Our Knoxville-themed Thanksgiving movie guide is filled with familiar faces and places

There's no place like home for the holidays, and it's the best place to be on a pandemic Thanksgiving weekend. 

This normally would be one of the busiest movie-going weekends of the year, but going to theaters during a pandemic is understandably frowned upon by health experts. Plus, Knoxville-based Regal movie theaters are closed for the time being. 

So, we turn to streaming. That means less crowds, more snacks and too much content to sort through. Luckily, we have you covered with a condensed list of movies and TV shows with Knoxville ties. 

Did you know Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs once played lead monster in a horror film? Or that a film based on a Knoxville author's book won best picture? 

This movie guide is packed with familiar faces and familiar places. 

Fun for the Knoxville family 

Sleeping Beauty

Nothing is more "for the family" than a Disney movie. In fact, every movie in this section is available on Disney+.  But "Sleeping Beauty" is a special one, as it's likely something parents — even grandparents — grew up with.

And now, the 1959 film is something you can share with your little ones with the click of a button on a smart TV (if only they knew the struggles of standing up to change the channel or driving to Blockbuster). 

Knoxville native Mary Costa was one of the original Disney princesses, shining in her voice-over role as Sleeping Beauty, a classic character countless children love to this day. 

Stream on: Disney+

The Parent Trap

Lindsay Lohan recently reunited with Oak Ridge native and "The Parent Trap" co-star Elaine Hendrix to benefit World Central Kitchen during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the two seemed on good terms in 2020, that wasn't the case on screen. 

It has been 22 years since Meredith Blake, played by Hendrix, took those redheaded brats off to Switzerland in the iconic 1998 remake of this film.

Hendrix's terrorizing performance has become surprisingly divisive over the years but, no matter what, it seems this film will never get old. 

Stream on: Disney+

The Lizzie McGuire Movie 

Kids these days are too young to remember "The Lizzie McGuire Movie."

In fact, as I'm typing this, I realize most kids weren't even born when it was released. Great ... now I feel old. 

I'm sure Knoxville's Jake Thomas feels the same way when he looks back at clips of the movie and show. He played the younger brother of Lizzie McGuire, portrayed by Hilary Duff, and went on to appear in a variety of TV shows and movies. 

In this particular film, his Matt McGuire character devises a plot to to sabotage Lizzie's trip to Rome following her middle school graduation.

Stream on: Disney+

Quentin Tarantino not-for-family films

Pulp Fiction 

"Pulp Fiction" isn't just Quentin Tarantino's best film; it's arguably the greatest movie of all time.

Empire Online put the film No. 5 on its all-time list, only behind "The Shawshank Redemption," "The Dark Knight," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "The Godfather." 

One has to wonder whether Empire would have ranked the movie higher if it was called "The Pulp Fiction."

If you haven't seen this film, climb out from under your rock and put the kids to sleep before you stream. "Pulp Fiction" is filled with blood spatter, F-bombs and pretty much anything else that can give a film an R rating. 

While it's a masterpiece and inspiration to filmmakers around the world, Quentin Tarantino stays true to his hometown by including Knoxville references. 

Stream on: Starz

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

The most recent of Tarantino's films arguably is one of his best, as "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" delivers on everything the director's fans have come to expect: brilliant dialogue, strong character development and, of course, violence. 

The star-studded cast helps in those regards. Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie each give their own unbelievable performances that make this fictionalized version of a true tale feel like the real thing. 

Watch as a washed-up actor, played by DiCaprio, works to get his career on track as his life begins intertwining with the Manson family. 

Stream on: Starz

The Hateful Eight

In many ways, "The Hateful Eight" is a Quentin-ssential film. But there are a few things that set this film apart, making it worth mentioning on this condensed list of Tarantino classics. 

The film mostly takes place in a single room and is centered on a whodunit plot line. To some, this might sound boring.

But, as previously mentioned, part of Tarantino's brilliance is in dialogue and character development. And with the movie taking place with a stagnant setting over three hours, these two storytelling tools are forced to shine.

Stream on: Netflix

Movies made in Knoxville 

The Last Movie Star 

There was a semi-autobiographical thread in this film that features Burt Reynolds in the title role: The movie’s hero is an aging actor and former football star who looks back on his long career and life as he reconnects with his roots.

