Baby boomers love their Thanksgiving movies and here is a collection of some of the best movies made that are associated with the Thanksgiving holiday. While football and the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade may be the TV destination for the rest of your family today, don't forget about that tradition of watching old movies on Thanksgiving Day. The baby boomers out there are bound to remember one of the most popular movies about Thanksgiving from their era... "Alice's Restaurant."
'Alice's Restaurant'
This film staring Arlo Guthrie was made in 1969 after his hit song "Alice's Restaurant" became famous.
This movie is based on a true story that happened one Thanksgiving Day in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It is the ultimate hippie movie with commune-living during a time that the younger generation was all about finding love and peace. Check out the trailer for "Alice's Restaurant below.
'Planes, Trains and Automobiles'
Another favorite flick for Thanksgiving Day is "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," a film made in 1987. It is a comedy with Steve Martin and John Candy. Martin plays Neal Page who is in a hurry to get across country to his home in time for Thanksgiving dinner with his wife, kids and extended family. It is a comedy of errors as he runs into road block after road block.
He meets Candy's character, Del Griffith, and he attempts to help him get home.
The journey offers up plenty of belly laughs, some tears and surprises! Check out the trailer for "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" below.
'Miracle on 34th Street'
While the movie "Miracle on 34th Street is often thought of as a Christmas movie, it can be for either holiday. The film was released in 1947 and it offers of the best footage of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade from yesteryear.
It is a heart-warming story and a lesson on faith! Check out the trailer below. Yes, that is the late Natalie Wood as a young girl and Maureen O'hara as her mother.
'The Big Chill'
"The Big Chill" was released in 1983 and it remained a sleeper for a while, but it has blossomed into a favorite movie watched year after year. A group of friends grow up and move away from each other, but they are brought back together by the death of one of the group.
The movie takes place over a long-weekend as this group of friends in their 30s find that going back isn't always that easy. Check out the trailer below.
'The Ice Storm'
If you are one of those people who love a "blue" movie, then "The Ice Storm" is for you. This movie is another sleeper. It was made in 1997 and set in an upscale Connecticut bedroom community where people commute to work in NYC. As two families are separately imploding an ice storm blankets the Connecticut hills and changes their lives forever. Check out the trailer for "The Ice Storm" below.
These are just five of the great movies that tie in with Thanksgiving but there are plenty more to choose from, with some suggested by Harpers Bazarr as movies to watch at Thanksgiving.
While all the movies might not have been released during the baby boomers' era, they do offer memories of days gone by.
Perfect movies for Thanksgiving Day
- "Grumpy Old Men (1993)
- "Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
- "Butterflies are Free" (1972)
- "Dutch" (1991)
- "Funny People" (2009)
- "Tadpole" (2000)
- "Pieces of April" (2003)
- "The Fighting Sullivans" (1945) *One of the best movies ever made!
- "The Sterile Cuckoo" (1969)
- "Home for the Holidays" (1995)
These movies are great for the entire family to watch, but the baby boomers are going to find a connection with many of the older flicks mentioned here, like "Alice's Restaurant" and "The Big Chill." One movie in particular that will really give you reason to give thanks this Thanksgiving is "The Fighting Sullivans."
This is a true story of five brothers who joined the military together with the stipulation that they all serve together on the same ship. That request was granted and because of their fate, rules and regulations were changed forever within the military. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
