Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays for watching new movies in theaters. Some of the year's biggest films are released in late November, when families have time off and plenty of opportunity to go to the movies.
We're looking forward to all the things Thanksgiving represents: being with our families, loved ones, and friends for a good meal and a trip to the movies. This year, there's one big new movie opening during Thanksgiving week, but it's a pretty huge one — and there will be a lot of other big recent releases to watch in theaters over the long weekend, too!
New Movies In Theatres on Thanksgiving 2024
Moana 2
The only big new movie release for Thanksgiving is MOANA 2, but given how popular the original MOANA has been over the last few years, it's no surprise that every other studio is basically giving the seafaring heroine a whole week to herself this year. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. [November 27]
Movies Still in Theatres on Thanksgiving
In addition to the new Thanksgiving movie releases for 2024, many movies from earlier in November will still be in theaters. Here are just a few.
Gladiator II
From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people. [November 22]
Wicked
After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season. Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart. The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda's unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba's determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. [November 22]
Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.
As the world teeters on the brink of annihilation, Dietrich Bonhoeffer is swept into the epicenter of a deadly plot to assassinate Hitler. With his faith and fate at stake, Bonhoeffer must choose between upholding his moral convictions or risking it all to save millions of Jews from genocide. Will his shift from preaching peace to plotting murder alter the course of history or cost him everything? [November 22]
Red One
After a shocking abduction from the North Pole, Commander Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson) of the E.L.F. Task Force must team up with infamous bounty hunter Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans) to save Christmas. They are joined by Zoe Harlow (Lucy Liu) and Nick (J.K. Simmons) in a high-stakes adventure against the menacing Krampus (Kristofer Hivju). [November 15]
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Nobody is ready for the mayhem and surprises that ensue when six of the worst youngsters disrupt the town's yearly Christmas performance. [November 8]
Heretic
Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. [November 8]
See what's playing at Cinemark now!
All images courtesy of Walt Disney Animation.