The best Thanksgiving movies to watch in a food coma

If you’re an American celebrating Thanksgiving, you’ve probably been trying to find an activity to keep your extended family busy in the after-dinner fog. Watching a movie might be the simplest solution, but there’s one big caveat: you probably don’t want to watch a movie that you think you’ll actually enjoy.

Why? Well, for one thing, you’re probably in the early stages of a food coma caused by the sheer amount of carbs. And the wine you have to drown out all your political arguments with certainly doesn’t help. And for another, watching movies with family invites a lot of discussion and explaining to your mom why Everything everywhere at once really resonated with you while telling you that she just didn’t understand why the daughter wasn’t nicer is probably not a conversation you want to have while on vacation.

But this is where we come in. Polygon is proud to present a carefully curated selection of movies that falling asleep and sleeping off will only enhance the experience. Additionally, these movies are also great for talking about and pointing out weird moments that will ultimately bring you and your loved ones together. And if any of these sound compelling, but someone you’re hosting points them out only on the plane or you don’t have the streaming service it’s running on, we’ve offered some substitutions.

Avengers: Infinity War

In case you forgot what happened in Avengers: Infinity War – or if you have forgotten what happened before Avengers: Infinity War — Don’t worry. Avengers: Infinity War is basically three hours of a million characters shuffled around a chessboard, exchanging witty one-liners. This is the ultimate AH THESE TWO GUYS INTERACT! MCU film, meaning you can nod off between scenes and then wake up just in time for the next two guys to interact.

Where to see: Available to stream on Disney Plus or for digital rental or purchase on Amazon, Apple and Google Play.

Substitution: Other MCU films that can be summed up as two and a half hours to put a dozen characters where they need to be for the next film or to introduce a dozen characters that will become important later: eternalCaptain America: Civil War, or Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

Some Robert Langdon movie

Not long ago, readers devoured Dan Browns The da Vinci Code, because it made them feel very smart. For the most part, we’ve found that a few smart facts about art history doesn’t make a good novel (especially when those books talk about how hot and good their main character is). But Brown’s writing talent and the factual accuracy of the books aside, they still make fun films. If you want adventure films that treat history as an easy jumping-off point for distorted facts, then you might as well go for those that play around with European history.

Where to see: The da Vinci Code can be viewed for free with ads on Tubi or rented or purchased digitally on Amazon, Apple and Google Play. angels and demons can be viewed on Netflix. inferno can be viewed on Starz or rented or purchased digitally on Amazon, Apple and Google Play.

Substitution: National Treasure and National Treasure: Book of Secrets, for being archaeological adventure films that have aged better than Indiana Jones; Also, Dora and the Lost City of Gold. Trust me.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2

did breaking Dawn need to be split into two films? Absolutely not. It works? Honestly yes. Much of this film is a cumbersome narration to show the sluggish passage of time, but there are some incredible highlights, like the really cool vampires from around the world who have unique powers (starring actors like Rami Malek and Lee Pace? ??Hello????), as well as the epic final “battle” scene. Lee Pace’s character Garrett and power-generating vampire Kate (Casey LaBow) literally have the best love story of the entire four films, and they get about 15 minutes of screen time. Instead of lamenting the fact that all of these cool characters are just here to support Bella and Edward’s comparatively boring story, while you’re drunk and sleepy you can just enjoy the time they have.

Where to see: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 can be viewed on Showtime or rented or purchased digitally on Amazon, Apple and Google Play.

Substitution: Other “This is the second half of the last book in a best-selling YA series that we split into two movies for more money,” which there were quite a few in the 2010s — viz The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.

Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones

I’ll refrain from making any statement about the prequels versus sequels versus the original trilogy versus the Disney Plus shows, however attack of the Clone warriors Rules if you’re not really paying attention. The scene where Obi-Wan discovers that someone has summoned an entire army of human men and he just goes along with it like an elaborate impromptu game? High comedy. Padme breaking free from chains and tearing up her clothes in a way that’s oh-so-fashionable? Slay. Yoda becomes a monkey with his lightsaber? Blessed. The entire Across the Stars montage? OK – that’s actually good.

