Ah, Thanksgiving… a perfect time to count your blessings and realize what you’re truly grateful for. And a perfect time to sit around and watch a lot of TV, too.
Thanksgiving episodes have been a TV staple for decades now — probably because the combination of family reunions, calorie-heavy feasts and free-flowing alcohol leads to big laughs and even bigger drama. We here at TVLine love to celebrate the holidays by watching seasonally appropriate episodes from years past, so we thought we’d cook up a piping hot list of our favorite Turkey Day episodes for your viewing pleasure.
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We’ve got comedies (nobody did a Thanksgiving dinner food fight quite like the Cheers gang), we’ve got dramas (can you believe the dysfunctional Succession clan had a less than joyful Thanksgiving together?) and we’re throwing them all together on one plate, as Thanksgiving tradition dictates we should. Plus, we’ve added in where you can stream each episode, so you can have a festive Turkey Day marathon right from your couch.
Read on to see which tasty Thanksgiving episodes made our best-of list, and then let us know in the comments below if we left one of your personal favorites off the menu. (We’re always thankful for your input.)
Bob’s Burgers, “Now We’re Not Cooking With Gas”
After the gas goes out in their neighborhood, Bob attempts to cook a special, farm-raised turkey in the alley outside, despite multiple run-ins with the fire department. In pureBob’s BurgersThanksgiving fashion, it doesnotend well, and the family settles on sandwiches for their holiday meal. (Watch on Hulu.)
Boy Meets World, “Turkey Day”
It’s a classic tale of the haves and have nots, as Cory’s family reluctantly heads to the Hunters’ trailer park for Thanksgiving dinner. (Watch on Disney+.)
The Brady Bunch, “The Un-Underground Movie”
Taking note of Dad’s nifty new movie camera, Greg gets the idea to make a modest opus about the Pilgrims. Cue such memorable moments as Greg forgetting to take the lens cap off; Alice leaving Governor John Carver’s mustache on after a quick-change; and Peter letting loose withallthe fake snow. There was much turmoil there in the Astroturfed backyard, but the end result was an amusingly imperfect school project. (Watch on Paramount+.)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine, “Thanksgiving”
This early standout in the series’ eight-season run is perhaps best remembered for the moment when Captain Holt assumes the character of Detective Jerald Jimes, a man who has solved every crime but one, and breaks up a family squabble when he exclaims, “My wife was murdered by a man in a yellow sweater!” Hot, damn… Andre Braugher was good! (Watch onNetflixandPeacock.)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, “Pangs”
What you might recall: The Season 4 episode is a cornucopia of zingers and heart, from its social commentary about robbed Native Americans to Xander’s hilarious “mystical” syphilis. What you might’ve forgotten: The festive hour also is the kickoff of aBuffy/Angelcrossover event that gifted us with the heartbreak-filled “I Will Remember You.” (Watch on Hulu.)
Cheers, “Thanksgiving Orphans”
Not even a heaping serving of your grandma’s cornbread stuffing is as satisfying as watching Diane, dressed in a pilgrim outfit, take a spoonful of cranberry sauce to the face. (Though the take-no-prisoners food fight that follows it is a very close second.) Plus: We meet Norm’s never-before-seen wife, Vera!… whose face remains obscured by a poorly thrown pecan pie. (Watch on Hulu and Paramount+.)
The Conners, “Slappy Holidays”
We are forever grateful for Laurie Metcalf’s comedic and dramatic prowess, both of which are on full display in this modern classic. Early on, the four-time Emmy winner gives a masterclass in physical comedy when she recreates Jackie’s high school rifle-twirling routine. Later on, we’re treated to an unforgettable war of words that culminates in Jackie extending her hand andslapping Darlene across the face. (Watch onNetflixandTubi.)
Everybody Loves Raymond, “No Fat”
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without… a tofu turkey? The holiday is nearly ruined when Marie and Debra insist on preparing a dietetic dinner. (Watch on Peacock and Paramount+.)
Felicity, “Family Affairs”
Felicity inviting her hard-to-please art professor to Thanksgiving dinner — and then getting caught kissing Noel by that professor, when she’s currently datingthe professor’s son— is the height of Thanksgiving dinner awkwardness. Oh, and she also has to tell her own parents she dropped pre-med. Pass the yams! (Watch on Hulu.)
