You can’t beat a Thanksgiving family film night.
Colder evenings, hearty comfort food, and the glow of the screen are the perfect ingredients for the perfect night in.
Thankfully, when it comes to Thanksgiving movies for kids, there are some absolute gems out there.
From timeless classics to cartoony delights, there’s something for everyone.
So stock up on the popcorn and get your coziest blankets to snuggle up ‒ from our family to yours, here’s our list of top Thanksgiving movies for kids.
In this article: 📝
- Is there a Thanksgiving movie for kids?
- Are there any Thanksgiving Disney movies?
- What are the best Thanksgiving shows for kids?
- Does Netflix have Thanksgiving movies?
- What are Thanksgiving family movies?
- What should I watch on Thanksgiving 2024?
Is there a Thanksgiving movie for kids?
Yes, there are lots of Thanksgiving-themed movies ‒ you might be surprised how many of your favorites are actually Thanksgiving movies!
A few of our top favorite Thanksgiving movies for kids are:
1. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Watch Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and their friends celebrate Thanksgiving in this heartwarming 1973 short family film.
Plus, if your babes have never seen a Peanuts movie, this is the perfect opportunity to introduce them.
Fun for all the family, this cartoon classic is a must-add to your Thanksgiving family movies list.
Suitable for: All ages
Running time: 25 minutes
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Is Charlie Brown Thanksgiving rated G?
Yes, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is a G-Rated movie, so it’s appropriate for people of all ages.
There’s no salty language or scary scenes, so it’s a perfect Thanksgiving movie for younger kids.
2. Miracle on 34th Street
Okay, you may know this one as a Christmas movie, but there’s a good reason for it to be on this list.
While it tracks the journey of Santa, it all begins on Thanksgiving Day.
Any excuse to watch it twice in one year!
Suitable for: Ages 6+
Running time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Where to watch: Disney+
Are there any Thanksgiving Disney movies?
Absolutely! Some of the most-loved Thanksgiving movies are on Disney Plus.
Check out these awesome options for Disney Thanksgiving movies:
3. Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving
We’ll kick off our list with this most beloved family bear.
Brilliantly, Disney created a spin-off of A.A. Milne’s Hundred Acre Wood adventure with a Thanksgiving theme.
Both kids and kids-at-heart will love seeing Pooh, Piglet, and Tigger celebrating the season.
Suitable for: Ages 3+
Running time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Where to watch: Disney+
4. Thanksgiving Day Mirthquakes
Made all the way back in 1953, this classic is still worth a watch.
See Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy get up to some hilarious Thanksgiving antics.
It’s short and sweet, and you can watch it on Youtube right here, although there’s a short introduction.
Suitable for: Ages 5+
Running time: 7 minutes
Where to watch: Youtube
5. Donald Duck’s Soup’s On
This one’s another old-timey classic.
Huey, Dewey, and Louis are supposed to wash up after their turkey dinner.
When they come to the table with dirty hands, Donald punishes them by sending them to bed early—and that’s when all the fun really starts.
It’s not on Disney+, but you can watch it on Youtube here.
Suitable for: Ages 7+
Running time: 7 minutes
Where to watch: Youtube
Is Ratatouille a Thanksgiving movie?
Not traditionally, no, Ratatouille isn’t a Thanksgiving Disney movie.
However, it’s all about cooking and how anyone can be a chef, and what is Thanksgiving without delicious food?
So if you have a budding chef, then go ahead and put Ratatouille on ‒ it’s a fantastic film either way!
Suitable for: Ages 6+
Running time: 1 hour 51 minutes
Where to watch: Disney+
Is Home Alone a Thanksgiving movie?
No, Home Alone isn’t a traditional Disney Thanksgiving movie for kids.
It’s a brilliant movie ‒ both Home Alone 1 and 2 are (although Home Alone 3 might be a little… meh), but the Home Alone series is set around Christmas time, so it’s more of a Disney Christmas movie for kids.
So if Thanksgiving is over and you want to set the scene for the festive season, then definitely make Home Alone one of your Christmas classics.
Suitable for: Ages 7+
Running time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Where to watch: Disney+
What are the best Thanksgiving shows for kids?
If your kid doesn’t want to sit down for a feature-length film or you have a limited amount of time for your Thanksgiving viewing, don’t panic!
We’ve got lots of Thanksgiving shows for kids to keep your little pumpkin entertained.
So let’s dive into the best Thanksgiving episodes for kids:
6. Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Whether they’re fans of the TV show or not, this is a great addition to your list of best Thanksgiving shows for kids.
Watch Dora and the gang celebrate Thanksgiving, and see if they can work together to save the Thanksgiving parade.
Suitable for: Ages 4+
Running time: 24 minutes
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
7. A Looney Tunes Thanksgiving
Another of the great cartoon giants, Looney Tunes has also created a series of Thanksgiving-themed stories.
This film collection of Looney Tunes Thanksgiving episodes includes plenty of wacky stories, like Daffy Duck’s Thanks-for-giving Special and Bugs Bunny’s Thanksgiving Diet.
Suitable for: Ages 7+
Running time: 48 minutes (split into different stories)
Where to watch: Apple iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, or YouTube
8. Garfield’s Thanksgiving
And this list simply wouldn’t be complete without featuring everyone’s favorite ginger cat.
Garfield’s Thanksgiving celebrates two of the best things about the holiday — family time and eating.
Suitable for: Ages 7+
Running time: 24 minutes
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
9. An Arthur Thanksgiving
A newer addition to our list of Thanksgiving episodes for kids, An Arthur Thanksgiving came out in 2020.
