The Best Buddy Comedy Ever Made Lands a New Streaming Home Just in Time for Thanksgiving
The movie Roger Ebert called a Thanksgiving essential has returned to streaming. John Hughes' buddy comedy masterpiece Planes, Trains and Automobiles is now available on Paramount+, giving viewers a fresh chance to enjoy one of the funniest films ever made.
Starring John Candy alongside Steve Martin, this Thanksgiving classic joins other new arrivals like Catch Me If You Can, Saturday Night Fever, and Hughes' iconic Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Plot Summary
Planes, Trains and Automobiles follows Neal Page, a businessman desperate to get home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. His simple trip is repeatedly disrupted, and his frustrating travel companion, the talkative salesman Del Griffith, only adds to his troubles.
"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." — Rotten Tomatoes
Significance
Released during John Hughes' peak creative period, Planes, Trains and Automobiles marked a shift from his usual teen comedies toward a more adult-focused story while retaining his signature blend of humor and heart.
This film remains a timeless reminder of the chaos and warmth of holiday travel.
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