20 Best Thanksgiving TV Episodes That Make Us Feel Grateful for Streaming
We could watch the Friends episode again and again! 🦃
It wouldn't be the holiday season without classic Christmas movies, but before we jump into the snow-filled scenes of Frosty or Rudolph, we can't forget about Thanksgiving! Some of our all-time favorite shows have the best Thanksgiving TV episodes. It's the perfect thing to stream before or after your big Thanksgiving feast. After all, watching our beloved, fictional characters carve their own turkey or whip up their own pie just gives us the inspiration we need to do it ourselves. Plus, watching them gather around the table for their own Thanksgiving (or Friendsgiving, depending on the show) is more than enough to make us feel grateful. All this talk about festive holiday specials—we might as well list the best Thanksgiving episodes on TV!
With the range of shows on this list, there's surely something that will satisfy everyone. Classic sitcoms like Friends show us that a Friendsgiving can be just as special as a holiday spent with family. Wholesome dramas like This Is Us challenge the meaning of the word "tradition," and show us that family looks different to everyone. Buffy the Vampire Slayer puts its own supernatural twist to the holiday special, enticing fans with all things spooky and scary. (For more of that, check out our favorite Halloween TV episodes, too!)
Take a look at this list, and let us know which ones you have seen—and which ones you'll rewatch this Thanksgiving.
New Girl — "Parents"
Jess just wants this holiday to be special. She takes it upon herself (with the help of her roommates, of course) to try and reunite her divorced parents at last. This proves to be a strenuous task, with her mom (Jamie Lee Curtis) being one difficult person to be around.
The O.C. — “The Homecoming”
We're more than appreciative of the drama this episode brings. We're talking love triangles, unexpected guests over the holiday, and a huge break up. Pass the wine, please!
Superstore — "Black Friday"
Cloud 9 is already St. Louis, Missouri's busiest megastore. But come Black Friday, it's full-on mayhem. Watch your favorite crew of cashiers band together on one of the craziest days of the year.
Gossip Girl — "Blair Waldorf Must Pie!"
Blair is throwing one of her many temper tantrums, only this time she has a valid reason: Her father won't make it for Thanksgiving. Dan on the other hand, is playing hero by inviting Serena and her family over for the holiday, not wanting them to spend it alone. Little does he know, he just made it awkward between both of their parents. 😬
Everybody Loves Raymond — "No Fat"
Marie usually throws down on Thanksgiving, whipping up the tastiest of foods. But this time around, a health scare has her cooking meals with very low fat, like tofu turkey and other menu items her family just simply isn't used to. In an effort to not hurt her feelings, everyone pretends to absolutely love the food she's serving. But sometimes, enough is enough.
Friends — "The One with Rachel's Other Sister"
Rachel's sister (guest star Christina Applegate in an Emmy-winning performance) shows up to Thanksgiving dinner and causes arguments among the friends. Talk about stirring the pot!
Modern Family — "Punkin Chunkin"
Between family squabbles, a car crash, and one euphoric pumpkin launch—this Thanksgiving episode perfectly summarizes what Modern Family is all about.
Gilmore Girls — "A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving"
Lorelai and Rory are quite the busy pair during this Thanksgiving season. Having to attend numerous holiday dinners, the mother and daughter duo work hard to squeeze it all in. But things get a little tense when Lorelai discovers that Rory has been keeping some secrets.
Parenthood — “Happy Thanksgiving”
If we could summarize this Braverman family Thanksgiving in one word, it would be: awkward. Sarah's (Lauren Graham) son can't stand her date (William Baldwin), and some surprising announcements have tensions running at an all-time high.
This Is Us — "Pilgrim Rick"
Every tradition has its origin. In this heartwarming flashback episode, we learn all about how the Pearson family's "Pilgrim Rick" tradition got its start after a Thanksgiving Day disaster.
Seinfeld — “The Mom & Pop Store”
Jerry and the gang have a lot going on this Thanksgiving. But the biggest question is: Can Kramer save an old couple from the bankruptcy that he himself caused?
Boy Meets World — “Turkey Day”
Best friends Cory and Shawn feel like they're doing a good thing when they try to get their families together for Thanksgiving. Their families, on the other hand, aren't so sure.
Friends — "The One with All the Thanksgivings"
Television's most iconic friend group gets together for what should be a day of grace and gratitude. Instead, it's a dinner filled with complaints, sorrow, and loads of flashbacks to previous Thanksgivings.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine — "Thanksgiving"
Spending the holiday with your coworkers probably doesn't sound ideal. But it's different for this crew. Things go awry when Amy invites everyone to her place for Thanksgiving, but the gang eventually enjoys a perfect dinner back at the precinct.
The Office — "WUPHF.com"
Dwight tries to recreate some childhood memories in the office parking lot but things don't go as planned. His relationship with Angela dwindles after she meets another man at his event, "Hay King."
Cheers — “Thanksgiving Orphans”
The whole gang leaves the bar for a change to have Thanksgiving dinner at Diane's house. Spoiler alert: The evening ends in a hilarious food fight!
Full House — “The Miracle of Thanksgiving”
Danny knows he needs to make this Thanksgiving special for his girls since it's their first one without their mother. But when his mom's flight gets canceled, Danny must rely on Jesse and Joey to help him make the perfect home-cooked meal.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer — "Pangs"
Thanksgiving with Buffy tends to be a little different. (Have you been to a holiday dinner where spirits and vampires are on the guest list?) To plan the perfect dinner, Buffy must prepare for secrets to be spilled and chaos to unfold.
Friday Night Lights — "Thanksgiving"
This Thanksgiving holiday brings on tension between two rival high school football teams. The Taylor's Thanksgiving dinner acts as a brief escape from all the stress.
Greys Anatomy — “Thanks for the Memories”
Seattle's most talented doctors try to find time away from their busy work lives to spend with each other during the holidays. Some hide, some play, some... hunt? (Turkeys, that is.)
Josiah Soto is the assistant editor of news and social for The Pioneer Woman. He helps manage the website’s social channels, in addition to writing high-performing news and entertainment content daily.
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