What Should I Bring to My Girlfriend's Family Thanksgiving Dinner
We've all been in this situation one or 2 thousand times: Subsequently dinner, the whole family unit gathers in the living room, lounging near the burn down, picking at some pumpkin pie and scrolling through Netflix and Hulu and HBO Max and — well, before y'all know it, an 60 minutes has passed and you still don't have a pic to spotter. Flicking through streaming platforms and cable channels to discover that elusive film everyone can agree on is the original "doomscrolling," simply, if you prep in advance, information technology doesn't have to be that way this twelvemonth.
Whether you lot're celebrating the solar day with others in your household or doing a virtual meetup via Netflix Party, we've rounded up xiv choice movies to help mitigate that 24-hour interval-of pic-picking stress. From classics centered around Thanksgiving to films that capture a holiday-appropriate sense of family, fun and coziness, these movies are sure to excite even the pickiest film lovers.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
First on our list is probable first on everyone's heed when it comes to naming a Thanksgiving film. Strangely, for all the Christmas movies that overflowing our screens in December, in that location really aren't too many (quality) films set against the backdrop of Turkey Day. John Hughes' Planes, Trains and Automobiles is 1 glaring exception to that strange phenomenon.
Starring the e'er-hilarious Steve Martin and John Processed, this holiday comedy follows Neal Folio (Martin), a rather high-strung adjust, and Del Griffith (Candy), a kindhearted shower pall ring salesman, as they commence upon a iii-day odyssey to get to Chicago in time for Neal's Thanksgiving dinner. This classic "odd couple" formula holds upward — and, hey, we can all relate to travel plans going awry, especially around the holidays.
Now Streaming On: Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV.
If there's 1 thing you can say almost Pieces of April, it'due south that it's very early on aughts. And if at that place'south a second thing yous tin can say about Peter Hedges' one-act-drama, it'southward that it is a surprisingly great film that bears echo viewings annually. This is in large office due to the motion picture's star-studded cast, which includes Katie Holmes, Derek Luke, Sean Hayes, Alison Pill, Oliver Platt, John Gallagher Jr. and Patricia Clarkson.
Our chief character here is the titular Apr (Holmes), who struggles to prepare a far-from-perfect Thanksgiving repast for her estranged family. Her cramped, Lower East Side apartment in Manhattan — with its not-functional oven — and a agglomeration of other hurdles crop upward, making April's day all the more stressful. To brand matters more fraught, Apr's mother, Joy (Clarkson), believes this to exist her terminal Thanksgiving due to her contempo breast cancer diagnosis. Both funny and wrenching, the film earned Clarkson both University Award and Gilded Earth nominations — and it's like shooting fish in a barrel to encounter why.
Now Streaming On: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV.
The Goodbye (2019)
Few films in recent years have captured a family'southward dynamic with such precision every bit The Cheerio. When you lot watch it yous get a total sense of the characters exterior of the film'south central storyline. While this one isn't almost Thanksgiving, it does run across a family come together and navigate each other's (often conflicting) needs in a mode that makes information technology experience like must-watch when yous're gathered with loved ones.
Written and directed by Lulu Wang, The Farewell is based on her What You Don't Know segment on NPR's This American Life program. And that segment? Information technology was based on Wang's feel visiting her terminally ill Nai Nai (paternal grandmother) in Cathay — at a fourth dimension when Wang's family agreed it was best to keep the diagnosis from Nai Nai. In the film, the often comedic Awkwafina plays Wang'southward stand up-in graphic symbol, Billi, delivering a "fish-out-of-water physicality and emotion-on-her-sleeve sincerity that acts equally a goad for the family to accost issues they'd rather exit unspoken" (IndieWire). If you lot've ever felt a bit out of sorts in your ain family — if you've ever kept a secret or worried well-nigh non being fully honest with a loved ane — and so The Cheerio will concord space for you every bit it does for its onscreen family.
Now Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video.
Love & Basketball (2000)
Sure, football might be the unofficial official sport of Thanksgiving, but a great sports picture is a great sports picture, regardless of the field — or court — and Dearest & Basketball delivers. In addition to giving audiences all the heartache and romantic loftier notes they could inquire for, this archetype besides provides sports film thrills and deftly captures what it means to be a adult female athlete.
Information technology's that mix of athletic appetite, familiar romance beats and the way the picture traces the lives of its two main characters that makes Love & Basketball feel similar a specially selection holiday spotter. For her directorial debut, Gina Prince-Bythewood told Slate that she "wanted to make a real love story with Blackness people. Not a romantic one-act, but the kind that wrecks you and builds you support." Without a dubiety, Dearest & Basketball does just that. The film traces the relationship between Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps), 2 kids who love basketball, become rivals and and then, throughout their lives, explore an on-again/off-once more relationship. Who needs the Dallas Cowboys, right?
At present Bachelor to Rent on: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube.
Home for the Holidays (1995)
Often, the mark of a great holiday movie is a stellar ensemble cast. On that front, Jodie Foster'south Abode for the Holidays, which stars Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Bancroft, Dylan McDermott and Claire Danes, nails it. Based on a short story by Chris Radant, the Thanksgiving classic centers on Claudia Larson (Hunter), who faces a serial of unfortunate events in the pb up to the holiday.
