What to watch over Thanksgiving break, from 'Spider-Man' to 'Charlie Brown'

Thanksgiving break always seems to provide the perfect bridge between the fall atmosphere and the winter season’s spirit. You’re reuniting with family — the same family you might be seeing again in just a few short weeks. The days off from school and work provide an optimal amount of free time to watch some good movies. Sure, the Thanksgiving movie genre is slim, but the spirit of the holiday is shown in countless films. Whether you are searching for a movie or show to watch alongside your family (or to get away from your family), I have the perfect watch for you!

"Planes, Trains and Automobiles"(1987)

If you’re planning on making a long road trip home, this is the movie for you. This John Hughes classic is strictly about making it home for Thanksgiving, however difficult that pursuit may be. Steve Martin’s genius comedic timing shines in this story of his budding friendship with an overbearing salesman, as these two unlikely partners are forced to become travel companions after their flight home gets derailed. They learn to appreciate one another throughout the film, despite their clashing personalities — and if that doesn’t scream Thanksgiving, then I don’t know what does.

"Fantastic Mr. Fox" (2009)

If you’re looking for material to make a toast at Thanksgiving dinner, you need to watch "Fantastic Mr. Fox." Nobody has ever had a greater way with words than Mr. Fox, and it’s not just because he’s voiced by George Clooney. This film has beautiful autumn colors throughout, as well as perfectly imperfect relationships. Wes Anderson brings this classic Roald Dahl tale to life through his quick and charming protagonist, who gives more iconic one-liners than you could ever anticipate. Within many scenes, Mr. Fox is making speeches to an apprehensive following of animals, and most of the time he is leading them into a line of fire. However, he speaks in a very compelling way, so why wouldn’t they listen?

“Fishes” episode (2023) from "The Bear"

If you’re worried about dysfunctional family dynamics coming together, you should watch “Fishes” — or maybe avoid it completely? This is possibly the most stress-inducing depiction of Thanksgiving Day ever shown on TV, purely because of how much time the Berzatto family spends screaming at one another. With star-studded cameos like Jamie Lee Curtis, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk and John Mulaney, viewers are shown why every character in "The Bear" is so angry all the time. The singular episode received nine Emmy nominations, and for good reason — I had never broken a sweat while sitting on the couch until watching this. Look, if there’s anything to learn from this chaotic, beautiful dumpster fire of an episode, it’s that things could always be worse!

"Spider-Man" (2002)

If you’re anticipating dramatics to take place at the dinner table, you should definitely watch "Spider-Man." Whenever I’m home for the holidays, I’m always tuning in to those superhero classics that are always playing on my parents’ cable. One of my favorites to watch, and one with an iconic scene about this specific holiday, has to be the OG "Spider-Man." Regardless of whether you think he’s the best Spider-Man or not (he is), Tobey Maguire’s awkward entrance into heroism is a delightful watch, alongside Willem Dafoe’s iconic portrayal of the Green Goblin. When Dafoe storms out from the Thanksgiving feast after discovering Peter Parker’s true identity, all the while tearing apart Mary Jane’s intentions with his son, you know everything’s about to hit the fan.

"Little Women" (2019)

If you’re looking forward to reuniting with your siblings, you should watch "Little Women." No family is more dysfunctional yet wholesome than the March sisters, as they are constantly clashing in their dispositions — even though they love each other. Of course, the older adaptations are also incredible, but in the most recent version, Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen and the honorary March sibling, Timothée Chalamet, provide endless amounts of entertainment, with scenes portraying both their childhood and adulthood. As these sisters reunite after years, they have the habitable urge to snap back into their childish rapport with one another — similar to us all. Some people might contest that this is more of a Christmas movie than a Thanksgiving flick, but just the warm-colored trees in the backdrop of Laurie professing his love to Jo should make this fit the Thanksgiving movie’s criterion.

“Turkey in a Can” episode (2013) from "Bob’s Burgers"

If you’re expecting some cooking mishaps to take place, you should watch “Turkey in a Can.” Similar to Thanksgiving Day and most episodes of "Bob’s Burgers," in this episode, nothing seems to go right. Bob Belcher decides to follow a three-day brine recipe to create the perfect turkey for Thanksgiving, until the plan is derailed by his turkey being mysteriously moved into the toilet, overnight. As Bob attempts to right this wrong, his turkeys are continuously moved into the bathroom, and the culprit won’t confess. This dilemma is accompanied by the always-chaotic side plots of the rest of the Belchers. My favorite side plot is the companionship that Bob creates with the turkey butcher, as he thinks Bob’s constant return has to do with unrequited love. The witty and quickly paced episode will leave you satisfied and wondering if you should check if the turkey’s still in the oven.

"A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" (1973)

If you want to get into the true spirit of Thanksgiving, here is possibly the most classic Thanksgiving film ever made. The "Peanuts" characters are objectively the face of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and therefore the holiday itself. "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," just a little over a half hour in its span, is the perfect watch with family after a big meal — just short enough for only one or two of your older relatives to fall asleep while sitting up, rather than all of them. The film brings up all of those comfortable, nostalgic feelings that being with family is all about. Not to mention, it’s on nearly every TV channel throughout the whole weekend.

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