Five Favorite Thanksgiving Films

Here are my top five favorite movies to get you in the Thanksgiving spirit!

Amelia Bedell, A&E Editor

Nov 15, 2023

The first few weeks of November, many will find themselves wondering what movies to watch. November often seems like it’s too soon to watch Christmas movies, but also far too late for Halloween movies. Below are our top five recommendations for fall movies to watch around Thanksgiving. Some are classic autumn films, while others are a bit newer. A few can even double as fall fashion inspiration!

Smiling at Woodstock, Snoopy places Thanksgiving food on a plate. The movie, which is part of the Peanuts franchise, first premiered in 1973. (IMDb)

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is pretty much the only Thanksgiving movie out there, so naturally it makes the top of this list. This movie is the perfect film to get you feeling grateful and in the Thanksgiving spirit.

A younger Denzel Washington acts as high school football coach Herman Boone. The movie is based on a true story. (IMDb)

Remember the Titans (2000)

This vintage sports film is set in an early 1970s Virginia high school during football season, and features heartfelt messages anyone can relate to. As a bonus, the movie is based on a true story, so you’re also learning about real events!

Actor Daniel Craig sits on a chair whose back consists of a variety of knives and swords. Craig plays a southern detective in the film. (IMDb)

Knives Out (2019)

Knives Out is a murder mystery film set in late fall in the Northeast United States, perfect for Thanksgiving. This film is ideal for the viewer who wants to solve a mystery over their Thanksgiving break from the comfort of their own home.

A young actor Ke Hu Quan points off into the distance in the film “The Goonies.” The film was released almost 40 years ago, in 1985. (IMDb)

The Goonies (1985)

This classic retro movie was filmed in the picturesque town of Astoria, Oregon and features tall pine forests and cloudy skies, perfect for a rainy fall day. While it may seem like more of a Halloween movie to some, it has many fall elements that are more generic, and not necessarily Halloween themed.

The March sisters stand on a beach together in this 2019 adaptation of Little Women. The novel was originally published in 1868 by Louisa May Alcott. (IMDb)

Little Women (2019)

Little Women is a heartwarming coming-of-age film about the connections that you make with family and the struggles of being a woman, all set in 18th century Massachusetts around Christmas time. This is the perfect movie for someone who can’t wait for Christmas, but whose family or friends aren’t quite ready to watch Home Alone or Christmas Vacation yet.

About the Contributor

Amelia Bedell, Copy Editor

This is Amelia’s second and final year on Le Journal. She is very excited to work as copy editor and write amazing stories for the Sion Student Media website and print newsmagazine. When she is not at school you can find her at home enjoying “Selling Sunset” or “Love Island,” snacking on chocolate or sleeping. She would rather have a staycation than a vacation, but if she was to go somewhere she would like to go to a show at the Sydney Opera House in Australia. Her biggest pet peeve is people walking slowly in the hallway and her favorite color is yellow. She doesn’t have any concrete plans for after high school yet, but she hopes to continue journalism in some capacity in college.