We all have our favorite Christmas movies, but it’s Thanksgiving week, and that got us thinking here at The Show: What about Thanksgiving movies? Why aren’t those a genre we know and love?
Craig Outhier has some pretty strong opinions on that idea.
Outhier is the editor of Phoenix Magazine and a former film critic.
Together, Outhier and The Show compiled a list of the best at-least-Thanksgiving-adjacent movies they could think of and spoke about which movies made the cut.
“Planes, Trains & Automobiles,” 1987: “The whole movie is about the logistical impossibility of getting across the country in time to be home for Thanksgiving,” Outhier said.
“Tower Heist,” 2011: “The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade makes an appearance,” host Lauren Gilger said. “I guess that’s probably most of the theme there.”
“Scent of a Woman,” 1992: “This all happens over Thanksgiving break, and it kind of does hit on all those themes,” Gilger said.
“Home for the Holidays,” 1995: “It’s really just an allegory for the lameness of Thanksgiving,” Outhier said. “... At the same time, of course, it’s a warm movie about the miracle of family. So it hits it from both ends.”
“The Fantastic Mr. Fox,” 2009: “There’s definitely a theme here about food and friends,” Gilger said. “Hunkering down for the long winter ahead,” Outhier added.
“Miracle on 34th Street,” 1947: “[It’s] very much about the Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said Gilger. Outhier replied, “It’s a dress rehearsal for Christmas. I’m telling you.”
“Hannah and Her Sisters,” 1986 “[It] weaves in and out of family and extended family and friendship,” Outhier said.