Not only does Claudia lose her job and kiss her ex-boss, but she also discovers that her daughter has made separate Thanksgiving plans, leaving Claudia afloat and Chicago-leap. The simply problem? As with all holiday films that stand the test of time, Claudia's family unit is rather dysfunctional — that is, bad at communicating. In the end, secrets spill out, feelings are hurt and hilarity ensues. Standouts include Foster's directing, Hunter's amuse and Downey Jr.'south performance as Tommy, Claudia'southward gay brother and longtime confidante.
Now Streaming On: Hulu, Starz, Sling Telly.
Ratatouille (2007)
If you lot're anything similar u.s.a., the lyrics "Remy, the ratatouille, the rat of all my dreams" take been on repeat in your head thanks to TikTok's internet-meme-meets-musical-theater-collab Ratatouille the Musical, a crowdsourced, but unofficial, bid to turn the love Pixar movie into a Broadway-esque hit. While nosotros do recommend watching the diverse videos that make upward the viral "Ratatousical," it might be best to stick with the real bargain on Thanksgiving.
For the uninitiated, Ratatouille follows the story of Remy (Patton Oswalt), a blueish rat with a penchant for cooking. When Remy finds himself in Paris, he tin can't assistance but live out his dreams of chefdom — well, sort of. Remy meets a hapless eating house employee (and human), Linguini (Lou Romano), and gain to direct the boy'due south cooking while hiding under his chef's lid. There's no one who appreciates the precision and beauty of cooking more than than Remy, so why not spend some time with him and his pals this Thanksgiving?
Now Streaming On: Disney+.
Knives Out (2019)
No, Knives Out isn't a holiday motion picture, but the sheer amount of incredible jackets and cozy cardigans — and, most chiefly, Chris Evans' iconic cable-knit sweater — could fool you lot. So, why spotter this ane on Thanksgiving? Well, Knives Out is all about familial dysfunction and betrayal and secrets. Much like Thanksgiving, a death brings a hard family together, but this fourth dimension the death isn't a turkey — it's the family'south wealthy, mystery novel-writing patriarch Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer).
The picture show follows Marta (Ana de Armas), Harlan's caretaker, and the rest of the zany, opinionated family every bit they try to piece together Harlan's suspect demise. Rian Johnson's whodunnit feels similar a snappier, saltier, twistier Clue (1985), one that'south made for, and about, the present day. Only information technology still gives you the (weirdly) cozy feeling those classic capers are known for, in part because of Daniel Craig's stellar performance as private eye Benoit Blanc. In improver to Craig, de Armas, Plummer and Evans, the movie also features wonderful performances from Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Michael Shannon and Lakeith Stanfield.
Now Streaming On: Amazon Prime Video.
A Charlie Dark-brown Thanksgiving (1973)
Earlier this year, a somewhat-scandal cropped upwards effectually A Charlie Dark-brown Thanksgiving. It didn't have anything to do with the content of the film, but, instead, the movie'due south availability. Since launching its streaming service, Apple acquired the exclusive streaming rights to all the Peanuts heavy-hitters, from It's the Corking Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) to A Charlie Brownish Christmas (1965).
If you have access to Apple TV+, you'll still be able to enjoy the special, which opens with the Peanuts' iconic "football gag" — you know, Lucy enticing Charlie Dark-brown to kick a football, merely to pull it away at the final moment. Apart from the classic hijinks, the special aims to tell a heartwarming story about friendship: Charlie Chocolate-brown, Snoopy and other members of the gang throw a Thanksgiving dinner for Peppermint Patty afterward the Birkenstock-wearing child is left dwelling house alone for the holiday. In the words of Lucy, you'd be a real "blockhead" to miss this 1.
Now Streaming On: Apple Idiot box+.
Dan in Existent Life (2007)
There'south only something about extended family unit gathering in a big, quondam house that screams "happy holidays" — even if there's nothing remotely seasonal virtually the picture in question. Such is the case with Dan in Existent Life, a comedy-drama directed past Peter Hedges (Pieces of April). You may remember this moving picture for its iconic affiche, which features a glum Steve Carell using a stack of syrupy pancakes equally a pillow, but if yous never got effectually to really watching it, now'due south the time.
In i of his earliest dramedy turns, Carell plays Dan Burns, a paper advice columnist and recent widower who takes his daughters on a trip to Rhode Island for an annual family reunion of sorts at his parents' (Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney). Of class, Dan's other siblings show up too, including his perennial bachelor brother Mitch (Dane Cook). From managing his low to having a meet-cute moment with Juliette Binoche's Marie in a local bookshop, Carell's performance feels and then grounded — heartwarming and also stinging. You lot know, perfect for the holidays.
At present Available to Rent On: Amazon Prime number Video, YouTube, Vudu.
