Choosing a movie for family movie night can sometimes feel like a bigger challenge than cooking Thanksgiving dinner itself. With endless streaming options, settling on something everyone will enjoy can be tough. Holidays, thankfully, offer a bit of a shortcut. For Valentine’s Day, romantic comedies are the go-to. Christmas? The list of classics is long and beloved. But when it comes to Thanksgiving Family Movies, the selection often feels… limited. Many automatically default to the iconic “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” and while it’s a masterpiece, sometimes you crave something different for your Thanksgiving family movie night.
If you’ve made “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” a yearly tradition, you might be in the mood to explore other Thanksgiving family movies. And while some might consider darker or unconventional holiday films, when you’re gathered with family, especially across generations, something broadly appealing is usually best. This is where a surprisingly perfect, though often overlooked, Thanksgiving family movie comes into play: “Paul Blart: Mall Cop.”
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” often gets dismissed, but it’s a genuinely clever and funny film, especially when viewed through the lens of Thanksgiving family movies. It’s an unusual blend, taking the high-stakes action of “Die Hard” and reimagining it as a family-friendly comedy set in a shopping mall on Black Friday. This unique premise allows the movie to be many things at once. It’s an action-comedy with exciting and humorous set pieces, reminiscent of films like “The Blues Brothers.” It even incorporates romantic elements, adding a touch of sweetness alongside the slapstick. And at its core, it’s filled with silly, sitcom-style humor akin to Kevin James’s own “King of Queens.”
What truly elevates “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” amongst Thanksgiving family movies is its genuine heart, centered around the character of Paul Blart himself. Despite some jokes about his weight and social awkwardness, the film never punches down. Instead, it consistently positions the audience to root for Paul. The movie champions his desire to succeed, making him an incredibly endearing and relatable protagonist, perfect for a Thanksgiving family movie that everyone can enjoy.
The film invests time in developing Paul’s character, a rarity in many mainstream comedies. We learn about his aspirations to become a police officer and his personal tragedy – navigating the dating world after losing his wife. These elements are not just for laughs; they drive Paul’s choices and contribute to his character arc throughout the movie, providing a depth often missing in Thanksgiving family movies aimed at broad audiences.
This sincerity and well-roundedness are absent in the critically panned sequel. The sequel largely rehashes the original’s plot and jokes on a larger, less effective scale. It misses the crucial element that made the first film work so well: Paul is meant to be the hero, not the joke. This distinction is key when considering why the original “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” stands out as a great Thanksgiving family movie.
The reason “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” works as one of the more unconventional yet surprisingly fitting Thanksgiving family movies isn’t just its holiday setting. It’s because its humor has a genuinely wide appeal. Imagine watching it as an 8-year-old and finding it hilarious, and then still enjoying it as an adult. This is the magic of “Paul Blart.” The humor resonates with different age groups, much like animated series such as “Spongebob Squarepants,” which entertains both children and adults. Even grandparents can find something to chuckle at, making it ideal for Thanksgiving family movie night gatherings with multiple generations.
The film is packed with broadly funny moments. Whether it’s Paul hilariously playing Rockband oblivious to the mall chaos, accidentally getting drunk at a work happy hour, or comically tending to his “wounds” with a Hello Kitty band-aid, “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” delivers consistent laughs. These gags remain funny even after multiple viewings, a valuable trait for Thanksgiving family movies that might become annual traditions.
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” masterfully walks the tightrope between wholesome family entertainment and quirky adult comedy, achieving a balance that many films attempt but few truly nail. This delicate blend is what makes it a surprisingly perfect choice for Thanksgiving family movies. It allows viewers from young children to grandparents to enjoy the film together, sharing laughs and creating those cherished holiday memories. While the premise might seem unconventional for Thanksgiving family movies, its broad appeal across age groups makes “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” an unexpectedly brilliant choice for your next Thanksgiving family movie night.
