Ah, Thanksgiving – that one sacred day in late fall when family and friends gather, no matter how far apart they are. Well, things are a bit different this year…okay, a lot different.
So how do we get in the spirit and feel those holiday fuzzies when isolation is the order of the day? Thanksgiving movies, of course! To help rekindle the joy of Turkey Day, even in the midst of a pandemic, here are 7 Thanksgiving-themed films to add to your playlist.
The Blind Side (2009)
It’s easy to get caught up in the artificial trappings of Thanksgiving, but movies like The Blind Side remind us of its true meaning: gratitude for the basics, like having a place to call home. Based on the real-life story of NFL lineman Michael Oher, the film focuses on his traumatic life and his relationship with the Tuohy family, who end up adopting him. No matter how cynical you feel, watching Michael enjoy Thanksgiving dinner for the first time will make you appreciate how good you have it.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
For most of us, it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the Peanuts gang. In A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown is confronted with the all-too-real struggle of producing a Thanksgiving feast when he only knows how to make “cold cereal and maybe toast.” Snoopy’s casual approach to holiday cooking reminds us: it’s not about what’s on the table, it’s about who you share it with.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
Bummed out by holiday travel restrictions? Well then, here’s a film to remind you of the joys of staying home. This classic 1980s comedy is about the misadventures of Neal Page, who encounters one disaster after another on his way home for Thanksgiving. The hilarious antics of Steve Martin and John Candy are enough to put you in a good mood. But the film’s message about caring for others and lending a helping hand even when you’re facing the holidays alone? Cue the warm holiday fuzzies!
Home for the Holidays (1995)
Okay, so maybe a sappy holiday movie isn’t gonna do it for you. Perhaps you need a train wreck to remind you that your own life isn’t so bad. In that case, Home for the Holidays may be right up your alley. Right before Thanksgiving, Claudia is fired from her job and finds out that her daughter will not be coming home for Thanksgiving. Watching Claudia endure a hilarious, yet dysfunctional Thanksgiving weekend with the rest of her family is a sure-fire cure for the “holiday for one” blues.
Rudy (1993)
Sad you won’t be watching football with the fam as the smell of roast turkey fills the air? Well, you can still capture the spirit of that ritual with Rudy, the biopic depicting the life of Daniel Ruettiger and his dream to play football for Notre Dame. While the movie isn’t specifically about Thanksgiving, Rudy’s persistence to achieve his dream against seemingly insurmountable odds is the kind of inspiration that we all need this year.
Turkey Hollow (2015)
There’s no need to stick with cartoons if you have kids or want something to bring our your inner child. In this fantasy tale, Tim and Annie are forced to spend Thanksgiving at their Aunt Cly’s farm in Turkey Hollow, a town without internet (gasp!) or any other form of technology. Out of boredom, the kids decide to search for a legendary monster called the Howling Hoodoo. With its quirky cast of human and puppet characters, Turkey Hollow is a modern take on traditional holiday values.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
For some people, Thanksgiving is a chance to rest and fuel up before the rush of Christmas shopping. Before heading to the malls on Black Friday, take some time to appreciate essential workers by watching Paul Blart: Mall Cop. Single father and bumbling mall security officer, Paul, is the ultimate underdog who becomes a hero when he thwarts a Black Friday heist by a gang of thieves. Comedic and achingly relatable at times, Paul is the perfect anti-hero for an atypical Thanksgiving night.
We know these movies won’t make up for the family traditions you’ll be missing this year. But there’s the old saying about not knowing what you have until it’s gone. So take this time of sacrifice as an opportunity to appreciate what really matters: love, togetherness, and altruism. And let this period of self-reflection bring you a happier and more meaningful holiday season in 2021!
Article by Rose Scott. Check out more of Rose’s work at https://thewriterrscott.wordpress.com/
Photo credit: Samantha Gades
Magdalene Journal 