"There’s nothing I cherish more than my post-Turkey Day, food coma-induced nap. There’s just something about eating a little more than my elastic waistline can handle, changing into my after-dinner loungewear, and snuggling up with my dog that has the potential to make even the busiest season better. And watching a good Thanksgiving episode from a comfort show doesn’t hurt either.
The best Thanksgiving traditions are the ones spent right at home: going overboard on the mashed potatoes, assuming a horizontal position, and falling down a rabbit hole of our Thanksgiving features. From Lorelai Gilmore to Jessica Day and beyond, here are our favorite Thanksgiving episodes that pair well with a full belly and an accidental cat nap:
Gilmore Girls
Stream on Netflix
“A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving” (Season 3, Episode 9)
What to do when four parties expect you to show up for Thanksgiving festivities? Well, if you’re Lorelai and Rory, you do your best to make it all work. While the girls succeed, I crown Sookie the queen of this episode. Getting hilariously drunk after your husband tries to deep-fry a turkey is the ultimate move.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Stream on Hulu
“The Gang Squashes Their Beefs” (Season 9, Episode 10)
If you’ve ever watched an episode of It’s Always Sunny, you know that any chance for this crew to have a “normal” Thanksgiving is baseline slim to none. In this particularly chaotic episode, the gang tries to right wrongs with old enemies who threaten to compromise their Turkey Day plans. If you’re looking for a hilariously messy Thanksgiving to make you feel better about your own, this is it.
Friends
Stream on Max
“The One with the Thanksgiving Flashbacks” (Season 5, Episode 8)
This episode of Friends is the ultimate blast from the past. Between Joey getting his head lodged in a raw turkey and Monica plotting her revenge against an insulting Chandler, we get a glimpse of the crew’s Thanksgivings past that are sure to bring on laughter.
This Is Us
Stream on Hulu
“Pilgrim Rick” (Season 1, Episode 8)
This episode of This Is Us is wholesome AF, will make you smile, and may induce tears (you’ve been warned). It’s a story about how Thanksgiving traditions come to be and may give you more perspective on your next unexpected detour.
New Girl
Stream on Hulu
“Parents” (Season 2, Episode 8)
In the ultimate Parent Trap attempt to reconnect her parents, Jess invites her divorced parents to Thanksgiving dinner. After Jess sees the pair smooch, she hopes that the two can set aside their differences to fulfill the family unit of Jess’s dreams.
How I Met Your Mother
Stream on Hulu
“Slapsgiving” (Season 3, Episode 9)
POV: Your ex brings their new significant other to Thanksgiving dinner. In this episode, Lily and Marshall host their first Thanksgiving. In Lily’s attempt to create the perfect gathering, she is challenged by her friends’ relationship woes and an impending slap between Marshall and Barney.
The Mindy Project
Stream on Netflix
“Thanksgiving” (Season 1, Episode 6)
I’m just going to say it: Mindy Kaling would be my ultimate Thanksgiving dinner guest. In this episode of her Hulu series, Mindy celebrates the holiday at Gwen’s, where she finds out that an ex-mate (enter Ed Helms) from a disastrous blind date is invited. To say that things get messy is a bit of an understatement.
Friday Night Lights
Stream on Netflix
“Thanksgiving” (Season 4, Episode 13)
In this season four finale, the Taylors host Thanksgiving dinner before the big game against the Dillon Panthers. Watching this high-stakes game will have you on the edge of your seat and cheering for the East Dillon Lions. Go team, go!
Gossip Girl
Stream on Max
“Blair Waldorf Must Pie!” (Season 1, Episode 9)
Oh, what fun it is to go back into the Gossip Girl archives and see how young and chipper my hip NYC friends used to be! This episode is the epitome of awkward and messy family Thanksgivings but drives the message home that at the end of the day, as long as you have your people, you’ll be just fine.
Grey’s Anatomy
Stream on Netflix
“Thanks for the Memories” (Season 2, Episode 9)
If Thanksgiving is your holiday, then you and Izzie Stevens might get along well. Unfortunately for Izzie, she doesn’t know how to meet her own perfect dinner expectations while her friends are looking for any and every excuse to stay away. When Burke comes in to save the day, she wonders if her friends will even show up at all.
Modern Family
Stream on Hulu
“Three Turkeys” (Season 6, Episode 8)
This classic Modern Family episode is a disorderly joy—even watching the trailer has me belly laughing and in tears. If your typical Thanksgivings are a bit of a hot mess, the nostalgia will hit hard.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Stream on Peacock
“Thanksgiving” (Season 1, Episode 10)
If you spend any more than five minutes talking to me, you’ll find out rather quickly that I love Brooklyn Nine-Nine. To me, it’s the perfect quirky comedy and can be rather heartfelt at times. Take their Thanksgiving feature, which, in a very backward way, proves that your “family” extends past blood relations.
