Whether you need to tune out family conversations or give your brain a break from planning or distract the younger (and older) people you share this time with, having something on TV is essential to a good Thanksgiving Day. There’s a lot of things out there you could put on, and I’m here to help you choose the perfect thing for you. I’m not going to suggest the basic ones—you know, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the National Dog Show, football—we already knew about all of that. Instead, I want to offer a variety of movies and shows you can watch that guarantee unexpected entertainment.
1. Sitcom Thanksgiving Episodes
While this is borderline basic, there are a ton of sitcoms out there and chances are they have multiple Thanksgiving episodes. Friends is the most classic example of this. You might have an image of a Turkey wearing giant yellow glasses on Monica’s head right about now. If you don’t, maybe that’s exactly the type of new media you want to expose yourself to during the holiday.
You’ll find some in Brooklyn 99, New Girl, How I Met Your Mother, Gilmore Girls, et cetera (The Office does not have one, so I apologize). You could probably spend the whole day sitcom hopping and never get to the end of all the Thanksgiving episodes they have. This option guarantees funny and chaotic scenes and ends with everyone realizing how thankful they are for each other.
2. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
It’s short and sweet, and generally lesser known than the other holiday Peanuts Movies. It will be entertaining for younger kids and nostalgic for adults, the perfect combination for holiday seasons. The biggest downside is that you would have to find some things to watch around it. But, if you’re planning on watching some of the basic Thanksgiving things I mentioned earlier, this could be the perfect thing to turn on in between!
3. Stranger Things
I am going to start by begging you to not watch the new season if you are not going to be able to pay attention to it. I promise you will want to give your undivided attention to it if you plan to watch. If you don’t know, the first part of Stranger Things season 5 comes out on the evening before Thanksgiving Day. If you don’t have time to binge watch the second it comes out, that’s fine, just don’t subject it to background noise. Instead, turn on the old seasons and refresh your memory on what happened previously.
4. Thanksgiving (the movie)
This is for those of us who really really miss spooky season and are in need of a (seasonally appropriate) slasher. Thanksgiving is a horror movie that came out a couple years ago. I’ve honestly never seen it, but Grammy nominee Addison Rae, McDreamy, and Milo Manheim are in it so that might be incentive enough.
5. Wicked
Hold some space in your day to watch these movies. Wicked part 1 is currently available to stream, and there’s no better way to pass the time while cooking than singing your heart out. On top of that, Wicked: For Good (the second and final part) came out on November 21st. If you have not seen it already and are not needed in the house, buy the ticket. Give those preparing a few hours without anyone extra around them.
Whatever you choose—even if it is one of the basics—I hope it’s enough to get you through the day and keep you entertained.