holiday movies

7 Holiday Movies To Watch On Apple TV In November 2023

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As we count down the days in the final quarter of 2023, there’s always a renewed sense of joy during the holiday season. So much has happened throughout the year, so it’s no surprise that individuals and families look forward to experiencing the holiday cheer. Over the years, streaming services have increasingly made movies more accessible for some at-home viewing pleasure.

In a period when movies significantly contribute to the holiday magic, viewers are immensely grateful for streaming services like Apple TV Plus. With an ever-growing catalog, Apple TV Plus has an impressive selection of holiday movies available to stream. While their holiday catalog may not yet be as extensive as the likes of Netflix, they certainly have more than enough to get you through 2023. Here’s a list of seven of the best holiday movies available on Apple TV Plus right now.

7. Son In Law (1993)

Directed by Steve Rash, Son in Law revolves around Crawl (played by Pauly Shore), a free-spirited and unconventional college student. After befriending small-town girl Rebecca Warner during her first year of college, she invites him to her family’s farm for the Thanksgiving break. While there, Crawl, with his unique and eccentric personality, introduces the Warners to his laidback California style. Crawl’s unconventional behavior initially takes aback the conservative Warner family. However, as he spends more time with them, he gradually wins them over with his charm and humor. Son in Law is a lighthearted comedy that can certainly be enjoyed over Thanksgiving dinner.

6. A Family Thanksgiving (2010)

Daphne Zuniga and Faye Dunaway star in lead roles in this Hallmark Channel Original Movie. Claudia (Zuniga), a successful attorney, thinks she has the perfect life despite being a workaholic. So much so that when Thanksgiving comes, she plans to work through the holiday, making her subordinates work through it as well. With a critical work task, Claudia is feeling anything but the holiday spirit. As the story progresses, she meets a strange older woman (Dunaway) who mysteriously upends her entire life. Forced to live in a world she’d rather not be in, Claudia is initially frustrated. However, further down the story, she realizes that there are other things in life that she may appreciate more than her work. A Family Thanksgiving is one of the best holiday movies to see this November on Apple TV Plus.

5. Home For The Holidays (1995)

Jodie Foster’s Home for the Holidays follows Claudia Larson (played by Holly Hunter), a single mother who lives in Chicago. As Thanksgiving approaches, she faces a series of challenges, most notable among them being the loss of her job. After learning that her teenage daughter plans to spend Thanksgiving with her boyfriend, Claudia joins her family in Baltimore for the holiday. As the dysfunctional family reunites, tensions rise, secrets are revealed, and the holiday celebration takes unexpected turns. Filled with endearing, funny, and memorable moments, Home for the Holidays is another perfect film to watch this Thanksgiving.

4. The Ice Storm (1997)

Based on the 1994 novel of the same name, The Ice Storm is a drama film directed by veteran filmmaker Ang Lee. The film is set in 1973 and explores the lives of two dysfunctional suburban Connecticut families. Additionally, the story takes place during a Thanksgiving weekend marked by a severe ice storm. The star-studded ensemble cast features prominent names, including Sigourney Weaver, Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Christina Ricci, and Elijah Wood. The Ice Storm received positive reviews, and rightly so. While it’s not as lighthearted as some other holiday movies, it is certainly one of the most brilliant ones available on Apple TV Plus.

3. Spirited (2022)

This Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell-led musical comedy is a modern retelling of a classic done right. Taking on Charles Dickens’ iconic holiday story, A Christmas Carol, is no small feat, especially when there have been so many remakes over the years. Making the story feel exciting again seems like a herculean task, considering we’ve seen it so many times. However, Spirited is a successful attempt at a retelling and brings new life to the classic story. Featuring stellar comedic performances from its two leading men, this is definitely a movie you want to watch this holiday season.

2. Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner (1967)

Considered a groundbreaking film for its time, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner is more than just a holiday classic. Addressing the topic of interracial marriage openly and with sensitivity, it played a significant role in shaping conversations about race and relationships in the ‘60s. The story revolves around Joanna Dreyton (Katharine Houghton) and John Prentice (Sidney Poitier), an interracial couple who fall in love. Family dinners must be tough when one’s parents disapprove of their intended partner. Throughout the movie, the two have to fight for their love to triumph. The all-time holiday classic was praised and was a massive box office success.

1. Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

This movie follows the misadventures of Neal Page, a character hilariously portrayed by Steve Martin. Page is an uptight and stressed marketing executive trying to get home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. However, he unfortunately meets challenging circumstances at every turn. Neal’s journey becomes increasingly chaotic when he encounters Del Griffith (played by John Candy). Griffith is a well-meaning but overly talkative and clumsy shower curtain ring salesman. Despite their conflicting personalities, the pair reluctantly teams up to overcome the challenges and reach their destination. Loved by critics and audiences alike, this certainly ranks among the best holiday movies on Apple TV Plus.

