Image: Shutterstock
Thanksgiving is an occasion meant to spend time with family and have delicious food. Watching Thanksgiving movies for kids allows children to have a gala time. But getting comfortable on the sofa and watching movies along with the kids and family is also refreshing. There are plenty of movies across multiple genres that children can watch and enjoy, from comedy, cartoon, superhero, fairytale, sci-fi, to action. So, dive into this post as we bring you some interesting kids’ Thanksgiving movies that will help your little one revel in the holiday spirit.
31 Thanksgiving Movies For Kids
1. Planes, Trains and Automobiles
A classic, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a movie that your children will enjoy watching. Neal Page (Steve Martin) and Del Griffith (John Cady) travel together to make it home in time for Thanksgiving and experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. As their friendship grows, Del is overjoyed to meet Neal’s family at the Thanksgiving dinner. This is a touching story about family, friendship, and goodwill.
2. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Celebrate Thanksgiving with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang in this incredible story of Thanksgiving customs. When Peppermint Pattie invites herself and friends to Charlie Brown’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, Charlie Brown is caught off guard and reluctantly agrees to cook the holiday feast! The movie teaches children the valuable lesson about being grateful to God for what we have.
3. The Blind Side
This may not be the quintessential Thanksgiving movie, but The Blind Side captures the theme of Thanksgiving beautifully with the underlying message of giving love, being thankful for what we have, helping those in need. The movie is based on the incredible true story of NFL star Michael Oher, a homeless youngster from a broken home adopted by the Tuohy’s, who help him reach his full potential.
Quick tip4. Dutch
If you want to keep the whole family entertained after Thanksgiving dinner, “Dutch” could be a good choice. This heartwarming film tells the story of 13-year-old Doyle, a rich and rude kid who learns a lot about life when he returns home for Thanksgiving. Although Dutch is an outsider, he bridges the gap between Doyle and his mother Natalie, capturing the true spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday.
5. Pocahontas
Pocahontas is a Thanksgiving movie about a Native American girl Pocahontas and an English soldier, Captain John Smith. Pocahontas, a young and free-spirited girl, lives her life filled with fun and adventure along with her two friends, Meeko and Flit. She meets John and teaches him the importance of appreciating the gifts of life than chasing materialistic pursuits. This Disney classic teaches children that it is never too late to be thankful for anything. It is considered one of the most popular Thanksgiving kids’ movies.
6. Free Birds
In this animated comedy, Reggie (Owen Wilson) is the lucky bird who receives a presidential pardon just before being slaughtered on Thanksgiving. Reggie and his fellow turkey Jake (Woody Harrelson) team up to travel back in time to early America to change the course of history by reversing the tradition of eating a turkey on Thanksgiving. Will they be successful in their mission to get turkeys off the Thanksgiving menu?
7. Garfield’s Thanksgiving
Garfield’s Thanksgiving is the ideal appetizer for your movie marathon this holiday. Garfield, a foodie, is left to starve on Thanksgiving when his veterinarian forces him to follow a stringent diet. It’s a fun movie for children, who may enjoy the talking animals.
8. Grumpy Old Men
This entertaining film tells the story of John Gustafson (Jack Lemmon) and Max Goldman (Walter Matthau), two next-door neighbors who have had a lifelong feud. On Thanksgiving Day, they become even more hostile after spotting their new female neighbor on a date. Your children will be rolling on the floor laughing at the rivalry between the neighbors. The movie teaches them the value of friendship and happiness.
9. A Winnie The Pooh Thanksgiving
When it’s Thanksgiving, Pooh and his friends Piglet, Owl, Gopher, Tigger, and Rabbit go on a wild hunt for the perfect Thanksgiving ingredients. When the search goes awry, they put together an unusual dinner and discover the true meaning of Thanksgiving.
Do remember10. Turkey Hollow
Tim (Graham Verchere) and his sister Annie (Genevieve Buechner) spend Thanksgiving with their divorced father, Ron Emmerson, at their Aunt Cly’s house in Turkey Hollow. Aunt Cly’s farm has no access to the Internet or television. Tim and Annie set out to see the Howling Hoodoo, the town’s mysterious forest monster, but what they discover is even more surprising. The film emphasizes on family bonding and overcoming adversities together.
11. Pieces of April
This is an adorable holiday favorite that makes you chuckle and conveys a beautiful message about unconditional love. April Burns (Katie Holmes) lives with her boyfriend away from her broken family. After learning that her mother, Joy Burns (Patricia Clarkson), has breast cancer, April Burns invites her to Thanksgiving dinner at her home to spend some quality time together as a family.
