Ignite That Thanksgiving Spirit With These Classic Turkey Day Movies

This movie has it all; family, faith, and football. Sounds like the perfect activity after the Thanksgiving meal. The Disney film tells the real-life story of Leigh Anne, the legal guardian of the famous football payer Michael Oher and how she helped him go from homeless teen to first-round draft pick.

The sentimental film also features a beautiful Thanksgiving scene that will surely get you into the holiday spirits. It also has the irresistible Sandra Bullock who plays the feisty matriarch.

The second installment of the Addams Family films brings up a lot of Thanksgiving, but with a slightly different angle. In the spooky yet quirky film, we see Wednesday Addams's icy but brilliant performance as Pocahontas.

Veering slightly off script, Wednesday rewrites history by telling the audience what Thanksgiving is really all about, in her signature dead-pan Wednesday way.

Nothing like a little comedy action for Thanksgiving entertainment. The Director of the classic "Rush Hour" films brought us this heist movie, aptly named "Tower Heist" set in the ever-exciting New York City. It stars two comedy kings Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy, and features parades and turkeys! It's good old family fun.

You'll also love their amazing co-stars Gabourey Sidibe, Alan Alda. and Matthew Broderick. The great Alan Alda plays a Ponzi scheme crook who gets placed under house arrest for stealing $2 billion. Of course, that's where Murphy and Stiller come in with a sneaky plan.

The mockumentary master behind "This Is Spinal Tap," "Best in Show" and more, treats us to a hilarious film about actors who fall victim to rumors of Oscar buzz over a supposedly "Oscar-worthy" film named "Home for Purim," which eventually becomes known as "Home for Thanksgiving " (in order to attract more of a crowd).

The film features Cristopher Guest favorites such as Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Harry Shearer, Parker Posey, and more. If you're into Christopher Guest movies then you probably already know this one.

A movie about how different Thanksgiving dinners vary from household to household, because let's face it, no two people do it the same way. Even if they all happen to be in Los Angeles. With a lot of food, humor, color, you'll be bouncing between a diverse bunch of thanksgiving dinners enjoying all the flavors and fabric of people.

The film stars Kyra Sedgwick, Julianna Margulies, Alfre Woodard, and Joan Chen. It's a true holiday gem and has aged pretty well.

You may recognize Ike Barinholtz from the hit series "The Mindy Project," as the sweet and silly Morgan. This time Barinholtz is both in front and behind the lens in his directorial debut. The film which also stars Tiffany Haddish as his wife, tells the story of a married couple trying to survive the tough times of a looming tax oath deadline that is scheduled for the day after Thanksgiving.

Haddish, Barinholtz, and the rest of the family try to hold it together through the contentious political atmosphere, trying their best to avoid all family conflict. It's a classic Thanksgiving squabble done in the most humorous way, because who doesn't argue with family at the dinner table?

if you like films like "Superbad," "Paul" and "Adventureland" (all directed by Greg Mattola) and you love Thanksgiving, then this might be the perfect combination for you. The 1997 film (also Mattola's directorial debut) tells the tale of a woman discovering a love letter written by her husband addressed to someone else - on Thanksgiving.

It's a comedic journey about love and heartbreak starring Stanley Tucci, Hope Davis, Parker Posey and Liev Schrieber. It's also perfect for a great nostalgic evening.

The beloved fat orange cat has his very own Thanksgiving film, naturally, which makes sense since no one could polish off a turkey the way Garfield can. The sweet animated film can also double as a great distraction for the kids as you prepare for the big night.

The classic cartoon kicks off with Garfield going to the vet and then ending up with grandma at a Thanksgiving feast. It's typical Grafield fun, and the end is just totally perfect.

The man behind "Rain Man", "Diner" and the political classic "Wag the Dog" brings us another favorite, this time, with an incredible scene dedicated to Thanksgiving, complete with all the family dysfunction you can handle.

The film centers around a Polish Jewish family who emigrated to America during the 20th century, in hopes of achieving "the American dream." The film has parts that the whole family can relate to.

This Steve Carell film is not exactly the typical Thanksgiving flick but it is filled with holiday spirit. The family drama tells the story of family dysfunction in the idyllic Rhode Island setting. Two brothers clash in the annual get together, especially when the charming Marie (Juliette Binoche) becomes the object of everyone's affection.

It's got heart, touch football, a wonderful cast, and the gorgeous New England setting. Even Emily Blunt shows up at some point. Perfect for Turkey Day.

Perhaps a tad low-brow, but how can anyone resist a 90s Pauly Shore movie, especially with a little rom-com element. The film stars Shore has a quirky slacker with a cowboy hat as he spends Thanksgiving with his friend Becca and her family on their South Dakota farm, and It goes exactly how you would imagine it to go.

