The 7 best Thanksgiving TV episodes to watch right now that deliver laughs, family chaos, iconic sitcom moments, and the perfect holiday nostalgia.
Thanksgiving TV episodes are a staple of the holiday season, and over the years some series have delivered unforgettable chaos, heartfelt moments, and pure comedy gold. From all-time sitcom legends to modern favorites, these seven standout episodes rise above the rest—perfect picks for anyone wanting comfort, nostalgia, or a little holiday mayhem. Here are the top seven Thanksgiving episodes to stream this season.
7. How I Met Your Mother — “Slapsgiving” (Season 3, Episode 9)
One of TV’s most memorable running gags hits peak form in “Slapsgiving,” where Marshall prepares for the long-awaited third slap in his ongoing slap bet with Barney. The holiday tension blends perfectly with the group’s typical antics, cementing the episode as a fan-favorite Thanksgiving classic.
6. Friends — “The One With All the Thanksgivings” (Season 5, Episode 8)
Friends always delivered on Thanksgiving, but this flashback-filled installment remains a standout. “The One With All the Thanksgivings” dives into the group’s worst holiday memories, giving us Monica with a turkey on her head, Chandler’s foot fiasco, and some of the funniest moments in the show’s history.
5. The Mindy Project — “Thanksgiving” (Season 1, Episode 6)
Chaos, romance, and Mindy Lahiri are a perfect mix. In “Thanksgiving,” Mindy brings her coworker Jeremy to Gwen’s holiday dinner, only to find her ex invited—and the night spirals into comedic disaster. It’s everything that made The Mindy Project shine, wrapped in a holiday bow.
4. New Girl — “Parents” (Season 2, Episode 8)
When Jess invites both her divorced parents to Thanksgiving dinner and attempts a Parent Trap–style reunion, the result is peak New Girl shenanigans. “Parents” offers heart, awkwardness, and an ensemble firing on all cylinders.
3. The Office — “Dwight Christmas” (Season 9, Episode 9)
Technically a Christmas episode, but its placement within the holiday season and its thematic overlap made it iconic enough to earn a spot in the original ranking. “Dwight Christmas” is all Dwight—intense, bizarre, hilarious—and the office’s reactions make it one of the funniest holiday episodes of the series.
2. Schitt’s Creek — “Turkey Shoot” (Season 2, Episode 6)
In “Turkey Shoot,” the Roses participate in Jocelyn’s annual turkey hunt, leading to wonderfully awkward comedy and character-driven humor. It’s a perfect example of how Schitt’s Creek balanced heart with hilariously uncomfortable moments.
1. Friends — “The One With the Rumor” (Season 8, Episode 9)
Topping the list is Friends’ star-studded Thanksgiving event, “The One With the Rumor,” featuring a guest appearance from Brad Pitt. His character’s past with Rachel—and his secret high-school “I Hate Rachel Green Club” with Ross—makes this episode endlessly quotable and one of the most rewatched Thanksgiving specials of all time.
