Why Addams Family Values is the Thanksgiving movie we deserve

While most Thanksgiving movies focus on picture-perfect dinners and heartwarming traditions, Addams Family Values crashes the table with a side of biting satire and shameless gothic flair. For someone like me—an outsider who spent their preteen and teen years being told by classmates, “You’re just like Wednesday Addams!”—this movie is more than entertainment—it’s a declaration of independence from the ordinary.

What makes Addams Family Values so enduring is its fearless embrace of the weird and the wonderful. At its core, it’s a celebration of being different in a world that demands conformity—an anthem for anyone who’s ever been called “too much” or “not enough.” The Addams Family doesn’t just reject societal norms; they gleefully stomp on them in combat boots and dance on the rubble. For those of us who’ve felt out of place at holiday gatherings, watching them turn the idea of tradition on its head feels like being handed a backstage pass to a cooler, darker world where awkwardness is power and quirks are currency.

Take the scene: the Thanksgiving play. While other kids sing songs about harmony and turkeys, Wednesday storms in with all the charm of a guillotine at a garden party. Her fiery monologue torches colonialist myths and forces the audience (both onscreen and off) to confront the uncomfortable truths buried beneath those pumpkin pies. Honestly? That moment alone could earn this movie a permanent spot at the Thanksgiving table.

What’s truly genius, though, is how this moment crystallizes the film’s larger ethos: the bold refusal to conform to sanitized, feel-good narratives. Wednesday doesn’t limit herself to disrupting the play alone—she disrupts the entire notion of Thanksgiving as a tidy celebration of gratitude. Her rebellion is a reminder that even in the midst of forced smiles and uncomfortable family dinners, there’s space—no, necessity!—for questioning the stories we’ve been fed. It’s a masterclass in humor and subversion, wrapped up in Christina Ricci’s deadpan brilliance.

But this iconic moment isn’t the film’s only standout. From the darkly hilarious summer camp plotline to Morticia’s razor-sharp one-liners, Addams Family Values delivers a treasure trove of scenes that perfectly balance macabre humor with genuine heart. Who could forget Debbie, the glamorous gold-digging psychopath, giving her hilariously unhinged monologue about why she “had to” murder her parents? Or Uncle Fester’s love-struck antics, which manage to be both ridiculous and oddly endearing? These moments don’t just entertain—they underline the movie’s central message: that being different is something to be celebrated, not hidden.

Then there’s Morticia and Gomez, the couple that redefines relationship goals. In a world of dysfunctional holiday family dynamics, their passionately devoted and supportive love story shines like a beacon of hope. Whether it’s Morticia’s sultry delivery of every line or Gomez’s unwavering adoration for her, they remind us that love, in all its quirky and gothic glory, is the ultimate power move.

The aesthetic contrast in Addams Family Values is another stroke of brilliance. The vibrant, overly cheerful world of Thanksgiving traditions is the perfect backdrop to highlight the Addams family’s dark, gothic elegance. While camp counselors and children wear cartoonish pilgrim hats and turkey costumes, the Addamses remain impeccably themselves, clad in their signature black and exuding an air of timeless sophistication. It’s a visual reminder of how out of place they are—and how gloriously they own it.

What makes Addams Family Values so timeless is its ability to connect with audiences across generations. While those of us who grew up with the film cherish its biting satire and offbeat humor, younger audiences are finding their own entry point into the Addams world through the recent animated movies or the Netflix series Wednesday. It’s a testament to how the Addams family has always been ahead of its time, inviting everyone, no matter their age, to celebrate their quirks.

And while I always related to Wednesday’s sharp wit and outsider confidence, I have to admit I’ve embraced a bit of my inner Enid over the years too. Sometimes it’s fun to be the vibrant, excitable one in the room—especially when your K-pop playlists are blasting. Fun fact: Emma Myers, who plays Enid in the new Wednesday series, is a certified K-popper, which just makes me love the Addams world even more. It’s a reminder that even the most gothic among us have a colorful side and that embracing all parts of yourself is the ultimate power move.

It’s worth noting that when the movie was released in 1993, it stood out as a bold counter-narrative to the overly saccharine holiday films of its time. Decades later, it remains just as relevant, offering a timeless critique of forced traditions and shallow celebrations. In today’s world, where conversations about diversity, authenticity, and challenging traditional narratives are more important than ever, Addams Family Values feels like an essential watch. It reminds us of the power of owning your differences and questioning the stories we inherit, all while delivering laughs and gothic glamour.

Even the film’s soundtrack plays its part in creating the perfect Addams vibe. With a mix of playful, eerie tunes, it sets the mood for every scene, reminding viewers that the Addams family’s world is a little dark, a little whimsical, and entirely unique.

And honestly, every iteration of the Addams family is welcome in my book. From the original series to the delightfully quirky new animated movies, they always bring something fresh while staying true to their morbidly hilarious core. It’s like they’ve perfected the art of reinvention without losing their creepy, kooky soul.

So, why is Addams Family Values the Thanksgiving movie of the season? Because it dares to challenge the narrative. It reminds us that not everyone’s holiday looks the same and that being boldly different is something to be thankful for. This movie doesn’t just rewrite the Thanksgiving script—it tears it up and turns it into something extraordinary.

The spirit of Cristina Ricci's Wednesday Addams lives on Netflix’s Wednesday, where she dons a pilgrim costume during a visit to Pilgrim World, a park that glorifies Jericho’s colonial history. True to form, Wednesday’s sharp wit and disdain for tradition take center stage as she calls out the sanitized, one-sided narratives often celebrated in such spaces. This scene pays homage to the unforgettable Thanksgiving play rebellion in Addams Family Values, further cementing Wednesday as a relentless challenger of myths and a defender of the misunderstood. It’s a reminder that Thanksgiving, like Wednesday herself, is ripe for a bold and biting reimagining.

And let’s face it—every Thanksgiving deserves a touch of gothic flair, and the Addams family brings it in spades. This year, instead of serving another slice of tired tradition, let Addams Family Values reminds you to embrace your inner Wednesday (or Morticia, or Pugsley) and rewrite the script.