Best Thanksgiving Holiday Family Films

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, it's time to order those DVDs for family films guaranteed to delight young and old. Whether you watch them Thanksgiving Eve while preparing for the annual feast or on the holiday itself, as an alternative to the big ballgames, these six films are sure to entertain.
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1. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.(1987) Although it is rarely shown on television around Thanksgiving, this John Hughes classic starring Steve Martin and John Candy remains as fresh and funny today as it was more than 20 years ago. Martin and Candy as unlikely travel partners in a race home for Thanksgiving during a snowstorm play off each other so well it's suprising they didn't make more films together. Look for cameos from Kevin Bacon, Dylan Baker, Michael McKean, and a seven year old Matthew Lawrence.

2. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. (1973) Coming 8 years after the classic Charlie Brown Christmas, Schultz Thanksgiving animated special is a sure hit for kids of all ages. When Peppermint Patty invites herself for the Thanksgiving feast, Charlie Brown and friends do their best whipping up a backyard toast and popcorn fest fit for........well, lets just say Snoopy is superb as the harried holiday chef.

3. Pieces of April. (2003)This Indie film starring Katie Holmes is a quirky and sometimes dark comedy about a young woman determined to prepare her 1st holiday dinner for her suburban family. April lives in a gritty city apartment and struggles with all manner of mayhem in her attempts to prepare a traditional dinner. Not suitable for the very little ones with its PG-13 rating, but serves up the dysfunctional family quite well. Great performances by all cast but especially Sean Hayes as a finicky neighbor and the ever subtle yet delicious Alice Drummond as the grandmother.

4. Home for the Holidays.(1995) Another great comedy about a dysfunctional family. Jodie Foster's direction of this cult classic stars Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr. and the late Anne Bancroft. The story centers on Hunter's character ,Claudia ,who returns to her parents home for Thanksgiving after being fired from her job and while her 16 year old daughter remains home alone. Geraldine Chaplin gives a turn as eccentric Aunt Glady that is nothing short of hilarious.

5. Old Fashioned Thanksgiving.(2008) 'A newcomer to the list, this Hallmark film is loosely based on a short story by Louisa May Alcott better known for her Little Women. This post civil war drama, set in New England focuses on a poverty ridden family approaching the holiday season. When the eldest child Matilda writes to her wealthy grandmother the family is reconciled after a long estrangement. Jacqueline Bisset delivers an incredible perfomance as the grandmother reuniting with her daughter and grandchildren.

6. Miracle on 34th Street (1947). No Thanksgiving Film list would be complete without this standard although I tend to think it more a Christmas movie. One of the major networks airs it every year on Thanksgiving afternoon and it remains a true harbinger of the Christmas season. Once you packed up the leftovers you know Christmas is officially coming when this film begins. Great performances are given by all but especially the late Edmund Gwenn as Kris.