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Studios have circled Thanksgiving in red on their calendars for years now, saving some of their biggest releases to take advantage of the long weekend. While many may be busy planning their menus, figuring out travel schedules, or bracing for that one relative’s questionable opinions, there’s another part of the holiday tradition we can’t ignore, movies.
With five days to fill, families and friends have flocked to theaters to laugh, cry, or cheer together. And in the spirit of that tradition, we are ranking the top 20 Thanksgiving weekend movies based on their gross earnings.
20Knives Out (2019)
A Thanksgiving murder mystery that’s as sharp as its title, Knives Out was an absolute treat. Directed byRian Johnson, this film doubles as a sharp critique of class and privilege in modern America. The story begins with the death of Harlan Thrombey, a famed mystery writer, found with his throat slit in what looks like a suicide. Enter Benoit Blanc, a detective with a southern drawl and a flair for the dramatic.
As Blanc interviews Harlan’s dysfunctional family—each a suspect with their own secrets—the film unfolds into a wildly entertaining mix of mystery, humor, and biting social critique. With anopening weekend grossof $26.7 million domestically and a total gross of $165.4 million, its $7,734 per theater average made a good case for word-of-mouth appeal.
19Encanto (2021)
Finding a movie that brings the whole family together during the holidays might just be as tricky as perfecting your grandma’s stuffing recipe. Disney, in 2021, delivered a delightful option withEncanto. The film introduces us to the Madrigals, a family blessed with magical gifts—like controlling the weather or talking to animals—all tied to their enchanted house, or casita. But not everyone in the family is gifted, and that’s where Mirabel comes in.
Mirabel is the only Madrigal without a special power, which doesn’t go unnoticed by her judgmental Abuela Alma. Directed by Jared Bush, Byron Howard, and Charise Castro Smith,Encantoavoids villains, focusing instead on self-discovery and the immigrant experience. The animation and intricate details of Colombian culture shine brightly, even ifLin-Manuel Miranda’ssongs don’t quite hit the highs ofMoanaorHamilton. Still, with its charm and heart,Encantois a magical holiday pick for all ages.
Though its opening weekend was a modest $27.2 million, with a total gross of $96.1 million domestically, the film’s cultural impact and subsequent streaming success have secured its place as a modern classic.
18Back to the Future Part II (1989)
Back to the Future Part IIis a goofy ride, so tangled in its own paradoxes that even the characters spend half the movie explaining what’s going on. Honestly, a legal pad might have been helpful for keeping track of the plot’s various timelines.
With an opening weekend gross of $27.8 million(adjusted for inflation)and a total gross of $118.5 million domestically, this sequel reunites Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown as they try to fix the future without completely breaking time.
DirectorRober Zemeckisand writer Bob Gale pile on the zaniness, from a dystopian future ruled by billionaire Biff to Marty juggling multiple versions of himself. WhilePart IIdoesn’t capture the heartfelt charm of the original, it leans into its screwball energy and delivers an enjoyable, albeit dizzying, spectacle, with an impressive per-theater average of $14,925.
17Toy Story (1995)
Pixar’s debut feature revolutionized animation and introduced the world to Woody and Buzz Lightyear.For kids, Toy Story is pure entertainment. For adults, meanwhile, it’s a technical marvel, being the first feature film made entirely with computer animation.
The film’s three-dimensional spaces and dynamic perspectives offer fresh freedoms, like the scene where Buzz leaps and loops through a bedroom in defiance of gravity. It’s all thanks to director John Lasseter’s team and a staggering 800,000 hours of computing power. It paid dividends at the box office too, with a domestic Thanksgiving weekend gross of $29.1 million and a total of $191.8 million
16The Muppets (2011)
There’s something irresistibly charming about the Muppets’ sheer tenacity. Animal doesn’t need an excuse to drum, Gonzo hurls himself into danger without hesitation, and Kermit—the only one of Jim Henson’s creations with a touch of introspection—never gives up on his band of misfits, no matter how dire the circumstances. Whether there’s an audience or not, the show must go on.
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It’s this boundless optimism (and a lot of nostalgia) that co-writersJason Segeland Nicholas Stoller lean on in this long-awaited revival of the franchise, which came 12 years after the Muppets’ last big-screen outing.
With an opening weekend gross of $29.2 million, and a total gross of $88.6 million, the film brims with cheerful musical numbers, courtesy ofFlight of the Conchords’Bret McKenzie, and humor that lands with genuine charm. Cynicism is left at the door, and this is a world where felt and foam win over real-world concerns.
