Happy Thanksgiving! After you’ve eaten your fill of Thanksgiving dinner (although the perfect time to eat is debatable), it’s time to relax and sit in front of the television. From old classics that make you feel good to new offerings from 2025, these are some of the best movies to watch on Thanksgiving night, and pajamas are optional!
For the Whole Family
GettyLet’s start with a list of classic films, perfect for the whole family. You can find them on a variety of streaming services, including Netflix and Disney+.
‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’
Short and sweet, if you want something to watch with the kids before bedtime, then “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is a great choice. It is just 24 minutes long and rated PG, so it’s perfect for the whole family.
‘The Santa Clause’
It’s not Christmas yet, but hear us out: “The Santa Clause” is a 1994 film that is perfect for the whole family, following the story of Scott, who becomes the next Santa Claus (although, of course, things don’t go as planned). The film stars Tim Allen, Eric Lloyd, Wendy Crewson, and Judge Reinhold.
The Classics
Getty‘The Pursuit of Happyness’
This one is a real tear-jerker! “The Pursuit of Happyness” a 2006 film starring Will Smith and his son, Jaden Smith. It’s a rags-to-riches tale that highlights the dedication and selflessness of a father, and the lengths he would go to protect his son and create a better life for him. It’s an emotional watch, but it has a happy ending.
‘Good Sam’
The 2019 Netflix film “Good Sam” will make you pause and think about what giving back means as it follows the story of local news anchor Kate Bradley, played by Tiya Sircar. She is trying to solve the case of an anonymous do-gooder making donations.
‘Instant Family’
For young teens, “Instant Family” starring Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne might be a hit. The film was released in 2018 and is a heartwarming and funny story about a couple fostering three children. It’s highly rated on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 82 percent, and on IMDB it has 7,3 out of 10.
‘Mrs. Doubtfire’
The family comedy “Mrs. Doubtfire” is a 1993 film starring the beloved Robin Williams. Although he has passed, his legacy and incredible portfolio of work live on. You can watch him onscreen as he transforms into an elderly female housekeeper to spend more time with his children.
New Offerings
GettyIf you’ve seen all the classics and are looking for something new to watch this Thanksgiving, then these may be worth a watch.
‘Stranger Things’
Not a film but a much-loved series: “Stranger Things!” The latest installment in the Netflix series was released on November 26. This will be the start of your holiday watching, as Volume 2 arrives on Christmas Day and Volume 3 on New Year’s Eve.
‘A Very Jonas Christmas Movie’
What could be better than a movie with Will Ferrell and the Jonas brothers, Kevin, Nick, and Joe? “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie” was released in 2025 and is available to stream on Disney+. The brothers are on a mission to get home in time for Christmas, and it’s an entertainment-filled one hour and 20 minutes that has scored 91 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘Freakier Friday’
“Freakier Friday” is the long-awaited sequel to “Freaky Friday” starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. It was released in cinemas earlier this year but is now available to stream on Disney+. The film was a comeback for Lohan and scored 73 percent on Rotten Tomatoes among critics, but over 90 percent among fans who watched it and loved it.