Although several other veteran actors were in the film (ranging from 73-year-old Chevy Chase to 22-year-old “Boyhood” star Ellar Coltrane), “The Last Movie Star” marked the live-action film debut of then-18-year-old Ariel Winter, star of the hit ABC show “Modern Family.”

Winter’s hyper-sexual Lil, the sidekick to Reynolds’ character in “The Last Movie Star,” is a striking contrast to the repressed, nerdy Alex Dunphy she plays on “Modern Family.”

This was one of Reynolds' final films before his death in 2018. 

Stream on: Showtime

October Sky

Jake Gyllenhaal was just a teenager and fairly unknown when he was tabbed to star in this major film release from Universal that ultimately grossed more than $32 million at the U.S. box office.

The PG-rated movie, which was filmed in downtown Knoxville as well as Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs and other spots in the area, also starred Chris Cooper and Laura Dern. But it was a breakout for Gyllenhaal, who went on to star in films such as “Jarhead,” “Everest,” “Source Code,” “Nightcrawler,” “Zodiac” and “Brokeback Mountain,” the latter of which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Stream on: Starz 

Box of Moonlight

This indie film about a mid-life crisis, shot primarily in South Knoxville and Blount County, was a star vehicle for John Turturro (and to some extent Catherine Keener), but it was 28-year-old Sam Rockwell who stole the show as the free-spirited character The Kid.

Rockwell went on to star in such films as “The Green Mile,” “Galaxy Quest,” “Charlie’s Angels” and “Iron Man 2” and win acclaim for his roles in “Moon” and last year’s “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”

“Box of Moonlight” also stars the then-up-and-coming Dermot Mulroney, who played The Kid’s arch-enemy, Wick. A year after “Box of Moonlight,” Mulroney would star opposite Julia Roberts in “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” He would subsequently appear in films such as “Lovely & Amazing,” “About Schmidt,” “Must Love Dogs.” “Zodiac” and “Dirty Grandpa.”

Rent on: Amazon, YouTube ($3.99)

The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things

This was the first English-language filmed directed by Italian actress Asia Argento, who also starred in the movie as an abusive alcohol-addled mother.

It was also only the second feature-length, live-action film for 7-year-old actor Jimmy Bennett, who played her son. He went on to appear in several major films as a child actor, including “Hostage” (with Bruce Willis), “The Amityville Horror” (with Ryan Reynolds), “Firewall” (with Harrison Ford), “Poseidon” and “Orphan.”

Argento and Bennett, who bonded during the Knoxville filming, traded accusations about a sexual encounter between the two in Los Angeles when Bennett was 17 and Argento was 37.

Meanwhile, the little-seen “Heart Is Deceitful” also features Jeremy Renner in one of his first big-screen roles, as well as twin actors Dylan and Cole Sprouse, who would go on to star on the Disney Channel the next year as the title characters of the series “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.”

“The Heart Is Deceitful” is also noteworthy for stars including rock singer Marilyn Manson, veteran actor Peter Fonda, and Ben Foster and Jeremy Sisto, who would both go on to star in the HBO series “Six Feet Under.”

Stream on: Amazon Prime Video

More movies with Knoxville ties 

No Country for Old Men

What's the most you've ever lost on a coin toss? Those who know "No Country for Old Men" know that line. But did you know the film is based on a novel by Knoxville's Cormac McCarthy?

Watch as hunter Llewelyn Moss tries to keep a killer of his trail after making a wild discovery at the scene of a drug transaction. Trying to make sense of the crimes is Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, played by Tommy Lee Jones, who shows up later in our list. 

Still trying to decide if you should watch it? Flip a coin.  

Heads you watch it, tails you watch it. Trust me, it's that good — like, 2007's best-picture-of-the-year good. 

Stream on: Starz

Intruder in the Dust 

This 1949 adaption of the William Faulkner novel does not take place in Knoxville or feature any East Tennessee stars. The Knoxville connection comes from a man off screen. 

