Between schoolwork, deadlines, and holiday plans, the bustle of this time of the year can unfortunately mean putting aside your watchlist. You might even be too busy to even think about what TV shows, movies, or video games you do want to watch (or play). Luckily, Thanksgiving break is just around the corner. Our staff has compiled a list of various media, old and new, that we are waiting until the break to dive into.
“Fantastic Mr. Fox”
A PG-rated movie is perfect for a break from school, and I don’t know what’s better than “Fantastic Mr. Fox” for autumn. With its hour and a half run time, the film is cozy, thoughtful, and a good laugh. It’s the perfect fall movie. I save this (and every stop-motion movie) for when I can give it my complete attention! I do think Wes Anderson created a classic in 2009 with this one… How can a fox ever be happy without a chicken in its teeth?
- Lauren Elizabeth Shults, web editor
“Tor’s Cabinet of Curiosities”
I’ve recently discovered a new favorite YouTuber. Tor Parsons, whose channel is named Tor’s Cabinet of Curiosities, explores various internet rabbit holes and little-known historical phenomena with the rigor and quirky passion of your favorite professor. The runtime of his videos range from half an hour to an hour and a half each. I think I like him so much because he seems to have the exact same subgenre of autism as I do. I’m looking forward to having the time over break to learn some new things that don’t have anything to do with my master’s thesis.
- Serena Fox, arts editor
“The Social Reckoning” and “Resident Evil”
These two movies recently came out, and I never have time to go to the theater, even though I really enjoy going. I’ve heard some great reviews about “Resident Evil” and I love horror movies, so I’m excited to see that. I loved “The Social Network” movie from 2010, so its new companion film, “The Social Reckoning,” seems really interesting to me.
- Zuzu Hill, associate art director
“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy Extended Editions
Watching the extended editions of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy is a longstanding tradition amongst my friend group. After a large meal, we all gather on the couch and spread out over the living room floor to start the 12-hour-long journey. The experience lasts through the weekend.
- Day Brièrre, art director
“The Bear”
“The Bear” has always been a show that has evaded my attention. Even at peak popularity, it seems like my workload increases by 100%, rendering me unable to watch this show. I finally watched the first two episodes a month ago and realized this show is PERFECT to watch during Thanksgiving break. Family trauma and food? That is the definition of Thanksgiving.
- Ash Ahmad, staff writer
“Dear Monica Lewinsky” by Julia Langbein
This is a book about a 40-something court stenographer who’s invited to her abuser’s retirement party and begins praying to Monica Lewinsky as if she’s the patron saint of public shaming. It is currently on hold for me at the library. It looks like it’s going to finally be available right around the week of Thanksgiving, so I’ll have to wait until then to read it!
- Sophie Lucido Johnson, adviser
Jenny Nicholson’s Patreon Videos
Earlier this year, a friend of mine was gifted an annual subscription to YouTube video essayist Jenny Nicholson’s Patreon and has been letting me leech off it. Nicholson is known for her long-form content covering extremely niche pop culture topics. Her Patreon has over 100 videos I didn’t have access to until now. I can’t let myself watch any of it because I will get too distracted. I have tried to be productive while watching them, but I always end up just watching her videos and ignoring my work.
- Kit Montgomery, associate editor
“Spy x Family” Season 3
I’ve been putting off the continuation of this anime for a while, simply because I was waiting for the dubbed version to come out (then I forgot about it). For me, once I watch an anime in one version, I get too attached to the voices I started with; that goes for either sub or dub. Other than that, “Spy x Family” is a perfect show to watch and relax during the break because of its wholesome family dynamic and comedy. But, it also keeps my brain from turning to mush with its action and interesting world-building.
- Toby Brogsdale, staff writer
“The Lovers” by Studio Heartbreak
“The Lovers” is a 15-minute long sapphic fantasy animated film released on YouTube. I’ve been following its production online since the first trailer in 2023. I feel I’ll only be able to appreciate it when I have the time and the headspace to do so. EVERYONE START WATCHING MORE INDIE FILMS NOW!!!
- Moon Mora, designer
“Supernatural” Season 15
I’ve been watching “Supernatural” on and off for the past five years. Every time I pick it up again, I feel so confused that I eventually give up. I know way too much about the last season and eventually I have to face the music. “Supernatural” is simultaneously loved and hated for its character relationships, unhinged storylines, and increasing camp. Castiel being sent to superhell is maybe the most dissatisfying fate of all time.
