10 Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch With the Fam
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On Thanksgiving, there's typically one mandatory activity: enjoying a big meal. While you're waiting for the turkey to roast or after you've finished dessert, try starting a new tradition: turning on a family-friendly holiday flick. Christmas movies get a lot of attention, but these Thanksgiving movies, specials and TV episodes for kids deserve some love, too.
All of them are rated G or PG, and many feature favorite characters you might remember from your childhood, like Charlie Brown, Winnie the Pooh and Garfield. From iconic, feel-good films like Miracle on 34th Street to more laugh-out-loud ones like Chicken Run, there's a wide range to choose from.
Below, browse 10 of the best Thanksgiving movies for kids that the whole family can still enjoy — before or after the tryptophan hits.
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A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
The Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special aired just before Thanksgiving Day in 1973, but the friendsgiving-inspired plot seems more like something from 2023. Charlie Brown finds himself in trouble when he's tasked with hosting one Thanksgiving meal with his friends and attending another celebration at his grandma's.
Chicken Run
Technically this 2000 Dreamworks movie is all about chicken, but hey, it's close enough for Turkey Day. If you and your family love the quirky claymation, check out the 2023 sequel and have yourself a double feature. (Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is currently streaming on Netflix.)
A Looney Tunes Thanksgiving
Get your kids in a good mood by telling them some silly Thanksgiving jokes … or simply queue up an episode of Looney Tunes. Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and their friends always bring out some smiles, and this 48-minute 2016 episode is specifically about Thanksgiving. First up: Watch Bugs Bunny's Thanksgiving Diet" followed by "Daffy Duck's Thanks-for-giving Special."
Free Birds
Two time-traveling turkeys go on an adventure to the year 1621, right before the very first Thanksgiving, in this animated flick. The voices might sound familiar to you: Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson and Amy Poehler play the lead roles in this 2013 movie.
Garfield's Thanksgiving
If you're short on time (or your toddler has a short attention span), this half-hour Garfield episode from 1989 is a great Turkey Day pick. Garfield is troubled when Jon puts him on a diet … right before Thanksgiving.
Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving
In this hour-long 1999 special, Pooh and his pals search for the ingredients they'll need for a festive Thanksgiving feast. They also get ready for Christmas and a fun winter full of friendship and family.
An Arthur Thanksgiving
Everyone's favorite cartoon aardvark is gearing up for Thanksgiving, but then the unthinkable happens: His beloved dog Pal is missing. The whole town looks for him in the hopes that he'll be home in time for the holiday. (Don't worry; you can expect a happy ending from this hour-long PBS episode.)
Llama Llama: 'Thanks-for-Giving Day'
A few years ago, Netflix released an original series based on the popular children's books by Anna Dewdney. (Jennifer Garner voices Mama Llama!) In this half-hour episode, the kids plan a day honoring the adults who give back to their community.
Dora the Explorer: 'Dora's Thanksgiving Parade'
Dora and Boots are on a mission to save Thanksgiving! The Pirate Piggies are floating away on Dora's boat float, and the two venture out to Pumpkin Rock to rescue them.
This 23-minute episode is a good choice for when you're finishing up last-minute dinner details like setting the table. (If you need a longer activity, check out these kid-friendly Thanksgiving crafts.)
Miracle on 34th Street
Yes, this 1947 movie is about Santa, but it's also about how a man named Kris Kringle saves the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. This is the ultimate movie to watch to get in the Thanksgiving and Christmas spirit.
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