It's a classic 90s picture with loads of shenanigans that shows what happens when two totally different worlds meet. Still, it has heaps of heart and is a barrel of laughs for Turkey Day.

Thanksgiving dinners are usually breeding grounds for tense feelings among family members, but none can compare to what we see in "Krisha." The critically-acclaimed thriller by newcomer Trey Edward Shults tells the story of a woman trying to reunite with her family on Thanksgiving, after dropping them for her crippling addictions.

It doesn't exactly have the warm and fuzzy feelings you might be searching for in other films, but it's certainly got all the thrills, drama, and simmering tensions that are about as heated as a freshly baked turkey.

Indie power couple Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig reunite in this witty drama about a college freshman named Tracy Fishko (played by the gorgeous Lola Kirke) who starts living with an incredibly mischievous future stepsister (Gerwig.)

Brace yourself for one of the most entertaining Thanksgiving scenes any movie has to offer. You will laugh and cringe at all those typical gawky Greta antics. This one is definitely perfect for a Turkey Day date night.

Spend your Turkey Day with the loveable Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd. It's a romantic comedy that struggles with the romantic part as it tells the story of Nina (Aniston) who falls desperately in love with her gay best friend and roommate (Rudd.)

With humor and tenderness, this film tackles the heart's trickier matters during the memorable holiday.

Mothers and daughters, watch this film armed with boxes of Kleenex. Dubbed as the '90s answer to Steel Magnolias, this heartfelt film starring Meryl Streep and Renee Zellweger will take you on a journey through a mother and daughter's final Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas together.

It will make you want to call up your mother and cherish every single moment with her.

Stepping away from the melodrama and tenderness of this special day, the film "Prisoners" will give you a little bit of a jolt on Thanksgiving, because some people out there just don't experience traditional Turkey Days, especially when there is kidnapping involved.

Yup, this masterful thriller directed by French Canadian, Denis Villeneuve tells the story of a man who ends up searching for his daughter who gets snatched up right on Thanksgiving Day. Tensions run high in this film. Also, get ready for a major twist ending.

In the "Vicious Kind," Adam Scott plays the part of a troubled black sheep who finds himself in the company of his biggest enemy, his father, on thanksgiving. There's also the blue-eyed and sunny gem that is Brittany Snow, who this time, reveals her darker side.

Scott with that signature snarkiness gives us one the best performances of his career. J.K. Simmons also shines in this role as an extremely difficult and gun-toting dad. Don't worry, it's still a comedy.

The name Alfred Hitchcock doesn't typically go with Thanksgiving. The English master of suspense isn't exactly all turkey and sweet pumpkin pie, yet somehow he's on this list, and that's because this classic film actually takes place over the course of Thanksgiving.

Note the shot of the newspaper date in the film. That said, there's nothing like getting your annual dose of Hitchcock during those chilly festive evenings. Plus, we're always down for some Cary Grant.

We don't have to get into too much detail about one of the most famous movies in cinema history. It's the perfect post-Thanksgiving meal inspiration. Settle those turkey filled bellies with some good after action with your favorite boxing champ. It might motivate you to burn off all that  Turkey Day stuffing.

Should we also remind you that the first installment of the Rocky Balboa series features Rocky and Adrian on a Thanksgiving date night?

Originally a play written by Wendy MacLeod, this wacky and insanely dark comedy tells the story of a young man who brings his fiancée home for Thanksgiving to meet the family. Naturally, one of those people in the family is his mentally ill sister who is obsessed with the late Jackie Kennedy.

It stars the wickedly talented Parker Posey who plays the sister with the Jackie O identity crisis, it also stars Tori Spelling and Josh Hamilton. It's a lot of fun but not exactly kosher for dinner table discussions.

Move aside Christmas,  it can't be all about you. Yes, there's a lot of Santa in this classic film, but the movie actually opens at the Macy's Thanksgiving parade. The film follows Kris Kringle who stumbles into a new career as a Santa impersonator when he finds himself replacing the original yet very drunk Santa at the yearly extravaganza.

As the city's most popular holiday icon, he has to deal with the troubling effects of being Santa to thousands and thousands of people. This can and should be enjoyed on Thanksgiving.

Thought you couldn't take a song and turn it into a whole movie? You thought wrong. "Alice's Restaurant" is a beautiful example of how you can. The film is based on the classic song of the same name by Arlo Guthrie. It follows a man, who,  in a bizarre turn of events gets arrested for littering.

The 1969 classic is a real-time capsule that shows the perspective of the youth of the time. If you're in the need of some 60s nostalgia, and beautiful folk music, this is the one.

