6 Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch On Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime
A lot of people are going to find themselves sticking closer to home this Thanksgiving, and what better way to spend the day than cozying up to some classic Thanksgiving films after feasting on a delicious meal? If you’re looking for excellent feel-good holiday movies that you can stream right into your own living room, look no further! Here are some great Thanksgiving movie choices streaming now on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
‘Son-in-Law’
This 1993 comedy features Pauly Shore — but don’t let his less-than-sterling acting reputation give you pause. The story revolves around Shore’s character, Crawl, a totally 90s resident advisor who comes home with Rebecca, one of the freshman living in his dorm, when he reveals he’ll be spending Thanksgiving alone. A series of hijinks have the city slicker posing as Rebecca’s fiancé and causing all kinds of trouble in her South Dakota farmland home. It’s silly, irreverent, and nostalgic. Stream it on Amazon Prime.
‘Pieces of April’
For anyone who likes their Thanksgiving films with a bit more drama — or who needs a distraction from their own holiday-fueled family dysfunction — the 2003 film Pieces of April delivers. It stars a young Katie Holmes as the titular April, a young adult who is trying to bring together her family (including her dying mother) over a Thanksgiving dinner in her tiny apartment. Struggling to pull it all together and having to navigate a lot of big emotions and turmoil, April will warm viewers’ hearts even as she makes them thankful that their own dinners were less eventful. Stream it on Hulu.
‘Tower Heist’
Looking for something that will give you just a touch of suspense while also keeping the laughs rolling? Tower Heist is a 2011 film that brings together a group of wronged luxury apartment dwellers who are ready to take revenge after falling victim to a Ponzi scheme. Their plan to get their money back involves a high-stakes robbery while everyone else is distracted by the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Headed up by Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy, this crime flick doesn’t take itself too seriously. Stream it on Hulu.
‘Free Birds’
This 2013 animated film provides lots of non-stop action for the kids. One lucky turkey named Reggie enjoys the spoils of the annual presidential pardon and is living a carefree life of luxury until he gets pulled into a scheme to change the world. They’ll be traveling back in time to 1621, just before the first Thanksgiving. Kids will enjoy the silly action, and adults will recognize plenty of voices. The film features Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler, and George Takei. Stream it on Hulu or Amazon Prime.
‘Krisha’
For those who like their holiday films with a dark streak and some heartfelt drama, 2015’s Krisha provides the backdrop of a traditional family Thanksgiving get-together with a twist. The main character, Krisha, shows up to join in on the festivities despite having abandoned her family years before. As one might imagine, this causes more than a few tensions. The resulting drama won the show plenty of accolades, including an audience award at the South-by-Southwest Film Festival. Stream it on Hulu or Amazon Prime.
‘Paul Blart: Mall Cop’
Black Friday sales can bring out the worst in some shoppers, but luckily Paul Blart is there when the world needs him. This 2009 comedy stars Kevin James as a mall security guard who has to save the day when holiday pressure causes Santa’s little helpers to snap and take hostages. His own daughter’s safety on the line, Paul Blart rushes to action and keeps audiences laughing all the while. It was successful enough to spawn a sequel, and it’s sure to provide some lighthearted entertainment as the stress of the holidays ramps up. Stream it on Netflix.
