10 Movies To Be Thankful For
These films are not ranked in any particular order. Just 10 good movies worth checking out.
Just like everything else in 2020, Thanksgiving is going to be a little different this year. Instead of having the big family dinner that you’re probably used to, more than likely you’ll just be having dinner with your immediate family. You may have even decided to stay home this holiday and have a friendsgiving with your roommates instead. Whatever your Thanksgiving is going to look like, it’s safe to say that you’ll need some material to talk about. I mean how long can you really talk about what classes on zoom are like or speculate what Trump is going to do come January? That can only get you so far, so here are 10 thanksgiving/fall themed movies to help give you something else to talk about besides the horrors of 2020.
1: Thankskilling 3 (2012)
Director: Jordan Downey
Starring: Daniel Usaj, Jordan Downey and Joe Hartzler
Finally, Turkey’s strike back! This is definitely the weirdest one on this list and there are no words that can do it justice. Maybe not the best film to watch with your family but if you’re staying in Boulder with your roommates make sure to throw this on at some point. You can watch the first two of this series, but you won’t be missing out if you skip them.
2: Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
Director: John Hughes
Starring: Steve Martin, John Candy and Laila Robins
I doubt there’s going to be anyone who is willing to travel with a total stranger in order to get home for the holidays but this classic might still resonate with people who are finding it impossible to travel with all of the recent restrictions that have been put in order. If you’re finding it easy and are somehow in a magical covid free bubble then I envy you but you’ll still get a laugh out of this one too.
3: Tower Heist (2011)
Director: Brett Ratner
Starring: Ben Stiller, Eddy Murphy, Tea Leoni, Casey Affleck and Alan Alda
This 2011 heist comedy about getting back at Wall Street after the 2008 recession isn’t exactly a movie about Thanksgiving but the big heist at the end of the movie takes place during the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade in New York City so that’s got to count for something, Right?
4: Knives Out (2019)
Director: Jack Arnold
Starring: Julie Adams, Ben Chapman and Ricou Browning
While this movie doesn’t have anything to do with Thanksgiving itself, it is a perfect movie for the fall season. The sweaters worn by the cast in the film look extremely comfortable and the plot revolves a playful thriller that feels like a game of clue. If you’ve seen it before, don’t spoil it and enjoy watching everyone else lose their minds trying to solve the mystery.
5: The Invitation (2015)
Director: Karyn Kusama
Starring: Logan Marshall, John Carrol Lynch, Tammy Blanchard and Michiel Huisman
While The Invitation has nothing to do with Thanksgiving, or the fall season, it does revolve around a dinner party with a group of friends celebrating their friendship…well it seems that way at least. It’s another great thriller that will guarantee to give you something to talk about at the dinner table this Thanksgiving once you have said all there is to say about a semester on zoom.
6: Meet The Parents (2000)
Director: Jay Roach
Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Teri Polo and Blythe Danner
If anyone is having Thanksgiving with their significant other’s family this year, this one’s for you. I just hope that their dad isn’t anything like De Nero’s character in this one and is more like Dustin Hoffman’s character in the sequel, Meet the Fockers.
7: Addams Family Values (1993)
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Christian Ricci, Anjeica Huston, Rual Julia and Christopher Lloyd
Addams Family Values is maybe more suited for Halloween but I would argue that the Thanksgiving scene is probably the best in the movie so for that reason it has earned a spot on this list.
8: Coherence (2013)
Director: James Ward Byrkit
Starring: Emily Baldoni, Maury Sterling, Nicholas Brendon and Lauren Maher
Like The Invitation, this film’s only connection to Thanksgiving is the fact that it revolves around a dinner party but it’s another great thriller that is best watched with a group of others. I know the trailer makes it seem like a cheesy low budget version of Se7en but you’ll just have to trust me it’s worth the watch. All I’ll say for a hint as to what it’s about is: Schrodinger’s cat.
9: Good Will Hunting (1997)
Director: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver
If there was ever a movie to perfectly capture what the fall season feels, it’s Good Will Hunting. Dead Poets Society might be a close second, but I think this one takes the crown. Throw on a sweeter, grab some apples and enjoy this classic.
10: For Your Consideration (2006)
Director: Christopher Guest
Starring: Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hare, Christopher Guest and Parker Posey
If you love movies about movies then you should definitely check this out. It’s a mockumentary about the making of a movie, Home From Purim, that is already starting to gain Oscar buzz around Hollywood but the producers feel the title is to jewish and want to change it to Home For Thanksgiving. It’s a great satire of the entertainment industry that would make for a nice break for all the heavy material that 2020 has provided.