- Mio Sow, entertainment editor
“Twin Peaks”
I simply do not have the time for this masterpiece. With my tendency to give myself heaps of comics work, I usually don’t watch anything that I need to give my full attention to during the school year. I’m halfway through the (admittedly uneven) second season of “Twin Peaks,” but any further progress will have to wait until I have the bandwidth to notice every detail. I’m also watching it with my brother, and he’d kill me if I made progress without him.
- Anna Strzepek, staff cartoonist
“Starstable”
“Starstable” is a Swedish-made online global horse game. They release new quest lines (of questionable quality) every two weeks or so, and I have been BEHIND FOR TWO YEARS, so over Thanksgiving I endeavor to catch up and make sure my beloved horses are not… deceased. Also, it’s completely open-world with some of the most realistic horse movement animation around! I’m excited to waste several hours of my life.
- Alex Lee, contributor
“Steven Universe”
I am waiting to have the time over Thanksgiving break to watch “Steven Universe” with my roommates. I watched some of it as a teenager, but I was too young to fully register that I was seeing some of the first queer representation of its kind. When I see clips of it now, I get emotional about the way it shows queer love and gender fluidity, and how important that must have been for me to see in media as a teen. I want to watch the whole thing from the new perspective I have gained.
- Sivan Gilbert, news editor
“The Wire” Season 2
I began watching “The Wire” the summer before last, and absolutely devoured the first season. However, once it got closer to the start of the semester, I no longer had time to dedicate my full attention to the show. When I tried having it on in the background while doing tasks, I was completely lost. The dialogue is steeped in jargon and colloquialisms, so you really have to pay attention to tease the meaning from each line. That’s what makes the show so engaging to me, and I recommend it for that reason, but don’t try to multitask while watching, or you’ll get lost.
- Maisy Shay, office administrator
“Breaking Bad”
I’m waiting to rewatch “Breaking Bad” until Thanksgiving break, mainly because of time. I’ve seen it before, but I’ve been itching to rewatch it, especially because of the recent death of RJ Mitte. “Breaking Bad” is an incredibly influential show I keep coming back to; however, it is very long. Its first two seasons are quite slow-building, so you really have to set aside time to sit with it. Ideally, if work and school don’t completely overrun my break, I’d like to sit down and rewatch it with my friend Logan.
- Anath Infanzón Marín, multimedia and engagement editor
“Avatar: Seven Havens”
As someone who grew up loving “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and who became a tween obsessed with “The Legend of Kora,” I am beyond excited for more “Avatar” (not the blue people) content. The new series, “Avatar: Seven Havens,” takes place two centuries after Korra’s show and follows young twin girl avatars navigating a post-apocalyptic world. It sounds great, and episodes are already airing. But I’m holding off watching it until I can catch my breath with schoolwork and rewatch the original two series first. Plus… I completely missed the “Avatar Aang” movie that came out earlier this year.
- Sidne K. Gard, managing editor
My Criterion Channel Movie List
I’ve been a Criterion Channel member since I finished my class with Jose Moctezuma last spring. How many movies have I watched? One! One, one, only one. (You absolutely must watch the movie “Wanda.”) I need to buck up and start watching some new indies instead of revisiting all of my old favorites (“Ghost World,” “Welcome to the Dollhouse,” “Little Miss Sunshine”). So, Thanksgiving break, here we go… break out the Orville Redenbacher, micro-melted butter, and some nice cold Truly lemonades.
- Bekah Hanson, literature editor
“Industry”
Last Thanksgiving break I watched “Succession” on HBO, and I loved it so much. I desperately wanted to watch something similar. I’ve been asking around, and the most popular response has been, “You’ve got to watch ‘Industry.’” So this year, I’m allocating at least a few days of the break to dive deep into the financial thriller drama before the fifth and final season drops.
- Egor Goryachikh, opinions editor
“Fallout: New Vegas”
I have been interested in the “Fallout” game series for years, but have never been able to play the games. Last year I bought “Fallout: New Vegas” but got busy with other games, and since it’s a big game, I still haven’t gotten around to playing. “Fallout: New Vegas” is regarded as one of the best “Fallout” games due to its immersive characters and storylines. The way the game series tackles war, politics, and the relationships we have with others make for a funny, thought-provoking, and fun game experience!
- Camryn Woods, designer