Join the Charlie Brown gang with this special 25-minute animated classic all about the beloved American family festivities. Its charming innocence can surprisingly be enjoyed by the grown-ups too, and not just the kids.

The sweet short film is packed with heart, chuckles, and wholesome family fun. Have a happy Thanksgiving with the Peanuts crew!

If you're opting for a friends-only Thanksgiving, then watch this. Kevin Kline, Glen Close, Jeff Goldblum, and others shine in this classic Thanksgiving film about old friends as they mourne the loss of a dear friend and reminisce about the past. It's a film about grappling with insecurity disillusionment and regret.

It truly is one of the most unforgettable films ever and is likely responsible for launching the careers of today's greatest actors.

Our Thanksgiving movie list wouldn't be complete without a little Woody Allen. This Turkey Day favorite is about three sisters, (Hannah, Lee, and Holly) with tons of emotional baggage who gather for three Thanksgivings in a row.

Things take a turn for the worst when Hannah discovers her husband is having an affair with her sister Lee. If you love Woody Allen, this one is for you.

The great Steve Martin and the late (and great) John Candy join forces in this classic winter comedy. Neal Page (Martin) is on his way home to Chicago for Thanksgiving, but a surprise snow-storm throws a wrench in his plans.

Getting rerouted through rural Kansas he is forced to bunk up with Del Griffith (Candy.) The two spend their days traveling through holiday madness together. Buckle up, it's a crazy ride.

In keeping with his "Married...with Children" persona, Ed O'Neill sticks to the type-cast, playing the typical guy with, erm, underdeveloped social decorum. The film follows Dutch (O'Neill) after he offers to drive his girlfriend's pretentious son from a fancy prep school in Atlanta to Chicago for Thanksgiving.

With Dutch acting like an overgrown kid and Doyle (the kid) acting like a tiny adult, the two expectedly clash, but then surprise, surprise, a special bond is formed.

Comedy Legends Water Matthau and Jack Lemmon are eternal rivals and neighbors in the classic flick., Things escalate, even more, when a beautiful lady (Ann Margaret) moves into the neighborhood during Thanksgiving.

The two grumpy old men go to great and even ridiculous lengths to win her affection. Prepare for the laughs.

This 1992 coming of age drama starring a young Chris O'Donnell and Al Pacino tells the story of a blind and cantankerous ex-military man (Pacino) who finds himself in the care of a naive student who is strapped for cash (O'Donnell.)

The new job lands the young man in the Big Apple over Thanksgiving. There's the reason why Pacino bagged an Oscar for this film. Also, the Thanksgiving dinner scene is just great.

There's trouble in the 'burbs. Elena's husband Ben is having affair with the neighbor. Their daughter Wendy is getting a little too promiscuous with boys next door and their son Paul is hopelessly in love with a classmate at boarding school.

A lot goes down under one roof, and if any of them were plotting their escape, a vicious storm just snowed them in, on Thanksgiving! Happy Turkey Day, everyone!

For some people, there comes a point where you just have to leave your home town. That was certainly the case for Claudia Larson, (Holly Hunter) who left in order to start afresh elsewhere. But now it's the holidays and she is back.

Of course, very shortly into her stay, she is reminded once again why she left in the first place. It's directed by Jodie Foster, and stars Robert Downey Jr as well as the late Anne Bancroft. Yes, please.

You don't really need a reason to watch "You've Got Mail" but in case you need your holiday rom-com fix, go for this one. The iconic supermarket scene where Kathlene (Meg Ryan) accidentally finds herself in the no-cash line actually takes place during Thanksgiving.

As we all remember, the "evil" Joe Fox (Hanks) helps her out in true Thanksgiving spirit. Of course, that's only one example of how these two just can't stay out of each other's lives.

Oscar Grubman has a way with the ladies. He can sweep them off their feet with impressive literary quotes, he can speak French, and he's only 15 years old. The only problem is; the one woman he's into happens to be about 20 years older than him and his new stepmother.

During his Thanksgiving break from prep school, Grubman has to overcome this sticky family situation, all through this festive time. It stars the amazing Sigourney Weaver and Bebe Neuwirth.

This a must for every young New Yorker. "Pieces of April," tells the story of April Burns (Katie Holmes) who invites her fatally ill mother (Patricia Clarkson) and the rest of her estranged family to her tiny New York apartment she shares with her boyfriend (Derek Luke) for a "cozy" Thanksgiving dinner.

April isn't the best cook, but with the help of her neighbor (Sean Hayes), she tries her very best to give them the homiest and most memorable Thanksgiving dinner her dinky apartment can offer.