You've Got Postal service (1998)
Speaking of love interests and bookshops…Y'all've Got Mail! Arguably, this is the best Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan rom-com team-upwards of the '90s. Directed by Nora Ephron, this classic isn't actually a Thanksgiving movie either, but, like whatever good rom-com worth its salt, it still gives off those comforting, all-will-end-well and in that location-are-some-great-jackets-and-sweaters vibes.
In the film, Ryan's Kathleen owns an indie bookstore that'southward almost to be put out of business by Joe (Hanks), our '90s Amazon stand-in. This 1 hits all the right beats, and, to be off-white, in that location is an iconic Thanksgiving scene that features a supremely annoyed Ryan in a grocery store dealing with money woes and an obnoxious dude (Hanks). And, hey, who wouldn't desire to spend Thanksgiving with two of America's most honey Hollywood sweethearts?
Now Streaming On: HBO Max.
The Oath (2018)
Looking to liven things upwardly this Thanksgiving? Melody into The Oath, a black comedy written and directed by the picture show's star Ike Barinholtz. Without a doubt, this comedic pic, built around a politically divided family, could only exist in a globe where The Purge franchise exists — it feels like a response to that dystopian horror series, but, yous know, helmed by comedic greats like Barinholtz and Tiffany Haddish.
The premise is elementary: In the near hereafter, the United States regime asks all of its citizens to sign a loyalty pledge. It's not a requirement, per se, but at that place's a strict borderline — Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. This provides the backdrop for Chris (Barinholtz) and Kai's (Haddish) messy Turkey Solar day meal. While the couple is rather disturbed by the oath, other members of their politically divided family aren't every bit upset by information technology. Long story curt, information technology's the ultimate awkward, infuriating Thanksgiving dinner — turned upwardly several notches.
At present Streaming On: Hulu.
Lez Bomb (2018)
In many ways, Lez Bomb is the original Happiest Season — that is, it as well tells the story of a queer woman bringing her partner habitation for a holiday without coming out to her family unit first. This fourth dimension, however, the vacation is actually Thanksgiving. Written and directed by its star Jenna Laurenzo, the comedy-drama follows the closeted Lauren (Laurenzo) and her loving partner Hailey (Caitlin Mehner) as they embark on a classic dysfunctional-family-meets-holidays journey.
Upon arriving at her parents' — played by Kevin Pollak and Dierdre O'Connell — Lauren tries her (somewhat) best to come out as gay to them, only to be cut off time and again. In the middle of all of this, her longtime friend and roommate Austin (Brandon Micheal Hall) arrives, turkey in manus, to spend the holidays with Lauren's family. Almost immediately, Lauren's parents error Austin for her swain and, when a flannel-clad Hailey does show upwards, the thought that she is actually Lauren'due south partner never crosses their minds. At times frustrating past pattern, this funny, sincere and heartfelt Thanksgiving film is rounded out past a charming bandage, which includes Cloris Leachman, Bruce Dern and Elaine Hendrix of Parent Trap (1998) fame.
Now Streaming On: Amazon Prime number Video, Tubi.
The Parent Trap (1998)
"Allow's get together, yeah, yeah, yeah" might non exactly be the mantra of 2020'southward Thanksgiving season — and isn't exactly the mantra of Disney's Parent Trap remake either. Nonetheless, this is one of the remakes that's — fight us on information technology! — amend than the original. (Apologies to Hayley Mills and Hayley Mills and her stylish '60s outfits.) As well-nigh moviegoers know, director Nancy Meyers' Parent Trap is all about bringing families back together, making it a wonderful tonic for a year full of isolation.
In the remake, Lindsay Lohan stars opposite herself as Hallie Parker and Annie James, estranged twins who, by chance, meet at a Maine summertime camp only to discover that they're related. The twins decide the best way to reunite their mom, London-based wedding clothes designer Elizabeth James (Natasha Richardson), and their dad, Napa-based winemaker Nick Parker (Dennis Quaid), is to swap places post-summer camp. Inevitably, they'll need to be switched back, right? Right.
Now Streaming On: Disney+.
Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
If the wondrously vivid animation and fanciful character and world design don't depict you in, the story of Howl'south Moving Castle is certain to captivate young and old viewers alike. Based on the Diana Wynne Jones novel of the same proper noun, this animated venture was crafted with care by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. For newcomers, Howl's is gear up in a fictional globe where both early on 20th-century inventions and magic exist, where two kingdoms state of war with one another and where a immature milliner named Sophie is turned into an sometime adult female by a witch'due south curse.
Seeking to break the curse, Sophie finds herself working every bit a cleaning woman for Howl, a mannerly only ill-tempered young magician who lives in an enchanted, walking castle. While Howl is pulled into the kingdoms' state of war, Sophie finds herself charmed by the sorcerer's motley coiffure — a burn demon named Calcifer, Howl'southward young apprentice Markl — and the characters she meets along the style — a wheezing canis familiaris, an enchanted scarecrow, a done-up witch. In the end, Howl's Moving Castle is all most dearest, in all its variations, and chosen family — and no other not-Thanksgiving film captures the spirit of togetherness, in all its permutations, like this film.
At present Streaming On: HBO Max.
Source: https://www.ask.com/entertainment/ask-approved-best-thanksgiving-movies?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740004%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex
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