There are many ways that families choose to celebrate Thanksgiving, from enjoying a delicious turkey dinner with family and friends, to watching a big football game, or planning some Black Friday shopping. Even if your day is filled with fun Thanksgiving activities, you’re sure to have some downtime with the kids over Thanksgiving week. Why not snuggle up on the sofa to watch a kid-friendly Thanksgiving movie? We’ve rounded up the best Thanksgiving movies for kids that can also be enjoyable for the whole family. No matter which one you pick, it’s sure to be a hit. Pop some popcorn, throw on your stretchy pants, and get ready for a cozy evening together!
Best Thanksgiving Movies For Kids & Families
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
This one is at the top of the list, for good reason… it’s a Thanksgiving classic! Rated G and 25 minutes long, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is a hit for the whole family. It doesn’t get any more classic than this. Peppermint Patty invites everyone to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving even though he’s going to visit his grandmother. But does Woodstock really eat that turkey? A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is the perfect way to celebrate and you can even talk about the show around the dinner table since it’s so short. Check it out here.
A Looney Tunes Thanksgiving
Not quite as popular as Charlie Brown, this movie doesn’t get the respect it deserves. If you like the Looney Tunes style, then this will bring the laughs. At 48 minutes long, you get two features – Bugs Bunny’s Thanksgiving Diet and Daffy Duck’s Thanks-for-giving Special. Read more about it here.
William Bradford – The First Thanksgiving
William Bradford fled with the Pilgrims to the new world, where he discovered that the price for religious freedom was hunger, sickness and death. As a peacemaker, he befriended the Native Americans who taught the struggling Pilgrims how to survive. By the end of the first year, William Bradford became Governor of the new land. After their first critical harvest, he set aside time for the Pilgrims and their new Native American friends to feast together and express their thanks to God. Many consider William Bradford the Father of Thanksgiving Day. Get more details about this movie here.
Mouse on the Mayflower
Set sail with the tiniest Pilgrim for a music-filled voyage to the land of the free! “Mouse on the Mayflower” is the classic American tale that provides a delightful lesson in our nation’s early history. Along with our furry hero, kids will join the colonists as they cross the Atlantic Ocean, survive the harsh New England winter, befriend the Indians, and finally sit down to the country’s first Thanksgiving dinner. Featuring the voice talents of Tennessee Ernie Ford, Eddie Albert, June Foray, and Paul Frees, “Mouse on the Mayflower” is a holiday treat that the entire family will treasure! Find it here.
The Mayflower and the First Thanksgiving
This special edition show is by Mike Huckabee and offered as part of his Learn Our History series. While it’s not currently available on a streaming service, you can purchase it on Amazon. Click here to read more about it.
Garfield’s Thanksgiving
This one always gets giggles! Food-loving Garfield is faced with starvation on his favorite feast day of the year, Thanksgiving, when he’s forcibly placed on a strict diet by his owner. You can watch it here.
Free Birds
Home Alone
Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
When a shopping mall is taken over by a gang of organized crooks, it’s up to a mild-mannered security guard to save the day. There is a Black Friday shopping scene which screams Thanksgiving, and there’s a lot of physical comedy to keep the older kids amused. Is it a silly movie? Sure, but sometimes those are the ones you quote forever. Check it out here.
What Thanksgiving movies have been your family’s favorites? Add them in the comments below and let’s keep the list going!
Looking for Christmas movie ideas? You might want to check out our post about the 31 Best Christmas Movies to Binge Watch This Year.
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