15Creed (2015)
A heartfelt continuation of theRockyfranchise,Creedintroduced audiences to AdonisCreed,played byMichael B. Jordan. Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film follows Adonis, the son of Apollo Creed, as he seeks mentorship from Rocky Balboa to become a boxer.
Creedexplores themes of loss and legacy, with Rocky’s personal struggles and Adonis’ search for identity at its core. Coogler blends intimate character development with Stallone’s grounded performance. Jordan’s portrayal of Donnie is compelling, while Tessa Thompson’s Bianca adds agency. The final scene, set at the Philadelphia Museum, is also a stunning emotional payoff.
Despite the familiar structure of aRockyfilm—with the humble underdog, a mentor, and a climactic fight—Creedoffers more freshness and bagged $29.6 million at the box office on opening weekend, eventually totaling $109.8 million.
14Unbreakable (2000)
Unbreakablebrought one of the firstgrounded takesto the superhero genre. It is a quiet film that asks a simple question:“How many days of your life have you been sick?” David Dunn, a security guard, doesn’t know the answer. He’s recently survived a horrific train crash that killed everyone else on board—without a scratch. That’s strange, right?
After this, David is contacted by Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), a man who’s been sick his whole life, plagued by fragile bones. Elijah believes if there’s someone like him, fragile and broken, then there must be someone else at the other end of the spectrum—someone unbreakable.
Directed byM. Night Shyamalan, the film lets conversations drive the story, and the tension builds slowly as David questions his place in the world. With an opening weekend gross of $30.3 million, this slow-burning, suspenseful tale left a lasting impression on Thanksgiving audiences and collected $95.0 million in total.
13Four Christmases (2008)
Released in November 2008,Four Christmaseswas a surprise hit, grossing over $120.1 million worldwide despite harsh criticism. It enjoyed a Thanksgiving weekend collection of $31.1 million, and there’s a case to be made for it.
The chemistry between Vaughn andWitherspoonwas undeniably fun. Their characters, Brad and Kate, are a couple trying to avoid the holiday family chaos but end up stuck with four different Christmas celebrations. With scenes like role-playing and thepublic bathroom stuff, the film doesn’t shy away from being risqué—and that’s what makes it stand out.
12A Bug’s Life (1998)
Pixar’s second feature took audiences to the world of insects.A Bug’s Lifeis about an inventive but clumsy ant who accidentally causes trouble for his colony by spilling their food offering meant for the grasshoppers, the tyrants who control them. One panicked worker yells,“Where’s the line?” and rescue workers quickly respond, guiding them around the left. It’s a funny moment.
Desperate to fix his mistake, Flik heads out to find mercenaries to defend the colony but ends up recruiting a troupe of circus bugs instead. Pixar, by this time, had already broken ground withToy Story(1995) only built on it withA Bug’s Life. With an opening weekend gross of $33.3 million, and despite the release ofAntzonly a month earlier,A Bug’s Lifemade $162.8 million at the domestic box office.
Perhaps, some of it could be attributed to the film’s textured greens giving us a true sense of being in an insect’s shoes, or, well, antennae.
11101 Dalmatians (1996)
This live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic introduced a delightfully villainous Cruella de Vil. The plot is straightforward, with a sweet love story between Roger’s Dalmatian, Pongo, and Anita’s dog, Perdy. The chemistry between the two human characters is pleasant and genuine, but the heart of the story should have belonged to the dogs. Instead, it shifts toward human-driven drama, with Cruella scheming to make a Dalmatian fur coat from the puppies that Pongo and Perdy have.
What the movie does well is capture a warm, almost innocent dynamic between Roger and Anita. They seem like the perfect, wholesome couple, and their relationship is a lot of fun to watch. The Dalmatian puppies are undeniably adorable, and for kids, that’s a big draw – attributing to its $33.5 million opening at the box office around Thanksgiving weekend and $136.2 million total collection.
For adults, however, the movie falls a bit flat. While it’s not as off-putting asJingle All the Way, it doesn’t have the same level of charm as the original animated classic. It’s more on par withBeethoven, the dog-centered comedy, than with the Disney classics we know and love. If you’re a fan of fur coats, you might want to leave them at home for this one.
10Enchanted (2007)
Amy Adams’charm is rarely hidden. So, it comes as no surprise that she continued to captivate audiences inEnchanted, where she plays Giselle, a princess, and relies entirely on her natural livability.
Giselle, meanwhile, is the perfect animated princess—she sings beautifully and befriends birds, flowers, chipmunks, and even roaches (who are put to work cleaning bathtubs). But, as fate would have it, her magical world is upended when the evil Queen Narissa banishes Giselle to the far-off land of New York City. The movie shifts from animation to live-action here, a setup that allowsEnchantedto balance the idealism of fairy tales with the challenges of urban life.
