Thanksgiving Films 2011

Home for the Holidays (1995) Rated PG-13

Claudia Larson is a divorced single mom who just lost her job and now has to fly home for the traditional family Thanksgiving in Baltimore. From the plane, she calls for reinforcements–and her brother Tommy makes it down from Boston with a little surprise: a handsome friend named Leo. Between dropping the turkey in their sister’s lap and a few fist fights on the front lawn, Claudia and Tommy recapture their childhood–and Claudia and Leo explore the sweet possibility of romance.

The Ice Storm (1997) Rated R

The story of two dysfunctional suburban families, set in the 1970s. When a self-centered husband’s relationships with his wife and mistress grow cold, it takes a wife-swapping “key party” and a freak ice storm to clear the air–and change their lives forever.

Mighty Joe Young (1998) Rated PG

A fifteen-foot-tall Central African gorilla is brought to America to save him from poachers. But his notoriety makes him a target for an enemy from his past.

Pieces of April (2003) Rated PG-13 

Family outcast April lives in a beat-up apartment in New York’s Lower East Side with her boyfriend, Bobby. In order to spend some time with her dying mother, April invites her conservative suburban family to her place for a Thanksgiving feast. While she frantically tries to complete the meal, the family drives in from Pennsylvania sharing less-than-pleasant opinions about April’s lifestyle. Her dad tries to think positively, while sister Beth flaunts her good-girl status and brother Timmy captures it all on film.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987) Rated R

An uptight businessman faces disaster after disaster as he tries to get back home in time for his family’s Thanksgiving dinner, and along the way is joined by an insane traveling salesman that will not leave him alone.

Thanksgiving Films

National Lampoon’s Holiday Reunion (2004) Rated PG-13

Against the wishes of his wife and kids, Mitch Snider is determined to have a traditional Thanksgiving holiday with all the relatives. And it looks like that’s what he will have once he receives an invitation from his long-lost cousin Woodrow in Idaho. However, cousin Woodrow and his family turn out to be nuttier than a holiday fruitcake.

Old Fashioned Thanksgiving (2008) Rated NR

Things are so bad for recently widowed farmer Mary Bassett and her three children that this Thanksgiving they may not even be able to afford a turkey for their dinner. Suddenly, Mary’s wealthy and estranged mother Isabella comes for a visit. Although Isabella finds a kindred spirit in Mary’s eldest daughter and budding writer Tilly, Mary resents her mother’s attempts to help them out of their financial difficulties. It will take more than money to heal the emotional wounds that exist between mother and daughter.

Pieces of April (2003) Rated PG-13

Family outcast April lives in a beat-up apartment in New York’s Lower East Side with her boyfriend, Bobby. In order to spend some time with her dying mother, April invites her conservative suburban family to her place for a Thanksgiving feast. While she frantically tries to complete the meal, the family drives in from Pennsylvania sharing less-than-pleasant opinions about April’s lifestyle. Her dad tries to think positively, while sister Beth flaunts her good-girl status and brother Timmy captures it all on film.

Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale (1994) Rated PG

Indian brave Squanto is kidnapped from America and taken to England to be put on display as a savage. He escapes and when he returns home he brings peace among Pilgrims and a tribe, thus bringing the first Thanksgiving.

Time to Remember (2003) Rated NR

Two estrange daughters return to the family home on Thanksgiving to find their relationship with their mother even more difficult than before. As strong-willed widow Maggie busily prepares for a perfect family celebration, her recently diagnosed Alzheimer’s condition becomes more apparent.