Clarence Brown directed this film, which focuses on a Black man proving he was unjustly accused of a murder. The film garnered praise from critics and earned Brown an award for best director at the British Academy Film Awards.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has a campus theater named after the director, who holds the record for most Oscar nominations for best director without winning, according to IMDB. 

Rent on: Amazon Prime Video ($1.99)

More Knoxville stars 

Johnny Knoxville 

He bears the name "Knoxville," and he's performed stunts with bears.

Philip John Clapp, a star in the "Jackass" series, Knievel-ed his way to stardom after leaving East Tennessee.

Known professionally as Johnny Knoxville, this daredevil comedian seems to believe bones are meant to be broken. But his funny bone is still intact, as apparent with films like "Bad Grandpa" and "Men In Black II," starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones (told you we'd mention him again).

"Bad Grandpa": Free on Pluto TV

"Men in Black II": Stream on Starz

Glenn Jacobs 

Glenn Jacobs is known as The Big Red Machine in WWE and, more recently, The Big Red Mayor of Knox County. But did you know he also is a Big Red Movie Star? 

While his acting credits are slim, Jacobs is best known on screen for his role in "See No Evil."

Jacobs portrays Jacob Goodnight in the 2006 film and its 2014 sequel, which both feature Jacobs doing what horror film antagonists do best: terrorizing innocent people. 

Interestingly enough, Jacobs' IMDB credits also list him as an "additional crew" member for the 1992 adaption of "The Last of the Mohicans." A previous version of the film was directed by Knoxville's Clarence Brown in 1920. 

"See No Evil": Stream on HBO Max

Patricia Neal 

Knoxville-raised Patricia Neal had a diverse list of rules during her career: a World War II widow in sci-fi film "The Day the Earth Stood Still," a housekeeper in "Hud" and a wealthy matron, alongside Audrey Hepburn, in the iconic 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's." 

Her role in "Hud" earned her an Academy Award for best actress. 

But these roles just scratch the surface. Neal has 73 acting credits, according to IMDB, which lists the 2009 film "Flying By," starring Billy Ray Cyrus, as her final role.

She died the following year. 

"Hud": Stream on Hulu

"The Day the Earth Stood Still": Rent on YouTube ($3.99)

"Breakfast at Tiffany's": Rent on YouTube ($2.99)

"Flying By": Free on Tubi and with Amazon Prime Video subscription

Dale Dickey 

Before we get into specific TV shows with Knoxville ties, we should probably talk about Dale Dickey. You've probably seen something starring this Knoxvillian because, well, she's been in a lot of well-known programs: 

• "Shameless"
• "Sons of Anarchy"
• "True Blood"
• "Grey's Anatomy"
• "Weeds"
• "Criminal Minds"
• "Bones"
• "Breaking Bad" 
• "CSI"

No big deal, you know ... just some of the biggest shows of the past 15 years.

"My Name Is Earl" arguably is the show she is most known for, having appeared in 19 episodes as Patty.

"My Name is Earl": Stream on Hulu

Knoxville on TV

Mad Men

Although the show is called "Mad Men," it's a woman we think steals this show.

Knoxville-born Christina Hendricks played Joan Holloway from 2007 to 2015, earning her six consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for best supporting actress in a drama series. 

On the surface, a show about a 1960s ad agency may not sound incredibly existing. But we'll let these awards and phenomenal performances from co-stars Jon Hamm and Elisabeth Moss do the talking .

Stream on: Amazon Prime Video

Ozark

No, the Ozarks are not in Tennessee, although the Volunteer State does border Missouri to the west.

While most of the hit TV show "Ozark" takes place in Missouri, a pivotal moment in the third season finds a main character trying to escape to Knoxville.

But before you jump to this moment in the series, be sure to go back to the beginning to see how Marty Bird, played to perfection by Jason Bateman, wound up in the Ozarks with his family in the first place.

Spoiler alert: It involves drugs, money and a whole lot of murder. 

Stream on: Netflix

Reality TV

There's not much to say here. From Tina Wesson on "Survivor" to Hannah Ann Sluss on "The Bachelor," it seems like Knoxville always has a hometown favorite on reality TV.

Just flip through the channels; I'm sure you'll find a Scruffy City somebody. 

Chuck Campbell contributed to this story.