Planes, Trains and Automobiles Is Still the Ultimate Thanksgiving Movie

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is still the perfect Thanksgiving movie and is a Holiday Classic that defines the chaos and heart of the season.

Every November, one film rises above all the others as the official soundtrack to Thanksgiving travel: Planes, Trains and Automobiles. John Hughes wrote, produced, and directed the 1987 comedy, crafting a story that captures the frantic push to get home and the unexpected connections made along the way. The movie was filmed across Illinois, grounding its story in familiar Midwest locations and giving it a lived-in authenticity that helps it endure almost four decades later.

A Relatable Story of Getting Home Against All Odds

Steve Martin plays Neal Page, a high-strung marketing executive desperate to make it home to Chicago for Thanksgiving dinner. Neal’s plans fall apart from the moment he attempts to leave New York. His cab gets stolen, his flight is delayed, and his rental car vanishes. Every leg of his trip throws him into a fresh disaster.

Along the way, Neal meets Del Griffith, a chatty, optimistic, and clumsy shower curtain ring salesman played by John Candy. Del is the exact opposite of Neal in every way. He is warm, talkative, messy, and relentlessly hopeful. Their pairing sparks a journey full of setbacks, detours, and shared misery. Yet it also reveals two men learning about patience, empathy, and the value of connection during the holiday season.

Why It Remains the Ultimate Thanksgiving Film

No Thanksgiving movie captures the spirit and stress of the holiday quite like this one. Hughes builds the story around something millions experience each year: the chaotic push to get home. Travel delays. Canceled flights. Lost luggage. Strange seatmates. Weather problems. Rude service employees. Each moment mirrors the real world, which makes the film both hilarious and painfully familiar.

The movie also taps into the deeper themes that define the holiday. Gratitude. Compassion. Perspective. Neal learns that his worst day may not compare to someone else’s reality. Del teaches him that kindness matters even when everything feels hopeless. Their final scene, revealing Del’s personal struggles, turns the comedy into a heartfelt tale about finding family in unexpected places. It is that emotional swing—sharp comedy to powerful honesty—that continues to resonate with audiences.

Steve Martin and John Candy at Their Absolute Best

Martin delivers one of his strongest performances as a man unraveling one inconvenience at a time. His meltdown at the rental car counter and his reaction to Del’s hotel room habits have become legendary. However, Candy gives the film its soul. Del Griffith stands as one of his most memorable roles, tied with Uncle Buck as the best work of his career. Candy’s ability to blend humor with vulnerability brought depth to a character who could have been played only for laughs.

Together, Martin and Candy form one of comedy’s most beloved duos. Their chemistry lifts every scene. They elevate Hughes’ script with quick timing, sharp physical comedy, and sincere emotion that gives the story lasting weight.

A Film Packed With Unforgettable Scenes and Lines

Several moments remain among the most quoted in ’80s comedy:

• The “Those aren’t pillows!” bed scene.
• The rental car meltdown that flips Neal from calm to furious in seconds.
• The frozen car ride with Del’s burnt-out gloves.
• The highway sequence where their car becomes a fireball.

Hughes’ writing makes each disaster feel both outrageous and believable. His dialogue walks a fine line between frustration and warmth, allowing viewers to laugh at the chaos while rooting for the duo to make it home.

Legacy, Box Office, and Holiday Status

The movie earned more than $49 million domestically during its theatrical run. Its impact, however, goes far beyond the box office. Over the years, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles has become a Thanksgiving staple. Families watch it annually as part of their holiday routine, and its reputation as the definitive Thanksgiving movie continues to grow.

The Thanksgiving Movie That Means More Every Year

John Hughes crafted a timeless story about two strangers who learn to understand each other during the most stressful week of the year. Its humor, heart, and honesty make it the perfect Thanksgiving film. With unforgettable performances by Steve Martin and John Candy, the movie stands as a lasting reminder that even the toughest journey home can lead to moments of humanity, healing, and gratitude.

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