I probably should have done this a bit earlier, but since Turkey Day is soon upon us, it’s time for me to do my part and guide you all to the watchable Thanksgiving Horror movies. There are plenty of articles out there covering these types of films, a lot of which contain movies that I don’t consider to be Thanksgiving Horror. Therefore, I figured I’d throw my hat into the ring with a list of my own.
Below are some picks that I either watch annually or I think are worth seeing at least once!
- Pilgrim– In an attempt to remind her family of their privilege and help them bond, Ms. Anna Barker invites Pilgrim reenactors to stay with them over Thanksgiving. When the “actors” refuse to break character, the Barker family learns that there is such a thing as too much gratitude. This is my tried and true all time favorite Thanksgiving horror film. I watch it every single year on Thanksgiving. It’s a little ridiculous and gory, which makes for a great watch between appetizers and dinner.
- Blood Rage– Twins Todd and Terry seem like sweet boys – that is, until one of them takes an axe to the face of a fellow patron at the local drive-in. It took a while for me to come around on Blood Rage. Now that I have it’s my annual Thanksgiving Eve watch. Of course, it’s my go-to while making my own cranberry sauce.
- The Last Thanksgiving– A family of cannibalistic pilgrims attacks a restaurant that stays open for Thanksgiving. This indie film is a ton of fun! Y’all know how much I enjoy cannibalism horror, and this delivers. I assure you, you won’t look at gravy the same after this one.
- Kristy– When a college girl who is alone on campus over the Thanksgiving break is targeted by a group of outcasts, she must conquer her deepest fears to outwit them and fight back. Admittedly, this isn’t my favorite Thanksgiving film. That said, if you want something a little meaner, this might be the one for you.
Alien Abduction: Incident in Lake County– After a mysterious blackout, a son goes out to investigate and captures footage of actual aliens. When the aliens follow him and his brothers back to their home, all hell breaks loose. This film was a remake of 1989’s The McPherson Tape. Like its predecessor, it can drag a bit in places but is still worth checking out. I included it because if you’re a fan of in-world camera, this is one of the groundbreaking films of the sub-genre. According to the director, Dean Alioto, it was the first-ever shot on digital video TV movie.
If you want something to listen to while you’re cooking, we’ve done a few Thanksgiving-inspired episodes of Final Girls Feast as well!
Now that you’ve seen my picks, I’ll leave you with a Thanksgiving Horror Letterboxd list so that you can find your own favorites! What Thanksgiving Horror films do you enjoy? Let me know your favorites in the comments below!