A good movie for Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a Thanksgiving movie. After all, there’s not that many of them – and great as it is, there’s only so many times you can watch Planes, Trains & Automobiles. Allow us, instead, to look at the conundrum of post-dinner viewing from a fresh perspective, like a human algorithm. So, what boxes to tick? Something recent, something family-friendly and something entertaining enough to make a tempting alternative to the football. It probably needs to appeal across three generations (depending on whether grandpa is taking a nap) and easy to access on streaming… although don’t dismiss the joy of a Thanksgiving cinema outing to freshen things up when the board games start to get tense. We’ve thrown a big-screen option or two there, too.
1. The Fall Guy
Invite Ryan Gosling into your home this Thanksgiving! The actor brings a little latent Kenergy to his role as sad-sack former stuntman Colt Seavers in an action-comedy that’s practically tailor-made for Thanksgiving. Seavers is called out of retirement to help his filmmaking ex (Emily Blunt) get her blockbuster in the can after her A-list star goes missing. Cue crazy stunts, immense silliness and Gosling doing his full range of puppy eyes. It’s a PG-13 so one for after little Billy hits the sack.
Rent on Prime Video, iTunes and other PVOD platforms
2. Twisters
Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones trying to avoid ending up wherever that CG cow from the first movie landed in a meteorological disaster movie full of sound and fury. The pair play a (seemingly) storm-chasing yahoo in it for the clicks and a serious-minded scientist developing the finest line in cloud-busting tech since Kate Bush. A disaster movie that’s guaranteed to play on a November evening at home, crank up the soundbar, batten down the hatches and let rip.
Streaming on Peacock
3. Thelma
Thelma Post (a career-best June Squibb) is a 93-year-old duped of her saving by a telephone scammer in arguably the most delightful revenge flick ever made. Hopping on her mobility scooter and enlisting the help of her grandson (Gladiator II’s Fred Hechinger) and an old pal (Shaft himself, Richard Roundtree), she turns super-sleuth as she crosses Los Angeles in search of gentle payback. A funny, sincere ode to our elders and betters, it has the perfect family Thanksgiving message. Just don’t call it Deaf Wish.
Streaming on Hulu
4. Joy
Obviously, try not to think about the Brits too much over Thanksgiving but it’s worth making an exception for this feelgood flick about the pioneers behind the first ‘test tube baby’. The cast boasts a winning trio of actors in Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and the inestimable Bill Nighy – on top form – and the story is captivating enough to draw in the adults while the kids jump back onto TikTok.
Streaming on Netflix
5. Wonka
Seen Wicked? Then head for the wonderful world of Roald Dahl, via the magical lens of Paul ‘Paddington’ King, in a movie musical that gets better with every viewing. Timothée Chalamet is aspiring chocolatier Willy Wonka and Paterson Joseph is the head of the Chocolate Cartel set on crushing him. The songs, some old (Pure Imagination), many new (You’ve Never Had Chocolate Like This, Sweet Tooth), have the longevity of an Everlasting Gobstopper. Hugh Grant plays an Oompa-Loompa. Need we say more?
Streaming on Max
And at the theater…
6. Moana 2
You know all about Wicked already so allow us to point you instead to the latest Disney Animation joint instead. Sure, it’s not a match for 2016 classic Moana – what is? – but this colourful follow-up has enough charm, excitement and exuberance to warrant piling the whole family into the car and heading to the multiplex over the holiday weekend. With those azure seascapes and Pacific vistas, it makes a sunny and heartwarming adventure for chilly times.
The 21 best Thanksgiving movies of all time.
The best family-friendly treats for post-turkey viewing.
