The Best Thanksgiving Day Marathons to Watch on TV This Year

The Best Thanksgiving Day Marathons to Watch on TV This Year

As someone who’s been through more Thanksgivings than I can count, let me tell you that this list is a game-changer! From timeless classics like The Godfather and Yellowstone to modern favorites such as Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory, there’s something for everyone. And if you’re still debating whether to watch The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings, why not do both? After all, it’s Thanksgiving, a time to indulge!


No matter if you spend the holiday season with loved ones by roasting a turkey or watching it on TV, there’s always an option for enjoyment. For some, it might be sticking to tradition by watching the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and The National Dog Show on NBC. Others may prefer cheering for their favorite football team on FOX, or indulging in various TV marathons. Movie enthusiasts can enjoy classics like Planes, Trains & Automobiles, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Yellowstone throughout the day on networks such as CMT, E!, and Paramount Network.

Tonight’s main event is packed with excitement: we’ve got a spellbinding Harry Potter Movie Marathon, a thrilling Jurassic Park series marathon, and much more! Planning your perfect movie and TV marathon is just like deciding what dishes to serve for Thanksgiving dinner, as there are numerous choices available. For the complete schedule of our Thanksgiving Day lineup, check below.

Movie Marathons

Harry Potter – USA Network

The Best Thanksgiving Day Marathons to Watch on TV This Year

Among all movie series, none emphasizes the value of family and companionship more than Harry Potter. No matter where one originates, the magical world is always welcoming to everyone at its gatherings.

The marathon starts at 7:00 AM Eastern Time on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th, featuring “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”. It continues until Black Friday where it ends at 4:40 PM ET with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2”.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles – CMT

The Best Thanksgiving Day Marathons to Watch on TV This Year

Welcome to the CMT Marathon, may I help you? The Steve Martin, John Candy comedy has been a Thanksgiving staple since 1987 and has been warming hearts for years with its slapstick comedy and memorable moments.

CMT will begin its run of Planes, Trains & Automobiles at 11:00 AM ET and repeat until 10:15 PM ET.

Christmas Classics – TNT

The Best Thanksgiving Day Marathons to Watch on TV This Year

Some think it’s premature to celebrate Christmas, but others view Thanksgiving as the ideal moment to kick off the festive mood. If you’re among those eager to welcome the winter season, TNT offers some fantastic movies that will get you in the holiday spirit!

From 9:00 AM Eastern Time onwards, the channel will broadcast Fred Claus. At 11:30 AM ET, they’ll play Elf, followed by another showing of both movies. Then, starting at 6:00 PM ET, they’ll kick off a 24-hour marathon featuring National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Jurassic Park – HBO

The Best Thanksgiving Day Marathons to Watch on TV This Year

As a cinema aficionado, I highly recommend setting aside some moments on Thanksgiving Day to rekindle your connection with the timeless film series: Jurassic Park. It might seem unusual for such films to be in vogue during this season, yet life’s resilience has an uncanny way of making things relevant. So, let us pay tribute to the indomitable spirit of dinosaurs and cinema alike!

The marathon starts at 10:49 AM Eastern Time, kicking off with the first movie, and concludes with “Jurassic World” at 4:45 PM Eastern Time.

Marvel – FX

The Best Thanksgiving Day Marathons to Watch on TV This Year

During this season, well-known franchise series seem to join us for a meal, and it appears that Marvel is one of the guests. Unlike regular action flicks, the films being highlighted in this instance place emphasis on the value of family and friendships.

The marathon begins at 7:00 AM, followed by screenings of the Thor trilogy (Thor, Thor: Dark World, and Thor: Love and Thunder). At 2:30 PM Eastern Time, there will be a showing of Guardians of the Galaxy. The event concludes at 5:00 PM ET with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

It’s a Wonderful Life – E! Network

The Best Thanksgiving Day Marathons to Watch on TV This Year

On colder days, people seek comfort and warmth by enjoying the heartwarming 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life”. This timeless classic has become an integral part of Thanksgiving traditions due to its theme of gratitude – a perfect reflection of the holiday spirit.

E! will begin its marathon at 12:00 PM ET and continue until 9:00 PM ET.

The Godfather Trilogy – AMC Network

The Best Thanksgiving Day Marathons to Watch on TV This Year

Avoid dishonoring your family during Thanksgiving by skipping out on a timeless classic. After all, “The Godfather” is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, and since it features some scenes set around the holiday period, it provides an ideal opportunity to watch it.

Starting from 9:00 AM Eastern Time on the 29th, we’ll be screening “The Godfather” followed immediately by “The Godfather: Part II”, and wrapping up the trilogy with “The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone” at 2:00 AM ET.

The Hobbit Trilogy – Syfy Network

The Best Thanksgiving Day Marathons to Watch on TV This Year

Just like I find a deep connection with Harry Potter, there are many viewers who cherish franchises that hold special significance for them. Watching these movies offers a joyful experience when spent with family, and it’s a great way to refresh our memories before the upcoming release of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

The trilogy kicks off at 12:57 PM Eastern Time with “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and runs until 8:00 PM ET, concluding with a screening of “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”.

TV Showings

Yellowstone – Paramount Network

The Best Thanksgiving Day Marathons to Watch on TV This Year

As Part 2 of Yellowstone Season 5 begins airing, fans might find it appealing to revisit the initial episodes (or catch up if they’ve forgotten). Starting in 2021, Paramount Network established a yearly custom of broadcasting the entire series from the start on Thanksgiving Day.

Starting at 9:00 AM Eastern Time, Paramount will kick off a continuous marathon of the TV show “Yellowstone” starting from the first episode of Season 1 titled “Daybreak”. The marathon will run until December 1st when the latest episode is scheduled to premiere at 8:00 PM ET.

Thanksgiving TV Episodes – TBS

The Best Thanksgiving Day Marathons to Watch on TV This Year

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share some fantastic news with fellow sitcom lovers! Instead of spending hours searching through streaming platforms for every Thanksgiving episode, TBS has thoughtfully collected all the themed episodes from Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, and Friends, just for us! Enjoy these classic moments of laughter and nostalgia.

The episodes of “Modern Family” start at 10:00 AM, followed by “Friends” at 12:30 PM, while “The Big Bang Theory” concludes the lineup at 6:00 PM Eastern Time.

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2024-11-27 19:10