Thanksgiving may get less screen time than its more famous cousins, Halloween and Christmas. Still, there’s no denying the holiday’s rich storytelling potential. From family dramas to raunchy comedies, the food-filled day of giving thanks has been the setting for plenty of films over the years—and luckily for us all, most of those movies are available to stream on Netflix.
12. This Is Where I Leave You (2014)
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Run Time: 1h 43m
Shawn Levy’s adaptation of Jonathan Tropper’s best seller features Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, and Adam Driver as adult siblings who gather to attend their father’s funeral at their childhood home – only to discover they all still have issues to settle within their familial unit. The film is overcooked and farcical in parts, but the cast is impressive enough to see this.
When Judd Altman, the youngest of the four adult Altman children, returns home after an affair with his boss to find his wife has been cheating on him, he’s not only frightened by the revelation but also overwhelmed by the repercussions of his mother’s death (Jane Fonda) and their inability to get over Horry Callen, the neighbor they once loved. All four siblings reunite under one roof for seven days of bickering and mourning, settling into a ritual called sitting Shiva.
Judd’s sister Wendy (Tina Fey) and brother Paul (Corey Stoll) are a great mess of their problems. And when Judd starts forming an odd connection with Penny (Rose Byrne), who was once his crush, he’s in danger of becoming a nagging burden on the other family members.
11. Hook (1991)
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Run Time: 2h 22m
Though somewhat overburdened by subplots, Hook is worth watching for Dustin Hoffman and Bob Hoskins’ charming performances as Hook and Smee. Their friendship and rapport is palpable throughout.
However, the rest of the cast could be better. It is unfortunate that Spielberg – known for his gift with children – encouraged such overly serious acting from such young actors in this role. The other leads could be more impressive. Those who haven’t watched the film would do well to watch the trailer before they watch it.
The story is based on the characters of Peter Pan from the 1924 silent film and 1953 Disney animated film. Steven Spielberg originally conceived it in the early 1980s with Walt Disney Productions and Paramount Pictures. Before developing the script with Jim V. Hart and Nick Castle, he set it with TriStar Pictures.
It’s a long story, but it’s about an adult Peter Pan (Robin Williams) who has completely forgotten his past and has become a workaholic lawyer with no time for family life or even a good meal. When his archenemy, Captain Hook, kidnaps his children, Peter returns to Neverland, where he must find a way to save them.
10. Holidate (2020)
Genres: Comedy, Romance
Run Time: 1h 44m
Holidate marks Netflix’s debut of romantic comedy season this year with Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey starrer movie that follows Sloane (Roberts), an individual seeking an escape from familial pressure by inviting Australian golf pro-Jackson as her ‘holidate’ to family holiday events. They have a pretty good chemistry together, but the film’s plot needs to be more complex and lacks genuine depth.
The movie starts on Christmas when Sloane’s family constantly pesters her to bring a date to her family dinners or parties. Trying to follow the advice of her single aunt Susan (Kristin Chenoweth, shooting for a Jennifer Coolidge vibe), Sloane decides to find herself a ‘holidate’ for all her family events. She soon meets Jackson, a chain-smoking, candy-scarfing waif who hides behind humor at every opportunity.
The two meet at a mall, and they start an awkward conversation. They realize they have nothing in common but hate being single during the holidays. Then they agree to be each other’s “holidate” for all the festivities in the year.
While it doesn’t break any new ground in the modern rom-com genre, Holidate is still fun to watch and has some good chemistry between Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey. The pair’s banter during holiday gatherings is wildly entertaining, and the movie will surely put you in a holiday mood!
9. Walk.Ride. Rodeo. (2019)
Genres: Biography, Drama, Sport
Run Time: 1h 40m
“Amberley Snyder,” played by Spencer Locke, is an incredible true story about an internationally-ranked barrel racer who beat all odds to compete again after suffering an accident that nearly ended her life. Locke plays her wonderfully while never allowing disability to overshadow her character.
The movie begins with Amberly at a major turning point in her life — she’s nationally ranked and about to graduate high school, gearing up for college and speaking at a Future Farmers of America conference. Then, a car accident hits her hard, and she ends up in the hospital with no feeling in her legs.
