The Best Thanksgiving Movies to Inspire Gratitude and Justice

For me, the only thing better than watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade during Thanksgiving is watching a cozy movie with my family. As the weather cools and the leaves turn, now is a perfect time to snuggle up and watch a film. The season is stuffed (pun fully intended) with stress, loved ones, and remembering to share our blessings with others. These films remind me of those feelings:

1. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

Charlie Brown botches the punt, but he finds the meaning of Thanksgiving. From an amazing soundtrack to Snoopy’s doghouse, this movie embodies nostalgia for many of us. After Peppermint Patty invites herself over to the gang’s Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown is faced with a dilemma: his lack of cooking skills. He wants to be hospitable, but he’s not quite sure how. I’m sure many of us have felt this way, especially during a holiday that revolves around hosting. Let’s remember that God has given each of us unique gifts, and all of them can be used to bring people together.

2. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Fantastic Mr. Fox follows the clever-but-reckless Mr. Fox as he outwits three ruthless farmers to steal food for his family, leading to an underground battle for survival and a deeper understanding of family and self. The film beautifully captures the coziness of fall and the splendor of God’s creation. With vibrant colors and detailed stop-motion animation, Fantastic Mr. Fox immerses viewers in nature’s beauty. The playful score by Alexandre Desplat complements this, while the voice work from George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Bill Murray brings the story to life. The film subtly highlights themes of stewardship and the intricate relationships between creatures and the earth, inviting us to appreciate the wonder of God’s world.

3. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

If this didn’t make the list, I know some of my family members wouldn’t want me at the Thanksgiving table this year. This comedy hits the mark when it comes to capturing the stress of seeing a not-so-inviting face at the Thanksgiving table. In Planes, Trains and Automobiles, the two main characters, Neal Page (Steve Martin) and Del Griffith (John Candy), meet when Neal’s flight home for Thanksgiving is canceled. Neal is trying to get a cab, but Del, a talkative and overly friendly shower-curtain ring salesman, unknowingly takes the same cab, causing the two to reluctantly travel together. Their journey quickly spirals into a series of chaotic and humorous travel mishaps, pushing them to rely on each other despite their contrasting personalities. As we approach Thanksgiving, many of us are preparing to interact with family or friends who may have different political or religious views. The story of Neal and Del serves as a humorous reminder of our own flaws and the importance of setting boundaries — both for our own well-being and to foster meaningful connections. It shows us how, even in difficult or uncomfortable situations, we can learn to coexist and grow together.

4. Paddington (2014)

At the beginning of the film, Aunt Lucy, Paddington’s maternal bear figure, explains to the young bear why the people of England would be kind when he arrives: “There was once a war in the explorer’s country. People in England sent their children by train with labels around their necks so they could be taken care of by complete strangers in the countryside, where it was safe. They will not have forgotten how to treat strangers.”

Despite this heartwarming sentiment, Paddington faces hostility when he first arrives at the train station — until the Brown family greets him. Each member of the Brown family responds to his presence differently, but over time they come to accept Paddington as one of their own. Their eventual acceptance of a lost bear in a blue jacket and red cap mirrors the biblical call to love our neighbors, regardless of how unfamiliar or different they may seem. In welcoming Paddington into their home, they exemplify Christ’s love and hospitality, offering him a place of safety and belonging. Let Aunt Lucy’s message be a reminder to not forget how God tells us to treat the stranger this Thanksgiving.

5. Knives Out (2019)

In Knives Out, a brilliant detective is called to solve the mystery of a renowned crime novelist’s death. In the process, Benoit Blanc unravels a tangled web of family tension, betrayal, and hidden agendas. The colors are vibrant, the acting is superb, and the family drama is on full display in Rian Johnson’s murder mystery. Much like a loaded conversation around the dinner table, Knives Out tackles difficult questions about race, gender, and privilege, all while weaving in sharp humor. It offers an engaging mystery that lets us dive into the chaos of another dysfunctional family — not our own — and personally, I’m grateful for the escapism it provides.

6. If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

This movie, based on the novel by James Baldwin, has a different tone than other movies on this list. Set in the ’70s, “If Beale Street Could Talk follows the life and love of a young Black couple in Harlem. While pregnant, Tish Rivers (Kiki Layne) finds out that her fiancé (Alonzo “Fonny,” played by Stephan James) has been falsely imprisoned, highlighting the injustices that Black people face in the criminal legal system.

The lies that criminalize Black people mirror the falsehoods that justified the oppression of Indigenous people. During Thanksgiving, those injustices should be at the forefront of American consciousness. As Adam Ericksen wrote in “The Truth About Thanksgiving,” “The American ritual of Thanksgiving has been based on a myth that closes the mouths of Native Americans and keeps their suffering a secret.”

Films like If Beale Street Could Talk challenge us to rewrite these harmful narratives, inviting us, particularly during Thanksgiving, to reflect on how we can create new, just stories — stories that recognize the dignity of every person and that build a more compassionate world.

As Tish’s mother, Sharon, advises, “Remember love is what brought you here. And if you’ve trusted love this far, don’t panic now. Trust it all the way.”