Thanksgiving is great and all, but what do you do after all the food has been eaten and you've watched all the holiday specials on TV [1]? Stay ahead of the game and arrange a trip to the theater! Plenty of movies are going to be out, ranging from buzzy biopics to sequels to kids' movies. Before you pack your days off full of activities, make some room for a movie! Check out our suggestions for who to take — and who to leave at home with the leftovers.
Source: Lionsgate [2]
The Imitation Game
- Who to take: Your grandparents. It's a WWII drama about British codebreaker Alan Turning [3], so they'd appreciate it — plus your mom needs to know who Benedict Cumberbatch is so she can butcher his name.
- Who to leave: Anyone who might get bored and fall asleep.
- Watch the trailer. [4]
Horrible Bosses 2
- Who to take: Your big group of old friends. It's a raucous comedy, and this one might actually be funnier than the first one.
- Who to leave: Kids. Do not bring kids to this movie.
- Watch the trailer. [5]
Penguins of Madagascar
- Who to take: Younger children, particularly if they're still obsessed with Madagascar. Plus, you'll at least get to hear Benedict Cumberbatch, who voices Classified.
- Who to leave: Anyone who thinks they're too old for cartoons.
- Watch the trailer. [6]
Foxcatcher
- Who to take: Your friends or family who are already excited about award season. Channing Tatum gives an excellent performance [7], but don't expect any Magic Mike-style moves; it's the true story [8] of a murder.
- Who to leave: Anyone who gets freaked out easily.
- Watch the trailer. [9]
Beyond the Lights
- Who to take: Your girlfriends! It's a certified Fresh [10] romance, and damn, Nate Parker looks good shirtless [11].
- Who to leave: There is some sexual content, so don't bring young kids.
- Watch the trailer. [12]
Dumb and Dumber To
- Who to take: A few friends who loved the original. Especially if you're home for the holidays, why not celebrate with some characters that already have a nostalgic place in your heart?
- Who to leave: This one is raunchy, so make sure the kiddos and the older generations stay home.
- Watch the trailer. [13]
The Theory of Everything
- Who to take: Your significant other. This biopic about Stephen Hawking and his wife, Jane, weaves a romantic but relatable picture of their relationship, and Redmayne might pick up an Oscar [14] for it.
- Who to leave: People who think romances are too sappy.
- Watch the trailer. [15]
Big Hero Six
- Who to take: Some of your younger cousins. This Disney movie is being dubbed "Frozen for boys" by some, but we just think it's really good [16].
- Who to leave: Your grandparents can probably sit this one out. It's bright and loud and really more for the kids.
- Watch the trailer. [17]
Interstellar
- Who to take: You boyfriend or older sibling might probably appreciate Christopher Nolan's epic space movie. Matthew McConaughey [18] and Anne Hathaway [19] are great, but it's all about the stunning visuals [20].
- Who to leave: People who won't be able to sit through the nearly three-hour running time.
- Watch the trailer. [21]
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1
- Who to take: Friends, family, and everyone who is obsessed with The Hunger Games. This is the second-to-last movie! It's only the first half of the book version of Mockingjay [22], but it's still good as a stand-alone film.
- Who to leave: Young children; this one is pretty violent.
- Watch the trailer. [23]