These are the best movies to have on in the background during your Thanksgiving festivities

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and there’s a lot of excitement and nervousness surrounding the start of the holiday season. Being around not-so-close family members, trying to find some personal space, and figuring out which Thanksgiving day outfit is appropriate for dinner and selfies can be overwhelming.

But you know what can help take some of the edge off? Movies.

Movies are a way for us to de-stress and decompress after a long day. And whether they’re part of your regular family gathering or holiday traditions (or not), having a roster of go-to movies to keep your family in the Thanksgiving mood can really help you out on that sometimes chaotic day.

Stumped on where to begin your streaming session? Here are a list of some movies that will work perfectly.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

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How can we start off with anything but a classic? Charlie Brown and his friends are staples in any household, no matter what holiday it is. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is a heart-warming movie, all about our favorite Peanuts gang coming together for the holiday.

Addams Family Values (1993)

No holiday classic is complete without some of your favorite odd families (to maybe take away from the awkwardness of your own family gathering?). The Addams family, of course, is one of the most beloved television families to watch — and the 1993 movie sequel is one of my favorites to revisit each year around the holidays. And who can forget that scene near the end of the movie when Wednesday Addams literally burns down her summer camp while speaking truth about the historical mistreatment of Native Americans ?

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

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It’s never too early to break out the rest of the holiday media, amirite? For the Christmas spirit lovers out there, Miracle on 34th Street is the best way to go. The 1947 classic explores what goes on during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade… complete with a Santa Claus and everything. Enjoy the magic of getting into the Christmas spirit, while also enjoying Thanksgiving Day.Pieces of April (2003)

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Going the indie film route, Pieces of April focuses on family dynamics and healing from old wounds. Katie Holmes plays April Burns, who invites her estranged family (including her mother, who has breast cancer) to her New York apartment for Thanksgiving. Preparing the entire Thanksgiving day meal herself is only part of the problem — the real heart of the film is April healing from past troubles and learning to reconnect with her family.Hook (1991)

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And finally, here’s a film that will not only bring you into the holiday spirit… but make you believe in magic all over again. 1991’s classic retelling of Peter Pan will still take your breath away as you watch the late Robin Williams rediscover his life as the famous trouble-making Lost Boy. Remember the magic, charm, and childlike allure of what happens when you let yourself believe in fairy tales once more.

What Thanksgiving movie classics are on your radar this year?

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