Find out “Top 30 Thanksgiving Movies You Can Play For Your Students In The Classroom” Watching Thanksgiving movies with the students in the classroom helps to have a good and refreshing time.
There are plenty of movies that children can watch and enjoy, from cartoons, superheroes, fairytales, sci-fi, and comedy.
Top 30 Thanksgiving Movies You Can Play For Your Students In The Classroom
Here is a list of some interesting movies that will help the students revel in the holiday spirit. These kid-friendly movies are available on Netflix, Desney+, and Amazon.
30. Home For The Holiday
Home For The Holiday is an American family drama directed by Jodie Foster.
It follows the story of Claudia Larson, who loses her job and finds out that her daughter has plans for the holidays and departs Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with her dysfunctional family.
The movie was released on November 3, 1995, by Paramount pictures.
29. Dora’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Dora’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the 12th episode from season 7 of Dora the Explorer.
The movie’s plot is, “The Pirate Piggies accidentally float away on Dora’s boat during the Thanksgiving Day Parade, and it’s up to Dora and Boots to rescue piggies and save the Thanksgiving Day!”
It was released on November 19, 2012, and was directed by George Chialtas.
28. The Gruffalo
The Gruffalo is an Oscar-nominated computer-animated movie based on a 1999 picture book that Julia Donaldson wrote.
The movie was directed by Jakob Schuh and was released on December 2009.
It tells the story of a young mouse. He invents a fearsome monster called the Gruffalo. He wanted to scare away a fox, a snake, and an owl who wanted to eat him. His plan works perfectly until he encounters a real Gruffalo in the woods.
The Gruffalo is the perfect film for the kids at the school to snuggle up to on Thanksgiving Day.
27. White Fang 2
White Fang 2 is a family-friendly adventure movie based on Jack London’s classic novel directed by Alexandre Espigares.
A young wolfdog gets separated from his mother, Niche, and starts the journey of self-discovery. He was later sold to a Native American man. Later he is saved by Marshal Weedon Scott, who discovers a good bond with him and eventually sets him free.
The movie was released on January 2018 and featured the voices of Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Eddie Speared, and Paul Giamatti.
26. Benji
Benji is an American adventure movie directed by Brandon Camp and a reboot of a 1974 movie.
The dog rescue helps heal a broken family when two siblings stumble into danger. The dog stays with them and tries to save the family by helping them with their troubles.
The movie was released on March 16, 2018, by Netflix.
25. Holiday Rush
Holiday Rush is a Christmas romantic comedy movie released on November 28, 2019.
A single dad, a radio DJ, is forced to downsize just before Christmas. He later falls into a romantic relationship with a woman. Later, he and his kids come to realize that true happiness starts from who you love, not from what you have.
The movie was directed by Leslie Small and written by Sean Dwyer and Greg Cope White.
24. Matilda
Matilda is an American fantasy movie that Danny DeVito directed.
The movie follows a beautiful story of a little girl who lives in England and loves to read. But her parents value materialistic things. The film makes children giggle and even teaches them lessons about caring for one another.
The movie was premiered on August 2, 1996, by Sony Pictures.
23. Ratatouille
Ratatouille was a computer-animated movie that was released by Walt Disney.
The movie is about a rat who lives with his family. He grows up believing that people are untrustworthy, which leads him to a mousetrap. Yet, he wants to pursue his passion and learns cooking. Will he succeed?
The movie features the voices of Lou Ramano, Patton Oswalt, and Ian Holm.
22. Finding Dory
Finding Dory is a computer-animated movie that features a cute little fish, Dory. Andrew Stanton directed the film.
The movie follows the story of Dory and her friends. They together live a perfect life in the sea. One day, memories of her parents come flooding Dory. Will she be able to piece her past together?
The movie was released on June 8, 2016, by Walt Disney.
21. Bart Vs. Thanksgiving
Bart Vs. Thanksgiving is the 7th episode of the second season of an American animated television series, The Simpsons.
It is a story about Bart, who runs away from a fight with Lisa and ends up eating Thanksgiving dinner in the homeless shelter. He then remembers everything for which he has to be thankful.
The movie was aired on November 22, 1990, by The Fox Network.
20. The Mouse On The Mayflower
The Mouse On The Mayflower is a computer-animated Thanksgiving movie by Japanese studio Toei Animations.
The film depicts the fabled Thanksgiving musical voyage from Plymouth Harbor to America and how William and the colonists survive the harsh New England winter, befriend the Indians, and finally sit down to the first Thanksgiving dinner.
It was released on November 23, 1968, on NBC.
19. The Thanksgiving Treasure
The Thanksgiving Treasure is a heartwarming holiday classic story in a small town in Nebraska.
It is the emotional story of 11 years old girl who had a friendship with her father’s sworn enemy unknown. Later, she invites him for Thanksgiving dinner in the hopes of putting an end to their fights. The movie’s lesson is to depict kindness.
The movie was released on June 11, 2005.
18. Toy Story
Toy Story is a computer-animated comedy movie directed by John Lasseter.
It is a tale told primarily through the eyes of two tots: Buzz lightyear, the space ranger, and Woody, the cowboy. It amplifies the importance of Thanksgiving values, such as the strength of friendship, family, and love.
The movie premiered on November 19, 1995, by Walt Disney Pictures.
17. The Sound Of Music
The Sound Of Music is a drama starring Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews.
The film is about a young Austrian postulant in Austria in 1938 who was sent to the villa of a retired widower and naval officer to be a governess to his seven children.
Robert Wise directed the movie, which was released on March 2, 1965.
16. Mary Poppins Returns
Mary Poppins Returns is a musical fantasy film that is a sequel to the 1964 live-action animated movie Mary Poppins.
