What to Watch on Thanksgiving (After the Leftovers)

There's a moment on Thanksgiving that I think is secretly the best part of the day. Dinner is done, the dishes are (mostly) handled, someone has claimed the good spot on the couch, and the whole house slows down. Then someone says, "Should we put something on?"

And then nobody can agree.

I'm Sherry from the ShareTens team, and this year I want to help you skip the debate. Here's a guide to our Top 10 Thanksgiving movies, sorted by the kind of mood your crowd is in after the meal.

First, a quick ranking

Here's our live ranking of the best Thanksgiving movies, for reference:

1. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
2. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
3. Home for the Holidays (1995)
4. Addams Family Values (1993)
5. Pieces of April (2003)
6. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
7. Free Birds (2013)
8. Dutch (1991)
9. The Ice Storm (1997)
10. Scent of a Woman (1992)

Ranking is one thing, but the right pick on the night depends on who's in the room. So let's sort them by mood.

If everyone needs a laugh

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) is our #1 for a reason. Steve Martin and John Candy just want to get home for the holiday, and absolutely everything goes wrong. It's hilarious, and it has a lot of heart by the end. If you've ever had a nightmare holiday trip, you'll feel this one deeply.

Addams Family Values (1993) is for the crowd that likes their comedy a little darker. Wednesday's summer-camp Thanksgiving play is one of the most memorable Thanksgiving scenes in any movie. It's a great pick for older kids, teens and anyone who has ever felt like the odd one out at the table.

Dutch (1991) is a lighter road-trip comedy. Ed O'Neill drives a rich kid home for the holiday, and the two of them have to figure each other out along the way. A nice double feature with Planes, Trains and Automobiles if your family is in a "getting home is hard" mood.

If there are little ones on the couch

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) is the gentle, nostalgic choice. Toast, popcorn and jelly beans for dinner. It's short, which makes it perfect for kids who are fading fast after a big meal, and grown-ups tend to enjoy the trip down memory lane too.

Free Birds (2013) is an animated comedy about two turkeys who travel back in time to get off the menu. It's silly in the best way, and kids usually find the premise very funny, especially right after watching everyone eat turkey.

If your family is... a lot

Some families are calm and polite. Others have three conversations happening at once and at least one person who brings up something they shouldn't. If you're in the second group, these will feel familiar.

Home for the Holidays (1995) follows Holly Hunter through one chaotic family weekend. It's funny, a little messy, and very real about what it's like to go home as an adult.

Pieces of April (2003) stars Katie Holmes trying to cook her first turkey with a broken oven while her family travels to see her. It's small, warm and surprisingly moving. A good pick for anyone who's ever hosted for the first time and felt the pressure.

If the grown-ups have the remote

Once the kids are in bed, you might want something with a little more weight.

Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) follows three Thanksgivings and one complicated family. It's a thoughtful, talky movie for people who like character-driven stories.

The Ice Storm (1997) is set over a frozen 1973 Thanksgiving weekend in Connecticut. It's quiet and serious, so it's best for a smaller, grown-up crowd in a reflective mood, not for a rowdy living room.

Scent of a Woman (1992) is Al Pacino's Thanksgiving weekend in New York. It's long, but it's a memorable performance and a good choice if you have a full evening and some patience.

A few tips for the after-dinner watch

• Go short first. If people are sleepy, start with A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and see who's still awake.
• Let the host choose. They cooked. They've earned it.
• Keep leftovers within reach. A plate of sides halfway through the movie is a time-honored tradition. If your family argues about which sides are the best, we have a Top 10 Thanksgiving side dishes list ready for that debate. (Mashed potatoes are #1. I don't make the rules.)
• Plan for the morning after. Planes, Trains and Automobiles is just as good on Friday.

Disagree with the ranking? Good.

I'd love to hear where you'd put each of these. Maybe A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is your untouchable #1. Maybe there's a movie your family watches every year that isn't on here at all. That's the fun of a Top 10. It's personal.

You can see the full ranked list on our Top 10 Thanksgiving movies page, and browse more holiday lists, including Christmas movies for when the season turns, on the Top 10s page.

Make your own Thanksgiving Top 10

Before the leftovers run out, make your own Top 10 of Thanksgiving movies (or sides, or traditions) and share it with the family group chat. It's free, it takes a few minutes, and it might just settle next year's movie debate in advance. ❤️

Happy Thanksgiving, and share what you love.

— Sherry, ShareTens