Turkey, chaos, and family drama — the perfect recipe for a Thanksgiving dinner and an even better setup for television. For decades, some of the best sitcoms and dramas have turned the holiday into a showcase for heartfelt speeches, burnt turkeys, and unexpected guest stars.
While Christmas episodes often get all the glory, Thanksgiving TV episodes bring something special to the table: comedy fueled by family dysfunction, food disasters, and a dash of sentimentality that hits right in the stuffing. Whether you’re binge-watching with your family or need something to play in the background while cooking, here are the best Thanksgiving TV episodes worth revisiting every year.
1. Friends — “The One with the Thanksgiving Flashbacks” (Season 5, Episode 8)
Let’s be honest — Friends practically owns Thanksgiving. The show’s holiday episodes became an annual event during its ten-year run, and “The One with the Thanksgiving Flashbacks” is a fan favorite.
We see Monica’s transformation from awkward teen to chef extraordinaire, Chandler’s accidental toe incident, and some serious turkey-on-the-head comedy gold. It’s everything that made Friends iconic: goofy, nostalgic, and just sentimental enough to warm your heart.
Other must-watch Thanksgiving episodes:
- The One Where Ross Got High (S6, E9)
- The One with All the Thanksgivings (S5, E8)
- The One with the Rumor (S8, E9 — featuring Brad Pitt!)
Perfect for: Fans who want a mix of humor, heart, and ‘90s nostalgia.
2. Bob’s Burgers — “Turkey in a Can” (Season 4, Episode 5)
No show captures the weirdness of family Thanksgiving quite like Bob’s Burgers. In “Turkey in a Can,” Bob’s obsessive quest for the perfect turkey dinner takes a bizarre turn when his bird keeps ending up in the toilet.
The episode perfectly blends heartfelt family moments with the show’s signature absurdity. By the end, you’re laughing and maybe tearing up a little as Bob realizes his daughter’s growing up.
Other great Thanksgiving episodes:
- An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal (S3, E5)
- Gayle Makin’ Bob Sled (S6, E4)
- The Quirkducers (S7, E6)
Perfect for: Families who appreciate a little chaos and a lot of laughs.
3. How I Met Your Mother — “Slapsgiving” (Season 3, Episode 9)
Few sitcoms turned Thanksgiving into an event quite like How I Met Your Mother. “Slapsgiving” revolves around Marshall’s long-awaited “slap bet” with Barney, turning a friendly tradition into slapstick (literally) perfection.
It’s one of the most memorable episodes of the series — balancing running jokes, friendship tension, and an unforgettable “You Just Got Slapped” song.
Perfect for: Longtime fans of HIMYM’s inside jokes and friendship dynamics.
4. New Girl — “Thanksgiving” (Season 1, Episode 6)
When it comes to Friends-style found-family chaos, New Girl delivers. In the show’s first Thanksgiving episode, Jess invites her new crush (played by Justin Long) to dinner, and things quickly spiral out of control in the loft.
From the raw turkey in the dryer to Schmidt’s kitchen meltdown, it’s a perfectly awkward celebration of friendship and failure.
Other Thanksgiving gems:
- Parents (S2, E8)
- Thanksgiving III (S3, E10)
- Last Thanksgiving (S6, E7)
Perfect for: Millennials who miss early-2010s sitcom humor and awkward charm.
5. Modern Family — “Three Turkeys” (Season 6, Episode 8)
In Modern Family’s “Three Turkeys,” Phil and Luke secretly cook a backup bird in case Claire’s plan fails (spoiler: it does). Gloria and Jay host a dinner that goes sideways, and everyone learns that chaos is part of the fun.
The episode perfectly encapsulates why the show worked so well — every family member has their own subplot, yet they all come together in the end for a classic, laugh-filled Thanksgiving.
Perfect for: Families who know every holiday plan somehow turns into a circus.
6. Brooklyn Nine-Nine — “Thanksgiving” (Season 1, Episode 10)
Detective Amy Santiago’s quest to host the perfect Thanksgiving dinner for her squad predictably goes up in flames — mostly thanks to Jake Peralta’s immaturity and Captain Holt’s deadpan one-liners.
The result? A mix of heartwarming moments, awkward team bonding, and Jake’s realization that maybe family isn’t just who you’re born with.
Perfect for: Fans who love workplace comedies with heart.
7. Gilmore Girls — “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving” (Season 3, Episode 9)
Few shows celebrate food and family quite like Gilmore Girls. In this episode, Lorelai and Rory attend four different Thanksgiving dinners in one day — from a deep-fried turkey at Lane’s to a strained meal with Emily and Richard.
It’s full of the fast-paced banter and small-town charm that make Gilmore Girls a cozy fall rewatch staple.
Perfect for: Anyone who’s ever had to juggle multiple family obligations in one day.
8. The Simpsons — “Bart vs. Thanksgiving” (Season 2, Episode 7)
Way back in the early days of The Simpsons, “Bart vs. Thanksgiving” gave us one of the show’s first emotional punches. Bart ruins Lisa’s centerpiece, runs away, and ultimately learns the meaning of gratitude in his own mischievous way.
It’s funny, heartfelt, and full of that early Simpsons magic that still holds up decades later.
Perfect for: Longtime fans and families who love nostalgic animation marathons.
9. The Office — “WUPHF.com” (Season 7, Episode 9)
While The Office never did a full-on Thanksgiving episode, “WUPHF.com” deserves an honorable mention. It’s set during late fall, complete with turkeys, office politics, and Michael Scott trying (and failing) to be supportive of Ryan’s ridiculous startup.
It captures the spirit of the holiday without needing to mention it outright — teamwork, chaos, and awkward family dynamics in a work setting.
Perfect for: Anyone who’s thankful for cringe comedy.
10. The West Wing — “Shibboleth” (Season 2, Episode 8)
If you’re craving something a little more sophisticated for your holiday binge, The West Wing’s “Shibboleth” is a Thanksgiving classic. The episode balances humor (CJ has to choose which turkey gets pardoned) with a powerful story about faith, immigration, and compassion.
It’s one of those rare Thanksgiving episodes that makes you laugh and think — the perfect background while digesting too much pie.
Perfect for: Political drama fans and those who love Aaron Sorkin’s rapid-fire dialogue.
Honorable Mentions
If your watchlist still has room (and your plate still has leftovers), here are a few more Thanksgiving episodes worth adding to your annual rotation:
- The Big Bang Theory — “The Thanksgiving Decoupling” (S7, E9)
- Scrubs — “My Day Off” (S1, E9)
- Superstore — “Black Friday” (S2, E10)
- The Middle — “Thanksgiving V” (S5, E7)
- King of the Hill — “Happy Hank’s Giving” (S3, E10)
- Will & Grace — “Homo for the Holidays” (S2, E7)
Each one brings its own flavor of dysfunction, warmth, and humor — just like the holiday itself.
Why Thanksgiving Episodes Are So Relatable
Thanksgiving episodes work because they’re universal. We’ve all had awkward dinners, family arguments, or that one dish that didn’t turn out quite right. But at the end of it all, we laugh, forgive, and come back to the table.
Television captures that better than any other medium. Whether it’s the Belchers serving up laughter or the Gilmores juggling in-laws, these episodes remind us why we’re thankful — even for the chaos.
So this year, once the dishes are done and the couch has claimed its victims, queue up one of these Thanksgiving TV episodes. They’re the perfect way to end a holiday meal — with laughter, heart, and maybe a pie in hand.
