While you get baste the turkey and mash the potatoes, turn on one of these classic movies to keep your children entertained. Before they (or you!) know it, the food will be on the table and your offspring will be telling you all about their new favorite film.
Free Birds
A buddy comedy about two turkeys traveling back in time to the first Thanksgiving? Try to tell yourself your kids won't love this. Be warned, though — it may make them think twice about eating that turkey dinner.
The Blind Side
While this technically isn't a Thanksgiving movie, football is a pretty important part of Thanksgiving Day — and the scene where Big Mike gives his quasi-adoptive family a major wake-up call about the meaning of Thanksgiving will give your whole family all the feels.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Charlie Brown is a holiday classic. This time, he's playing football and cooking up a Thanksgiving feast with the Peanuts crew. Your kids will love it because, duh, it's Charlie Brown, and you'll enjoy the nostalgia factor.
Toy Story
This Disney feel-good movie is one kids and parents will love any day of the year, but why not make it a Thanksgiving tradition? A story about friendship, family, and being thankful for what you have is the perfect way to wrap up the day after a big meal.
Garfield's Thanksgiving
The classic comic strip character will bring some laughter to a chaotic Thanksgiving morning. The plot: Garfield is put on a diet by his veterinarian — then Jon invites her over for Thanksgiving dinner.
Home Alone
The end of Thanksgiving means it's the beginning of "Home Alone" season. Welcome Kevin McCallister into your home and watch as a family as he pulls out all of his clever tricks to protect himself and his abode.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Santa's little helpers shut down the mall and take hostages, so it's up to Paul Blart, a rent-a-cop, and his trusty segway to save the day (especially on Black Friday!).
Addams Family Values
In this dark comedy, Wednesday Addams doesn't buy into the idea that the Native Americans were "invited" to the very first Thanksgiving in America. So when her summer camp puts on a play about the holiday's origins, she decides to put her own spin on the story — in typical, mischievous Addams Family fashion, of course.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Steve Martin always delivers on the comedy front, and this comedy about his misadventures trying to get home for Thanksgiving dinner will make you (and your kids) glad that everyone made it to the table.
Dora the Explorer: Dora's Thanksgiving Parade
Dora and Boots must save Thanksgiving by getting a Thanksgiving Day parade float back after the Pirate Piggies accidentally float away. The little ones will love learning Spanish and about this important holiday while watching Dora on the big screen.
Dutch
Dutch (Ed O'Neill) offers to drive his girlfriend's son from his private school in Atlanta to his mother's home in Chicago for Thanksgiving. The boy wants nothing to do with Dutch, especially given the man's lowly, working-class roots. This pairing makes for a journey filled with bickering, mishaps and, eventually, bonding.
Grumpy Old Men
The rivalry between neighbors at the middle of this flick will have your kids rolling on the floor laughing — but there are some important lessons about the importance of friendship in here too.
Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving
Kids of all ages will love this collection of the gang's holiday adventures — plus, there are sing-along songs!
National Lampoon's Holiday Reunion
All chaos breaks out when Dr. Mitch Snider (Judge Reinhold) and his family travel to visit the man's hippie cousin (Bryan Cranston) in Idaho.
Home for the Holidays
Single mom Claudia Larson just got fired from her job and her daughter announced she's spending Thanksgiving with her boyfriend. Claudia's only other option? Go to her childhood home for the holidays. This movie is too funny and too relatable.
Annie
Little orphan Annie's uplifting story is a sweet reminder that you don't have to be related to be a loving family. (It'll have everyone singing along in no time too!)
You've Got Mail
Even though their relationship starts online, Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) and Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan), bump into each other at the grocery store on Thanksgiving. Spoiler: Fox helps Kelly out when she runs into a jam in the checkout line and it's pretty cute.
Miracle On 34th Street
Okay, this is a Christmas classic — but it technically starts at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. What better way to get the whole family psyched about the upcoming holiday season?
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