After a series of unfortunate events, the Arthur gang are worried that the Thanksgiving parade won’t go ahead ‒ of course, everything works out in the end (spoiler alert).
Suitable for: Ages 5+
Running time: 44 minutes
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video,Google Play Movies, YouTube
10. The Care Bears’ Grams Bear’s Thanksgiving Surprise
A sweet Thanksgiving show for kids, and full of nostalgia for the adults, too.
Settle in for an adorable episode where the Care Bears save the town from nasty-tasting apple pies.
Watch it for free on Youtube.
Suitable for: Ages 4+
Running time: 23 minutes
Where to watch: YouTube
11. Paw Patrol: Pups Rescue Thanksgiving/Pups Save a Windy Bay
If your babe is a fan of Paw Patrol, this is a must-watch Thanksgiving episode for kids.
Once again, the Paw Patrol pups save the day!
Suitable for: Ages 4+
Running time: 23 minutes
Where to watch: Netflix
12. Animaniacs: Turkey Jerky
That’s right ‒ the retro 90s titillating trio did a Thanksgiving show for kids!
This time, they’re protecting a turkey and her baby on Thanksgiving.
Suitable for: Ages 7+
Running time: 21 minutes
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
13. Rugrats: The Turkey Who Came to Dinner
Okay, awesome title aside, this Rugrats Thanksgiving classic is actually one both kids and adults can enjoy.
A few in-jokes for the grown-ups and lots of larks for the kids.
Suitable for: Ages 6+
Running time: 24 minutes
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
14. Steven Universe: Gem Harvest
The Steven Universe series is beloved by adults and kids alike ‒ with poignant moments, meaningful lessons, and engaging, flawed characters.
And their Thanksgiving episode for kids is no different, focusing on the spirit of togetherness.
Suitable for: Ages 10+
Running time: 23 minutes
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Does Netflix have Thanksgiving movies?
Now for Thanksgiving movies for kids on Netflix ‒ rest assured, there are lots to choose from!
There’s quite a vast age range in these Netflix Thanksgiving movies, so you’re sure to find something perfect for your little pumpkin.
15. We’re Back: A Dinosaur’s Story
This film follows four dinosaur friends who have been transported into the future, finding themselves in New York during the Thanksgiving holiday.
As you can imagine, they get up to all sorts of adventures!
Suitable for: Ages 6+
Running time: 1 hour 13 minutes
Where to watch: Netflix
16. Addams Family Values
This is a great option for older kids (rated PG-13) and those who love to indulge in some 90s nostalgia.
Also, if you’re looking for a more subversive approach to this holiday, young Wednesday’s scene at camp certainly provides that.
Suitable for: Ages 13+
Running time: 1 hour 34 minutes
Where to watch: Netflix
17. Free Birds
Turkeys are a Thanksgiving staple.
So, what could be more on-theme than a story about a turkey flock?
Reggie (voiced by Owen Wilson) has his own ideas about the Thanksgiving feast.
So, he teams up with his turkey friend Jake to travel back in time to the very first Thanksgiving.
Suitable for: Ages 5+
Running time: 1 hour 31 minutes
Where to watch: Netflix
18. Little Women
In 2019, we saw the newest retelling of this classic story.
This new adaptation features Emma Watson and Saoirse Ronan as two of the March sisters.
Beloved all over the world, this heartwarming coming-of-age story shows us the importance of family and the unbreakable bond between sisters — perfect for a Thanksgiving holiday.
Suitable for: Ages 10+
Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Where to watch: Netflix
Is Chicken Run a Thanksgiving movie?
No, Chicken Run isn’t a classic Thanksgiving movie in the traditional sense, but we think it still works for the season.
While Thanksgiving is a holiday famous for turkey, chickens are close enough to count!
Plus, Chicken Run is a great family movie, so we’d put it on in the run-up to Thanksgiving.
Suitable for: Ages 9+
Running time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Where to watch: Netflix
What are Thanksgiving family movies?
On the theme of classic Thanksgiving movies, here are some of our other top picks.
These movies make our list because they’re fun for the whole family to enjoy.
Bonus? They just never seem to go out of style.
19. Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow
This intriguing, slightly bizarre film tells the story of two small-town children who follow the legend of the mythical howling hoodoo.
It comes from the brilliant mind of Jim Henson — so you know it’s going to be a favorite for the whole family.
Suitable for: Ages 8+
Running time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
20. Home for the Holidays
As much as we love turkey and pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving is all about family.
So, Home for the Holidays is the perfect film to watch during the holidays.
This charming, hilarious (and super relatable) film is all about celebrating the fun little dysfunctions and unique bonds within families.
Suitable for: Ages 7+
Running time: 1 hour 44 minutes
Where to watch: Hulu
21. A Family Thanksgiving
Despite being released relatively recently (2010), this Hallmark Channel movie has firmly established itself as one of the world’s favorite Thanksgiving family movies.
The moral of the film is to learn what really matters in life and remember to feel thankful for what we have.
Suitable for: Ages 12+
Running time: 1 hour 27 minutes
Where to watch: Google Play Movies, YouTube, or Apple iTunes
What should I watch on Thanksgiving 2024?
There are lots of Thanksgiving movies for kids to choose from that both you and your babe will enjoy.
Here are a few of the favorites from our Peanut mamas:
- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
- Addams Family Values
- Free Birds
- Chicken Run
- Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow
- Home for the Holidays
And there you have it — the Thanksgiving movies for kids to watch in 2024 that are sure to be a hit with the whole family.
With cartoons and classic remakes, timeless favorites, and new blockbusters, you’ll be able to fill your holidays with the very best Thanksgiving shows for kids.