12. What’s Cooking?
What’s Cooking? commemorates the Thanksgiving holiday by weaving together the stories of four American families: African American, Latino, Vietnamese, and Jewish. It depicts family ties and how different they are from one another, each with their own set of ups and downs in life, and how they celebrate each festival. You will discover the incredible power of love that unites us all.
13. Home Alone
This is a classic that catapulted Macaulay Culkin to fame as Kevin McCallister. The family departs for a vacation in France. Kevin is left behind as the family rushes to catch their flight. Kevin is not depressed but rather relishes his newfound freedom. Unfortunately, two thieves attempt to rob the McAllisters on Christmas Eve when Kevin is home alone. What follows is a hilarious story about wit and ingenuity.
14. Toy Story
If you want to rekindle your Thanksgiving spirit and learn to be thankful to people in unexpected and loving ways, watch Toy Story. Toy Story is a hilarious adventure tale told primarily through the eyes of two toys: Woody, the cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear, the space ranger. Toy Story exemplifies important Thanksgiving values such as the strength of love, family, and friendship.
15. The Thanksgiving Treasure
This is a heartwarming holiday classic set in a small town in Nebraska. It depicts the touching story of the 11-year-old Addie Mills’ unlikely friendship with a lonely older man Mr. Wrenguist during the holidays. Addie attempts to invite her father’s sworn enemy, Mr. Wrenguist, over for Thanksgiving dinner in the hopes of finally putting an end to their long-standing feud. The film provides an insight into human kindness.
16. The Mouse On The Mayflower
If you want to retell the Thanksgiving story with your family, watch Mouse on the Mayflower. Church-mouse Willum tells the pilgrims the story of his many great grandfathers and their journey to the new land. The film depicts the fabled Thanksgiving musical voyage from Plymouth Harbor to America and how Willum and the colonists survive the harsh New England winter, befriend the Indians, and finally sit down to the first Thanksgiving dinner.
17. Finding Dory
If Thanksgiving is all about being grateful for what we have, the family we love, and the friends we cherish, then you must watch Finding Dory. In this movie, Dory, along with her friends Marlin and Nemo, lives a perfect life in the sea. One day, though, memories of her long-forgotten parents Jenny and Charlie come flooding back to her. Will Dory be able to piece together her past with the help of her friends?
18. It’s A Wonderful Life
Frank Capra’s holiday classic is a thought-provoking movie that explores themes such as community, family, Christmas spirit, and human nature. This touching story follows a man who is confronted with an existential dilemma. The protagonist considers suicide but is saved by an angel who shows him how the world would have been if he had never existed.
19. You’ve Got Mail
Although this classic romantic comedy isn’t specifically about Thanksgiving, it contains heartwarming sequences that take place on that day when Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan meet at a grocery shop. You’ve Got Mail is a cool pick for Thanksgiving movie marathon night as it captures the magical mood of the holiday.
20. Rudy
Football, like turkey, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce, is a Thanksgiving staple for Rudy. He was always told he cannot make it to the college’s football team, but he plays for Notre Dame thanks to his tenacity and perseverance. Through his dedication, hard work, and, most importantly, patience, Rudy shows that impossible is nothing.
21. Ratatouille
Grab your popcorn and sit back for a touching tale. Ratatouille is a film about a rat named Remy (Patton Oswalt) who lives with his family, Emile (Peter Sohn) and Django (Peter Sohn) (Brian Dennehy). Remy grows up believing that people are untrustworthy and that trusting them will lead to a mousetrap; yet he wants to pursue his passion: learning to cook. Will he succeed?
22. Matilda
Matilda is a wonderful story about a bright little girl named Matilda who lives in England and loves to read. Unfortunately, Matilda’s parents value materialistic things and treat her poorly because she is different. While the film will make your children giggle, the lesson is that family isn’t just about blood; it’s also about caring for one another.
23. Miracle on 34th Street
This is a popular Christmas film suitable for all ages, but it also has Thanksgiving roots, as it begins with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Furthermore, Edmund Gwenn’s portrayal of Kris Kringle was legendary. This heartwarming holiday story conveys the important message that people are more important than money and teaches the values of kindness, joy, and love.