Friends, “The One With All the Thanksgivings”
Previouslyrankedas our personal favorite ofFriends‘ Thanksgiving episodes, this installment is stuffed (heh) with some of the sitcom’s most memorable moments, from the story of Chandler’s lost toe to Monica shimmying with a turkey on her head. The only downside? You’ll never look at baby carrots the same way again. (Watch on Max.)
Frasier, “A Lilith Thanksgiving”
A visit from Bebe Neuwirth as Frasier’s Cheers ex Lilith is always welcome, as she and Frasier try to get their son Freddy into a prestigious school by interrupting the headmaster’s holiday dinner. But the real Thanksgiving flavor is at home, where Niles is absolutely hapless at cooking the big bird and Martin manages to give poor Freddy a black eye while playing catch. (Watch on Hulu and Paramount+.)
Full House, “The Miracle of Thanksgiving”
Danny, Jesse and Joey try (and mostly fail) to give DJ and Stephanie the very best Thanksgiving — the first without their mom. We’re still not sure how the trio managed to burn a still-frozen turkey after sticking it back in the oven for all of five minutes, but at least we got the entire Tanner clansinging and dancing along to The Temptationsas they were preparing it. (Watch onHuluandMax.)
Gilmore Girls, “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving”
This Season 3 outing reaches its climax with a doozy of a fight at Richard and Emily’s house, where Lorelai is once again horrified at the idea of Rory attending Yale. But the nuanced family drama isn’t the only thing that makesGilmore‘s Thanksgiving episode memorable: It also features a very drunk (sorry, “ensconced in acceptance”) Sookie, a new wrinkle in the Jess/Rory/Dean love triangle and the sweetest of first kisses between Lane and Dave Rygalski. (Watch on Netflix.)
Grey’s Anatomy, “Thanks for the Memories”
While Izzie sets out to put together a perfect Thanksgiving dinner — with help from no one, save for eventually Burke (and his surgically precise approach to food prep) — George gets dragged into the woods by his dad and brothers to not eat turkeys but shoot them. Who do you think wound up having the better day? (Watch on Netflix and Hulu.)
Happy Endings, “More Like Stanksgiving”
While the gang relives its appearance in an ill-fated — and thankfully unaired — season ofThe Real World, Dave sets out to treat his friends to a traditional Navajo Thanksgiving. Spoiler alert: Both activities end in disaster. (Watch on Hulu.)
How I Met Your Mother, “Slapsgiving”
The CBS sitcom ultimately gifted us with three “Slapsgiving” episodes, but it’s the first one, from Season 3, that made our cut. With last-minute permission from new wife Lily, Marshall hilariously unleashes one heckuva slap on Barney, fulfilling one-fifth of their slap bet — and his episode-ending performance of “You Just Got Slapped” is the cherry on top. Er, cranberry sauce on top? Marshmallow? You get the idea. (Watch on Netflix and Hulu.)
Insecure, “Lowkey Thankful”
Thanksgiving dinner gets messy for Issa and Molly as they endure a cornucopia of awkward family moments, including the most nonchalant ambulance visit you’ve ever seen. Plus, Lawrence hits a bumpy patch with new girlfriend Condola at her Friendsgiving… because immediate families don’t have a monopoly on awkwardness, you know. (Watch on Netflix and Max.)
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, “The Gang Squashes Their Beefs”
The Paddy’s Pub gang celebrates Turkey Day by attempting to mend all the fences they’ve recklessly broken over the years. The solution: Invite all their enemies to Thanksgiving dinner, including fan favorites the McPoyle brothers (with Liam sporting an unsettling eye patch) and Gail the Snail. Does it go off the rails? Oh, you bet it does. (Watch on Hulu.)
Master of None, “Thanksgiving”
Aziz Ansari’s Netflix comedy uses Turkey Day as a hook to tell the story of Lena Waithe’s Denise and her gradual coming-out process in a series of poignant flashbacks. Getting the peerless Angela Bassett to play Denise’s mom is just, well, gravy. (Watch onNetflix.)