It’s unclear whether the movie will take a positive or negative turn. At first, she lashes out at her mother, Tina (Missi Pyle), who knows that she’ll never walk again and struggles to accept her condition. She stutters in her recovery and becomes even more depressed. Still, she finds some hope in her physical therapist’s words and her parents’ encouragement.
8. Good Sam (2019)
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Run Time: 1h 29m
Tiya Sircar (The Good Place, Star Wars Forces of Destiny) stars as TV news reporter Kate Bradley covering New York City “bummer beat” events like fires, car accidents, and riots for her local television news program.
However, she becomes fascinated when she receives calls about an anonymous man leaving $100,000 on strangers’ doorsteps without explanation or motive. She wants to discover whether this benefactor indeed acts selflessly. She soon begins investigating, and soon, her own life is changed.
While it starts as a mystery thriller, Good Sam eventually veers into romance and social commentary. It’s one of Netflix’s less-corny originals that is fearless in highlighting hope and love. This theme ties into its overall themes of generosity and the power of good in the human heart.
Like that film, the good Samaritan in this film is a complete stand-alone who doesn’t even have any personality or character. He sucks up on the good feelings generated by people who have received Good Sam’s donations, and he isn’t afraid to help people in need.
7. The Addams Family (1991)
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy
Run Time: 1h 39m
Morticia and Gomez, their monster-like servant Lurch, and their children Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley star in this black comedy directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. It features memorable black humor.
The Addams Family are a ghoulishly demented family who embrace the morbid side of life. They have a cigar-smoking, child-like dad, Gomez Addams; an elegant, vampish mom, Morticia Addams; a strange son, Pugsley Addams; and a somber daughter, Wednesday Addams. The Addams Family includes a witch-like Granny Addams (Judith Malina), a free-standing hand known as Things, and the family’s ever-present butler, Lurch.
While their kooky and darkly comical humorous premise is based on the New Yorker cartoons and television series, The Addams Family movie was a big success. The film’s humor, based on single-panel gags from the comics, could have been more clever, but it still managed to entertain.
When the Addamses learn that Fester Addams, Gomez’s long-lost brother, has returned from the Bermuda Triangle, Abigail Craven (Elizabeth Wilson) and her adoptive son Gordon (Christopher Lloyd) scheme to steal their fortune by posing as the Addams family’s deceased brother, Fester.
6. Fatherhood (2021)
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Run Time: 1h 49m
Fatherhood is an emotional drama about a father raising his daughter after his wife has suddenly died, featuring Kevin Hart in a dramatic role – something rare for him!
Paul Weitz’s film Two Kisses for Maddy by Matthew Logelin was initially planned for theatrical release but has since been licensed exclusively to Netflix via an agreement. The international streaming platform will premiere the film on June 18th, just before Father’s Day.
Based on the memoir Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love by Matthew Logelin, Fatherhood stars Kevin Hart as Matt Logelin, a single father whose life is turned upside down when his wife dies a day after their daughter’s birth. As he struggles to raise Maddy alone, he’s determined to show her what a good father is supposed to be.
Though a strong cast, it’s Hart’s performance that really draws us into Fatherhood. The comedian’s sass and wit complement rising young actress Melody Hurd’s impeccable performance in this heartwarming true story about the most challenging job in the world: Fatherhood.
5. Love at First Sight (2023)
Genres: Drama, Romance
Run Time: 1h 31m
Vanessa Caswill (To All the Boys YA) directed, and Katie Lovejoy adapted this film based on the YA novel The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. Jameela Jamil narrates and appears in various supporting roles while Matt Kaplan and Aubrey Bendix produce.
With all of that said, the story of Love at First Sight doesn’t necessarily break new ground, but it does feel fresh. It’s a low-stakes love story that focuses on character and the potential for fate rather than stock rom-com cut-outs.
In fact, it’s a refreshing take on the genre that will make you think twice about how cheesy these meet cutes can be. Check out this one if you want a more spirited addition to your Netflix queue!
The White Lotus star Haley Lu Richardson stars as Hadley Sullivan, an American preparing to fly to England to attend her dad’s second wedding. But when she misses her flight, she meets Oliver (Ben Hardy), a cute British guy beside her. The two instantly connect, and their long overnight flight goes by in a flash.
