many cozy-season watch lists, and it is easy to enjoy again.
Pair it with: Cinnamon Croissant Rolls. Soft, sweet and nostalgic.
9. Grumpy Old Men (1993)
Thanksgiving-lite (listed on holiday roundups).
Best for: Everyone.
Two neighbors, one long feud and a lot of snow. The banter is the main attraction.
Pair it with: Drip Coffee and Banana Walnut Loaf. A coffee-and-loaf kind of film.
Section 3: Feel-Good and Romance
For the quiet part of the evening, once the guests have gone home or the house has settled down.
10. You've Got Mail (1998)
Thanksgiving-lite (one sequence).
Best for: Everyone.
Two rivals who are also secret pen pals, set against a very New York autumn. It is warm, funny and a favorite for cozy nights in.
Pair it with: Almond Croissant. A bakery-shop story deserves a bakery classic.
11. Dan in Real Life (2007)
Family gathering.
Best for: Everyone.
A widowed dad, a big family weekend and an awkward surprise romance. It is gentle and funny, and it captures the feeling of being crowded in with relatives.
Pair it with: Apple Spice Loaf. Warm spice, easy to slice and share.
12. Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade (2013)
Set on Thanksgiving.
Best for: Everyone.
A holiday romance wrapped around the big parade. It is lighthearted and made for the long weekend.
Pair it with: Pumpkin Danish. Seasonal, flaky and not too sweet.
13. Almost Christmas (2016)
Thanksgiving to Christmas.
Best for: Everyone.
A family comes home for the holidays, and the kitchen, the arguments and the love all take center stage. A great bridge between Thanksgiving and December.
Pair it with: Mini Pecan Pie. Everyone gets their own, and nobody has to share.
14. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
Thanksgiving-lite (autumn family scenes).
Best for: Family. A classic musical about a close family and the seasons that shape their year. Good for grandparents and kids alike.
Pair it with: Spritz Cookie. A delicate, old-fashioned cookie for an old-fashioned film.
Section 4: Family Dramas and Dramedies
These are the films about the family dinner itself: who is at the table, who is missing, and what gets said. They suit older teens and adults.
15. Home for the Holidays (1995)
Set on Thanksgiving.
Best for: Everyone.
A weekend with a full house of relatives and every kind of tension. It is funny and honest about what family gatherings are really like.
Pair it with: Pumpkin Pie. The classic, for a classic family dinner film.
16. Pieces of April (2003)
Set on Thanksgiving. Best for: Everyone. A young woman tries to cook the whole dinner in a tiny apartment for a family that is not sure about her. Small, human and hopeful. Pair it with: Pecan Pie. Rich and worth the effort, like the dinner in the story.
17. What's Cooking? (2000)
Set on Thanksgiving.
Best for: Everyone.
Four families in one Los Angeles neighborhood, four different Thanksgiving tables. It shows how many ways there are to celebrate the same day.
Pair it with: Chocolate Pecan Pie. A twist on the classic, like each family's own take on the menu.
19. The Blind Side (2009)
Thanksgiving-lite (a memorable holiday scene).
Best for: Everyone.
A heartfelt true story about a family that opens its home. The Thanksgiving table scene is the one people remember.
Pair it with: Pumpkin Bread. Comforting and homey.
19. Miracle on 34th Street (1947 or 1994)
Opens with the Thanksgiving parade.
Best for: Family.
Both versions begin with the big Thanksgiving parade and move straight into the Christmas season. A good way to start the shift from one holiday to the next.
Pair it with: Hot Cocoa and Hot Chocolate Cookie. A pairing that suits a snowy-season film.
Section 5: Cozy Classics and Thanksgiving-Lite
Films that fit the mood of the long weekend, even if the holiday is only a scene or a feeling.
20. Little Women (2019)
Thanksgiving-lite (cozy-season mood).
Best for: Everyone.
A story of sisters, family and growing up, with the warmth of a full house. It suits a slow, gentle evening.
Pair it with: Earl Grey Tea and Almond Cookies. A tea-and-cookie kind of film.
