Thanksgiving is synonymous with one thing: drama. And while some of it is bound to unfold at the dinner table, particularly if the topics of religion or politics crop up, why not save the drama for where it truly belongs: in captivating films?

You could certainly head out to the theaters dodging those irritating Wicked fans to watch Conclave or Anora. However, if you prefer a cozy night in, I have the perfect list for you. These next five films are not only brimming with drama but are also peppered with humor, surprise, and plenty of tear-jerking moments.

Additionally, we have guides to the top films on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Max, and Disney+.

His Three Daughters (2024)

Let’s start with a recent release that, while not directly related to Thanksgiving, encapsulates the essence of this turkey-centered holiday: family. In His Three Daughters, we follow the story of a family going through tough times: Rachel (Natasha Lyonne), Katie (Carrie Coon), and Christina (Elizabeth Olsen) are sisters who have come together in their Lower East Side apartment to see out the final days of their ailing father, Vincent. It’s far from an ideal reunion, and their once close-knit sibling relationship has waned over time.

As time goes on and nights get longer, each sister is confronted with memories of their relationship with their father and each other. Some harsh truths come to light, but the focus of His Three Daughters is more on how each sister tries to connect with each other despite their differences. The movie may not be about a cheerful subject, but by the end, His Three Daughters leaves you feeling optimistic about treasured past memories and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

His Three Daughters is available for streaming on Netflix.

Ordinary People (1980)

Nothing encapsulates the spirit of Thanksgiving more than films about highly dysfunctional families. Ordinary People, directed by Robert Redford in 1980, is a classic example. This film won Best Picture in 1981 and paved the way for a new subgenre of dramas set during the holiday season that exposed the cracks and tension in a seemingly typical family.

The story is set in the fall, and on the surface, the Jarretts seem like an average American family living in a lovely suburban house near Chicago. Both parents, Calvin and Beth, seem to have a loving relationship with their son, Conrad. However, something is off — Conrad is too thin and nervous, Calvin is overly anxious, and Beth’s smile seems a bit too strained. It’s slowly revealed that they are all still grappling with the loss of Buck, Calvin and Beth’s eldest son, whose death led Conrad to attempt suicide in the recent past.

Ordinary People may not be a feel-good film, but it’s not a downer either. Redford allows his characters to deal with grief in their own ways, leading to a conclusion that is hopeful and open-ended. Thanksgiving holidays are seldom perfect, and Ordinary People serves as a good reminder of the old saying, “Count your blessings.”

Ordinary People is available for streaming on Sling TV.

The Ice Storm (1997)

Even though I wasn’t born in 1973, watching The Ice Storm feels like stepping into a time machine. This 1997 drama by Ang Lee is a vivid snapshot of a specific era when the counterculture was just beginning to infiltrate suburbia, President Nixon’s criminal actions were making headlines, and toe socks were the latest fashion trend. It’s also a period of strife for the Carvers and the Hoods, two neighboring families in a well-off Connecticut town, who share more than just recipes and homework tips.

The Ice Storm unfolds during the Thanksgiving holidays, providing Lee a tight timeframe to explore two families grappling with a cultural shift they know little about and sexual emotions they don’t know how to handle. Stellar performances from Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Tobey Maguire, Christina Ricci, and Elijah Wood, coupled with a haunting score by Mychael Danna, make this film unforgettable.

The Ice Storm is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video.

Steel Magnolias (1989)

Steel Magnolias is often associated with the summer season as it begins and ends in that time. However, there’s a significant portion of the film that takes place during the holidays. Moreover, it’s an excellent drama to enjoy at any time of the year, thanks to the outstanding performances by Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Darryl Hannah, Shirley MacLaine, and Olympia Dukakis.

These strong personalities bring life to Steel Magnolias. Originally a stage play set in a single location, the film focuses on a close-knit group of friends in Louisiana who experience the wedding, married life, and motherhood of young Shelby (Roberts). But life is not always sunshine and rainbows. Tragedy and heartbreak test the mental fortitude of these steel magnolias.

While the 1989 film isn’t subtle, it’s a humorous and complex portrayal of female friendship that hasn’t been matched since its release. A year before her breakout role in Pretty Woman, Roberts demonstrated the star quality that would endure for decades. Field delivers her usual serious and stern performance that perfectly suits her character’s caring and overbearing mother role. MacLaine steals the show with her endearing and honest portrayal of her character Ouiser, a grumpy yet lovable old lady.

Steel Magnolias is available for free streaming on Pluto TV.

The Family Stone (2005)

It may be a bit of a stretch to term The Family Stone as a great drama, in fact, it’s debatable whether it’s even good. However, it certainly is entertaining, and it will make you appreciate your own family even more. This is because the Stones are genuinely terrible people. The film fails to acknowledge this, instead, portraying the affluent New England family as paragons of liberal purity. Yet they all behave horribly towards Meredith (a stern Sarah Jessica Parker), a city dweller who dares to ask sensible questions, shuns the constant wearing of flannel, and clears her throat when she’s anxious.

Meredith hopes to marry Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney), the eldest son of the family. Although it’s clear that they are not a good match, it’s also evident that the Stones dislike anyone who doesn’t fit into their narrow worldview. Meredith, being a career woman, is seen as someone who needs “fixing” by the Stones. They encourage her to let her hair down, act silly, and perhaps even cheat on Everett with his brother, Ben (Luke Wilson)? And Ben is no catch: he displays his arousal to Meredith in a weird and passive-aggressive way early on and doesn’t seem to have any ambitions apart from being a “cool” guy.

So, why am I suggesting this movie? Because it’s interesting to side with the film’s perceived “antagonist.” Even though Meredith eventually conforms to the ways of the flannel-clad clan in the second half, the film’s obsession with pairing everyone up (since being single apparently equals death) and its blatant use of the “Dying Woman” cliché popularized by Ali MacGraw in Love Story make it strangely fascinating. Do such people exist in real life? And if they do, what do they make of films like The Family Stone?

The Family Stone is available for streaming on Hulu and Peacock.