Grossing $34.4 million on its opening weekend, totaling around $127.8 million, the film benefits from the expertise of director Kevin Lima, who previously worked onTarzanandA Goofy Movie, and the songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, both familiar names in Disney’s animated musical legacy take it one step further.
9Creed II (2018)
Creed II definitely falls into the“bigger and louder”trap that many sequels do, but it still manages to stay true to what made the first movie great—its focus on the characters. It’s still about the legacy of the father being passed down to the son, butCreed IIalso leans into fan service by revisiting theRocky IVstoryline with Apollo and Ivan Drago’s sons facing off.
While the action is intense and there’s a killer training montage, it kind of misses the political edgeRocky IVhad. What really makesCreed IIshine, though, is the chemistry between Jordan and Thompson. Their relationship is the heart of the movie, and even though some moments are predictable, it still hits hard.
Creed II also relished at the box office, with a strong $35.6 million opening on Thanksgiving weekend culminating in a total gross of $115.7 million by the end of its run.
8The Good Dinosaur (2015)
Over the years, Pixar has delivered both incredible hits (say,Toy Story, Ratatouille, Inside Out) and some less inspired efforts (ahem,Cars). Their best films take a simple concept and build it into something rich.The Good Dinosaur, however, struggled to find its footing after introducing a rather fascinating premise.
What if the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs missed Earth, allowing them to survive and evolve? Fast forward millions of years, and we meet Arlo, a timid young apatosaurus trying to find his place in his family’s farming life. After a tragic accident and a run-in with a feral human boy named Spot, Arlo finds himself swept far from home. The unlikely duo embarks on a perilous journey back, facing natural threats, quirky dinos (like cowboy T-Rexes), and each other’s differences.
Pixar’sThe Good Dinosaurmay not have reached the critical heights of its predecessors, but the box office collection would have likely inverted any frowns – an opening weekend gross of $39.2 million and $123.1 million combined.
7Tangled (2010)
Disney’sTangledwas a modern take on the classic Rapunzel story and somehow became the most expensive animated movie ever made at the time. Rapunzel is no damsel in distress—she’s curious, spunky, and itching to see the world beyond her tower. But her overprotective“mother”has convinced her the outside is too dangerous. Everything changes when Flynn Rider, a smooth-talking thief, literally drops into her life.
The movie is gorgeous—vivid landscapes, glowing lanterns, and some seriously dazzling animation. Kids will crack up over the frying pan slapstick, but there’s depth here for adults.Tangledmight not be Disney’s biggest hit, but it made an impressive $48.8 million on its opening weekend, and approximately $200.8 million combined. It’s a fun, feel-good film and has now become a Thanksgiving favorite.
6Coco (2017)
Pixar’sCocois all about Miguel – a 12-year-old boy with big dreams of becoming a musician—despite his family’s mysterious, generations-old ban on music. Directed by Lee Unkrich(Toy Story 3)and Adrian Molina, the film feels authentically Mexican—not from an outsider’s view, but as if Pixar created a parallel“Pixar Mexico”studio. And yes, being Pixar, it’s going to sneak-attack your tear ducts.
The story kicks off in Miguel’s small town of Santa Cecilia. Miguel idolizes legendary singer Ernesto de la Cruz, who tragically died under a falling bell. Miguel’s affinity for music and guitar playing, however, is strictly forbidden by his family, thanks to a great-great-grandfather who abandoned them to chase stardom.
Determined to prove himself, Miguel stumbles into the Land of the Dead, where he teams up with a lovable trickster skeleton, Hector. Cue adventures, skeleton disguises, and a race against time to uncover family secrets and make it back to the living.
Making $50.8 million domestically at the Thanksgiving weekend, and a total gross of $210.5 million, Coco unfolds beautifully, with surprises tied to a torn family photo that reveals truths when least expected. And the visuals? Stunning. From the colorful Land of the Dead to Dante, the Xolo dog, it is darn enjoyable through and through.
5Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
Picking up six years after the first film, Ralph is loving his simple life as the arcade bad guy by day and Vanellope’s best friend by night. Vanellope, however, is craving more excitement. Trying to help, Ralph creates a new track in her game, Sugar Rush, but things go sideways when this surprise leads to the arcade machine breaking. With Sugar Rush now at risk of being unplugged, Ralph and Vanellope step into the internet to find a replacement steering wheel.
