November Films

1. Free Birds (2013)

Two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks decide to set aside their differences to try and figure out time travel. Their goal? To go back in time to the first Thanksgiving to get turkey off the menu. THAT’S RIGHT!! They're going back in time to the first Thanksgiving to get turkey OFF THE MENU!! Their journey to change the course of history is a brave one, and they encounter many challenges and possibly even near-death experiences. Possibly. They have an unfortunate encounter with a colonist, and he sets out to catch the turkeys. The ups, downs, and iconic dialogue moments make this animated feature a perfect film for the most cinematically underrepresented holiday.

2. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

This is the most timeless classic of November, argue with the ping pong table. Last-minute plans land Thanksgiving dinner at Charlie Brown's house. With little time to plan and prepare, Charlie Brown must create a perfect Thanksgiving fit for the Peanuts gang. Charlie Brown can't cook anything but cereal and maybe toast, so he calls in backup. Linus, Snoopy, and Woodstock team up to try to make the perfect Thanksgiving feast. The dinner ends up unconventional and a bit weird, but in the end, it is perfect for the gang. 

3. The Book of Life (2014)

November 1st is Dia de los Muertos, so we can stray away from Thanksgiving for a minute and focus on the Day of the Dead. This film combines creative storytelling and a unique animation style, to tell the tale of three childhood friends, Manolo, Maria, and Joaquin. They have grown up and grown apart, but through their lives, Joaquin and Manolo have had a continuous competition for Maria’s love. Unbeknownst to them, their battle for Maria’s affection is stirring up an undead wager. La Muerte, ruler of the Land of the Remembered, and Xibalba, ruler of the Land of the Forgotten, have made a bet on this love triangle, and the boy that Maria marries will settle a long-lasting feud between the two. The Book of Life takes a journey through the three lands, lessons are learned, secrets are revealed, and a decision is made. This film is a great way to learn a little bit about Dia de los Muertos and transition from the Halloween spirit.

4. Coco (2013)

I think everyone has seen this Pixar film; I’d be surprised if you haven't. Another film about the Day of the Dead, Miguel is raised away from music. His abuela forbids any form of music; she hates it. Despite her distaste for anything musical, Miguel is obsessed with music. He secretly listens to music and wants to become a musician just like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Abuela finds out about his secret music obsession and destroys any chance he might have of music. In a desperate attempt to change her mind and prove his musical abilities, he finds himself in the Land of the Dead. He ventures to find Ernesto de la Cruz, meeting dead family members along the way, who help him try to find Ernesto de la Cruz. Through his journey, family secrets are revealed, and Miguel begins to understand Abuela's opinions towards music. 

5. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

What the HECK does Freddy Mercury have to do with the month of November? If you take a quick look back at the introduction paragraph of this article, you will notice that November is Movember. The Mo stands for mustache, and what does Freddy Mercury have? An insanely good mustache. Bohemian Rhapsody is a biopic about the formation and success of one of the most popular bands of the 1970’s, Queen. The quick rise, the insane fame and success, the wild lifestyles, and the hardships that the band members face throughout the life of Queen. Mercury has a particularly wild lifestyle, and his spiral out of control puts a strain on the band. Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon fight to keep the band together amidst the fame and hardships that come with being in a band.

6. The Lorax (2012)

He is the Lorax; he speaks for the trees. He’s got an awesome mustache and orange knees. How can I talk about Movember without telling you to watch the movie that features the best mustache? Thneedville is a perfect little town; everyone is happy, and nobody really leaves. Air is a product, water is green, and trees need ninety-six batteries to function. One day, a boy, Ted,  goes out in search of answers about his village. He meets the Lorax, who tells him the history of the thneeds, the marvelous product that the area is named after. The Lorax gives Ted a gift, a plan, and a warning. This gift could change the lives of the residents of Thneedville, and even change the world. It’s all up to how Ted decides to use this gift. 

7. Top Gun (1986)

I know you're thinking that I’ve finally gone off the rails, but stick with me here. November is National Veterans and Military Families Month, Aviation History Month, and Movember. This film is about military planes, and there are quite a few mustaches. I think this fits perfectly in the month of November. Pete Mitchell, better known by his callsign, Maverick, is an irrational, cocky, hotheaded pilot for the United States Navy. He fights for a spot at the top in a group of the best naval aviators, in a program called Top Gun, with his wingman, Goose (who has a killer mustache). Maverick juggles the Navy, his personal life, free time, and the stress that comes along with his wild life. Goose has to deal with the wild Navy life, while staying safe so he's able to go home safe to his wife and kid. Though Top Gun is a perfect film for any month, I think it fits right in with the themes of November, and you’ll love it.

8. Thankskilling (2008)

Killer. Turkey. Need I say more? Watch this in preparation, or don't. The turkeys don’t care. Stay safe.

9. Smoke Signals (1998)

You know what? While I was making this list, I realized how few movies there are that tell Native American stories in a non-racist way. But this film is a pretty good Native American story. It follows Victor and Thomas, and their journey from Idaho and Arizona to retrieve Victor's father, Arnold’s, ashes. Because Arnold rescued Thomas from a house fire when he was a kid, Thomas sees Arnold as a hero and a somewhat father figure. Victor also loves his father, but he actually knows him, unlike Thomas. He struggles with his conflicting feelings towards his father because, despite saving Thomas, Arnold was an addict and an abuser. The trip to Arizona is one full of stories and revealed secrets. Thomas and Victor grow closer by learning more about Arnold, and build a lasting bond through the experience.

10. Thanksgiving (2023)

To finish off this list, we're going back to this month’s main event, Thanksgiving. This film technically takes place after Thanksgiving, but the killer is Thanksgiving-inspired. Killer? Thanksgiving-inspired? That's such a cute, Pinterest aesthetic. After a Black Friday mishap (a riot ending in tragedy), Plymouth, Massachusetts, is terrorized by a Thanksgiving-themed killer. At first, it seems that the victims are chosen at random, but as the film moves forward, more connection is drawn between the victims, and a bigger, more sinister holiday plan is unveiled. Put your headphones on and get yourself a snack and a Diet Pepsi to watch this one, it's action-packed and super-duper scary. You’ll be quaking in your boots.