To celebrate the nation’s most enjoyable day of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy … and dessert … here is our annual handy list of TV and streaming options to get you from the stove to the dining room table to the living room couch.
“The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
9 a.m. on NBC
It’s the 93rd go-round for this New York City institution, which boasts five new floats and new balloons such as Astronaut Snoopy and the return engagement of Smokey the Bear. Note: as of late Wednesday, it was yet to be determined which balloons, if any, would be launched due to high winds expected on Thursday. We do know, however, that Celine Dion will float by as she sings from her new album “Courage.” The lineup also features 1,200 cheerleaders and dancers, more than 1,000 clowns and 11 marching bands. The parade will also stream via Macy’s and Verizon, who’ve teamed for a free livestream on YouTube that begins at 8:30 a.m.
“Serengeti”
9 a.m. on Discovery
If you missed this wonderful six-episode summer series about the struggles of several species native to the African plains, this is your chance to catch up. Lupita Nyong’o narrates as the animals battle droughts, raging fires and the local crocodiles. The clever filmmakers turn the individual stories of zebras, baboons and lionesses into nail-biting survival dramas.
“The National Dog Show”
12 p.m. on NBC
Man’s best friend goes under the microscope in this “talent” contest co-hosted by a lot of folks for a two-hour show: John O’Hurley, Mary Carillo and US Olympic figure skaters Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir. Last year, a 3-year-old male Whippet named Whiskey won Best in Show.
Marathons
“Lord of the Rings”
7:30 a.m., BBC
The trilogy kicks off with “The Two Towers,” which follows Frodo as he continues his quest to destroy the evil ring.
“The Andy Griffith Show”
9 a.m. on TV Land
Enduring cornpone from Mayberry in this ’60s-era CBS sitcom. Andy Griffith and Don Knotts star.
Willy Wonka
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
9 a.m. on AMC
A tale of the adventures of a poor boy and four bratty children, who win a tour of a mysterious chocolate factory. Their personal guide is the eccentric owner named Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp).
“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”
11:30 a.m. on AMC
The original 1971 movie starring Gene Wilder in which five children from around the world win golden tickets to tour the mysterious candy factory, where they meet the manufacturer and learn life lessons about honesty, punishment and reward.
Movies
“Titanic”
10:30 a.m. on VH1
James Cameron’s mesmerizing recreation of the 1912 sinking of the Titanic is worth the wait. A rather silly plot about a castaway (Leonardo DiCaprio) and a bored society girl (Kate Winslet) and their romance occupies most of the film.
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
1:45 p.m. on HBO
Rami Malek won a Best Actor Oscar last year for his commanding performance as Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen. The amazing climax recreates Queen’s jaw-dropping performance at Live Aid in July 1985.
“Hidden Figures”
3 p.m. on FXM
This truly inspirational blockbuster follows the lives of three real-life female African-American mathematicians who provide crucial calculations for NASA’s space race against the Soviets — all while dealing with the racist and sexist assumptions of their white co-workers. With Taraji P. Henson.
“Psycho Granny”
4 p.m. on Lifetime Movie Network
If your psycho granny didn’t make it to Thanksgiving dinner, you can live vicariously through this nutty Lifetime movie. Poor Samantha (Brooke Newton) is an orphan who foolishly relies on her long-lost grandmother Colleen (Robin Riker) to guide her through her pregnancy. Bad mistake.
“Trading Places”
4:05 p.m. on Comedy Central
A wealthy investment broker unwittingly switches roles with a fast-talking street hustler as part of a whimsical wager orchestrated by two billionaire brothers (Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy). Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd star.
“Donnie Brasco”
3:45 on Showtime
If you’re enjoying the Al Pacino renaissance engendered by “The Irishman,” this little movie might be the cherry on your piece of Mob cake. Pacino plays a low-level Mafioso named Lefty who is befriended by undercover FBI agent Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp) as a way of infiltrating the Family.
“Home Alone”
6 p.m. on Freeform
A mischievous 8-year-old who would really rather be left alone gets what he wished for when he is accidentally left behind by his family as they rush to the airport for a family vacation in Paris. Macaulay Culkin stars.
Football
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
12:30 p.m. on FOX
From Ford Field in Detroit. The Lions and Bears square off on Thanksgiving for the 18th time. Chicago (5-6) won both of its games against Detroit (3-7-1) last season after losing nine of the previous 10 against Detroit.
Buffalo Bills at Dallas Cowboys
4:30 p.m. on CBS
The Cowboys have a 6-4 edge in the all-time series, not including their two Super Bowl victories over the Bills in 1993 and ’94. At 8-3, Buffalo is off to its best start in 23 years.
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
8:15 p.m. on NBC
From Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The NFC South rivals close out the Thanksgiving slate for the second straight year.