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It’s almost Thanksgiving which means it’s time to eat your body weight in marshmallow-covered sweet potatoes and veg out on the couch watching as much TV as possible. How lucky are we to live in a world where Netflix makes this truly possible. If there’s anything we’re thankful for, it’s how Netflix has changed lazy, holiday weekends forever.
If you want to get into the holiday spirit, the kick-ass streaming service has some of our all-time favorite Thanksgiving episodes from our most beloved sitcoms. Whether you want to eat a tofurky with Jess from New Girl (that’s something she’d do right?) or engage in a little Slapsiving with the How I Met Your Mother crew, Netflix has got you covered.
Friends
Watch: Season 5, Episode 8, “The One With All The Thanksgivings”
Why: A Thanksgiving must-watch list without Friends is like a Thanksgiving dinner without turkey. Though Friends has a whole bunch of worthy Thanksgiving-themed episodes, “The One With All The Thanksgivings” is pleasantly sentimental. Each character tells a story about a horrible Thanksgiving of their past, complete with flashbacks to the ’80s and Chandler’s Flock of Seagulls haircut. It’s also the infamous episode where Joey gets a turkey stuck on his head.
Also recommended:
Season 1, Episode 9, “The One Where Underdog Gets Away”
Season 2, Episode 8, “The One With the List”
Season 3, Episode 9, “The One With the Football”
Season 4, Episode 9, “The One With Chandler in a Box”
Season 6, Episode 9, “The One Where Ross Got High”
Season 7, Episode 8, “The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs”
Season 8, Episode 9, “The One With the Rumor”
Season 9, Episode 8, “The One With Rachel’s Other Sister”
Season 10, Episode 8, “The One With the Late Thanksgiving”
How I Met Your Mother
Watch: Season 3, Episode 9, “Slapsgiving
Why: Following in the footsteps of Friends, How I Met You Mother has a long-standing tradition of amazing, Thanksgiving-themed episodes. While all of the Thanksgiving episodes in the series’ nine-season run are worth a watch, “Slapsgiving” is probably the most classic. It’s Marshall and Lily’s first Thanksgiving as a married couple, it’s the first time we get to see Robin and Ted’s major salute, and it marks the end of Marshall and Barney’s long-running slap bet.
Also recommended:
Season 1, Episode 9, “Belly Full of Turkey”
Season 5, Episode 9, “Slapsgiving 2: Revenge of the Slap”
Season 6, Episode 10, “Blitzgiving”
Season 7, Episode 11, “The Rebound Girl”
Gilmore Girls
Watch: Season 3, Episode 9, “A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving”
Why: Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life doesn’t come out until the 25th, so if you need some of your favorite mother-daughter duo in your life before the big day, now is the perfect time to reminisce over a Thanksgiving episode. In this episode, Lorelai and Rory try to go to four separate Thanksgiving dinners and hilarity ensues.
Also recommended: Season 6, Episode 10, “He’s Slippin ‘Em Bread…Dig?”
Bob’s Burgers
Watch: Season 3, Episode 5, “An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal
Why: There’s nothing better to zone out to on a stomach full of pumpkin pie than Bob’s Burgers. The lighthearted show is consistently funny, but this Thanksgiving episode is surprisingly sentimental. In this episode, Bob is super excited about a three-day brine recipe, but someone keeps throwing his turkey in the toilet. Each time it happens, Bob buys another Turkey, determined to have the best Thanksgiving ever. It’s a game of who-done-it with a pretty good twist. There are also some sweet father-daughter moments between Tina and Bob.
Also recommended:
Season 3, Episode 5: “An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal”
Season 4, Episode 5: “Turkey in a Can”
Season 5, Episode 4: “Dawn of the Peck”
Season 6, Episode 4: “Gayle Makin’ Bob Sled”
New Girl
Watch: Season 2, Episode 8, “Parents”
Why: In this quirky episode of New Girl, Jess’ parents Bob and Joan show up at the same time for Thanksgiving dinner. Jess tries to “parent trap” the couple, but it totally backfires. This emotional story is coupled with Schmidt and his ex-Marine cousin Big Schmidt battling over who is the most manly.
Also recommended:
Season 1, Episode 6, “Thanksgiving”
Season 3, Episode 10, “Thanksgiving III”
Season 4, Episode 9, “Thanksgiving IV”
Glee
Watch: Season 4, Episode 8, “Thanksgiving”
Why: The whole Glee gang is reunited when they come home for Thanksgiving, but not everyone is pleased at the up-and-comers who have filled their spots in the glee club. You can’t beat Glee’s festive sing-alongs, though.
Parenthood
Watch: Season 2, Episode 10, “Happy Thanksgiving”
Why: The Bravermans are all together in this drama-filled episode of Parenthood. Adam is torn between his job and his family, Julia loses it while making pies for dinner, Camille and Amber share a very special moment. This episode is everything we love about Parenthood. It’s sweet, sentimental, and totally real.
Gossip Girl
Watch: Season 1, Episode 9, “Blair Waldorf Must Pie!”
Why: This episode really shows Blair in a different light and adds a whole bunch of depth to her character. She’s painted as a mean girl throughout the series, but “Blair Waldorf Must Pie!” is the first glimpse at the misery and insecurity that makes her that way. After being crushed that her father isn’t joining her for Thanksgiving, it is revealed that Blair has bulimia and relapses. We also find out how Dan met Serena for the first time.
Also recommended:
Season 2, episode 11, “The Magnificent Archibalds”
Season 3, Episode 11, “The Treasure of Serena Madre”
Season 4, Episode 10, “Gaslit”
Season 6, Episode 8, “It’s Really Complicated”
Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23
Watch: Season 2, Episode 4, “It’s A Miracle”
Why: The short-lived sitcom Don’t Trust The B—– In Apartment 23 is seriously overlooked. It’s hysterical, heartfelt and ended way, way too soon. In this episode, June can’t afford to fly to home for Thanksgiving so stone-cold Chloe invites her to her parents’ celebration. Somehow, Chloe gets June to pretend to be in a wheelchair and some awkwardness ensues because of June’s previous encounter with Chloe’s dad.
The League
Watch: Season 3, Episode 8, “Thanksgiving”
Why: Thanksgiving is nothing without football which is why The League’s Turkey Day episode is a must-watch. In this episode, Ruxin gets a surprise visit from his dad, and Andre’s sister (played by guest star Sarah Silverman) is on the prowl. The football jargon-level of this episode is pretty on par with whatever you’re hearing from the game on in the background of Thanksgiving dinner, so if you’re not a sports fan, you can still enjoy.
What’s your favorite Thanksgiving special? Tell us in the comments!