The movie was announced in September 2015. It stars Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins, with supporting roles from Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Ben Whishaw.
The movie premiered on December 19, 2018, by Walt Disney Studios.
15. Little Women (2019)
Little Women is a coming-of-age period drama film. It is the adaptation of the 1968 novel of the same name.
It chronicles the lives of the March sisters: Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth, in Concord, Massachusetts, during the nineteenth century.
The movie was premiered on December 25, 2019, by Sony Pictures. It has also received five British Academy Film Award nominations.
14. Home Alone
Home Alone is a Christmas comedy movie directed by Chris Columbus.
The movie is based on a boy who was left behind as the family rushes to catch their flight for vacation. He then relishes his newfound freedom, but two thieves attempt to rob their house on Christmas when he is alone.
20th Century Fox released the movie on November 10, 1990. It stars Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, and Catherine O’Hara.
13. What’s Cooking
What’s Cooking is a comedy-drama starring Mercedes Ruehl, Kyra Sedgwick, Lainie Kazan, and Joan Chen.
It weaves the story of four American families and replicated family ties and their differences, each with its own sets of ups and downs in life. You can discover an incredible power of love that unites all.
The movie was directed by Gurinder Chadha and was released on January 20, 2000.
12. A Winnie The Pooh Thanksgiving
A Winnie The Pooh Thanksgiving was an animated movie featuring the voice of Paul Winchell, Jim Cummings, and John Fiedler.
The movie depicts the story of pooh and his friends, who learn the true meaning of Thanksgiving. It was nominated for Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Program.
It was released on November 22, 1998, by Walt Disney Television Animations on ABC channel.
11. A Family Thanksgiving
A Family Thanksgiving is a Hallmark Channel Original movie directed by Neil Fearnley.
It tells the story of a high-powered attorney who gets pulled into an alternate world reality to see her life. When she returns to her real life, she gets a new perspective on what matters and what she feels thankful for.
The movie was released on November 6, 2010.
10. Grumpy Old Men
Grumpy Old Men is an American comedy movie directed by Donald Petrie. It has a sequel movie Grumpier Old Men.
The movie tells the story of John Gustafson and Max Goldman, neighbors. They become even more hostile on Thanksgiving after spotting their new female neighbor. The movie teaches the value of friendship and happiness.
It was released on December 25, 1993, by Warner Bros.
9. Pocahontas
Pocahontas is an American musical historical film based on the life of Powhatan women.
The film romanticizes Pocahontas’ encounter with John Smith and her legendary saving of his life. A young, free-spirited girl liver her life with fun and adventure alongside her two friends when she meets John.
It teaches children that it is never too late to be thankful for anything. The movie was released in 1995.
8. Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs
Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs is an animated musical fantasy movie released by Walt Disney Production.
It is the first full-length traditionally animated film and Disney animated feature film directed by David Hand and William Cottrell.
The movie is based on the story of a young girl named Snow White who grew up with her cold-hearted stepmother.
It premiered in Los Angeles, California, at the Carthay Circle Theatre on December 21, 1937.
7. Free Birds
Free Birds is an American animated science fiction comedy directed by Jimmu Hayward.
It follows the story of two turkey protagonists returning to the menu’s first Thanksgiving. They travel back in time to change the course of history by changing the tradition of eating a turkey on Thanksgiving.
The movie was released on November 1, 2013, by Relativity Media.
6. Turkey Hollow
Turkey Hollow is an American Thanksgiving movie released on November 21, 2015.
The story is about Tim and his sister, who spend Thanksgiving with her divorced father in Turkey Hollow, which has no access to the internet. They set out to see the Howling Hoodoo, the forest, but discover something surprising.
The film stars Mary Harrington, Genevieve Buechner, and Linden Banks.
5. Dutch
Dutch is an American comedy-drama directed by Peter Faiman starring Ed 0’neill, JoBeth Williams, and Ethan Randall.
The movie is heartwarming and tells the story of a 13 years old boy. Dutch is an outsider who bridges the gap between a young boy and his mother, capturing the true spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The movie premiered on July 19, 1991, by 20th Century Fox.
4. The Blind Side
The Blind Side is a sports drama based on the book of the same name by Michael Lewis, published in 2006.
The movie is based on the story of NFL star Michael Oher, a homeless youngster from a broken home. He was adopted by Tuohy, who helped him to reach his potential.
Warner Bros Pictures released the movie on November 20, 2009.
3. Garfield’s Thanksgiving
Garfield’s Thanksgiving is an animated movie based on Garfield’s comic strip, which featured Lorenzo Music’s voice.
It is a story of Garfield, who faces the Thanksgiving crisis, then the vet tells him that he is overweight and was forced to the diet. Jon asks the vet on a date and attempts to cook, but the Thanksgiving kitchen is in disaster.
The movie was broadcasted on November 22, 1989, on CBS. It was also nominated as an outstanding animated Program at the 42nd Primetime Emmy Awards.
2. Planes, Trains, And Automobiles
Planes, Trains, And Automobiles is a comedy movie directed by John Hughes. It stars Steve Martin and John Candy.
It is a story of Neal and Del, who travel together to make it home for Thanksgiving. The experiences are a memorable lifetime adventure. Their friendship grows, and they even meet their families.
This is a touching story about friendship, family, and goodwill. The movie premiered on November 25, 1987.
1. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is an animated television series based on the popular comic book Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz.
The story begins when Peppermint Pattie invites her friends to Charlie’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.
The movie premiered on November 20, 1973, on the CBS Network. The film won an Emmy Award the following year. Charlie agrees to cook for the holiday fest.
The movie reached a valuable lesson about being grateful to god for what we have.
