As families gather for food, travel, and tradition, many Americans are also returning to their most beloved comfort films. Based on JustWatch demand across the last three Thanksgiving weekends (2022–2024), a clear trend has emerged: nostalgic, family-friendly titles dominate holiday rewatch habits, while a few modern mysteries and musicals have carved out a surprising place in the rotation.
This year’s Most Rewatched Thanksgiving Movies list shows that audiences continue to seek out humor, warmth, and nostalgia—proving that the holiday spirit extends well beyond the dinner table.
Key Insights
- Travel-themed comedies remain unbeatable: “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” ranks #1, cementing its status as the unofficial Thanksgiving movie.
- Are families in the mood for cozy murder mysteries? “Knives Out” continues to see a major spike each year, suggesting that murder-mystery marathons are becoming a new holiday staple.
- Family-friendly musicals and fantasy films dominate mid-list positions, including “Wicked,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s ”
- Nostalgia drives Thanksgiving viewing: nearly all top-10 titles were released before 2010, highlighting the emotional pull of familiar classics during family gatherings.
- Music-centric favorites like “The Last Waltz” attract devoted annual rewatchers, especially on Thanksgiving Day.
The Most Rewatched Movies on Thanksgiving Weekend
Based on combined U.S. clickout activity from Thanksgiving weekends 2022, 2023, and 2024
| 1 | Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) | Fubo, MGM+, Paramount+ |
| 2 | Knives Out (2019) | Prime Video |
| 3 | Wicked (2024) | Prime Video |
| 4 | The Hunger Games (2012) | HBO Max |
| 5 | A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) | Apple TV+ |
| 6 | The Wizard of Oz (1939) | HBO Max |
| 7 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) | Fubo, HBO Max, Peacock Premium |
| 8 | Dutch (1991) | Not Available Currently |
| 9 | The Last Waltz (1978) | Tubi |
| 10 | Addams Family Values (1993) | Apple TV+, Kanopy, Hoopla |
Why These Titles Top the List
“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” continues its reign as the definitive Thanksgiving movie, driven by both millennial nostalgia and a new generation discovering the film on streaming platforms. Its blend of slapstick comedy and heartfelt moments resonates with families navigating their own holiday travel chaos.
“Knives Out” stands out as the only modern title in the top three, reflecting a growing appetite for smart, comedic whodunnits during long weekend downtime. Meanwhile, “Wicked” and “The Hunger Games” highlight the popularity of fantasy blockbusters as shared viewing experiences among families with teens and young adults.
Perennial classics like “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” remain multigenerational traditions, drawing strong interest across both linear TV and streaming.
Cult favorites including “Dutch,” “The Last Waltz,” and “Addams Family Values” round out the list—each with dedicated fan bases who have made Thanksgiving rewatches an annual ritual.
Methodology
Insights are derived from the streaming and cinema clickout behavior of more than 20 million
U.S. JustWatch users, analyzing spikes across Thanksgiving weekends from 2022–2024. Rankings are calculated using JustWatch’s proprietary popularity index, which measures user engagement across all major streaming services and cinema offers.