Veering away from their typical obscene comedy styles, Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen team up in this somewhat depressing comedy. An over-the-hill comedian (Sandler) who discovers that he is diagnosed with leukemia invites an up-and-coming comic (Rogen) to mentor.

It's got that signature Judd Apatow flavor with some shades of darkness, and a killer Thanksgiving scene.

The beloved Jim Henson who brought us the Muppets is behind this Thanksgiving gem. Great for the kids (and some parents too,)the 2015 magical film follows two kids who embark on a journey to visit their aunt's farm for Thanksgiving.

Along the way, they encounter the strange and mythical being called Hollow Hoodoo. Together they save their aunt's farm from being destroyed by an evil neighbor.

We'll start with the fact that "The War at Home" stars the great Kathy Bates. That should already be enough of a reason to watch this one. But in case you need more, the film takes a unique look at a soldier who returns home after serving in Vietnam.

The film looks at the terrible effects of PTSD and how the veteran (played by Emilio Estevez) deals with readjusting to civilian life, all against the backdrop of the special holiday.

Another '90s family drama "The Myth of Fingerprints" is a favorite among critics. It tells the story of a politically polarised family coming together for a Thanksgiving weekend.

Family time forces them to reconcile their differences and work together to achieve harmony. Julianna Moore, Noah Wyle, and Hope Davis all give fantastic performances.

A coming of age film that follows four high school friends coming home for Thanksgiving after their first break from college. On their return, they realize for the first time, how little has changed, and how much they have grown since their departure for college.

There's a little bit of everything in this movie, touches of rom-com, drama, and a couple of laughs too.

In "Nobody's Fool" we see Paul Newman, an aging hustler named Sully, navigate love and relationships after a surprise visit from his estranged son. Set against the backdrop of the holiday season, the film is a little hard-hitting and will make you grapple with the importance of family.

The film even landed Newman an Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe, and a SAG award for his role. Melanie Griffith also gives a fantastic performance.

Let's not forget how Thanksgiving came to be in the first place. This film tells the story of just that. Starring Colin Farrel as Capt. John Smith, "The New World" follows Smith and his crew coming face to face with the Native Americans as well as his much-contested romantic involvement with Pocahontas.

Directed by the talented Terrence Mallick ("The Tree of Life" and "The Thin Red Line") it's an important film to watch and something that you might want to reflect upon during the festivities.

You can't go wrong with a Martin Scorsese film. Though this one is definitely rather different from his usual. "The Last Waltz"  is a documentary about the musical group "The Band" and their final concert that was performed on Thanksgiving Day in the year 1976.

It features some pretty huge names such as Eric Clapton and Neil Diamond and even scored a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. It's safe to say that this one of the greatest musical documentaries of all time.

Get ready for another kooky and fun Thanksgiving animated film! "Free Birds" is about two turkeys who narrowly escape the dinner table and set out for a mission to save more turkeys.

It's a fun and feel-good kids film that might inspire you to start changing your annual "Turkey Day" menu. If that's what you're into of course.

Part of a three-part special holiday installment, including Groundhog's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christma, "A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving," focuses on Rabbit and his buddies who venture out to forage for the perfect Thanksgiving feast.

On their quest, they find everything they need for the traditional meal, and in the process learn what the spirit of Thanksgiving is all about.

"A Thanksgiving Tale," tells the story of Tom Turkey who dreams of making it in showbiz. He heads out to make his dreams come true but everything goes a little haywire when he accidentally arrives in Newark and not New York.

Seeking refuge with a bunch of cats, Tom learns a lot about the spirit of Thanksgiving, how to look out for one another, and everyone can work together to achieve their goals.

Set in the late 1880s, "An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving" follows the story of a widow and mother of three, who struggles to put food on the table. When the oldest daughter sends a letter to her rich grandmother, pleading for help (much to the disapproval of her mother) tensions rise.

But when the grandmother arrives, the family finds themselves healing old wounds and finally working together on the special holiday. Based on a story by Louisa May Alcott, it's a true American classic.

This isn't officially a Thanksgiving film, but in the spirit of sharing and giving, we couldn't help but list this special film. The story follows a boy who gets a social studies assignment to think of an idea to change the world for the better, then actually apply it.

When he creates his "paying forward" plan he discovers that implements a wave of human kindness, the scope of which has never been seen.

A Thanksgiving movie that tells the story of a mother with Alzheimer's and her distant daughter who slowly reunite during the holiday quite by accident.

Watch this one with your mom!

Once again a film that pokes at the sometimes crueler aspect of Thanksgiving, at least cruel for some creatures.

Thi sweet TV movie tells the story of a teenage boy who is torn between his love for an injured goose whose fate is approaching and a Thanksgiving dinner.