What Movies to See — and Who to Take — Over Thanksgiving Weekend

By Maggie Panos

Updated on 11/23/2016 at 11:00 AM

Everett Collection
Everett Collection

Already anticipating that you'll need a break from the 24/7 family-fest that is Thanksgiving? We're here to help. One of the best holiday pastimes is a trip to the theater, but what's playing? Tons of movies! While you're still sorting out your plans, here are 16 movies to consider seeing over the long weekend, including some with Oscar buzz, some that will scare you, and a few others that will make you fall in love.

01
Moana
Disney

Moana

  • Who to take: Everyone! It's a Disney movie, so it's basically already a classic.
  • Who to leave: Any family members who can't stand musical numbers in movies.
  • Watch the trailer.
02
Arrival
Everett Collection

Arrival

  • Who to take: Your significant other, since you'll need to discuss that twist ending at home afterward.
  • Who to leave: The very young, the very old, and anyone utterly terrified of the possibility of alien life.
  • Watch the trailer.
03
Bad Santa 2
Miramax

Bad Santa 2

  • Who to take: Your crude older cousins, friends who still quote the original movie.
  • Who to leave: Do not take your parents to this movie. I repeat: do not take your parents to this movie.
  • Watch the trailer.
04
Doctor Strange
Everett Collection

Doctor Strange

  • Who to take: The comic book nerd of your family who has seen every other Marvel movie.
  • Who to leave: Your aunts and uncles who had "had it" with these movies after Iron Man 2.
  • Watch the trailer.
05
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Everett Collection

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

  • Who to take: All your nieces and nephews (and friends, parents, and grandparents) who love the Harry Potter books.
  • Who to leave: The ones who have already seen it a dozen times.
  • Watch the trailer.
06
Bleed For This
Open Road Films

Bleed For This

  • Who to take: The sports fanatics of your family, and anyone who loves a good underdog story.
  • Who to leave: Your friends who aren't into boxing and still don't "get" Miles Teller.
  • Watch the trailer.
07
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk
Everett Collection

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

  • Who to take: Your politically conscious cousins and friends.
  • Who to leave: Anyone who is expecting this to be anything like Ang Lee's last film, Life of Pi.
  • Watch the trailer.
08
Hacksaw Ridge
Everett Collection

Hacksaw Ridge

  • Who to take: Those who are already excited about award season and the possibility of Andrew Garfield getting nominated for an Oscar.
  • Who to leave: Anyone who has strong, negative feelings about director Mel Gibson.
  • Watch the trailer.
09
Trolls
Dreamworks

Trolls

  • Who to take: The kids! The animated movie is PG, so everyone is welcome — especially if they enjoy the vocal stylings of Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick.
  • Who to leave: Adults who would be very bored watching a bunch of talking and singing Troll dolls.
  • Watch the trailer.
10
Rules Don't Apply
Everett Collection

Rules Don't Apply

  • Who to take: Your mom, who still has a thing for Warren Beatty.
  • Who to leave: Your boyfriend, unless he's down for a period romance about two young, crazy kids in Hollywood.
  • Watch the trailer.
11
Manchester by the Sea
Everett Collection

Manchester by the Sea

  • Who to take: Your film-junkie pals who have been excited for this drama since it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
  • Who to leave: Anyone who gets bummed out easily; this one is a downer.
  • Watch the trailer.
12
Nocturnal Animals
Everett Collection

Nocturnal Animals

  • Who to take: Friends, cousins, anyone who is down for a psychological thriller with Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams. (So, everyone?)
  • Who to leave: Again, kids. The movie opens with a shocking nude scene.
  • Watch the trailer.
13
Shut In
Everett Collection

Shut In

  • Who to take: Your friends who love horror movies and crave a good thriller in the Fall.
  • Who to leave: Anyone who gets spooked easily or doesn't like being stressed out in movie theaters.
  • Watch the trailer.
14
Loving
Everett Collection

Loving

  • Who to take: Your grandparents, who heard the story of Richard and Mildred Loving firsthand when it was happening.
  • Who to leave: Anyone who falls asleep simply hearing the words "based on a true story."
  • Watch the trailer.
15
Almost Christmas
Everett Collection

Almost Christmas

  • Who to take: The family; you can bond over the dysfunction.
  • Who to leave: Very little kids, since this holiday movie is PG-13.
  • Watch the trailer.
16
Allied
Everett Collection

Allied

  • Who to take: History buffs who will be into the World War II backdrop, and your girlfriends who will watch anything Brad Pitt is in.
  • Who to leave: Kids; a sexy, R-rated spy drama probably isn't their speed.
  • Watch the trailer.