28 of the Best Thanksgiving Movies for Kids
After you and your family gobble down a delicious Thanksgiving dinner complete with pumpkin pie and finish watching Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, it's time to snuggle up and watch some Thanksgiving movies!
For people who love celebrating early, Thanksgiving marks the start of the winter holiday season, so Christmas movies may count too! Watching Thanksgiving films is also a great way to pass the time until midnight hits and the Black Friday sales start!
Related: 11 Awesome Family Activities for Thanksgiving Day
Settle down on the couch with your kids after your Thanksgiving feast, and put on some of these favorite seasonal flicks. Check our list of the 28 best Thanksgiving movies for the whole family to enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday.
The Best Family Thanksgiving Movies
It can be tricky to find a family film that kids, teens and adults can enjoy together. But you can be thankful that these holiday movies are enjoyable for all ages!
Be sure to cuddle up with your kids and watch them this November!
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Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow (2015)
Rating: TV-PG
Where to Watch/Stream: Rent on Amazon Prime Video for $3.99.
Any Muppets fan shouldn’t miss this fantastical Thanksgiving flick featuring creatures created by the one-and-only Jim Henson. This movie is a great turkey day watch for all ages. In Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow, a brother and sister are visiting their aunt in the town of Turkey Hollow, where they attempt to track its legendary monster, the Howling Hoodoo.
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You've Got Mail (1998)
Rating: PG
Where to Watch/Stream: Rent on Amazon Prime Video for $3.79 or Apple TV for $3.99.
One thing parents and kids can agree on is their love for Tom Hanks. “You’ve Got Mail” is a classic rom-com that even kids will love! In this family-friendly comedy, two American business rivals, played by Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, unwittingly fall in love through a series of emails.
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The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Rating: PG
Where to Watch/Stream: Stream for free on Netflix.
Thanksgiving for many families also marks the official start of the Christmas season! “The Christmas Chronicles” is a Christmas story about a sister and brother who try to catch Santa on Christmas Eve. Sweet for adults to watch and awe-inspiring for the kids.
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Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving (1999)
Rating: G
Where to Watch/Stream: This film can be hard to find, but you can buy a DVD on Amazon currently starting at $28.26.
Rejoice Winnie the Pooh lovers; there’s a Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving movie! All your favorite Winnie the Pooh characters come together in a full-length adventure film to be enjoyed by parents and kids alike.
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Operation Christmas List (2016)
Rating: TV-Y
Where to Watch/Stream: Rent on Amazon Prime Video for $3.99.
Have your kids started making their Christmas lists for Santa already? In this silly Christmas comedy, a 12-year-old boy sets a plan in motion to buy the entire stock of this year's most famous Christmas gift, but things don't go quite as planned.
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Classic Thanksgiving Movies for Kids
You can’t be a classic! These movies touch your heartstrings and may bring back memories from your own childhood. Share these moments with the next generation.
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Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Rating: PG
Where to Watch/Stream: Rent on Amazon Prime Video for $3.99.
Do you know that “Miracle on 34th Street” actually popularized the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade?
The film – which was shot on location at Macy’s in New York City – uses the department store as a key part of this 1947 classic holiday movie, a kindly old gentleman is institutionalized after claiming that he is the real Santa Claus, not just a store employee.
A young lawyer takes up the case, arguing that Santa is not delusional but the real deal. Parents and children alike will love this touching film.
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A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
Rating: G
Where to Watch/Stream: Stream for free on Apple TV.
This Thanksgiving special stars the ever-popular Peanuts comic strip characters. In “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” Peppermint Patty invites herself to Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving dinner and he must figure out how to host her and attend his Grandmother's Thanksgiving celebration. Adults will love the beloved Peanuts cast just as much as the kids.
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The Polar Express (2004)
Rating: G
Where to Watch/Stream: Rent on Amazon Prime Video for $3.99.
Another Tom Hanks film makes the list! In this 2004 animated film, a boy who doesn't believe in Christmas magic takes an unexpected train ride that changes his mind. Children and adults will be captivated by this holiday movie's wonder.