Modern Family, “Three Turkeys”
This Season 6 outing is a tale of three cooked birds: the handsome one that Phil insists on handling himself for the holiday (yet winds up in someone’s suitcase?!), a “back-up” turkey Claire makes in secret, and an undersized one that starts off in Jay and Gloria’s ovenbut — through a series of secrets and lies — winds up under a devastated Phil’s carving knife. For those who love a door-slamming comedy of errors, this Dunphy Thanksgiving is a meal.(Watch on Hulu and Peacock.)
New Girl, “Parents”
This Season 2 outing is a delicious one for fans of big-time guest stars, as Jess enlists Nick and Cece to help “Parent Trap” her divorced ‘rents Bob (Rob Reiner) and Joan (Jamie Lee Curtis). (Watch on Hulu.)
The O.C., “The Homecoming”
You could always count on the Fox sudser to delivery crazy drama during the holidays. Season 1’s Thanksgiving installment, in which Seth tries to juggle two girls and Kirsten gets sloshed (“I always knew you were a late bloomer, sweetie,” she tells Seth), is no exception. (Watch on Hulu and Max.)
Parenthood, “Happy Thanksgiving”
Practically every Braverman is experiencing a personal dilemma in this episode: Adam’s job is on the line! Crosby wants to impress Jasmine’s mom! Julia’s messing up the pies! ButParenthoodis at its best when the family members set aside their private drama and simply love each other — and this hour is a perfect example of how well that formula works. (Watch on Hulu.)
Seinfeld, “The Mom and Pop Store”
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade figures into this Season 6 episode, as Elaine helps her boss win the opportunity to help carry the Woody the Woodpecker balloon. Alas, Mr. Pitt’s dream is literally burst by an Empire State Building souvenir that was knocked out of a window by Jerry. (Oh, the coincidence!) This episode is perhaps better remembered, though, as the one in which George buys a car previously owned by John (oops, that’s with an H!) Voight. (Watch on Netflix.)
Somebody Somewhere, “Num Nums”
When Joel and Brad host the gang for Turkey Day, Tricia joins in the fun and has the perfect holiday. She’s pissed at her family to start, but eventually gets wine-drunk, has a good cry, feels connected to new friends and passes out in the car ride home. Success!(Watch on Max.)
Succession, “I Went to Market”
A heaping helping of family dysfunction is on the menu as the Roys gather for Thanksgiving, just as Kendall is plotting to overthrow his father Logan as Waystar CEO. Logan’s estranged brother Ewan visits long enough to call the Roy clan “a nest of vipers,” and a rapidly declining Logan ends up smacking Kendall’s young son in the face with a can of cranberry sauce. Happy holidays, everyone! (Watch on Max.)
This Is Us, “Pilgrim Rick”
Our first Thanksgiving with the Pearsons not only introduces us to the sweet family tradition of wearing the “Pilgrim Rick” hat (and watchingPolice Academy 3), it also gives us a top-notch Sterling K. Brown performance, as Randall breaks down after learning his mom has been hiding his birth father from him. (Watch on Netflix and Hulu.)
The West Wing, “The Indians in the Lobby”
Sure, Season 2’s “Shibboleth” gave us the hilarious visual of C.J. hosting a pair of live turkeys in her office, puzzled over which to pick for pardoning. But this Season 3 episode finds the press sec handling far weightier matters, when two Native Americans stage a holiday sit-in at the White House. C.J. eventually makes peace with the protesters, while on a far lighter note, President Bartlet (aka “Joe Bethersonton”) has a most entertaining run-in with the Butterball hotline. (Watch on Max.)
Will & Grace, “Lows in the Mid-Eighties”
This Season 3 two-parter is totally retro, dude, as we flash back to Will and Grace in college in 1985, when they were still… um, dating?! The hairdos and fashion choices are a hoot, as are Grace’s futile attempts to seduce a still-closeted Will into taking her virginity while they’re home on Thanksgiving break. (Watch on Hulu.)
WKRP in Cincinnati, “Turkeys Away”
With God as his witness, Mr. Carlson thought turkeys could fly. Ergo his idea for a top-secret holiday promotion that didn’t give turkeys away to a strip mall crowd so much as bomb the parking lot with flightless birds. “Like sacks of wet cement” is how Les best put it. (Buy on Apple TV.)
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