It’s the most wonderful time of the year — when families get together to celebrate Thanksgiving and crash in front of the TV once the tryptophan sets in. But picking a movie that’s fun for everyone can be tough when there’s a large age range.
What’s simultaneously enjoyable for Grandma, your toddler cousin and your moody 15-year-old nephew? Here’s your gobbler’s guide to essential streaming.
Big films
“The Irishman” | Netflix
Finally streaming as of Wednesday, Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” is an epic crime drama boasting a murderers’ row of talent, starting with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. Spanning the 1950s to the 1970s, the plot follows Frank Sheeran (De Niro), a truck driver who becomes entangled with a crime family and union boss Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino).
“Dolemite Is My Name” | Netflix
This comedic biopic stars Eddie Murphy as the real-life filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore, known for creating “Dolemite,” a character seen in his stand-up routines and 1970s films. Chris Rock, Keegan-Michael Key and Wesley Snipes co-star.
Family-friendly fare (if you have young kids)
“Lady and the Tramp” | Disney+
This year’s live-action adaptation of the classic 1955 animated film sees Justin Theroux and Tessa Thompson voicing the star-crossed canine canoodlers. And the stars of the film are real dogs!
“Klaus” | Netflix
An animated Christmas comedy with Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones and Joan Cusack providing voices, the plot follows Jesper, a postman in a town in the far North who befriends Klaus, a toymaker. The movie is Netflix’s first original animated film.
“Shazam!” | HBO Go
If you missed it in theaters, catch “Shazam!” on HBO Go starting Saturday. The most family-friendly superhero movie, “Shazam!” follows Billy Batson/Shazam (Zachary Levi), a troubled boy who’s given powers by a wizard, enabling him to grow into an adult with special powers.
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“Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride” | Hulu
Tim Burton’s classic 2005 musical follows Victor (Johnny Depp), a young man in Victorian England who accidentally becomes entangled with Emily (Helena Bonham Carter), a zombie bride.
For teens and older
“Crazy, Stupid, Love” | HBO Go
The heartwarming 2011 rom-com starring Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling as a hapless romantic and a smooth-talking playboy who learn from each other is currently streaming.
“Booksmart” | Hulu
A whip-smart tale of friendship that’s been hailed as a female “Superbad,” this movie is a fun ride — but be warned that it’s raunchy, so it’s not for a younger crowd.
“Brittany Runs a Marathon” | Amazon Prime
Follows Brittany Forgler (Jillian Bell), a New Yorker whose doctor says she must lose weight. An uplifting story about personal transformation.
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“Us” | HBO Go
Jordan Peele’s follow-up to his breakout hit “Get Out” explores the dark side of a happy American upper-middle-class family, starring Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o and “Black Panther” star Winston Duke.
Holiday fun!
“The Knight Before Christmas” | Netflix
This goofy holiday movie stars Vanessa Hudgens as a teacher who falls for a medieval knight who time-travels to the present day. It’s just bonkers enough to be a blast.
“The Polar Express” | Amazon Prime
This 2004 Yuletide classic about a young boy on a mysterious train ride to visit Santa Claus is now streaming.
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“Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas” | Hulu
Set between “Ice Age” installments “Dawn of the Dinosaurs” and “Continental Drift,” this 2011 movie follows the animated gang Manny (Ray Romano), Sid (John Leguizamo), Diego (Denis Leary), Ellie (Queen Latifah) and others as they celebrate Christmas.
“Bad Santa” | Amazon Prime
The 2003 Billy Bob Thornton classic about an alcoholic, thieving mall Santa is currently streaming.
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