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Modern Thanksgiving Movies for Kids
In addition to the classics, there are lots of new family-friendly Thanksgiving films coming to the big screen this year! Don’t miss these movies in theaters this November.
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The Great Turkey Town Miracle (coming November 2023)
Rating: PG
Where to Watch/Stream: “The Great Turkey Town Miracle” will be released in movie theaters across the U.S. on November 10, 2023.
This new film tells the story of a radio station DJ who has just lost his job. Unable to secure a new one, he ends up meeting a homeless gentleman and embarking on a journey to help others in need.
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Journey to Bethlehem (coming November 2023)
Rating: PG
Where to Watch/Stream: “Journey to Bethlehem” will be released in movie theaters across the U.S. on November 10, 2023.
This new Christmas musical comes out this November. It follows the story of Mary and Joseph during the time that Jesus was born. This story will be enjoyable for the whole family and we can’t wait to give it a watch!
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Leo (coming November 2023)
Rating: PG
Where to Watch/Stream: “Leo” will be released on Netflix on November 21, 2023.
This film looks like it's not one to miss this holiday season! Adam Sandler stars as the voice of Leo, a classroom pet who has been sitting in the same classroom for 74 years.
This film centers on the relationships Leo builds with the students around him during his last year of life. We are sure it will be full of laughs and touching moments.
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Holiday Rush (2019)
Rating: TV-PG
Where to Watch/Stream: Stream for free on Netflix.
This funny family movie is about a DJ who gets fired and must move himself and his four children in with his aunt while he tries to get his job back.
Animated Thanksgiving Movies for Kids
When in doubt, go for an animated movie. Kids of all ages just enjoy watching cartoon characters have their adventures on-screen. Watch with them, or use that time to write up your Thanksgiving menu!
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Free Birds (2013)
Rating: PG
Where to Watch/Stream: Stream for free on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Starz.
In this movie, turkeys, voiced by Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson, travel back in time to the very first Thanksgiving to try and reverse the tradition of eating a turkey every year on this holiday. It's a fun movie for children, who will love the cute talking animals, and it's an engaging story for adults as well.
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Garfield's Thanksgiving (1989)
Rating: TV-G
Where to Watch/Stream: Stream for free on Peacock and Amazon Prime Video.
In this special based on the popular Garfield cartoon, Garfield’s owner Jon is head over heels with his veterinarian. So he invites her to Thanksgiving dinner. The problem is, that Garfield loves to eat, and his doctor wants him on a diet.
Kids and adults love Garfield because he always brings wit and sass!
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A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving (1998)
Rating: G
Where to Watch/Stream: This Thanksgiving special was never released on DVD or VHS, and currently can only be watched on YouTube in a six-part playlist.
Wait, another Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving special?! In “A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving” Pooh and his friends of the Hundred Acre Wood learn the true meaning of Thanksgiving in this special.
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If You Give a Mouse a Pumpkin (2019)
Rating: ALL
Where to Watch/Stream: Stream for free on Amazon Prime Video.
This is actually a Halloween special, but if you haven't watched it with your little ones already, definitely put it on for Thanksgiving. This seasonal twist on the classic children’s book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” is a great movie for toddlers that offers enough nostalgia for parents too.
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The Gruffalo (2009)
Rating: G
Where to Watch/Stream: Rent on Amazon Prime Video for $2.99 and Apple TV for $2.99.
This cute TV short follows a mouse on his adventures outwitting a variety of predators. It's perfect for a family with members of all ages to enjoy together.
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Ten Thanksgiving Friends (2015)
Rating: ALL
Where to Watch/Stream: Stream for free on Amazon Prime Video.
If you have toddlers and little kids at home, this educational video is a great way to get everyone settled so that you can relax too after cooking and cleaning up (you know, or not) your Thanksgiving feast!