24. Anne With An E
This is the story of Anne, a 13-year-old girl with an indomitable spirit, imagination, and intelligence who has spent her childhood in orphanages. Anne is wrongly sent to live on Prince Edward Island with her siblings, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. This touching story depicts Anne’s positive impact on Marilla, Matthew, and others.
25. Paul Bart: Mall Cop
This hilarious comedy follows Paul Blart, an overweight man who becomes a mall cop. When armed robbers attempt to loot the mall and kidnap Paul’s daughter and girlfriend, Paul confronts them. Unfortunately, this appears to be a much more serious situation than it really is. Nevertheless, it’s a delightful comedy with humorous gags that’ll get your festive spirits high.
26. Dora’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
When the Pirate Piggies accidentally float away, it’s up to Dora and Boots to rescue them and save Thanksgiving Day by racing to Pumpkin Rock. After the parade, Dora spends her time with family and friends, complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, and Boots’ favorite banana cream pie.
27. The Addams Family
In this dark comedy, Addams does not believe that Native Americans were invited to attend the first Thanksgiving in the US. So, when her summer camp performs the holiday’s origins, she decides to put her stamp on it – in true Addams Family flair.
Quick tip28. Fantastic Mr. Fox
This movie based on Roald Dahl’s story of the same name is sure to delight the entire family. With their wacky son Ash and visiting nephew Kristopherson, Mr. and Mrs. Fox have a happy time. That is until Mr. Fox reverts to his old tricks and prepares the largest chicken robbery in the history of the animal kingdom. The movie has chicken dinners, and the dining table is even set up to look like a Thanksgiving dinner.
29. Home for the Holidays
Claudia Larson, a single mother, was just dismissed from her job, and her daughter spends Thanksgiving with her boyfriend. Is there anything else Claudia can do to make her holiday special? Find out.
30. Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale
Get ready for nonstop action-adventure in this thrilling story of a young and brave Native American warrior who risks everything to flee English settlers. Squanto is kidnapped and enslaved, and on his desperate trek home, he faces unfathomable dangers. The movie chronicles his life from the time he was abducted until the first Thanksgiving.
31. Remember The Titans
Remember the Titans is an inspiring sports film based on true events. The film is suitable for older children and teenagers. Set in the 1970s, the movie depicts the story of a high school football team’s journey toward glory through unity and racial integration. Coach Herman Boone joins T.C. Williams High School during a trying time. His efforts help overcome racial discrimination and differences in the team and lead to its success. Through the power of teamwork, the players learn important life lessons about acceptance, respect, and standing up against injustice. While the film addresses serious issues like racism, it provides a thrilling experience, highlighting the importance of friendship, diversity, and teamwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some Thanksgiving-themed episodes of children’s TV shows?
There are several Thanksgiving-themed episodes of kids’ TV shows that have aired over the years. Some examples include “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” from the Peanuts series, “Thanksgiving” from the Rugrats series, “Turkey Day” from the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse series, and “The Thankful Heart” from the Care Bears series.
2. Are there any animated Thanksgiving movies for children?
Yes, there are several animated Thanksgiving movies for kids that are available to watch. Some popular options include “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” “Free Birds,” “Garfield’s Thanksgiving,” “The Mouse on the Mayflower,” and “Pocahontas.”
3. What age range are Thanksgiving movies suitable for?
Thanksgiving movies can be suitable for a wide range of ages, depending on the specific movie’s content and rating. Some Thanksgiving movies are family-friendly and appropriate for young children, while others contain mature themes and language and may be suitable for teenagers and adults.
The Thanksgiving movies for kids provide entertainment in the holiday season and educate the day’s essence. This diverse list has movies of engaging and kid-friendly genres, including sci-fi, action, and animation. Parents can revisit their childhood memories while kids learn about several life skills and positive qualities from these classic and intriguing movies. So, grab a bucket full of popcorn, set your screens, and play some of the best Thanksgiving movies you and your children will enjoy watching.
Infographic: Movies To Watch With Children On Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving is the best time of the year when family and friends gather together to celebrate and enjoy the festivities. Watching a movie together is also a Thanksgiving tradition in many families. Check out our infographic below for some fun movies on Thanksgiving you can watch with everyone to double the festive fun.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Let children enjoy the occasion of Thanksgiving with the classic “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” that will teach them about family and friendship.
- Entertain the entire family with the meaningful movie Dutch where a 13-year-old rich and rude boy learns the lessons of life.
- Explore more entertaining movies like Pocahontas and Grumpy Old Men as you scroll down.
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
