John Candy reminds us that even if all you can afford is whatever your shower ring curtains can sell, wholesome Thanksgiving meals are more about enjoying time with friends and family than fancy plate toppers and a $40 turkey.
So relax, things don’t need to be cooked to the right temperature or carved to perfection this holiday season. Take a much-needed break from hosting this Thanksgiving with a holiday movie breather.
This list is for those of us who’ve been in the kitchen long enough, or who don’t want to get stuck watching football all day. Here are our top picks of either completely Thanksgiving movies or films with a Thanksgiving scene:
‘Planes, Trains, and Automobiles’
A Thanksgiving holiday classic, “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” follows the misadventures of two strangers down on their luck, forced to befriend each other to get home in time for Thanksgiving.
Steve Martin’s character Neal Page strikes out on holiday cheer at home but spends three days on the road with the turkey that is Del Griffith, John Candy’s cleverly crafted yet overbearing character.
This movie produced timeless quotes from both SNL actors, including the classic “I like me” quote from Griffith as he defends his honor against an irritable Page.
Where to watch: Free with subscriptions on Amazon Prime, Pluto TV, MGM+, Paramount+, YouTube Primetime, Sling TV, and Fubo TV.
‘Addams Family Values’
This Halloween go-to is home to the unforgettable Thanksgiving summer camp play and now-viral Native American monologue from Wednesday Addams, played by Christina Ricci.
“You have taken the land which is rightfully ours… The gods of my tribe have spoken, they said do not trust the pilgrims.”
Chaos unfolds on stage as the pilgrim village is burned to the ground, as ordered by Wednesday, and the student pilgrims are captured. The rest of the freaky family movie follows a prodigal Uncle Fester, his treacherous pursuit of marriage, and a new baby in the family.
Where to watch: Rent for $3.99 on Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, Fandango at Home, and for $3.79 on Amazon Prime.
‘You’ve Got Mail’
The Meg Ryan — Tom Hanks duo is back at it again for yet another enduring RomCom.
“You’ve Got Mail” shows the horrors of a last-minute grocery store run on Thanksgiving Day with long lines, angsty shoppers, cashiers with no patience or mercy, and overall high customer tensions. This scene mocks the hot mess in all of us, scrambling to please judgmental mothers-in-law and food critic brothers during the holidays.
Where to watch: Rent for $3.99 on YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, Fandango at Home, and for $3.79 on Amazon Prime.
‘Grumpy Old Men’
Decades-long enemies and former best friends fight over a common love interest, the red-headed woman who just moved in next door. A third man summons the courage to keep her company on Thanksgiving Day, sparking escalated unrest and high-stakes rivalry between the other two.
Cozy, hilarious, and finally morally sound, Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon play the part of an ageing married couple like their careers depend on it.
Where to watch: Free with subscriptions on Pluto TV, rent for $2.89 on Amazon Prime, $2.99 on YouTube and Google Play Movies & TV, $3.99 on Apple TV and Fandango at Home.
‘Scent of a Woman’
Al Pacino plays a cynical and touchy alcoholic, retired U.S. Army Col. Frank Slade.
A private school student takes a job caretaking for the testy veteran over the Thanksgiving break to save money for his flight back home to Oregon.
On a brief stop at Frank’s brother’s house for Thanksgiving, a blind Pacino dishes inappropriate anecdotes before choking a guest at the dinner table.
If you think your Thanksgiving dinner is going badly, put on Scent of a Woman to feel better.
Where to watch: Rent for $3.79 on Amazon Prime and YouTube, $3.99 on Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, and Fandango at Home.
‘Miracle on 34th Street’
While traditionally catalogued as a Christmas movie, “Miracle on 34th Street” starts on Thanksgiving Day with the Macy’s Parade in New York City.
The story takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas when the real Kris Kringle is accidentally hired as Santa Claus for the Christmas float and later again as a department store Santa.
The movie leads Kris Kringle through a series of tests that question his sanity, including a bizarre hearing in which people’s beliefs in the holidays are questioned.
Where to watch: Free with subscriptions on Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube TV, and for $3.99 on Apple TV and Fandango at Home.
‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’
If none of the above films catch your eye, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” surely will.
Charlie Brown is fenagled into hosting Peppermint Patty’s Thanksgiving party in this lovable 1973 cartoon. What ensues is every child’s dream feast of popcorn, toast, ice cream and candy.
As per usual, Linus leads the group in prayer and encourages his friends to deliberate the true meaning of Thanksgiving before the gang heads to Charlie’s grandma’s house for a more traditional meal.
Where to watch: Free with subscriptions on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
McKenna is a reporter for the Daily Press. She can be reached at mmobley@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Carve out some time this Thanksgiving for these must-watch holiday movies
Reporting by McKenna Mobley, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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