The Best Buddy Comedy Ever Made Lands a New Streaming Home Just in Time for Thanksgiving

The movie that Roger Ebert called a Thanksgiving must-watch has returned to streaming. The John Hughes classic buddy comedy Planes, Trains and Automobiles is now available on Paramount+, offering a fresh chance to enjoy one of the funniest films ever made.

Starring John Candy alongside Steve Martin, this beloved Thanksgiving film joins other new arrivals on the platform including Catch Me If You Can, Saturday Night Fever, and Hughes' iconic Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Plot Overview

Planes, Trains and Automobiles follows Neal Page, a businessman desperate to get home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. However, his simple journey quickly becomes a series of mishaps, made worse by an annoying salesman turned travel companion named Del Griffith.

Easily excitable Neal Page (Steve Martin) is somewhat of a control freak. Trying to get home to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with his wife (Laila Robins) and kids, his flight is rerouted to a distant city in Kansas because of a freak snowstorm, and his sanity begins to fray. Worse yet, he is forced to bunk up with talkative Del Griffith (John Candy), whom he finds extremely annoying. Together they must overcome the insanity of holiday travel to reach their intended destination.

Significance

Released at the height of Hughes' career, Planes, Trains and Automobiles represented a shift from his typical teen-focused dramedies, showcasing his ability to blend humor and heart in a story about holiday chaos.

Author's summary: This timeless John Hughes comedy brilliantly captures the frustrating yet heartfelt chaos of holiday travel, making it a perfect Thanksgiving watch now streaming on Paramount+.

MovieWeb — 2025-11-02