The Top 7 Thanksgiving Movies for Kids

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The fourth Thursday of November is a special holiday for many families. After enjoying a big meal of turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes, the best way to spend Thanksgiving is relaxing and watching a movie. Families with young kids will especially enjoy the movies below.

01
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A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

"A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" is an Emmy Award-winning special featuring characters from Charles M. Schulz's beloved "Peanuts" comic strip. The film follows Charlie Brown around as he prepares Thanksgiving dinner. Like the other "Peanuts" specials, this one is perfect for watching with the family over the holidays.

02
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Free Birds (2013)

"Free Birds" is a 2013 animated adventure and buddy film from director Jimmy Hayward. It tells the story of Reggie the turkey, who gets a presidential pardon and is spared from ending up as Thanksgiving dinner. But things take a turn when another turkey named Jake involves Reggie in a special mission to go back in time to the first Thanksgiving and take turkey off the menu.

This animated comedy is one of the few Thanksgiving-themed movies out there, and while it lacks a little flavor, the movie is fun for the season and kids ages five and up will gobble up the adventure.

03
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Alvin and the Chipmunks: Alvin's Thanksgiving Celebration (2008)

The Thanksgiving-themed DVD "Alvin's Thanksgiving Celebration" contains several episodes: "A Chipmunk Celebration," "Food for Thought," "Cookie Chomper III," and "Dave's Getting Married."

In "A Chipmunk Celebration," Alvin invites his relatives over for Thanksgiving just so they can see him star in the community Thanksgiving play, but he changes his tune when he doesn't exactly get the part that he wanted.

In "Food for Thought," Alvin and Simon help Theodore study for his American history test by relating all of the details to food. This episode is endearing, because the brothers are so intent on helping Theodore, and it is educational, as the boys touch on several points regarding Thanksgiving and American history.

04
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Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving (1999)

In "Seasons of Giving," Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, and Tigger set out to find the right ingredients for Winter. Rabbit learns how to manage a complicated Thanksgiving dinner, and everyone gets a special visit from a new friend. The movie features a number of delightful songs for singing along.

05
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Mouse on the Mayflower (1968)

Kids set sail with the tiniest pilgrim on a musical voyage to America in "Mouse on the Mayflower." This animated TV show—featuring the voices of Tennessee Ernie Ford, Eddie Albert, and June Foray—was created by the Japanese studio Toei Animation and first aired in November 1968 on NBC.

06
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Garfield: Holiday Celebrations (2004)

"Garfield: Holiday Celebrations" includes several holiday movies. In "Garfield's Thanksgiving," Jon has a date with Liz the veterinarian. Meanwhile, Garfield is on a special diet to get ready for the Thanksgiving feast. These holiday adventures are perfect for the family to watch together.

07
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Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Though it's considered a Christmas classic, "Miracle on 34th Street" is perfect for watching with the family after Thanksgiving dinner.

In this charming story, Kris Kringle—unbeknownst to the cynical adults around him—is hired to play himself at the Macy's Department Store in New York City. Kringle finds himself in a situation where he must convince an unbelieving little girl, and others, that he is the real Santa. As the film begins with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, it is a great movie to watch on Thanksgiving with the family.