Everyone has dialed a wrong number or maybe sent a wrong text mistakenly to someone’s number at least once in their life. But people usually find themselves making conversation with a stranger and after a while, this instance becomes a funny story to tell at the dinner table – or at the very least, share on the internet.
For Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench, however, a wrong text message became the start of a wholesome friendship.

Your Next Favorite Thanksgiving Movie
This story made headlines and became a thanksgiving story most beloved by the internet. Now, the two friends are teaming up with Netflix to release a film based on their story.
In the tweet, Hinton wrote on the behalf of Dench that they were beyond excited to partner up with Netflix. They even extended their gratitude to their fans who eagerly wait for an update every thanksgiving for the past 6 years.
Now they are excited to share their story through the big screen. When speaking with Variety, they released a joint statement expressing their excitement for the project and their hope that it becomes a source of inspiration for people to connect and reach out.
View this post on Instagram
Where It All Started
It all started back in November of 2016 when Hinton received a text from an unknown number inviting him to a thanksgiving dinner. This message was sent by Wanda who was trying to invite her 24-year-old grandson.
The two shared selfies in hopes to fix the miscommunication but Hinton was not ready to lose his thanksgiving invite and proceeded to ask Dench whether he could still join for dinner to which she replied saying, ‘ Of course you can. That’s what grandmas do… feed everyone’. This brief exchange has now led to Dench and Hinton making it a tradition that they have been carrying on for the past 6 years.
— Strong Black Lead (@strongblacklead) December 2, 2021
The Sixth Thanksgiving
Now people visit Hinton’s social media where he documents his meet-up with Dench. In 2019, Hinton and his girlfriend Mikaela met with Wanda Dench and her husband Lonnie at a pumpkin patch but unfortunately, in 2020, Lonnie passed away battling the dreadful virus.
The two friends met up for their sixth thanksgiving and shared a photo that included Jamal, Mikaela, and Wanda who was holding a photo of Lonnie as a tribute.
There is no information on the directors or cast but Netflix confirmed Robert Teitel and George Tillman are among its producers.