It’s the time of year for turkey, stuffing, and arguing over the remote, and based on the latest numbers, it looks like many of us had the exact same idea for our post-feast viewing. JustWatch has released their data on the movies that are dominating living rooms over the long weekend, and the mix of nostalgia, family dysfunction, and travel nightmares is honestly spot-on.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles took the top spot, which feels correct. Is it even Thanksgiving if you aren’t watching Steve Martin and John Candy navigate the absolute worst travel luck imaginable? It remains the undisputed king of the holiday rewatch. Close behind was Knives Out, proving that nothing says “family gathering” quite like a murder mystery where everyone is fighting over an inheritance. The autumnal vibes and Chris Evans’ sweater game have clearly cemented this as a modern staple.
Coming in at number three was Wicked. With the second chapter of the saga hitting theaters, it makes perfect sense that fans were rushing to rewatch the first part to brush up on Elphaba and Glinda’s backstory. Similarly, The Hunger Games made the list, likely driven by franchise nostalgia that always seems to peak this time of year—after all, several of the films originally premiered in late November.
For the traditionalists, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving rounded out the top five. It’s comforting, it’s short, and it involves popcorn and toast for dinner, which is a vibe we can all respect. Interestingly, the land of Oz made a second appearance on the list with The Wizard of Oz at number six. The connection to Wicked is obvious, but it’s also just a perennial family favorite that works for multiple generations gathered in one room.
The wizarding world also stayed strong with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. There is something undeniably cozy about the first Potter film that fits perfectly with leftovers and blankets. A more surprising, but welcome, entry was Dutch at number eight. This John Hughes-penned road trip comedy often gets overlooked in favor of his other hits, but its story of a man trying to get his girlfriend’s snobby son home for the holiday is finding its audience.
Music fans showed up for The Last Waltz, the legendary concert film documenting The Band’s farewell performance, which actually took place on Thanksgiving Day in 1976. Finally, Addams Family Values claimed the tenth spot. If you know, you know—Wednesday Addams’ Thanksgiving play monologue remains one of the most iconic (and scathing) holiday scenes in cinema history.
It’s a solid lineup that proves we all just want to watch people travel badly, fight with their families, or sing about it.