A Recipe for Holiday Happiness

what to watch (with the whole family) when you're not cooking or eating...

Nov 17, 2023

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Over the past week, my email Inbox has been inundated with Thanksgiving recipes and menu planning advice. And while it’s all been wonderful and very helpful, none of it has addressed one of the biggest issues families face when they gather to spend the holiday together each year: what to watch…

I’m serious! One of the best things about Thanksgiving is the lack of organized activities beyond cooking, eating, and spending time together; but while there’s no pressure to cut down and decorate a large tree, dress up for religious services, or give gifts, there are often many unscheduled hours to fill. If you (like me) have ever wielded a TV remote while negotiating what to watch with a multigenerational group whose brains (and bodies) are zonked on turkey and pie, then you know that selecting a movie or TV show to amicably fill said unscheduled hours can be quite a challenge!

And so, given my firm belief that a good list can solve almost any problem, here are some suggestions for what to watch in 8 typical Thanksgiving scenarios…

When you’re traveling, and want to download entire seasons that will make you (almost) hope for flight delays:

The Crown: every episode of the long-awaited conclusion to the blockbuster Netflix series is available!
The Morning Show: the final season of this luxe soap opera exudes quiet luxury, billionaire energy, and corporate intrigue.
Black Cake: based on a best-selling novel, a sweeping family saga about secrets, betrayal, and love.
Only Murders in the Building: an all-star celebrity cast assembles (Paul Rudd! Meryl Streep!) to solve yet another murder…
Bad Sisters: Sharon Horgan writes and stars in this whipsmart, funny, family-focused whodunnit.
Platonic: Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne play college buddies who reunite in middle age. Hijinks ensue.

When your sports-mad family wants to watch something that isn’t a live game:

Kelce: get to know the other members of Taylor Swift’s boyfriend’s family, including Mama Kelce, and older brother Jason, otherwise known as one of the greatest American football players of all time.
Beckham: follow David Beckham’s unparalleled soccer career, and relationship with Posh Spice, from the very beginning, complete with iconic 90s hair and wardrobe.
BS High: A fascinating, hard to believe, documentary about a fake football team, and the dishonest coach behind the scam.

When the whole family wants to watch something comforting and funny but no one has the attention span for an entire movie:

The Office: go back to the pilot and watch from the beginning, or poll your group for their favorite episodes.

When you’re feeling thankful for (and in awe of) nature:

Life on our Planet: Steven Spielberg’s documentary series about the emergence of life on Earth is solid viewing for all ages, although Morgan Freeman’s sonorous tones coupled with tryptophan consumption may trigger sleepiness…

When you want a 90-minute movie that’s genuinely good for all ages:

The Fantastic Mr. Fox: based on a Roald Dahl story, the charming and dapper Mr. Fox (voiced by George Clooney) battles his own worst instincts, and greedy farmers, to save his family.

When the holidays make you feel sentimental and romantic (and in the mood for vintage Meg and Tom):

You’ve Got Mail: Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in an enemies-to-lovers story that never gets old.
Sleepless in Seattle: Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in an Affair To Remember-inspired cross-country love story.
Miracle on 34th St: I prefer the 90s remake of the holiday classic that explores the question: is Santa Claus really real?
The Holiday: cozy up for a vintage Nancy Meyers rom-com set in swoony homes in LA and the English countryside, and featuring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet seeking happy-ever-afters.

When it’s the day after Thanksgiving and you're ready to fully embrace Christmas:

Love Actually: the movie I watch with my sister-in-law every Thanksgiving. Adult supervision is definitely required for this heartwarming and star-studded British Christmas classic.
Home Alone: our family’s all-time favorite holiday movie, including my fantasy of spending Christmas in a fancy Paris hotel…
Die Hard: set on Christmas Eve, this is a holiday-themed movie for older kids who are too cool for holiday-themed movies, plus anyone who appreciates Bruce Willis at his charming, macho best.
Trading Places: a morality tale about greed set in the 80s, starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Eddie Murphy, and Dan Aykroyd, that stands the test of time. Beware: includes gratuitous nudity!

Finally, when all else fails, and no one can agree on anything, follow the lead of medical offices everywhere, and turn on HGTV. 😉

What do you think? Do you have hours of holiday downtime to fill? If so, I hope some of these help! Leave a comment and let me know what you end up watching, and if you have any go-to movies or shows to watch at this time of year! And, for my non-American readers, what do you think about this whole Thanksgiving thing?!