Is Planes, Trains and Automobiles a perfect Thanksgiving movie — or a perfectly frustrating one?
We finally break down the John Hughes classic and its most controversial moments.
In this episode of So Many Sequels, we revisit Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) — a movie people love, quote endlessly, and sometimes forget is deeply irritating on purpose. We talk first-time reactions, John Candy’s tragic undercurrent, Steve Martin’s legendary meltdown, and whether the movie’s emotional payoff really earns its keep.
00:00 – Food & Family Month finale
01:30 – What this movie meant in 1987
05:00 – First-time watches vs long-time fans
08:00 – Why the premise still feels real
13:45 – The “I Like Me” speech debate
18:30 – Road trip chaos escalates
22:00 – The legendary rental car rant
24:15 – John Candy’s emotional reveal
27:00 – Does the ending work?
30:00 – Final ratings
34:10 – Letterboxd score reveals