Orange Is the New Black
Stream on Netflix
“F…sgiving” (Season 1, Episode 9)
OK, team, let’s be real here. If you’re looking for a feel-good Thanksgiving feature, this simply is not it. OITNB fans won’t be surprised, as this episode’s dark, twisty humor and drama are completely on par with the rest of the series. In this episode, Piper lands herself in solitary confinement for “inappropriate behavior” and thus loses her visiting privileges on Thanksgiving.
New Girl
Stream on Hulu
“Thanksgiving IV” (Season 4, Episode 9)
Oh, Schmidt, you dirty dog. In a rare time period where every single member of this crew is single, Schmidt urges his comrades to find a mate before the year ends. He proposes that the house hosts a “Bangs-giving” themed gathering where everyone must bring someone compatible for another member of the group.
Friends
Stream on Max
“The One with the Rumor” (Season 8, Episode 9)
Ahhhh, a parallel universe where then-married Jen and Brad appear in a Thanksgiving episode of Friends. What a dream. Even if the pair quarrel in this episode over unresolved hard feelings, I’ll take it.
Glee
Stream on Hulu
“Thanksgiving” (Season 4, Episode 8)
This episode of Glee is the unconventional Thanksgiving episode you didn’t know you needed. With some zesty musical mashups, some good old sectionals prep, and rocky relationships, there’s something in this feature for everyone.
Gossip Girl
Stream on Max
“The Treasure of Serena Madre” (Season 3, Episode 11)
Of all the Thanksgiving episodes throughout the Gossip Girl seasons, this one has to be the most iconic. Secrets, lies, all exposed at the dinner table, and with Jason Derulo’s “Whatcha Say” playing in the background? Perfection.
The Office
Stream on Peacock
“WUPHF.com” (Season 7, Episode 9)
Because who doesn’t love a holiday episode from The Office. Dwight takes on a mission to recreate a fond childhood memory, “Hay Place” in the office parking lot before Thanksgiving. With Dwight’s growing obsession to become “Hay King”, this episode is entertaining from beginning to end.
Full House
Stream on Max
“The Miracle of Thanksgiving” (Season 1, Episode 9)
A happy ‘ole John Stamos Thanksgiving. As the first holiday without the girls’ mother, Danny wants to make it special for them, but bad weather traps their grandmother from coming, meaning Danny, Joey, and Jesse must step up to the task of Thanksgiving. Like most Full House episodes, this one makes us laugh, but always ends on a heartwarming note.
One Tree Hill
Stream on Max
“Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace” (Season 8, Episode 9)
Thanksgiving dinner at Nathan and Haley’s grows quickly when Brooke’s dinner plans go up in smoke and Skills realizes he accidentally ordered a live turkey. As tension rises, Haley gives a speech reminding everyone to be grateful for what they have. Then, as typical Thanksgiving episodes on TV always end, the gang plays a game of touch football in the backyard.
Scream Queens
Stream on Hulu
“Thanksgiving” (Season 1, Episode 10)
Who doesn’t love a dramatic Thanksgiving with a dash of murder? Chanel spends the holiday with Chad’s family and an unexpected guest, and at the Kappa House, dinner explodes with accusations of who the killer is.
Parks and Recreation
Stream on Peacock
“Harvest Festival” (Season 3, Episode 7)
What better cast to spend a Thanksgiving celebration with than the Parks and Rec crew? Featuring our beloved mini-horse Li’l Sebastian and a tribal leader placing a curse on Leslie and the Harvest Festival, the crew comes together in true save-the-day fashion.
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Stream on Disney+
“Thanksgiving” (Season 1, Episode 7)
If you watched this HSM spinoff religiously when it came out, you’ll likely agree that this Thanksgiving episode is one of the most heartwarming things I’ve ever seen. The message throughout the show rings true in this episode, that your friends can also be your family.
Shameless
Stream on Netflix
“Just Like the Pilgrims Intended” (Season 2, Episode 11)
We love to watch the lives of the dysfunctional Gallagher family, and this Thanksgiving is in true Gallagher style as Fiona attempts to organize a dinner after Monica has spent the entirety of their savings. Although the usual comedy is on point in this one, I have to put out a graphic trigger warning for the end of the episode which may induce some quiet, serious tears due to the reality of their mother’s serious mental health issues.
Fresh Off the Boat
Stream on Hulu
“No Thanks-giving” (Season 3, Episode 5)
Although all of the Fresh Off the Boat Thanksgiving episodes are fantastic, my personal favorite is the one in season three, where Jessica convinces Louis to open Cattleman’s Ranch for Thanksgiving. With a special message about culture and family, this one gets Eddie and Emery interested in their family business that they could one day inherit.