“What do you all want to watch?”
This question has torpedoed many get-togethers, leaving the poor soul wielding the remote at a Thanksgiving gathering to search and scroll through seemingly infinite streaming options until everyone is cross-eyed and over it. Let’s skip that part, shall we? Here are a handful of picks that might fit the bill for some common holiday dynamics.
Family Friendly, but Not Corny
Documentary with the little ones: “Tiger” (Disney+)
There is no shortage of stunning nature documentaries, but this 2024 Disneynature film from the director Mark Linfield (“Planet Earth”) goes beyond the usual script to tell a poignant family tale. Narrated by Priyanka Chopra Jonas and filmed over the course of 1,500 days, we follow a tigress named Ambar in the forests of India as she protects her cubs from predators and adverse weather while on a perpetual quest to feed them and herself.
Documentary with the teenagers: “Free Solo” (Disney+)
This 2018 film that follows Alex Honnold on his free solo ascent of El Capitan, a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, won the Oscar for best documentary for good reason. Not only will his feat shake your understanding of what is humanly possible, but how it was captured on film (Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin directed) is just as gripping. Watch this on the biggest television you have. It’s worth it.
Feature with the little ones: “Elemental” (Disney+)
If you’ve already seen “Inside Out 2,” try this 2023 Pixar comedy set in Element City, where characters are divided into four strata: water, earth, air and fire, all magnificently rendered, creating a dazzling animated experience. The plot looks thoughtfully at family ties while telling a story of cross-cultural romantic love and self-actualization.
Feature with the teenagers: “Spirited Away” (Max)
It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 25 years since the release of this now revered Oscar-winning fantasy anime from the celebrated Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. It re-entered the zeitgeist this year with Billie Eilish’s track “Chihiro,” named after the film’s main character, a girl who slips into another realm, where she becomes trapped. The hand-drawn animation is transporting, and the coming-of-age themes will open the door for some deeper reflection.
After-Hours With the Grown-Up Cousins
Raunchy and rollicking: “Someday You’ll Die” (Max)
Nikki Glaser has had a phenomenal year, first with her stellar set at Netflix’s live roast of Tom Brady, then with her newest stand-up special. She mines plenty of laughs from topics like death, pornography, aging and being child-free.
A riveting thriller: “Parasite” (Max)
This 2019 South Korean satire about class struggle from the director Bong Joon Ho — an electrifying, vengeance-fueled trip into the belly of the allegorical beast — was the first non-English-language film to win the best picture Oscar. It’s also all about families, so very much on theme this time of year.
Want Everyone to Shhh? Here’s Something Long.
Movies: The “Lord of the Rings” trilogy (Max)
Nothing says let’s curl up under blankets and be quiet for many hours than one of the most acclaimed trilogies in cinema history, which collectively runs over nine hours. This mystical saga — from the director Peter Jackson and based on books by J.R.R. Tolkien — takes the battle between good and evil into uncharted worlds, offering escapism at its finest.
Binge-Worthy TV: “The Queen’s Gambit” (Netflix)
This absorbing 2020 Emmy-winning Netflix mini-series starring Anya Taylor-Joy as a brilliant yet troubled chess wunderkind is so snappy and provocative, glamorous and gritty that its seven episodes sail right by.
If you’re looking for more lighthearted fare, try “What We Do in the Shadows” (Hulu) for adult-themed vampire hilarity or “Schitt’s Creek” (Hulu) for a comfy family-oriented favorite that’ll make time fly.
A Familiar Classic to Chat Through
“Titanic” (Paramount+)
Just about everyone is familiar with this 1997 James Cameron epic starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio as star-crossed lovers on the RMS Titanic, making it an ideal movie to put on in the background during meal prep or party banter. The score is sweeping with a festive bent, the run time is over three hours, and the story is easy to dip in and out of. After all, we all know how it ends.
Escaping on a Walk? Check Out These Podcasts.
“Heavyweight” (Gimlet Media)
You can’t go wrong with this podcast hosted by Jonathan Goldstein, who goes to remarkable lengths trying to help listeners find closure with moments from their lives that have haunted them. Some episodes are humorous, others are heart-rending, but no two are the same. For a lighter episode, check out “Gregor.” For something deeper, try “Toby.”
“American Scandal” (Wondery)
Done talking about the weather? Why not take this precious time alone to learn something that could later spark conversation with the crowd. This podcast series explores scandals that have shaped the United States. Among my favorites: the five episodes devoted to “The Kidnapping of Patty Hearst.”
The post Family and Friends in Town? Here’s What to Watch Based on the Mood. appeared first on New York Times.
