Get ready to do your turkey trot.
Thanksgiving 2024 is here, and whether you’re with a large family or having a more quiet holiday, there’s plenty to watch on TV.
From old classics to recent movies to new shows, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s your essential guide for what to watch this turkey day.
“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024”
This year’s annual parade will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock from 8:30 a.m to noon.
The three-and-a-half-hour event will be hosted by Today’s Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker – and since Kotb is leaving “Today,” this is likely to be her last hurrah hosting the annual event.
Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue, Billy Porter, Cole Escola and Cynthia Erivo will be among this year’s performers. The Broadway casts of “Death Becomes Her,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “The Outsiders” will also all give live performances of musical numbers from their respective productions.
It may rain on the parade, but you can still watch from your couch.
Where to watch: NBC and Peacock from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Nov. 28.
“Hot Frosty”
It wouldn’t be a holiday season without goofy themed rom-coms. If that feels like the mood for your gathering, the 2024 movie “Hot Frosty” starring Lacy Chabert (“Mean Girls”) follows a widow who magically brings a snowman to life. To add to the kitsch, his name is Jack Snowman (Dustin Milligan).
Where to watch: Netflix.
“Friends”
TBS is having a six-hour marathon of Thanksgiving-themed “Friends” episodes, including “The One where the Underdog Gets Away,” “The One with the Football” and yes, “The One With the Thanksgiving Flashbacks,” which is the infamous episode where Joey (Matt LeBlanc) has a turkey on his head, and Monica (Courteney Cox) also has a turkey on her head, at one point. Although “Friends” is bittersweet since Matthew Perry passed away, it’s still a timeless people-pleasing classic.
Where to watch: TBS, between 12:30 and 6 p.m. ET.
“Black Friday”
If horror-comedy is more your speed, we’ve got you covered. In this 2021 horror comedy starring Ivana Baquero and campy horror king Bruce Campbell (“The Evil Dead” franchise), it follows disgruntled toy store employees who are working the Black Friday shift, opening the store for the busiest shopping day of the year. Unfortunately, an alien parasite lands on earth, which makes the holiday shoppers go on a literal rampage. The rag tag team of employees must deal with it.
Where to watch: Prime Video, the Roku Channel.
“Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking”
The Harry Potter franchise has the ultimate cozy fall vibes – and in case you missed it, there’s a new show out, hosted by Oliver and James Phelps, who played the mischievous Weasley twins in the movies. In the reality competition series, expert bakers make elaborate Potter-themed creations, and present them to judges. So, “Wizards of Baking” is in line with the season and it allows you to judge other people’s cooking skills – it feels like this show was made to watch with your family in November.
Where to stream: Max, also airing on Food Network at 8 p.m. on Nov. 28.
“Free Birds”
If there are a lot of kids at your gathering, this 2013 animated movie starring Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson should do the trick. The movie follows Reggie the turkey (Wilson), who fears Thanksgiving but ends up as the turkey who gets pardoned by the President. His life is peaceful until the wild turkey Jake (Harrelson) kidnaps him and they travel back in time to the first Thanksgiving, to try to take turkeys off the menu for the holiday.
Where to watch: Paramount+, Hulu.
“A Man on the Inside”
This show recently came out, and although it’s not themed to the holiday, it could be a crowdpleaser if your holiday skews towards the silver-haired crowd. Created by Mike Schur (“The Good Place,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), the show follows Charles (Ted Danson), a retired professor who is a lonely widower. He gets a new lease on life when he’s tasked with working as an undercover spy in a retirement home.
Where to watch: Netflix.
“Instant Family”
The 2018 movie stars Rose Byrne and Mark Wahlberg who are considering adopting a child when they stumble into foster care. They connect with a teenager, and end up taking in her two siblings, too. Not only is this a heartwarming family comedy, but it also features a Thanksgiving dinner scene.
Where to watch: Paramount+.
“Matlock”
The “Matlock” reboot isn’t Thanksgiving-themed, but it is a surprisingly entertaining new show that zips along quickly and appeals to a variety of ages. Starring Kathy Bates, Beau Bridges and Jason Ritter, it follows Madeline Matlock (Bates), who claims that she’s returning to the workforce after a few decades – but her sweet old lady front is an act, and she’s really got a hidden agenda.
Where to watch: Paramount+.
“Planes, Trains and Automobiles”
This 1987 John Hughes comedy follows advertising exec Neal Page (Steve Martin), who is trying to get home to Chicago for Thanksgiving when his plane is rerouted to Kansas, and he’s forced to team up with the irritating Del Griffith (John Candy).
Where to watch: Pluto TV, Hulu.
“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”
This 1973 animated classic follows Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and the gang as they gather for the holiday, and of course, Snoopy is cooking a meal.
Where to watch: AppleTV+.
“The Humans”
This 2021 movie is a psychological drama, if your group wants a more adult movie. Starring Steven Yeun, Amy Schumer, Beanie Feldstein, and Richard Jenkins, it follows a family whose Thanksgiving gathering becomes increasingly fraught.
Where to watch: Prime Video.
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