30 Hidden Gem Thanksgiving Movies You’ve Probably Never Seen

We all know the usual Thanksgiving movies, but there’s a wealth of other films that really capture the feeling of the holiday – ones you might not have heard of. These hidden gems cover a lot of ground, from funny and awkward family stories to even some surprising horror movies that use Thanksgiving as a setting. Watching these lesser-known films can give you a new appreciation for both the thankfulness and the craziness of the season. Here’s a list of thirty unique movies that deserve to be part of your Thanksgiving movie marathon, right alongside the classics.

‘Pieces of April’ (2003)

April Burns tries to bring her distant family together for Thanksgiving in her small New York City apartment. When her stove stops working on Thanksgiving morning, she needs help from her neighbors to cook the turkey. The movie shows both April’s frantic cooking attempts and her family’s stressful journey to get to her. It’s a heartwarming story about forgiveness and the realistic messiness of family relationships.

‘Krisha’ (2015)

After ten years of being apart from her family, a woman named Krisha returns home for Thanksgiving, battling her own personal struggles. She tries to show her relatives she’s changed, but they’re hesitant to believe her, creating a tense atmosphere during the busy holiday. Set in a suburban Texas home, the film slowly builds suspense as old wounds and present-day worries come to the surface. It’s a realistic and visually striking portrayal of the anxieties that often surface during family gatherings.

‘The House of Yes’ (1997)

Jackie-O, a woman struggling with mental health, spirals out of control when her twin brother introduces his fiancée at Thanksgiving. A storm forces the family to stay inside their home, where hidden secrets and unsettling behaviors are revealed. Parker Posey shines in this darkly funny film that pokes fun at the problems of wealthy families. It’s a story about obsession and madness set against the backdrop of a disastrous holiday meal.

‘What’s Cooking?’ (2000)

This movie follows four Los Angeles families – Latino, Black, Jewish, and Vietnamese – as they get ready for Thanksgiving. Each family is dealing with its own challenges, and as they prepare their feasts, secrets come out and relationships are strained. It’s a story about how families everywhere share similar struggles, and how food can bring comfort during difficult times.

‘The Myth of Fingerprints’ (1997)

A New England family attempts to reconnect over Thanksgiving after three years apart, though the adult children are hesitant. The reunion brings old hurts to the surface and reveals how emotionally distant they’ve become. As they spend the holiday with their strict parents, long-held grudges emerge. The film is a quietly sad and realistic portrayal of the challenges of family relationships.

‘Home for the Holidays’ (1995)

Claudia Larson is facing a difficult Thanksgiving. Not only has she lost her job, but her daughter doesn’t plan to come home for the holiday. She travels back to her childhood home to be with her quirky parents and siblings, bracing herself for the usual family chaos. The film, directed by Jodie Foster, humorously captures the complicated mix of love and frustration that comes with spending time with relatives, and has become a beloved favorite for its realistic portrayal of holiday stress.

‘The Oath’ (2018)

Thanksgiving turns chaotic for one family when a new government rule requires everyone to declare their political loyalty. As relatives with strongly different beliefs gather at Chris and Kai’s house, attempts to keep the peace quickly fail. What starts as heated debate soon turns violent as the deadline to sign the pledge nears. This darkly funny story uses the familiar holiday setting to highlight how easily political disagreements can tear families apart in today’s world.

‘Cold Turkey’ (2013)

During a chaotic Thanksgiving, a quirky father shocks his family by revealing he has a drinking problem. His children arrive home, each carrying their own personal issues, and try to figure out why he’s suddenly confessed this. As old tensions resurface, they vie for their father’s approval, and the film explores how being neglected as children has affected them all, using both humorous and dramatic moments.

‘Lez Bomb’ (2018)

A young woman plans to come out to her family during Thanksgiving dinner, bringing her girlfriend home to meet them. However, a series of surprise visitors and her family’s lack of awareness keep delaying her announcement. As the holiday descends into chaos, she desperately searches for the right moment to share her truth. The film is a funny and touching story about the challenges of family expectations and finding your own identity.

