The 40 Best Thanksgiving Episodes to Watch When You're Too Full to Move
This year, I am mostly just thankful for television.
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Thanksgiving is around the corner, which means it's time for too much turkey, naps facedown on the floor while everyone begs you to help with the dishes, at least one relative saying something problematic, and texting your hometown ex to "see how they are." In other words, it's the coziest time of year! And if you're looking to amp up said cozy vibes by a factor of ten, we highly recommend crawling into bed (and/or some sort of wearable blanket situation) and firing up anywhere from 1-10 (or 40) iconic Thanksgiving episodes of television.
There's truly something for everyone on this list—whether you want to watch every single Friends Thanksgiving episode, enjoy the Thanksgiving misadventures of Bob Belcher, or kick back with a classic Thanksgiving episode of Gossip Girl. Because yes, there are multiple.
Oh, and if you like your Thanksgiving episodes dripping with wealth, there's also The Sopranos and Succession. No matter which ep(s) you press play on, we highly recommend enjoying them with a vodka cranberry in hand (counts as cranberry sauce, fight me), as well as a full pumpkin pie. What happens between you and said pumpkin pie is your business! Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!
Seinfeld: The Mom and Pop Store (Season 6, Episode 8)
If your family makes a point of watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade every year, you'll appreciate the suitably wacky plotline in this classic Seinfeld episode. In the days leading up to Turkey Day, Kramer gives away all of Jerry's shoes, George attempts to purchase a car once owned by Jon Voight, and Elaine gets her boss a ticket to pilot the Woody the Woodpecker balloon at NYC's famous parade.
Bob's Burgers: Turkey in a Can (Season 4, Episode 5)
No Thanksgiving is complete without an episode of Bob's Burgers, and this one takes the cake for its hilarious depiction of meal prep gone wrong (read: Bob's turkey finds its way—mysteriously—to the toilet).
Fresh Off the Boat: Huangsgiving (Season 2, Episode 8)
In this hilarious episode of Fresh Off the Boat, Jessica finally gets the chance to prove to her mother that she can handle the Thanksgiving meal. Of course, nothing's ever that easy in a sitcom, and getting something on the table proves nearly impossible.
The Mindy Project: Thanksgiving (Season 1, Episode 6)
Mindy attends Thanksgiving dinner at her friend Gwen's, where she encounters her worst nightmare in the form of her former blind date, Dennis, and his new Indian girlfriend. Thankfully, Mindy always knows what to say—and she never holds back.
Cheers: Thanksgiving Orphans (Season 5, Episode 9)
It wouldn't be a rerun binge without a dose of Cheers, right? In this Thanksgiving classic, most of the crew have no place to go for the holiday, so they throw a potluck at Carla's. But an uncooked turkey, a frustrated Frasier, and last min changes to the guest list throw the day into disarray.
Friday Night Lights: Thanksgiving (Season 4, Episode 13)
Thanksgiving is practically synonymous with football, and Friday Night Lights, naturally, leans all the way in. The gang gets together for a feast ahead of the big Friday night game, and it's up to Landry to make the game-winning field goal.
Pretty Little Liars: Taking This One To The Grave (Season 5, Episode 12)
PLL is not necessarily the cheery holiday fare you're used to on Thanksgiving Day, but if you need a captivating tale to distract you while the pies bake, this episode is perfect. There's holiday decorating, pumpkin pie-making...and, oh, murder!
Parks and Recreation: Harvest Festival (Season 3, Episode 7)
So this isn't technically a Thanksgiving episode, but the Harvest Festival is the closest the Parks and Rec crew gets to celebrating Turkey Day onscreen. Plus, a "curse" is involved.
Boy Meets World: Turkey Day (Season 4, Episode 10)
After learning about class divisions in Rwanda at school, Cory and Shawn decide to be progressive and bridge the gap between their own socioeconomic statuses by...uh, having Thanksgiving at the Hunters' trailer park? Sure!
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Talking Turkey (Season 1, Episode 12)
When Will's mom, Viola, arrives in Bel-Air for Thanksgiving, she causes a fuss when she criticizes Vivian for letting the kids be lazy during the holiday. Hurt, Vivian makes the kids cook Thanksgiving dinner, which—surprise, surprise—turns into a hilarious, but heartwarming, disaster.
Riverdale: Chapter Sixty-Four: The Ice Storm (Season 4, Episode 7)
Danger's always lurking around the corner in Riverdale, even on Thanksgiving Day. An ice storm forces the community into lockdown, and when Archie decides to throw a feast for underprivileged kids, some unexpected guests arrive.
Gossip Girl: Blair Waldorf Must Pie! (Season 1, Episode 9)
Blair Waldorf is the HBIC of Thanksgiving, and that's a fact. Although every single season of Gossip Girl serves us a delicious Thanksgiving episode, season 1 sets the bar high with flashbacks of Serena drunk (in broad daylight) the year before, a look into Blair's past, and the reveal of Rufus and Lily's v. complicated history.
Grey’s Anatomy: Thanks for the Memories (Season 2, Episode 9)
This Thanksgiving episode of Grey's Anatomy might be the most relatable television to ever exist. Izzie wants to have the perfect Turkey Day, but she is literally clueless and has no idea what to do. I mean, you can’t really blame her. This episode aired in 2005 and Pinterest wasn't even invented until 2010. How do you cook anything without Pinterest?
The Office: WUPHF.com (Season 7, Episode 9)
Dwight deals with some childhood trauma the only way he knows how...by creating an elaborate hay festival so he can finally be crowned Hay King. Also, Ryan tries to scam everyone out of a ton of money. Festive!
Friends: The One With All the Thanksgivings (Season 5, Episode 8)
There are 10 Thanksgiving episodes of Friends, but this one is the best, thanks to Monica, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe, Rachel, and Ross sitting around sharing their holiday horror stories. Comedic gold.
Orange Is the New Black: F*cksgiving (Season 1, Episode 9)
Ahh, nothing makes you realize your crazy family isn't so awful like spending Thanksgiving in solitary confinement or eating dinner with a spork. Right, Piper and Alex?
Gilmore Girls: A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving (Season 3, Episode 9)
Rory and Lorelai attend FOUR Turkey Day feasts, which actually sounds like a total nightmare given the fact that they had to wear real clothes and couldn't take post-meal naps on the couch.
Modern Family: Three Turkeys (Season 6, Episode 3)
Everyone's trying to either skip out on dinner, avoid dressing up, or troll each other's ability to cook. Basically, it's the Modern Family crew living out your absolute best Thanksgiving dreams.
Full House: The Miracle of Thanksgiving (Season 1, Episode 9)
There's really only one reason to watch this, and it's Uncle Jesse (in all his first-season, borderline-mullet glory) cooking a turkey in a leather vest. Enjoy!
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy Finds Her Mom! (Season 2, Episode 13)
In which Jacqueline says she's thankful for "loving someone other than herself…and revenge," which honestly, we should all aspire to.
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