Thanksgiving episodes hold a special place in TV history. They bring together family chaos, heartfelt moments, memorable guest stars, and kitchens on the verge of disaster. From sitcom staples to emotional dramas, these episodes capture everything we love (and sometimes dread) about the holiday. Here are 10 of the best Thanksgiving episodes ever made, spanning decades of television.
10. Cheers — “Thanksgiving Orphans” (Season 5)
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| Photo credit: NBC Universal |
Arguably one of the most iconic sitcom Thanksgiving episodes ever made, “Thanksgiving Orphans” brings the bar regulars together for a potluck dinner when they all find themselves alone on the holiday. What starts as a sweet makeshift gathering evolves into one of TV’s most memorable food fights. a moment of pure comedic chaos that still holds up decades later. The sense of found family at the heart of the episode is what makes it a must-watch every season.
9. Everybody Loves Raymond — “No Fat” (Season 3)
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| Photo Credit: CBS |
8. Gilmore Girls – “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving” (Season 3)
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| Photo Credit: The CW |
This episode turns Thanksgiving into a full-on endurance test for Lorelai and Rory, who pinball between four wildly different holiday meals. They kick things off at Mrs. Kim’s, where a strict vegetarian feast, complete with an unforgettable tofurkey, sets the tone. Then it’s off to Sookie’s house, where Jackson’s impromptu deep-fried turkey experiment sends the kitchen spiralling into comedic disaster. Their brief moment of peace arrives at Luke’s diner, the only stop that isn’t fuelled by panic or poultry-related drama.
Meanwhile, Rory is quietly navigating her love-life landmines, trying to make sense of her feelings for Jess while inconveniently bumping into Dean at every turn. By the end of the day, it feels like the Gilmore girls have experienced four totally different Thanksgivings. Some chaotic, some sweet, but all handled with the rapid-fire wit that defines the show.
7. This Is Us — “Pilgrim Rick” (Season 1)
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| Photo Credit: NBC Universal |
One of the most emotional Thanksgiving hours in recent television, “Pilgrim Rick” explores how Pearson family traditions are born, sometimes through joy, sometimes through trauma. Flashbacks reveal the origins of their chaotic holiday rituals, while the present-day storyline delves into secrets, grief, and connection. The emotional weight of the episode is profound, and the storytelling structure, past and present intertwining around a single holiday, showcases the series at its most impactful.
6. Brooklyn Nine-Nine — “Thanksgiving” (Season 1)
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| Photo Credit: FOX Corporation |
Amy Santiago hosting Thanksgiving for the squad for the first time is a rite of passage, one filled with colour-coded schedules, excessive preparation, and more stress than anyone asked for. Jake, who hates Thanksgiving, tries to dodge the entire event, while Boyle excitedly takes over the cooking like a culinary superhero. Holt and Terry bring emotional grounding as the group opens up about their personal holiday histories. The episode captures early Nine-Nine perfectly: goofy, heartfelt, and anchored by the growing sense of family among the precinct.
5. New Girl — “Parents” (Season 2)
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| Photo Credit: FOX Corporation |
Jess’s plan to “Parent Trap” her divorced mom and dad during Thanksgiving is just the kind of big-hearted, slightly chaotic scheme the show excels at. Watching her desperately choreograph their interactions while trying to keep dinner on track leads to emotional and comedic payoff in equal measure. Schmidt, meanwhile, throws himself into a historically “accurate” Thanksgiving reenactment, providing perfect comic contrast. Beneath the humour, the episode explores Jess’s longing for family unity and how complicated those feelings can be during the holidays.
4. The Office – “WUPHF.com” (Season 7)
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| Photo Credit: NBC Universal |
Not strictly a turkey episode, but spiritually Thanksgiving-coded: family chaos, questionable life choices, desperate financial decisions… it’s all here. Ryan’s start-up flames out spectacularly, Dwight hosts a “Hay Festival” in the parking lot, and Michael deals with being the only one who still believes in Ryan. The whole thing feels like an extended-family holiday gathering, if your extended family worked for Dunder Mifflin.
3. How I Met Your Mother – “Slapsgiving” (Season 3)
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| Photo Credit: CBS |
This modern classic blends holiday coziness with a looming threat of cartoonish violence, what more could you want? Marshall is way too excited about delivering the next slap in the “Slap Bet,” while Lily tries to host a grown-up Thanksgiving that immediately goes off the rails. The episode juggles sincere relationship drama (Ted and Robin post-breakup awkwardness) with hysterical running gags. Honestly, it’s as iconic to HIMYM as pumpkin pie is to the holiday table.
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer – “Pangs” (Season 4)
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| Photo Credit: The CW |
Buffy is determined to host a “normal” Thanksgiving for once, naturally, that plan falls apart the moment an Indigenous vengeance spirit appears in Sunnydale, forcing her and the Scooby Gang back into crisis mode. The highlight of the episode is a wonderfully over-the-top showdown where Xander, Anya, and Giles scramble to fight off the arrow-slinging spirit, all while Spike sits tied to a chair offering snarky commentary. Instead of pure horror, the whole thing leans into comedic supernatural chaos. It wraps up with an awkward dinner moment when Xander accidentally reveals that Buffy had an unexpected visitor she didn’t notice: her brooding ex, Angel.
1. Friends — “The One with the Rumor” (Season 8)
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| Photo Credit: NBC Universal |
Friends is practically the blueprint for Thanksgiving TV, and while nearly all of their holiday episodes are memorable, “The One with the Rumor” stands out for good reason. Brad Pitt guest-stars as Will, a former classmate who arrives at Monica’s dinner holding a decades-old grudge against Rachel. The reveal of the “I Hate Rachel Green Club,” the chaos of old high-school secrets resurfacing, and the way the group tries, and fails, to keep dinner on track all make this episode a quintessential Thanksgiving classic. It’s funny, nostalgic, and packed with the familiar ensemble chemistry that made Friends a long-running powerhouse.