Motion pictures – Finest Thanksgiving films of all time – WRCBtv.com

When one thinks of vacation films, the very first thing that springs to thoughts is almost definitely Christmas. With new releases yearly at each the field workplace and on streaming companies, in addition to all these traditional favorites we all know and love, there’s no scarcity of Christmas films so as to add to your watch record. However amid all that Yuletide cheer, Thanksgiving shouldn’t be forgotten—and there are fairly a number of films that align with turkey day, a lot of which may be an satisfying addition to seasonal traditions.

Stacker analyzed information from Letterboxd, IMDb, and Metacritic to rank the highest-rated Thanksgiving movies of all time. To find out which films would qualify, our specialists surveyed the historical past of movie, complete movie databases, and legit editorial compilations of Thanksgiving films.

At Stacker, we acknowledge that style is supposed to assist describe and talk the vibe of a movie, to not function a limiting issue on what movies can and can’t be. There are not any onerous and quick guidelines that outline a Thanksgiving film, and we agree that leaning into extra open interpretations of what suits in sure fringe genres is finest observe for creating a pool of movies that symbolize all potential expressions of a specific sub-genre. Consequently, we thought-about any film that takes place over Thanksgiving, or involving important Thanksgiving scenes, to be a part of our “best of” record.

Solely function movies have been thought-about (sorry, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”), and every movie needed to be watched by no less than 1,00Zero Letterboxd customers. Movies are ranked by Letterboxd scores, with preliminary ties damaged by IMDb consumer rankings and secondary ties damaged by Metascore. Letterboxd scores are out of 5, IMDb scores are out of 10, and Metascores are out of 100.

Hold studying to see if any of your favorites made the record.

– Director: Judd Apatow
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 2.99
– IMDb consumer ranking: 6.3
– Metascore: 60
– Runtime: 146 min

Starring Adam Sandler as a comic with monetary success however no actual associates, the film “Funny People” builds on themes of household, connection, and love. When his newly employed worker invitations him house for Thanksgiving, Sandler’s character, “George,” makes a toast throughout Thanksgiving dinner that finally ends up being surprisingly heartfelt, and the scene stays an iconic vacation film second.

– Director: Christopher Visitor
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 2.99
– IMDb consumer ranking: 6.3
– Metascore: 68
– Runtime: 86 min

Considered one of Christopher Visitor’s famed mockumentaries, “For Your Consideration” is the story of a bunch of actors simply ending manufacturing on a film referred to as “Home for Purim.” They discover out the film is producing some Oscar buzz, which, of their pleasure, results in some over-the-top conduct. Studio executives become involved as nicely, renaming the film “Home for Thanksgiving” as a result of the unique title is deemed “too Jewish.” After all, all of it involves nothing when solely one of many actors is even nominated and so they should all return to their regular lives.

– Director: Gurinder Chadha
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.07
– IMDb consumer ranking: 7.0
– Metascore: 57
– Runtime: 109 min

This British/American dramedy tells of 4 numerous households celebrating Thanksgiving in their very own methods, with tales which are all one way or the other intertwined. As every household prepares its meal, combining conventional American turkey with particular cultural dishes, the households additionally battle with technology gaps, sibling squabbles, and surprising company.

– Director: Arthur Penn
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.13
– IMDb consumer ranking: 6.3
– Metascore: null
– Runtime: 111 min

An adaptation of the 1967 folks music “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” written by Arlo Guthrie, Guthrie performs himself—a drifter who connects with associates for Thanksgiving. Issues go sideways once they all resolve to take a load of trash to the dump, solely to seek out the dump closed. They toss the trash off a cliff, which ends up in police involvement, prison information, and a bunch of different issues. Combining each comedic and extra solemn moments, the film touches on relationships between family and friends, in addition to the impression of the 1960s counterculture on society at massive.

– Director: Jodie Foster
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.20
– IMDb consumer ranking: 6.6
– Metascore: 56
– Runtime: 103 min

Primarily based on a brief story by Chris Radant and directed by Jodie Foster, this film showcases the customarily hilarious actuality of household dynamics in the course of the holidays, when a girl decides to spend Thanksgiving along with her dysfunctional household. Whereas the film wasn’t thought-about a business success, Foster was praised for her directorial work, and actress Claire Danes was nominated for a Younger Artist Award for her function.

– Director: Donald Petrie
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.22
– IMDb consumer ranking: 7.0
– Metascore: 53
– Runtime: 103 min

Performing greats Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau shine on this 1993 vacation comedy about feuding associates who each develop into romantically taken with their new neighbor, performed by Ann-Margret. Issues solely worsen when their love curiosity spends Thanksgiving with one other man, and the opposite two males take rivalry to new heights as they attempt to impress the neighbor. The film was a shock hit, with complete earnings of greater than $70 million, and generated a sequel, “Grumpier Old Men,” in 1995.

– Director: Carl Franklin
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.24
– IMDb consumer ranking: 7.0
– Metascore: 63
– Runtime: 127 min

Primarily based on the novel by Anna Quindlen, and loosely based mostly on her personal life experiences, “One True Thing” is a film a few younger lady, performed by Renée Zellweger, who comes house to look after her terminally sick mom, all whereas attempting to navigate their fractured relationship throughout what might be their final Thanksgiving and Christmas collectively. Meryl Streep, who performs Zellweger’s mom, was nominated for each an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her function within the movie.