21. Rocky (1976)
Thanksgiving-lite (one sequence).
Best for: Everyone.
A sports classic with a quiet Thanksgiving evening in the middle, and the kind of story people feel like watching on a holiday.
Pair it with: Fudge Brownie with Ganache. Dense, rich and a champion's treat.
22. Annie (1982)
Thanksgiving-lite.
Best for: Family.
A big-hearted musical that kids love. It is easy to sing along to once dinner is over.
Pair it with: Macaron. Small, colorful and cheerful.
23. An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving (2008)
Set on Thanksgiving.
Best for: Family.
A gentle, old-style holiday story with a hopeful ending. It suits grandparents and kids watching together.
Pair it with: Pumpkin Crumble Muffin. A soft, spiced muffin for a soft, sweet story.
24. Turkey Hollow (2015)
Set on Thanksgiving.
Best for: Family.
A family holiday adventure with a strange creature in the woods. It is a fun, light finish to the list.
Pair it with: Pumpkin Croissant. Buttery layers and pumpkin spice, a good last pick of the night.
Quick-Pick Table
| Mood | Film | Pair it with |
|---|---|---|
| Family favorite | A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving | Snickerdoodle Cookie |
| Family favorite | Free Birds | Monster Cookies |
| Comedy | Planes, Trains and Automobiles | Chocolate Chip Cookie |
| Comedy | Dutch | Salted Butter Cookies |
| Feel-good | You've Got Mail | Almond Croissant |
| Feel-good | Almost Christmas | Mini Pecan Pie |
| Family drama | Home for the Holidays | Pumpkin Pie |
| Family drama | Pieces of April | Pecan Pie |
| Cozy classic | Rocky | Fudge Brownie with Ganache |
| Cozy classic | An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving | Pumpkin Crumble Muffin |
How to Plan a Thanksgiving Movie Night with a Bakery Box
A good movie night takes about five minutes of planning.
- Pick the mood first. Family night, comedy night or a quiet evening for two. Choose one section, then pick two or three films.
- Pick one treat per film. The pairings above are a starting point. Mix cookies, a pastry and a drink so there is something for everyone.
- Order ahead. Place your order on our website for pickup in Frisco and choose a pickup date and time.
- Set it up before the film. Put the treats on a tray, make the hot drinks last and press play.
Browse the full menus before you decide: cookies, breakfast pastries, tarts and pies and hot drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Thanksgiving movies for families?
Start with A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Free Birds, Garfield's Thanksgiving, Miracle on 34th Street and Meet Me in St. Louis. They suit all ages, and the two specials are short enough to fit in before dessert.
Which movies are actually set on Thanksgiving?
Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Home for the Holidays, Pieces of April, What's Cooking?, Dutch and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving are all built around the holiday. Many other films on this list use it as a scene or a mood, and we label each one.
What snacks go with a Thanksgiving movie night?
Cookies and small pastries are easiest, because nobody needs a plate or a fork. Add something warm to drink, such as hot cocoa or tea, and keep a slice of pie for anyone who still has room.
Can I order bakery treats for movie night in Frisco?
Yes. Choose your treats on our website, pick a pickup date and time, and collect them at La Crème Bakery Café in Frisco, TX.
How far ahead should I order?
Order a few days ahead or the day before for Thanksgiving, since it is our busiest time of the year.
Are there eggless, gluten-free or dairy-free options?
Some items are labeled on their product pages. If you have an allergy or dietary need, check the item page or contact us before you order.
How many treats do I need per person?
Plan on two small treats per person for a film, such as one cookie and one pastry. Add a hot drink for each adult, and a few extras for guests who stay for a second movie.
Conclusion
A Thanksgiving movie night does not need much. A film everyone agrees on, a blanket and something good to eat is enough. Use this list to pick the mood, then pick the treat.
When you are ready to order, browse our cookies, pastries and pies and choose pickup in Frisco. Happy Thanksgiving movie night from all of us at La Crème.