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7 Holiday Movies To Watch On Prime Video In November 2023

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Holiday movies have always been a beloved genre, and Prime Video has them in abundance. These films often revolve around themes of love, family, friendship, and the spirit of giving. They also come in various forms, including romantic comedies, animated adventures, and heartwarming dramas. Admittedly, for some, these films are a guilty pleasure because they can be quite cliché. However, they are enjoyable regardless, and they have never lost their charm. 

With Halloween a not-so-distant memory, Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. Indeed, the most wonderful time of the year is nearly upon us. It’s also quite unbelievable that 2023 is almost at its end. Luckily, Prime Video subscribers have great films at their disposal. However, to get into the spirit of the season, here are some holiday movies on Prime Video to enjoy during Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

What’s Cooking? (2000)

What’s Cooking? is a comedy-drama film that offers a unique perspective on the Thanksgiving holiday. It depicts four diverse families from different ethnic backgrounds and explores how each family prepares for and celebrates Thanksgiving. Against the backdrop of the holiday, the movie delves into various themes, including cultural identity, family traditions, and the challenges of assimilation. Despite their unique set of struggles and challenges, each family comes together to prepare their Thanksgiving meals. Overall, What’s Cooking? offers a heartfelt and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of family life and cultural diversity. It should certainly make your watchlist for Thanksgiving this year.

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

The story behind the creation of Charles Dickens’s famous book A Christmas Carol is the basis for this biographical comedy-drama. Set in 1843, the movie follows the life of Dickens, played by Dan Stevens. He faces financial difficulties and struggles to develop a new literary success after a series of flops. Under pressure to deliver a hit, Dickens finds inspiration from people and events around him, eventually conceiving the idea for the book. As far as holiday movies go, this is arguably one of the best ones on Prime Video. The film is a heartwarming and whimsical piece that offers a delightful glimpse into the wonderfully creative mind of Charles Dickens. 

Lez Bomb (2018)

Lez Bomb is a sapphic comedy-drama that tells the tale of a young woman named Lauren. She returns home for Thanksgiving with the intention of coming out to her family, but things don’t quite go as planned. Lez Bomb was written and directed by Jenna Laurenzo, who also stars in the leading role of Lauren. The film balances its comedy with heartfelt moments and will make for a fun and relatable watch this Thanksgiving. In addition, it offers an interesting and comedic take on the coming-out experience. It also provides both entertaining and meaningful insight into the challenges faced by individuals trying to be open with their loved ones.  

The Best Man Holiday (2013)

The Best Man Holiday is the highly anticipated sequel to the 1999 film The Best Man. The movie reunites the ensemble cast, including Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Latham, and more. As old friendships are rekindled and new tensions arise, the group navigates through various challenges while on Christmas holiday. The Best Man Holiday is celebrated for its relatable characters and engaging storyline. Evidently, the cast was sorely missed together, as the film became a box office success! Furthermore, it excellently conveys the holiday atmosphere and will surely put you in the mood for Christmas. Presently, The Best Man Holiday is one of the must-see holiday movies on Prime Video.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

This stop-motion animated musical film created by Tim Burton is widely regarded as a holiday classic. It is one of a handful of films that pass the vibe check for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The movie follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who becomes bored with his annual routine. Subsequently, he stumbles upon Christmas Town and is captivated by the joy and cheerfulness of the holiday season. The Nightmare Before Christmas has gained a cult following over the years, deservedly so. Without a doubt, it is one of the best animated holiday movies on Prime Video.

Last Holiday (2006)

Queen Latifah is a rap icon but has also dominated the acting space excellently. Her performance in this movie is arguably one of her best ever. She portrays Georgia Byrd, a shy and introverted woman, and she nails the character perfectly. When she learns that she has a terminal illness and only a few weeks to live, Georgia’s life takes a dramatic, ironically positive turn. With her remaining time on earth, she decides to live life to the fullest without inhibitions. LL Cool J also stars in this heartwarming and inspirational film that encourages viewers to seize the moment and appreciate the beauty of life. 

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

Frank Capra’s holiday masterpiece is evergreen in every sense of the word. The movie stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a compassionate but frustrated businessman living in the small town of Bedford Falls. The story unfolds on Christmas Eve when George, feeling overwhelmed by financial difficulties and personal challenges, contemplates suicide. However, his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody (played by Henry Travers), intervenes. He goes on to show George what life in Bedford Falls would have been like if he had never been born.

The powerful message of the movie has rung true in the hearts of individuals and households every year since its initial release. It’s A Wonderful Life is a timeless classic and will continue to be cherished for a very long time. If there’s one movie on this list that you should make sure you watch, it’s this one. It sits atop the list of holiday movies available on Prime Video and even beyond.

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