13 Feel-Good Movies and Shows on Netflix Perfect For After Thanksgiving Dinner
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When it comes to holiday entertainment, Thanksgiving gets the short shrift. Compared to the oodles of horror movies we get every Halloween and festive films every Christmas, Thanksgiving has a very, very small cinematic foot print. So when Thanksgiving night comes, it can be hard to find a movie or TV show to watch that will please you and any of the people you're spending the holiday with. So we pulled together 13 movie and TV show options that we hope will be just the thing you're looking for.
You could, of course, travel to Stars Hollow and the world of "Gilmore Girls," with its cozy fall vibes and always dramatic family dinners. Or opt for a very crowd-pleasing Adam Sandler movie, which are always full of over-the-top jokes but also heartwarming family moments (often including his actual family). Or there are other shows with family vibes you could turn to, like "Virgin River" and "Derry Girls," as well as cozy films like "Falling Inn Love" or "To All the Boys I've Loved Before." Whatever you pick, it'll be the perfect way to unwind after a big Thanksgiving dinner.
Ahead, here are 13 movies and TV shows on Netflix that make perfect Thanksgiving entertainment this year.
Additional reporting by Victoria Edel
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"Gilmore Girls"
"Gilmore Girls" is an autumn favorite, so of course it has the perfect episodes to watch on Thanksgiving. Season three episode four, titled "A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving," sees Lorelai and Rory try to attend four thanksgivings in one day. But since "Gilmore Girls" is a show of big dinners and family drama, really any episode is perfect to watch on Thanksgiving. We're particular fans of season two episode 10, "The Bracebridge Dinner," which sees all of Stars Hollow attend an over-the-top dinner at the inn where Lorelai works.
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"Falling Inn Love"
This rom-com stars Christina Milian as a city girl who leaves her home in San Francisco behind after a breakup to relocate to New Zealand, where an inn that she won through a contest awaits. The problem: the inn is a wreck — but luckily, a handsome contractor will help her mend the inn (as well as her heart, of course). This crowdpleaser is perfect for when the whole family is together.
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"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"
Based on the 2008 historical novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows by the same name, a London author (played by Lily James) bonds with the residents of Guernsey Island in the aftermath of World War II, and she becomes inspired when she learns about the book club they formed during the German occupation. The romantic drama will appeal to people of all ages.
Watch "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" on Netflix.
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"Always Be My Maybe"
This rom-com, starring stand-up queen Ali Wong and "Fresh Off the Boat"'s Randall Park (as well as a bunch of other familiar faces), follows childhood sweethearts who reconnect as adults in incredibly different socioeconomic situations, 15 years after a dramatic falling out. But the central themes of this movie are about connectedness and forgiveness — perfect for Thanksgiving — and they eat a lot of food perfect for any holiday table.
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"Virgin River"
Based on the "Virgin River" novels by Robyn Carr, this romantic drama series tells the story of a nurse practitioner who decides to relocate to the remote town of Virgin River, CA, hoping for a fresh start, though she soon realizes small-town life isn't as easy as she thought it might be. Like "Gilmore Girls," the small-town vibes of "Virgin River" are perfect for late fall.
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"Gentefied"
In this bilingual comedy-drama, three Mexican American cousins attempt to work together (despite their differences) on their shared dream: keeping their immigrant grandfather's family taco shop open in their rapidly gentrifying LA neighborhood, Boyle Heights. With its strong focus on family, it's a perfect Thanksgiving watch.
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"The Week Of"
Chris Rock and Adam Sandler star in this comedy as two polar-opposite family patriarchs who must attempt to get along for the sake of their children's upcoming wedding, even if that means spending a very long week together. And nothing brings the family together like a Sandler film.
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"Hustle"
And on that note, if your Thanksgiving crew is made up of basketball fans, give Sandler's movie "Hustle" a shot. He plays a failing basketball scout who risks it all on an unconventional player. It's a sweet film that works no matter how much you know about sports.
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"To All the Boys I've Loved Before"
Based on Jenny Han's bestselling YA novel of the same name, this rom-com tells the story of quiet high schooler Lara Jean (played by Lana Condor), who discovers that her secret stash of love letters somehow got mailed to each of her five crushes. Most of the movie takes place during the fall semester in the Pacific Northwest, lending the action a cozy fall vibe that's irresistible.
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"Let It Snow"
Adapted from the YA novel of the same name by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle, this rom-com follows a group of high schoolers whose Midwestern town is hit by a massive snowstorm on Christmas Eve, resulting in lots of unexpected love connections. If you want to jump into Christmas movies the moment Thanksgiving is over, this one's for you.
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"Pride & Prejudice"
One thing "Pride & Prejudice" and a typical Thanksgiving have in common? A lot of family drama. In fact, maybe "Pride and Prejudice" will make you feel a little better about your own relatives — at least your boring cousin with no manners isn't trying to marry you or your sisters!
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"Paddington"
"Paddington" — the first of two films about the lovable bear — is all about family, togetherness, and love. Even if you don't have kids, it's the perfect feel-good movie to end Thanksgiving with.
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"Derry Girls"
"Derry Girls" is a comedy not just about a group of teens in Northern Ireland in the 1990s — it's also about their wacky families. And while their context might be a lot different than yours, their struggles are super relatable for any dysfunctional family.