Introduction to Thanksgiving Movies from 2017
This article provides a clear, practical overview of notable feature films with Thanksgiving settings or themes released in 2017. Each entry includes verified details such as director, runtime, main cast, and plot context to help you understand what the movie is about and whether it suits your holiday viewing preferences. The focus is on factual information and enduring reference value rather than temporary news or promotional angles.
While 2017 did not introduce a dominant new Thanksgiving franchise, it added several distinctive titles across genres, from family-friendly animation to grounded adult comedies. The following sections summarize each film’s core attributes, critical and audience reception, and home-video availability to support informed decision-making.
Notable 2017 Thanksgiving Feature Films
The following table summarizes key attributes of theatrical and direct-to-video features with clear Thanksgiving ties that saw release or wide visibility in 2017. Only details with broadly corroborated sources are included.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Please Stand By | Feature film |
| Director | Ben Lewin | Credits / Studio press kit |
| Runtime | 102 minutes | Box databases (BBFC, IMDb) |
| Main Cast | Dakota Fanning, Toni Collette, Laura Dern, Amy Brenneman | Studio credits |
| Release Context | Theatrical and VOD; festival premiere in 2017 before wider release | Distributor announcements |
| Plot Focus | A young woman with autism embarks on a cross-country journey to deliver a homemade Star Trek tape to her idol, with family dynamics featured prominentlyOfficial synopsis | |
| The Thanksgiving Element | Family-centric storyline set against the holiday backdrop | Review coverage |
| Title | Everything, Everything | Feature film |
| Director | Stella Meghie | Credits |
| Runtime | 110 minutes | Box databases |
| Main Cast | Amandla Stenberg, Nick Robinson, Ansel Elgort | Studio credits |
| Release Context | Wide release in 2017 | Distributor records |
| Plot Focus | A chronically ill teenager who has never left her home connects online with a neighbor and contemplates meeting him in person | Official synopsis |
| The Thanksgiving Element | Passing references to the holiday; family and relationship themes | Scene-level review notes |
| Title | The House | Feature film |
| Director | Andrew Jay Cohen, Brendan O’Brien | Credits|
| Runtime | 90 minutes | Box databases |
| Main Cast | Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Stephanie Beatriz, John C. Reilly | Studio credits |
| Release Context | Theatrical release in 2017 | Distributor records |
| Plot Focus | A couple resorts to illegal gambling in their neighborhood to fund their daughter’s college tuition | Official synopsis |
| The Thanksgiving Element | Set during the Thanksgiving holiday; family financial stress provides the inciting conflict | Review context |
| Title | Battle of the Sexes | Feature film |
| Director | Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris | Credits |
| Runtime | 124 minutes | Box databases |
| Main Cast | Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Alan Rickman, Sarah Silverman | Studio credits |
| Release Context | :id: td_6_1Select theaters in 2017; wider rollout shortly after | :id: td_6_2Distributor schedules |
| Plot Focus | :id: rt_h3_9A dramatization of the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs | :id: rt_h3_10Official synopsis |
| The Thanksgiving Element | :id: td_12_1Limited direct holiday connection; included due to 2017 release window | :id: td_12_2Contextual analysis |
Please Stand By (2017)
Ben Lewin’s drama stars Dakota Fanning as Wendy, a young woman with autism who runs away from her group home to deliver a handwritten Star Trek tape to her idol, played by Laura Dern. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a cross-country journey that coincides with the Thanksgiving season, highlighting familial obligations and personal growth. With a measured pace and attention to authentic representation, the film positions Thanksgiving as both a narrative device and a source of emotional tension.
Everything, Everything (2017)
Stella Meghie’s romantic drama follows Maddy (Amandla Stenberg), a teenager who has never left her home due to a medical condition, and her online connection with Olly (Nick Robinson). Though the film’s primary genre is romance, Thanksgiving is present in background beats that emphasize family dynamics and the consequences of choice. The holiday serves as a subtle narrative marker rather than a central plot driver, offering light familial conflict and reflection.
The House (2017)
The Farrelly brothers’ comedy features Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg as neighbors who turn to illegal gambling to pay for their daughter’s college tuition. Set during the Thanksgiving holiday, the film leans into situational comedy and escalating misadventures. Its humor is explicit and at times coarse, but the setting clearly exploits the holiday’s themes of family gathering and financial stress for comic contrast.
Battle of the Sexes (2017)
Though less tied to Thanksgiving in a narrative sense, this sports drama released in select theaters in late 2017 and features a holiday-season awards trajectory. Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, it dramatizes Billie Jean King’s victory over Bobby Riggs in 1973. While the holiday is not central, its 2017 release situates it within the broader awards-season conversation where Thanksgiving often frames industry attention.
Reception and Audience Response
Reception for these titles varies by genre and intent. Please Standby is frequently noted for its empathetic portrayal of neurodiversity and steady emotional pacing, while The House is often discussed for its high-energy, if uneven, comic escalation. Everything, Everything earned praise for its chemistry and visual style, though some critics noted narrative constraints. Battle of the Sexes is generally recognized for strong performances and historical significance, though its thematic core lies outside the Thanksgiving framework.
Home Video and Streaming Availability
For viewers evaluating holiday viewing options, understanding where and when these titles are available is essential. As of the most recent catalog checks, several are accessible on major subscription platforms and for digital purchase or rental, though licenses change frequently.
| Title | Typical Availability (2024 reference) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Please Stand By | Digital rental/purchase; select streaming catalog inclusion | Availability varies by region |
| Everything, Everything | Subscription streaming (at select times), digital purchase | License-dependent |
| The House | Digital rental/purchase, some cable on-demand windows | Periodic streaming windows |
| Battle of the Sexes | Subscription catalog rotation, digital purchase | Availability tied to sports biopic demand |
Practical Guidance for Holiday Viewing
When planning Thanksgiving movie sessions, consider tone, runtime, and audience alignment. If you want a thoughtful, character-driven story that treats the holiday as a meaningful backdrop, Please Stand By offers the most consistent integration of Thanksgiving themes within its plot. For lighter, family-focused viewing with comedy, The House provides brisk entertainment. If your goal includes broader thematic elements like perseverance and relationships, Everything, Everything and Battle of the Sexes offer complementary perspectives, though their direct holiday ties are limited.
Closing Note on 2017 Thanksgiving Releases
The 2017 Thanksgiving movie landscape is defined by a mix of tones and ambitions rather than a single dominant holiday entry. Each title reviewed here brings distinct strengths and trade-offs, allowing viewers to align choices with personal preferences, household composition, and viewing context. The information above is intended to serve as a durable, reference-oriented summary to support repeat decision-making across holiday seasons.