– Director: Emilio Estevez
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.25
– IMDb consumer ranking: 7.0
– Metascore: null
– Runtime: 123 min

A Vietnam warfare hero comes house, discovering it troublesome to return to “normal” small-town life, in addition to to his place inside his household. Performed by Emilio Estevez, who additionally co-produced the movie, the principle character of Jeremy offers with PTSD and long-held resentment towards his father (Martin Sheen, Estevez’s real-life father) for not serving to him evade the draft. It culminates at Thanksgiving dinner when Jeremy seems in his uniform and finally ends up pulling a gun on his father in anger. Enjoying off themes of estrangement and the Vietnam warfare period, the film additionally focuses on the concept of household battle being just like the stresses of warfare.

– Director: Peter Hedges
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.26
– IMDb consumer ranking: 7.0
– Metascore: 70
– Runtime: 80 min

Katie Holmes reveals off her performing chops on this humorous and charming off-beat film a few younger lady attempting to make her first Thanksgiving dinner for her estranged household, as all of them take care of her mom’s most cancers analysis. Holmes’ hard-edged character earnestly tries to arrange a turkey, searching for out her less-than-enthusiastic neighbors for assist when her oven quits working. Whereas the meal doesn’t go precisely as deliberate, the household all finally ends up across the desk collectively, discovering a thread of connection regardless of their variations.

– Director: Nora Ephron
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.28
– IMDb consumer ranking: 6.6
– Metascore: 57
– Runtime: 119 min

Whereas the main focus of “You’ve Got Mail” isn’t centered straight round Thanksgiving, the story does happen in the course of the holidays and has develop into a much-loved traditional. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star as two folks concerned in an internet romance; not understanding one another’s true identities as enterprise rivals, they find yourself falling in love. The film opened in December 1998 and grossed greater than $250 million worldwide.

– Director: Mark Waters
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.32
– IMDb consumer ranking: 6.6
– Metascore: 54
– Runtime: 85 min

This darkish comedy tells of a younger man bringing his new girlfriend (Tori Spelling) house to fulfill his household for Thanksgiving, not anticipating that his psychotic twin sister (Parker Posey) won’t be too thrilled about it. Financed by Spelling’s father’s firm, Spelling Leisure, the movie debuted to mediocre critiques and did not make again its modest $1.5 million price range. But it surely did go on to have a little bit of a cult following, and Parker Posey garnered Particular Jury Recognition on the 1997 Sundance Movie Pageant.

– Director: Greg Mottola
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.33
– IMDb consumer ranking: 6.8
– Metascore: null
– Runtime: 87 min

The day after Thanksgiving, a girl named Eliza finds what she thinks is a love be aware to her husband whereas cleansing her home. She reveals it to her mom, setting off a loopy chain of occasions during which her total household decides to drive to New York to confront the husband and discover out the reality. Alongside the best way, they uncover some equally shocking truths about their relationships with one another, in addition to assembly some attention-grabbing characters throughout their hunt for Eliza’s husband.

– Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.46
– IMDb consumer ranking: 6.7
– Metascore: 62
– Runtime: 94 min

On this sequel to the 1991 film, “The Addams Family” all of the beloved characters return as Uncle Fester weds loopy nanny Debbie, who plots to kill Fester and take his fortune. The movie debuted on Nov. 19, 1993, simply in time for the vacation season, and Wednesday’s portrayal of Pocahontas in her camp’s Thanksgiving play units the tone for the proper, albeit twisted, seasonal film.

– Director: Lawrence Kasdan
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.46
– IMDb consumer ranking: 7.2
– Metascore: 61
– Runtime: 105 min

When an outdated buddy commits suicide, a bunch of former school buddies gathers over Thanksgiving weekend to reminisce about who they have been and who they’ve develop into. Whereas the story facilities across the dying of a liked one, it is usually a heartwarming reminder about how generally the household we’ve is the one we create. The movie was nominated for a number of Oscars, a Golden Globe, and a British Academy of Movie and Tv Arts award ((BA)FTA), and gained the Folks’s Selection Award on the Toronto Movie Pageant in 1983.

– Director: Barry Levinson
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.50
– IMDb consumer ranking: 7.2
– Metascore: null
– Runtime: 128 min

The third in a sequence of semi-autobiographical movies by director Barry Levinson, Avalon explores a Jewish household’s integration into American tradition. The household can’t appear to attach, which culminates on Thanksgiving when their Uncle Gabriel, performed by Lou Jacobi, arrives late for dinner to seek out they’ve began with out him. His outrage—”You narrow the turkey with out me?”—results in extra drama, estrangement, and loss. Avalon was critically acclaimed and was nominated for Oscars in a number of classes, in addition to for Golden Globes for Finest Movement Image, Finest Screenplay, and Finest Authentic Rating.