‘The Humans’ (2021)

A family, spanning three generations, comes together for Thanksgiving in a dilapidated New York City apartment. As night falls, the apartment itself feels unsettling and almost alive. Based on a stage play, the film creates a tense, confined atmosphere, exploring deep anxieties and hidden emotions. It’s a stark portrayal of the financial and emotional hardships faced by many middle-class American families today.

‘Dutch’ (1991)

A blue-collar man reluctantly agrees to drive his girlfriend’s privileged son home for Thanksgiving break. What starts as an awkward road trip filled with mishaps unexpectedly brings the two very different people together. As they face challenges, they learn to depend on each other, overcoming their initial dislike and bridging the gap between their worlds. It’s a funny and heartwarming story about acceptance and finding common ground.

‘The Daytrippers’ (1996)

A woman uncovers a secret love letter meant for her husband, prompting her to gather her entire family for a confrontation in New York City. On Thanksgiving Day, they all cram into a station wagon and set off to find him. Their search leads to unexpected and strange experiences, as well as deep talks about life and relationships. The movie delves into the difficulties of marriage and what happens when families try to help – or interfere.

‘The Ice Storm’ (1997)

Set during a tense Thanksgiving weekend in 1970s Connecticut, the film follows two troubled families grappling with issues like cheating and alcohol abuse. As an ice storm isolates the town, the characters find themselves in a situation where polite social behavior starts to crumble. The harsh weather mirrors the emotional distance between them, creating a visually powerful and thought-provoking drama about the shifting morals of the time.

‘Avalon’ (1990)

This film follows a large immigrant family as they adjust to life in America from the late 1940s to the 1960s. It focuses on their yearly Thanksgiving celebrations, showing how the family changes and grows over time. As younger members move to the suburbs, conflicts emerge about balancing new American customs with their heritage. Director Barry Levinson offers a warm, reflective look at how extended families can drift apart as time passes.

‘Alice’s Restaurant’ (1969)

This film stars Arlo Guthrie and is based on his well-known song about a Thanksgiving day experience with littering. It follows Arlo and his friends as they deal with the draft and the changing times of the late 1960s. A central scene takes place during a Thanksgiving dinner held in an old, unused church, which acts as a gathering place for the group. The movie captures a snapshot of the hippie culture and the feelings against the war during that era.

‘Kristy’ (2014)

To save money, a college student chooses to spend Thanksgiving break alone on campus. But her solitary holiday quickly turns into a terrifying struggle for survival when she’s hunted by a group of troubled individuals throughout the deserted dorms and grounds. This horror film expertly uses the isolation of the break to build real suspense and fear.

‘Blood Rage’ (1987)

After a traumatic event at a drive-in as children, twin brothers are separated. Years later, one escapes from a mental institution and returns home on Thanksgiving, intent on terrorizing his family. This classic horror film is known for its over-the-top gore, dark humor, and memorable, though somewhat silly, kills, making it a favorite among horror fans.

‘Into the Dark: Flesh & Blood’ (2018)

A teenage girl who is afraid of leaving the house hasn’t been outside in years, protected by her overbearing father following a frightening experience. As Thanksgiving nears, she starts to believe the real threat isn’t outside, but within the walls of her own home. The movie creates a sense of unease and suspense by trapping the viewer in a single location, offering a fresh and thrilling take on the typical home-invasion story, especially during the holidays.

‘Into the Dark: Pilgrim’ (2019)

A woman hires actors to put on a historically accurate Thanksgiving recreation for her family, hoping to teach them gratitude. However, the actors become too committed to their roles, refusing to step out of character, and their dedication quickly spirals into a violent confrontation. The family finds themselves battling the reenactors, who believe they must cleanse them of modern behaviors. The film is a darkly comedic take on the commercialization of Thanksgiving and the way history is often simplified or distorted.

‘The Vicious Kind’ (2009)

A resentful man reluctantly drives his brother home for Thanksgiving and finds himself fixated on his brother’s girlfriend. He attempts to convince her to stay away from his family, all while confronting his own issues with women and dealing with painful memories. The Thanksgiving backdrop heightens the tension and long-held animosity between the brothers. The film is a raw and realistic look at flawed characters, with a particularly striking performance by Adam Scott.