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A Looney Tunes Thanksgiving (2016)
Rating: Not Rated
Where to Watch/Stream: Rent on Google Play, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV for $2.99
If you have childhood memories of watching Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, enjoy the Looney Tunes Thanksgiving special this year with your own kids!
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Turkey Town (2018)
Rating: G
Where to Watch/Stream: Stream for free on Amazon Prime Video.
Gobbles the turkey plans a super fun Thanksgiving jam and dance for his friends. This film is best for little kids but it can also be enjoyable for the grownups.
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Historical Thanksgiving Movies for Kids
While Thanksgiving is mainly seen as a celebration of gratitude, food and family, we shouldn’t forget the history of how Thanksgiving came to be! However, it can be tricky to explain the story of the first Thanksgiving to kids with all the complex history between the Pilgrim settlers and Native Americans. Thankfully, these historical Thanksgiving movies provide an educational overview of Thanksgiving traditions while still being entertaining.
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An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving (2008)
Rating: TV-PG
Where to Watch/Stream: Stream for free on Amazon Prime Video.
This fictional historical film follows a family in New York during the 1800s who falls on hard times but still comes together to celebrate Thanksgiving.
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The Very First Thanksgiving (2017)
Rating: ALL
Where to Watch/Stream: Buy on Amazon Prime Video for $1.99.
If you want to include a little bit of history for both kids and adults this year, try watching this special which outlines what happened that day so long ago when two societies came together to share and give thanks.
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Musical Thanksgiving Movies for Kids
There’s really nothing quite like a musical. Even if they aren’t your favorite movie genre, you have to admit, musicals are just fun! Watch and sing along to the same movies each year, and you’ll be building family memories that last a lifetime.
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Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Rating: PG
Where to Watch/Stream: Stream for free on Disney+.
This Disney movie is perfect for November because in it, Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town and he tries to teach his town (with some challenges along the way!) about Christmas.
The mix of Halloween and Christmas themes has caused many fans of the movie to watch it right in the middle of the holidays – near Thanksgiving!
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Thanksgiving Movies for Teens
As your kids get older, it’s great to continue your Thanksgiving traditions, but remember to change up your movies! Teens will enjoy watching movies that are more geared at their interest level, and it’s a good way to bond.
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Addams Family Values (1993)
Rating: PG-13
Where to Watch/Stream: Stream for free on Amazon Prime Video.
This movie is for young teens in high school and up, and adults will enjoy it too. After a new baby is born to the Addams family, parents Gomez and Morticia send Wednesday and Pugsley to summer camp and hire a nanny.
Uncle Fester falls in love with this nanny, but he can't see that she's a gold digger, so it's up to the rest of the family to rescue him.
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Home for the Holidays (1995)
Rating: PG-13
Where to Watch/Stream: Stream for free on Paramount+ or rent on Amazon Prime Video for $3.99.
In this touching story, Claudia Larson has just lost her job and it's time to celebrate Thanksgiving with her family...minus her daughter who has chosen to spend the holiday with her boyfriend's family. It’s a perfect pick for tweens and up.
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Pieces of April (2003)
Rating: PG-13
Where to Watch/Stream: Stream for free on Amazon Prime Video.
In this story that tweens, teens and adults will enjoy, the lead character, played by Katie Holmes, invites her estranged family including her dying mother, to her New York apartment for Thanksgiving dinner.
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The Blind Side (2009)
Rating: PG-13
Where to Watch/Stream: Amazon Prime
This Oscar-winning film starring Sandra Bullock tells the story of a young homeless boy who beats the odds and becomes an NFL football player. Parents and teens alike will be in tears over this touching film.
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Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)
Rating: R
Where to Watch/Stream: Rent on AppleTV for $3.99 or rent on Amazon Prime Video for $3.99.
This film is great if you have older teens at home (note the R rating). In the 1980s classic, Neil Page (Steve Martin) just wants to get home for Thanksgiving, but a host of obstacles fall in his way. First, his plane to Chicago is canceled and he must find another way home. Dell Griffith (John Candy) meets Neil along the way through his travel mishaps.