– Director: Trey Edward Shults
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.55
– IMDb consumer ranking: 7.2
– Metascore: 86
– Runtime: 83 min

Starring writer-director Trey Edward Shults’ real-life aunt, Krisha Fairchild, “Krisha” is the story of a girl scuffling with habit, who makes an attempt to reconnect along with her household by getting ready Thanksgiving dinner for them. The film was tailored from a brief movie Shults additionally wrote and directed, and debuted in 2015 on the South by Southwest Movie Pageant. It acquired essential acclaim and has a Rotten Tomatoes ranking of 95%.

– Director: Robert Benton
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.57
– IMDb consumer ranking: 7.4
– Metascore: 86
– Runtime: 110 min

Paul Newman performs an getting older hustler dwelling in a small city who tries to navigate love and relationships as he involves phrases with the place his life has ended up. The film takes place over the vacations, beginning with Thanksgiving, and highlights the loneliness of each Newman’s character and people round him. Newman was nominated for an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a Display screen Actors Guild (SAG) award for his function within the movie.

– Director: Noah Baumbach
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.61
– IMDb consumer ranking: 6.7
– Metascore: 75
– Runtime: 84 min

Faculty pupil Tracy, performed by Lola Kirke, is alone and lonely in New York Metropolis, so she seeks out her soon-to-be stepsister, Brooke, performed by Greta Gerwig. The 2 develop into associates and attempt to achieve financing for a restaurant Brooke needs to open, which in the end results in a falling out and betrayal. When Tracy finds herself alone once more on Thanksgiving, she finally ends up reconnecting with Brooke and the 2 spend the vacation collectively, discovering a tenuous bond they didn’t know existed.

– Director: Terrence Malick
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.68
– IMDb consumer ranking: 6.7
– Metascore: 69
– Runtime: 135 min

A dramatic retelling of the primary Thanksgiving, “The New World” stars Colin Farrell as Capt. John Smith, who turns into romantically concerned with Native American Pocahontas, performed by Q’orianka Kilcher. The film was launched on Dec. 25, 2005, and Kilcher’s efficiency earned her an American Latino Media Arts (ALMA) Award for Excellent Actress in a Movement Image.

– Director: Martin Brest
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.71
– IMDb consumer ranking: 8.0
– Metascore: 59
– Runtime: 156 min

When pupil Charlie Simms (Chris O’Donnell) takes a job over Thanksgiving weekend to assist care for a girl’s blind uncle (Al Pacino) he finds it to be a a lot larger job than he had imagined. Pacino’s portrayal of retired Military ranger Frank Slade garnered big accolades, and Pacino gained each an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Finest Actor.

– Director: John Hughes
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.74
– IMDb consumer ranking: 7.6
– Metascore: 72
– Runtime: 93 min

Most likely one of the vital well-known Thanksgiving films up to now, “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” takes Steve Martin and John Sweet on a wild comedic experience as Martin’s character tries to get house for Thanksgiving, whereas Sweet’s well-meaning assist brings nothing however catastrophe. The movie marked director John Hughes’ first try at making a film geared extra towards adults than the teenager films he was identified for, and whereas it wasn’t an enormous business success, it has remained a vacation traditional.

– Director: Ang Lee
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.76
– IMDb consumer ranking: 7.4
– Metascore: 72
– Runtime: 112 min

Set in 1973 throughout Thanksgiving weekend, “The Ice Storm” tells of two disconnected households that develop into enmeshed in sexual experimentation and drug use, all of which in the end results in tragedy. Starring Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, and Christina Ricci, the film was nominated for a number of awards, and Weaver gained a (BA)FTA for Finest Supporting Actress.

– Director: Woody Allen
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 3.97
– IMDb consumer ranking: 7.9
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 107 min

This Woody Allen film follows a household over two years, beginning and ending with Thanksgiving dinner. Whereas Hannah (Mia Farrow) offers along with her husband’s infatuation along with her sister, Lee (Barbara Hershey), the third sister, Holly (Dianne Wiest), repeatedly fails at each profession she tries. Opening on Feb. 7, 1986, it was one in all Allen’s greatest field workplace hits, grossing greater than $35 million worldwide.

– Director: John G. Avildsen
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 4.01
– IMDb consumer ranking: 8.1
– Metascore: 70
– Runtime: 120 min

Whereas “Rocky” won’t be thought-about a quintessential Thanksgiving story, the battle that takes place on the Thanksgiving desk in the course of the movie is a reminder of the difficulties of household gatherings. When Rocky attends Thanksgiving dinner at his girlfriend Adrian’s home, she and her brother get into an argument that results in the turkey being thrown exterior. Rocky and Adrian go away and go ice-skating as their burgeoning romance blooms.

– Director: Martin Scorsese
– Letterboxd consumer ranking: 4.05
– IMDb consumer ranking: 8.2
– Metascore: 88
– Runtime: 117 min

Directed by Martin Scorsese, “The Last Waltz” is a documentary a few farewell live performance the musical group The Band carried out on Thanksgiving Day in 1976. Enjoying reside songs interspersed with interviews and studio segments, it options many big-name artists, reminiscent of Eric Clapton and Neil Diamond. The movie maintains a 98% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes and is taken into account by many to be the most effective live performance films of all time.

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