Thanksgiving has morphed into an important holiday for television. It all starts with the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, live from New York City on Thursday morning. Stay on NBC after the parade to watch the 2024 National Dog Show. Finally, the NFL will have three games, ending with the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers in primetime.
If none of those events pique your interest, no worries! There are endless movies to watch on a variety of streaming services. If you’re looking to save some money, sign up for a FAST streaming service, where you can watch ad-supported movies for free. Below are some of our recommendations, which include a Thanksgiving classic comedy and an unconventional rom-com.
We also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
With Christmas and Halloween, there are so many debates over the greatest movie that best represents the holiday. Thanksgiving is different due to a lack of Turkey Day movies. With few options, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is the likeliest candidate for the greatest Thanksgiving movie. Neal Page (Steve Martin) is a high-strung advertising executive looking to fly home to Chicago two days before Thanksgiving after a business trip in New York City. Mother Nature has other plans and reroutes Neal’s plane to Kansas City.
On the plane, Neal meets Del Griffith (John Candy), a rambunctious shower curtain ring salesman. Neal is forced to travel with Del to Chicago after his plans are derailed. Planes, Trains and Automobiles is the ultimate road trip movie, backed by seamless chemistry between two comedic icons.
Stream Planes, Trains and Automobiles for free on Pluto TV.
Dog (2022)
Animal adventures always play well on family movie nights. Dogs often serve as the best movie subjects because of their loyalty and friendship with humans. Channing Tatum’s aptly titled Dog is the true meaning of the phrase “Man’s best friend.” Former U.S. Army Ranger Jackson Briggs (Tatum) receives the heartbreaking news of the death of his former friend and partner. Briggs is tasked with transporting Riley’s military dog, Lulu, to the funeral in Arizona. If Briggs gets Lulu from Washington, D.C., to Arizona in time for the funeral, he will receive a job recommendation in the Army.
Briggs and Lulu share many characteristics, like aggressive behaviors and PTSD symptoms. At first, their relationship is equivalent to mixing oil with water. However, the disastrous road trip eventually becomes a healing expedition for both Briggs and Lulu. Dog is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, especially for canine lovers.
Stream Dog for free on Tubi.
Knives Out (2019)
Knives Out perfectly encapsulates the chaos and uneasiness of family gatherings, which could rival some of your holiday meetings. Without the murder, of course. Rian Johnson’s murder mystery is set at a Massachusetts estate for the 85th birthday of wealthy novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). One morning, Harlan wakes up dead with a slit throat.
While the authorities deem the death a suicide, private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) believes Harlan’s tragic end was a murder. The prime suspects are Harlan’s greedy and imperfect family along with his nurse, the meek Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas). In a house full of liars, Blanc must find the truth, which won’t be easy. With a clever script and standout cast, Knives Out is the best version of Clue your family will ever play.
Stream Knives Out for free on Pluto TV.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Silver Linings Playbook combines Thanksgiving themes of family, romance, and football to make a beautifully chaotic rom-com. When Silver Linings Playbook begins, the bipolar Pat Solatano (Bradley Cooper) is released from a mental institution into the care of his parents, Pat Sr. (Robert De Niro) and Dolores (Jacki Weaver). Backed by a new outlook on life, Pat wants to reconcile with his ex-wife Nikki (Brea Bee), though his parents would rather him find another woman.
Enter Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence), a widow who offers Pat an enticing deal. If Pat helps Tiffany in an upcoming dance competition, she will deliver a letter to Nikki. What Pat doesn’t realize is how the circumstances surrounding his life, including the family’s love for the Philadelphia Eagles, will disrupt his plan to win Nikki back.
Stream Silver Linings Playbook on Tubi.
The Last Waltz (1978)
The Last Waltz is in the running for the greatest concert movie of all time. The secret weapon is Martin Scorsese, whose direction elevates The Last Waltz into another stratosphere. After 17 years as a group, Canadian rockers The Band decides to go their separate ways, but not before one final farewell show. They chose San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom on November 25, 1976, as their last show together. That also happens to be Thanksgiving Day.
Over the next two hours, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, and Robbie Robertson light up the stage with all of their signature hits, including The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Ophelia, and The Weight. Throw in performances from Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Van Morrison, and The Last Waltz is a crowning achievement in concert films.
Stream The Last Waltz on Tubi.
