Thanksgiving is arguably the most American holiday we have, and it’s about way more than just a big turkey (or “peru“!). It’s a full contact sport of family drama, travel chaos, and football—all perfect material for improving your advanced English comprehension and cultural vocabulary. As an NYC native, I know exactly which films and classic TV episodes capture the real vibe of the holiday.
Check out any of these 15 iconic Thanksgiving titles, complete with direct streaming links for Brazil. Get ready to learn some classic American idioms and maybe even feel a little bit of saudade for a holiday you haven’t celebrated yet!
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987 Film)
Starring: Steve Martin, John Candy
Synopsis: A businessman races home for Thanksgiving with an irritating salesman.
Watch on: Paramount+
URL: https://www.paramountplus.com/movies/planes-trains-and-automobiles - A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973 TV Special)
Starring: Peanuts Gang (Voices)
Synopsis: Charlie Brown hosts an unorthodox Thanksgiving feast (toast, popcorn, jelly beans).
Watch on: Apple TV+
URL: https://tv.apple.com/pt/movie/o-dia-de-acao-de-gracas-de-charlie-brown/umc.cmc.7grdgbjdq3tiy37f4dc3yeyms - Friends: The One With the Rumor (S8, E9)
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt (Guest Star)
Synopsis: Will Colbert (Pitt) ruins dinner when he confronts Rachel about a high-school rumor.
Watch on: Max
URL: https://www.max.com/br/pt/shows/friends/52dae4c7-2ab1-4bb9-ab1c-8100fd54e2f9 - Gilmore Girls: A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving (S3, E9)
Starring: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel
Synopsis: Lorelai and Rory try to survive four different Thanksgiving dinners in one day.
Watch on: Netflix
URL: https://www.netflix.com/title/70153382 - Home for the Holidays (1995 Film)
Starring: Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr.
Synopsis: A recently fired woman faces her highly dysfunctional family for Thanksgiving.
Watch on: Paramount+
URL: https://www.paramountplus.com/movies/home-for-the-holidays - Scent of a Woman (1992 Film)
Starring: Al Pacino, Chris O’Donnell
Synopsis: A prep school student travels to NYC with a blind, retired Colonel over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Watch on: Apple TV (Rent/Buy)
URL: https://tv.apple.com/pt/movie/perfume-de-mulher/umc.cmc.4ktjsv9c9j7n7daecbfflgd57 - How I Met Your Mother: Slapsgiving (S3, E9)
Starring: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel
Synopsis: Marshall’s right to deliver a third legendary slap to Barney looms over the Thanksgiving meal.
Watch on: Star+
URL: https://www.starplus.com/series/how-i-met-your-mother/1y22qU4eKjT6 - Spider-Man (2002 Film)
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe
Synopsis: Features a tense Thanksgiving dinner where the Green Goblin realizes Peter Parker’s secret.
Watch on: Disney+
URL: https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/spider-man/13s2vTq4v5Jj - Hannah and Her Sisters (1986 Film)
Starring: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow
Synopsis: Explores the lives of three sisters and their relationships, set between two Thanksgivings.
Watch on: Prime Video
URL: https://www.amazon.com/Hannah-Her-Sisters-Woody-Allen/dp/B000Z99HPU - Rocky (1976 Film)
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire
Synopsis: The Thanksgiving scene includes Paulie throwing the holiday turkey out of a window.
Watch on: Apple TV (Rent/Buy)
URL: https://tv.apple.com/movie/rocky/umc.cmc.s32qp1txtrpzqz861on1fjot - The Last Waltz (1978 Documentary)
Starring: The Band, Bob Dylan, Martin Scorsese
Synopsis: Chronicles The Band’s farewell concert, which took place on Thanksgiving Day, 1976.
Watch on: Apple TV (Rent/Buy)
URL: https://tv.apple.com/movie/the-last-waltz/umc.cmc.3kjj6h4he52wm0sfibz3xk1ox - The Ice Storm (1997 Film)
Starring: Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver
Synopsis: Family dysfunction and infidelity plague two wealthy Connecticut families during Thanksgiving weekend, 1973.
Watch on: Google Play (Rent/Buy)
URL: https://play.google.com/store/movies/details/The_Ice_Storm?id=3a6rDZNAYIc&hl=en_US - Pieces of April (2003 Film)
Starring: Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson
Synopsis: A young woman invites her estranged family over for a chaotic, frantic Thanksgiving dinner in her tiny apartment.
Watch on: MUBI
URL: https://mubi.com/en/us/films/pieces-of-april - Addams Family Values (1993 Film)
Starring: Raul Julia, Anjelica Huston
Synopsis: Features the iconic Thanksgiving camp play where Wednesday Addams leads a revolt.
Watch on: Apple TV (Rent/Buy)
URL: https://tv.apple.com/pt/movie/addams-family-values/umc.cmc.bkrostd7qnf0ziannmjtsad7 - Knives Out (2019 Film)
Starring: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans
Synopsis: A dark murder mystery unfolding within a large, dysfunctional family gathering.
Watch on: Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
URL: https://www.justwatch.com/br/filme/entre-facas-e-segredos