17 Thanksgiving movies kids will love watching before or after the big feast

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Look no further for your turkey day entertainment.
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Whether you’re wanting to keep your child entertained on Thanksgiving while you roast the turkey, or are looking for a film that both of you can enjoy together after the big feast, these Thanksgiving movies have you covered.
From animated classics like “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” to the timeless holiday film “Miracle on 34th Street,” you really can’t go wrong with any movie on this list. There’s so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving, so curl up with your loved ones, grab another helping of turkey and mashed potatoes and queue one of these feel-good, family movies. Gobble gobble, everybody!
15 of the best Thanksgiving movies for kids
1. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
It’s not the holidays without Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang! Follow along as Charlie tries to plan not one, but two Thanksgiving dinners. With help from his trusty sidekick, Snoopy, Charlie might just be able to pull it off, even if it means having toast and jellybeans for their big Thanksgiving feast.
Streaming on AppleTV+
2. Free Birds
In this funny 2013 animated film, two curious turkeys (voiced by Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson) take it upon themselves to get their fellow feathered friends off the Thanksgiving menu by time traveling back to the very first Thanksgiving feast in 1621. Amy Poehler also voices a character in the movie, so you know it’s a comedic treat for all ages.
Streaming free on Tubi and Kanopy, also on Starz and Philo
Related: 12 Thanksgiving Day activities that are great for kids
3. Fantastic Mr. Fox
Based on the novel by legendary author Roald Dahl, Fantastic Mr. Fox follows family man Mr. Fox who finds himself in a poultry battle with his neighbors, who happen to be farmers, after falling back into his old mischievous ways. The funny family film, which boasts autumnal vibes and Thanksgiving-sized feasts, is voiced by George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, and Wes Anderson.
Streaming on Disney+
4. Garfield’s Thanksgiving
America’s beloved cartoon cat is back! In this Thanksgiving special of Garfield and Friends, Garfield explains that people celebrate the turkey holiday “by eating as much of it [food] as possible. It’s a tradition, I love tradition.” Before he can get his feast on, Garfield’s owner, Jon, takes him to see his arch nemesis: the veterinarian. See what plan Garfield comes up with to plan the most epic Thanksgiving dinner!
Available on YouTube, Paramount+, or buy on Amazon or Apple TV
5. Miracle on 34th Street
There’s no better way to close out the Thanksgiving holiday and ring in the Christmas season than with Miracle on 34th Street. The movie begins at the iconic Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade where a man named Kris Kringle makes a memorable appearance, and continues to show up at every NYC department store under the impression that he is in fact, Santa Claus.
Streaming on Disney+
Related: 8 easy + fun Thanksgiving crafts for kids to make
6. Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow
Join the Emmerson’s as they travel to their Aunt’s small town for Thanksgiving. This whimsical movie follows two kids as they search for the town’s legendary mythical creatures.
Streaming on Apple TV, Amazon
7. Mary Poppins Returns
What’s a holiday movie without the magic of Mary Poppins and feel-good family vibes? This sequel to the 1964 classic is always a good choice for holiday season and family gatherings.
Streaming on Disney+
8. “Bart vs. Thanksgiving” from The Simpsons
The classic Thanksgiving episode would make for some great entertainment during dessert. This might be more suitable for older kiddos but the spirit of the holiday really comes to life in this one.
Streaming on Disney+
9. Ratatoullie
For a holiday that’s centered around food, you can’t go wrong with this Pixar favorite. Gather and follow along as Remy the rat tries to make his dreams of becoming a chef come true. With plenty of laughs and a happy ending, this is definitely one to be included in your list of Thanksgiving movies for kids.
Streaming on Disney+
10. Paddington
Everyone’s favorite marmalade-loving bear reminds us that kindness is always in season. Paddington’s adventures through London—and his endless politeness—make this a cozy family film that pairs perfectly with Thanksgiving dessert. Its themes of gratitude, belonging, and acceptance fit right in with the holiday spirit.
Streaming on Apple TV, Amazon
Related: 9 tips for hosting a stress-free Thanksgiving
11. The Mitchells vs. The Machines
If you’re looking for a movie that celebrates togetherness—even when family gets messy—this one’s a must. The Mitchells’ chaotic road trip turns into a full-blown robot apocalypse, but at its heart, it’s a story about reconnecting and embracing each other’s quirks.
Streaming on Netflix
12. Christopher Robin
In this gentle, heartwarming film, an adult Christopher Robin reunites with his old friend Winnie the Pooh, who helps him rediscover joy and connection with his family. Its nostalgic tone and messages about slowing down and savoring life make it a beautiful Thanksgiving weekend pick.
Streaming on Disney+
13. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
For a day already filled with food, why not add a movie that celebrates it too? This imaginative comedy turns a small town into a world where it literally rains meals. It’s equal parts funny and heartfelt, reminding viewers that sharing what we create is what makes life delicious.
Streaming on Tubi
14. An Arthur Thanksgiving
Arthur and the Read family are deep in Thanksgiving prep when the dog, Pal, wanders off on his own adventure, sending the entire day sideways. The hour-long special folds in a shelter-adoption storyline and focuses on the idea that the best part of the holiday looks different for everyone. At under an hour and aimed squarely at the younger set, it’s an easy one to put on before the food coma sets in.
Free on PBS Kids and the PBS Kids app, also on the PBS Kids Prime Video Channel
15. The Wild Robot
A robot named Roz washes up on a wild island and ends up raising an orphaned gosling she never planned to care for. What follows is a story about found family and learning to belong somewhere you weren’t built for, with some of the most beautiful animation of the past few years. The gratitude and togetherness throughout make it Thanksgiving-adjacent without a turkey in sight, and it’s a strong pick for families who want something newer in the rotation.
Streaming on Amazon
16. Addams Family Values (for the older set)
Overall, the Addams Family vibe is more Halloween than Thanksgiving, but we’d be remiss not to include given the summer-camp Thanksgiving pageant. Cast as Pocahontas in a sugary play about Pilgrims and grateful Native Americans, Wednesday goes off-script, turning the stage into a reckoning over what was actually done to her people. It’s everything we ever want from the sardonic icon, skewering the sanitized Thanksgiving story most kids get handed, and gives older viewers something with teeth. Note the PG-13 rating, so flag it as a pick for the bigger kids rather than the whole table.
Streaming on Paramount+, and free on Pluto TV
17. MouseHunt
Two down-on-their-luck brothers inherit an old mansion that could make them rich, if only they could evict the clever little mouse who refuses to leave. What follows is a hilarious battle of wits, full of slapstick and heart, that reminds us home is worth fighting for, even when it bites back.
Streaming on Amazon
A version of this post was published November 4, 2021. It has been updated.

















































