Fans of the first film hoping for more video game cameos might be let down—aside from a few returning characters,Ralph Breaks the Internetfocuses on introducing new web personalities. From Shank, a tough racer (voiced byGal Gadot), to Yesss, a trendy algorithm tracking viral videos, and KnowsMore, a quirky search engine with hyperactive autofill, the new cast is charming, if a bit shallow.
Boasting an opening weekend gross of $56.2 million, and a total of $201.1 million, what truly shines in the movie are the endless cameos and visual gags. While it doesn’t hit the nostalgic highs of the first film, it’s still packed with laughs, offering enough to entertain kids and keep adults amused. If Disney ever combines the video game nostalgia ofWreck-It Ralphwith the digital world of this sequel for a third installment, it would be plenty worthwhile.
4Moana (2016)
Moana, Disney’s 56th animated film, follows the titular Moana, the brave and kind daughter of the chief of Motunui, torn between her duty to her island and her fascination with the ocean. When her island’s way of life begins to falter due to the goddess Te Fiti losing her heart, Moana sets sail to find the demi-god Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and restore it.
Stunning animation and a brilliant soundtrack, yet again featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, elevate the overall experience. The emotional climax, where Moana embraces her duality as a leader and explorer, is a standout moment. Raking a whopping $56.6 million on Thanksgiving weekend, and a total of $248.8 million eventually,Moanabecame a strong stilt for a Disney that was struggling to kick-start its resurgence.
3Toy Story 2 (1999)
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year,Toy Story 2remains a near-perfect sequel and a testament to the Pixar juggernaut. Initially planned as a straight-to-video release,Toy Story 2wasn’t prioritized during Pixar’s focus onA Bug’s Life. Staffed by a downsized team and outside Pixar’s theatrical contract with Disney, it only became a cinema-bound project later, triggering a contractual shift that handed sequel rights to Disney.
Dissatisfied with the original script, John Lasseter and his team undertook a grueling eight-month rewrite and reanimation process under intense deadlines. Despite this, the film shines everywhere it needs to. $57.4 million domestically on its opening weekend and $245.9 million overall coupled with its seamless pacing and treatment of the script set a new benchmark for animated storytelling.
While the animation of humans hasn’t aged well, details like the two million dust particles on Woody’s shelf still remain awe-inspiring, and its record-breaking Thanksgiving weekend just shows the sheer popularity Pixar enjoyed in this space – even in 1999.
2Frozen (2013)
Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen,Frozenintroduces sisters Anna and Elsa, and how their childhood bond is severed when Elsa’s icy powers accidentally harm Anna. To protect them both, Elsa is isolated, leaving Anna lonely and confused.“Let It Go,”delivered with powerhouse emotion by Idina Menzel, is a standout moment of self-empowerment in the film.
Disney’sFrozenchampions sisterhood and individuality but tempers these ideas with familiar tropes like dashing princes and comedic sidekicks, ensuring mass appeal and merchandising potential.
It’s a tried and tested formula for the box office, and as it is apparent in this list, Pixar does it the best. Grossing $67.4 million on opening weekend, and reaching a domestic total of $400.7 million,Frozenbecame a cultural phenomenon ensuring its place in the Disney canon. The film’s Thanksgiving weekend performance was just the beginning of its record-breaking run.
1Moana 2 (2024)
Topping the list is Disney’s latest,Moana 2. (Yes, another Disney/Pixar film broke the record again, we know the drill). Set three years after the 2016 original, Moana is now a seasoned wayfinder with a personal bond with the ocean. Her plans to connect with other island communities have been a tough turkey, but a “prophetic” vision from the elders sets her on a new mission.
She assembles a quirky crew, including her trusty pig and chicken sidekicks, plus a starry-eyed fan, an inventive axe-wielding girl, and a grumpy farmer. Together, they journey to rescue Maui, who is inexplicably trapped in a bat cave deep inside a giant monster clam.
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Originally planned as a Disney+ series, the film fits surprisingly well in the big-screen format, even if some background details feel a bit rushed. Its $135.5 million domestic collection on Thanksgiving weekend would suggest otherwise.(It’s almost equal to the total earnings of #20 on this list, Knives Out). So far,Moana 2has made a total of $221.0 million and will likely continue to break more records in the upcoming week.
Jayant Chhabra
Articles Published :123
Jayant Chhabra is a long-form writer and Creative Producer, who has worked with several renowned publications and production houses. Yet, there’s more to Jayant than meets the word count. You’ll find him cheering for the Red Devils, trying to produce music, or yet again being enamoured by the countless films, essays, and books that he holds close to his heart.