‘Tadpole’ (2002)

A bright young man comes home to New York City for Thanksgiving after being away at boarding school, and he’s developed a crush on his stepmother. The movie follows his awkward attempts to win her over while also dealing with his father’s friends and their complicated world. It deals with a sensitive topic in a clever and subtle way, beautifully portraying the confusion of being a teenager during a fancy Manhattan holiday.

‘One True Thing’ (1998)

Okay, so I just finished watching this movie, and wow, it really got to me. It’s about a woman who’s super focused on her career, but then she has to step back and care for her mom who’s seriously ill. It forces her to really spend time with her family again, and things aren’t as rosy as they seemed. There’s this one Thanksgiving scene that’s huge – it’s where all the cracks in their ‘perfect family’ image start to show. She starts to really understand everything her mom did around the house, all the sacrifices, while also dealing with her dad, who’s…well, emotionally unavailable. Honestly, bring tissues. It’s a real tearjerker and really hits on those tough decisions you have to make when your parents get older.

‘Nobody’s Fool’ (1994)

I recently watched this really moving drama about an older construction worker trying to mend fences with his son around the holidays. It’s set in a small town, and the story follows him as he juggles taking care of his landlady and spending time with his grandson, all while still struggling with some bad habits. There’s this amazing Thanksgiving dinner scene that really captures his personality – he’s charming, but you can see he has a hard time fully letting people in. Paul Newman is absolutely fantastic in it; it’s a really compelling, character-focused story about trying to make things right.

‘For Your Consideration’ (2006)

This funny, improvised comedy by Christopher Guest follows a group of actors filming a not-very-good historical drama. They become completely consumed with hoping for Oscar nominations. During a Thanksgiving dinner, their competitive personalities and hidden anxieties come to the surface as they all try to be the center of attention. The film cleverly satirizes the cutthroat world of entertainment, and the holiday backdrop emphasizes the isolation many feel while chasing fame.

‘Broadway Danny Rose’ (1984)

During a lunch with other comedians, a talent agent shares the story of his most challenging client. The story flashes back to a particularly memorable Thanksgiving, where Danny hosts a frozen turkey dinner for his unusual clients. The film is a heartwarming tribute to the eccentric characters in show business and the strong bonds they form, and is considered one of Woody Allen’s most kind and gentle movies.

‘She’s Gotta Have It’ (1986)

Nola Darling is navigating relationships with three men, all while striving to stay true to herself. Things come to a head when she invites them all to Thanksgiving, leading to a tense and revealing dinner. The awkward encounter highlights each man’s vulnerabilities and Nola’s determination to live life on her own terms. This film, director Spike Lee’s first feature, presents a unique and vibrant take on love and relationships.

‘Funny People’ (2009)

A well-known comedian facing a terminal illness takes on a less successful comic as his assistant and warm-up act. Much of the story unfolds during a Thanksgiving dinner, where the main character attempts to rekindle an old romance. The scene expertly mixes raunchy humor with genuine sadness, as the characters grapple with their past mistakes. The film offers a realistic and thoughtful look at the world of comedy and the universal quest for purpose.

‘Son in Law’ (1993)

A college student invites her quirky RA home for Thanksgiving on her family’s farm. The RA, used to city life, finds it hard to adjust to the farm and its traditional, small-town values, leading to some funny clashes. However, his unique personality eventually charms the family and helps them rediscover the joy in their holiday traditions. It’s a feel-good comedy, ideal for relaxed holiday entertainment.

‘Friendsgiving’ (2020)

What starts as a simple Thanksgiving dinner for two friends quickly turns wild when a string of unexpected guests show up. This quirky group – including old flames and oddballs – brings plenty of drama, leading to a night of spilled secrets and free-flowing drinks. It’s a hilarious comedy about finding family in the people you choose, not just the ones you’re born with.

‘The Turkey Bowl’ (2019)

A man returns to his hometown to finally play a football game that was postponed by a snowstorm fifteen years ago. He’s juggling wedding plans with his friends, who are determined to make the rematch happen. The movie perfectly captures the warm, fuzzy feeling of going back to your high school and revisiting old traditions, especially during the holidays. It’s a funny and heartwarming story about friendship and finding a sense of completion.

Please share your favorite obscure Thanksgiving movies in the comments.

2025-11-28 01:18