4. Spider-Man (2002)
Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Run Time: 2h 1m
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), after being bitten by a genetically modified spider during a school field trip to a lab, discovers he has acquired supernatural abilities. Using them, he pursues Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst).
While some effects don’t quite hold up today, and Spidey’s humor may have lost some zing over time, Sam Raimi proved that entertaining cinema could thrive on the big screen. This adaptation is a refreshing example of what comic book movies can be when done well. With its focus on characters and their relationships, this film is perfect for kids and parents.
This is the first feature-length film featuring Spider-Man, a character created in 1962 by Marvel Comics founder Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. It is a classic of the superhero genre and a must-see for fans of all ages.
The movie centers around Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire), a socially isolated high school student living with his aunt and uncle in Queens. On a school excursion to Columbia University, he is bitten by a genetically modified spider. The bite bestows him superhuman strength, speed, agility, sharp senses, and reflexes.
3. Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Genres: Comedy, Romance
Run Time: 1h 41m
After Jon Chu’s massively popular Crazy Rich Asians of 2018, Always Be My Maybe is another major rom-com featuring Pacific Asians this year and marks Nahnatchka Khan’s directorial debut with familiar yet enjoyable ingredients.
Marcus and Sasha shared a house in San Francisco as young kids and were close friends. As an adult, Sasha is a world-famous chef who travels the country opening new restaurants. At the same time, Marcus lives at home with his widowed dad (James Saito) and plays in a hip-hop rock band. The two reunite when Sasha goes to open a restaurant in her hometown and bumps into her friend, who has been living life in the fast lane for the last 16 years.
Always Be My Maybe feels very much like a rom-com. But its cast, writer-director Nahnatchka Khan, and co-writers Wong and Park are way more brilliant than that. They won’t let Keanu Reeves take all the attention, which would be unfair. Instead, they rely on their star power and the natural chemistry between them to set Always Be My Maybe apart from many other rom-coms.
2. Enola Holmes 2 (2022)
Genres: Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery
Run Time: 2h 9m
As the sequel to Enola Holmes from 2020, this film finds the young detective-for-hire grappling with independence issues and her status as a woman. Millie Bobby Brown returns as her brash and bright protagonist. Henry Cavill and Louis Partridge reprise their roles as Sherlock’s brother, Tewkesbury, and Mistress Eudoria, respectively. This time around, however, we see Enola struggle to ask for help from her friends and family.
The leading case that Enola investigates is based on an actual historical event called the Matchgirls Strike of 1888, which saw the deaths of hundreds of women in Victorian London. Bradbeer and screenwriter Jack Thorne craft a fascinating mystery that is more than just an opportunity for the young detective to prove herself in a competitive world.
When we last visited the intrepid investigator, she had opened up her own detective agency in London but was struggling to attract clients because of her reputation as a female and the chauvinist attitude toward females at that time. With this new challenge on her hands, it’s no surprise that Enola is still trying to figure out where to turn next or how to make a name for herself.
1. Hustle (2022)
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Sport
Run Time: 1h 57m
Hustle is an effortless formulaic crowd-pleaser. Sandler and Hernangomez share an endearing, goofy rapport that easily transitions from flirtatious banter to loving family dynamics; plus, its basketball sequences have an authentically energetic spirit that makes this movie memorable.
Jeremiah Zagar brings his trademark NBA-certified authenticity to this film, ensuring every scene feels real despite cliched elements like pep talks and underdog triumph. And yet, this movie never becomes dull! The cinematography by Zak Mulligan (The Outsider) and Johnetta Boone (Yellowstone) is gorgeous. It captures the NBA world in all its glory.
Director Zagar is a relative newcomer to the narrative feature, delivering a lyrical and impressionistic take on a sports story with his Sundance debut, We the Animals. But he and screenwriter Will Fetters have found an appealing, grounded approach to telling this tale of two old friends and how a lifelong love of the game can change them both for the better. They also make sure the relationship between Stanley Sugerman and Bo Cruz (Juancho Hernangomez), a once-in-a-lifetime basketball phenom with a troubled past, is sweet and tense.