Where to see: Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones can be viewed on Disney Plus.

Substitution: If you don’t want to ignite a generational debate in your family about prequels versus sequels versus original trilogy versus Disney Plus shows, but still want sci-fi with garish special effects and a barely coherent storyline, give it a go Jupiter Ascending and or Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.

cars 2

nothing about cars 2 makes sense. Enjoy this as a feature, not a bug. Any other Pixar film could get you too emotional, or you’ll fall asleep and miss the heart-tugging part and then wake up wondering why everyone is in tears. but cars 2 is just absolutely insane from start to finish. Mater becomes a super spy! cars to fly with rockets! Also, the whole message is that renewable energy sources are a scam, which is a really weird message for a children’s movie, especially afterwards WALL Ebut we just ignore that.

Where to see: cars 2 can be viewed on Disney Plus.

Substitution: Any DreamWorks animated feature filmed between 2004 and 2008.

Cats (2019)

The only way to see this movie is to be a little high, be it from wine or turkey. In this way, a terrifying experience is transformed into a dreamlike and surreal state of mind. Enter the world of Jellicle cats with their human faces and fingers but fur-covered naked bodies and tails. Instead of trying to figure out why the cats on the railway look so small, keep Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat stuck in your head. Disclaimer: Polygon is not responsible for any songs that stick in your head for the rest of the weekend.

Where to see: cats can be borrowed or purchased digitally via Amazon, Apple and Google Play.

Substitution: Movies That Also Cause Psychological Harm To Your Loved Ones: The greatest showman and Cinderella (2021). But if you want catsbut actually good, then try the official Broadway recording.

Cruella

The thing about Disney’s live-action remakes is that, for the most part, they’re all basically the same story as the originals, but in a less visually appealing way. There are a few exceptions, though, which come in the form of “let’s give this one-note villain a tragic backstory.” Cruella makes this list something about malicious simply for being the villain less deserving of that backstory. In a post-food nebula, you can stop bothering with the ethics of murdering puppies and just enjoy the elaborate fashion heists instead.

Where to see: Cruella can be viewed on Disney Plus.

Substitution: Aladdin (2019), malicious (2014), mulan (2020), Cinderella (2015) …actually none of Disney’s live-action remakes, except The Lion King (2019), which puts you straight to sleep.

Oh mom!

This doesn’t really deserve the insult of being on this list because it’s a good film, but I will say that the experience of this film increases with every subsequent glass of wine – let go of your inhibitions and belt out ABBA to your heart’s content. The hidden bonus here, in my personal experience, is parents and friends of parents love ABBA and they’ll all be like, “Oh wow, you know This old song?” and you’ll be like, “Damn yes, of course I do!” Leave out the fact that everyone in the world knows “Dancing Queen” and you’ll be extraordinarily impressed.

Where to see: Oh mom can be viewed on Hulu and Peacock.

Substitution: Mamma Mia! here we go again. Be warned – you might cry.

The Country Bears

How do I even begin to explain The Country Bears? It’s based on a really old theme park attraction. It’s a “putting the band back together to save a beloved building!” movie, except the band is made up of anthropomorphic bears. Nobody questions the fact that these bears only live next to humans. The main character is a teenage bear who lives with a human family and only recently found out he was adopted. Elton John is in it as himself. There are two musical sequences featuring early 2000’s B-list pop stars. The Eagles lead singer comments that the Country Bears are better than the Eagles. Christopher Walken brings 110% into his role as the villain. Every moment of this film is acted out seriously and because nothing makes sense, does it make any sense? Definitely makes more sense when you’re a little tipsy.

Where to see: The Country Bears can be viewed on Disney Plus.

Substitution: Nothing. Sorry, nothing else compares.