Top 10 Thanksgiving Movies - 2015

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Thanksgiving can be a special, wondrous, and stressful time. After gorging on turkey, watching football, and settling in for the evening, many families want to enjoy some family-friendly entertainment together. It can be difficult to find movies that satisfy both 7 year old Jimmy and 65 year old Aunt Gretchen. That's why I've done the hard work for you, and sifted through thousands of movies to hand-pick the best movies to watch on Thanksgiving.

These movies are not only (mostly) family-friendly, but they capture the warmth and spirit of the Thanksgiving season while providing much needed escapism.


1. Wizard of Oz
This 1939 classic deserves to be passed down to new generations. Nostalgic for adults and fun for kids.

 2. Jurassic World
New on Dvd / Blu Ray, this dinosaur blockbuster adventure is exciting for adults and kids alike.

 3. The Help
This drama / comedy takes place in the racially turbulent 1960s. Even though this movie tackles race issues, there is enough levity and comedy to lighten that heaviness.

 4. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
I recommend the first in the Hobbit trilogy in case you or your fam haven't seen any of them, the first one is the best place to start. Although, all three Hobbit movies offer an excellent dose of fantasy escapism.

 5. The Sound of Music
Another classic full of beautiful scenery, classic music, and nostalgia.

 6. The Lego Movie
Aimed directly for the kids in the family, The Lego Movie also holds enough fun and "inside" humor for adults, too. Best if your family has many kids.

 7. Cinderella (2015)
The new live-action version of the classic princess from Disney. Emotional, sweet, and powerful for adults and kids.

 8. Deck the Halls
A good, clean family-friendly introduction to the Christmas season. You don't want to start the season off with heavy-hitters like It's a Wonderful Life or A Christmas Carol, so Deck the Halls is a nice, cheesy sitcom offering a super light introduction to the season.

 9. Elf
Fun, clean, modern Christmas classic.

 10. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Jim Carrey and Ron Howard's live-action Christmas epic that we all may have seen a dozen times before. But, it's a lovely, funny, and nostalgic start to the Christmas season.






Want some more recommendations? Just e-mail me! Got suggestions or opinions? Leave a comment and join the conversation! Have fun and good luck choosing! Happy Thanksgiving!

Comments

  1. Unknown12:29 PM

    Great picks! I love the new live action Cinderella for Thanksgiving. It captures the opulence of the holiday season without being a Christmas movie...for those not ready to start the Christmas season yet. I also like the idea of the Wizard of Oz, because it is nostalgic and would be a good choice with family. I'd like to add Miracle of 34th street, because they watch the Thanksgiving Day parade in it. Great job, Evan! I'm ready for Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. edhigg7:21 PM

      I love Miracle on 34th. It does tie in to Thanksgiving!!! I like Cinderella for all the reasons you said, and because I love Disney. Also, it's a new movie.

      Delete
  2. edhigg3:18 PM

    Thanks! I'm ready for Thanksgiving, too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown5:17 PM

    Great list! These are some really great movies to share with the family without going full-on Christmas so early! I do like Tiffany's idea of Miracle on 34th street. I also think that you should add the 1995 movie 'A Little Princess.' Great family movie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. edhigg7:15 PM

      Thanks! I'm not sure if I've ever seen A Little Princess, but it looks wonderful. I may have to get that one on Netflix!

      Delete
  4. Casey Cunningham5:43 PM

    Good blog post and great job on all the wonderful choices! I'm especially partial to the Hobbit/LOTR series although most of my family thinks I'm a super dork when I talk about FRODO! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. edhigg7:17 PM

      Thanks! I also love the Lord of the Rings / Hobbit movies. There's something soothing about watching that type of escapism on the holidays. Peter Jackson nailed it.

      Delete
  5. Unknown2:01 PM

    I love The Little Princess!

    ReplyDelete

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