Buffy is determined to host a perfect, traditional Thanksgiving dinner for all her friends. Her plans are violently disrupted when the angry spirit of a wronged indigenous warrior rises to seek vengeance. The episode thoughtfully explores the darker history of the holiday while the entire gang bands together for a chaotic fight. | © 20th Television
While Taystee's farewell party leads to her being thrown in solitary confinement, the real holiday fireworks happen elsewhere. Piper and Alex finally give in to their long-simmering tension and reignite their relationship. This pivotal moment unfolds against a backdrop of other major shifts, including Daya's decision to keep her baby. | © Netflix
A huge family fight sends Bart running away from home, and he spends his Thanksgiving in a rough part of town. His family is thrown into a panic after they spot him on the local news, leading them to call the police. The whole ordeal ultimately brings them back together for an unexpectedly heartfelt holiday dinner. | © 20th Television
After a fight over Chuck, Blair disinvites Serena from her family's Thanksgiving, leaving her best friend stranded. Dan steps in to host the van der Woodsens, which uncovers the shocking secret history between their parents, Rufus and Lily. The drama escalates further as Nate's family confronts a serious crisis when his father overdoses, forcing them to rally together. | © Warner Bros. Television
This Emmy-nominated episode throws the town into an all-out war over Black Friday sales. The boys' Game of Thrones-inspired roleplay spirals into a real battle over which gaming console to buy. Meanwhile, Randy Marsh takes a job as a mall security guard, solely to get a strategic edge on the holiday discounts. | © Comedy Partners
Lorelai and Rory embark on a mad dash to attend four different Thanksgiving dinners in one day. The schedule becomes even more chaotic when current and former boyfriends unexpectedly cross paths. Everything culminates in a classic Gilmore family blow-up at the dinner table and a major college revelation from Rory. | © Warner Bros. Television
Bob's quest to make the perfect Thanksgiving turkey hits a bizarre snag when his bird repeatedly ends up in the toilet. What starts as a frantic mystery to find the culprit takes a surprisingly heartfelt turn. The chaos ultimately leads Bob to a tender realisation about not wanting his eldest daughter to grow up too quickly. | © 20th Television
Even a mob boss draws the line somewhere, and this episode finds Tony Soprano grappling with a surprising flicker of morality. He's so disturbed by an associate's recent, gruesome crime that he tries to uninvite the man from his family's Thanksgiving dinner. It's a powerful look at the messy, often contradictory code these characters live by, making your own family drama seem tame by comparison. | © HBO
This first-season holiday episode was an early sign of the show's brilliant comedy, proving the chemistry of its ensemble cast. The plot finds Mindy hosting a chaotic Thanksgiving dinner for her coworkers, determined to make it a perfect, traditional celebration. Her plans are hilariously upended by a surprise guest appearance from Ed Helms. | © Universal Television
Station owner Mr. Carlson plans a wild Thanksgiving promotion, dropping live turkeys from a helicopter over a shopping mall. The entire fiasco unfolds through Les Nessman's horrified play-by-play to the stunned DJs back at the station. It all builds to the legendary punchline, "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly," securing its status as a classic TV comedy. | © 20th Television
Get ready for the classic chaos that only the Pritchett-Dunphy family can deliver. Phil and Luke's ambitious cooking plans lead Claire to secretly prepare a backup turkey, while Jay and Gloria attempt to hide from the family for a quiet holiday. Meanwhile, Mitch and Cam struggle to manage their daughter Lily's suddenly fierce attitude, ensuring laughs from every corner of the house. | © 20th Television
In this classic Seinfeld mishap, Kramer's attempt to save a local store somehow gets Jerry scammed, while Elaine's parade-winning efforts cost her a date. George, however, is entirely preoccupied with a bizarre and escalating obsession over actor Jon Voight. The entire episode builds to the legendary punchline of George finally confirming his wildest suspicion. | © Sony Pictures Television
Izzie is determined to host the perfect Thanksgiving, but her mounting stress over the meal sends her roommates fleeing to the hospital. Meanwhile, George proves to be hilariously inept at a crucial holiday task: humanely dealing with the turkey. This classic episode perfectly captures the chaotic, found-family dynamic that made the show's early seasons so beloved. | © ABC
This episode finds the gang too stuffed to move after their holiday meal, so they start sharing stories about their worst Thanksgivings ever. The flashbacks reveal some hilarious secrets, like how Chandler lost a toe and why Joey once wore a turkey on his head. It all builds to a surprisingly sweet romantic confession from Chandler that changes everything. | © Warner Bros. Television
The gang's Thanksgiving is completely consumed by the looming execution of a slap bet, with Marshall poised to deliver the blow to a terrified Barney. This episode is a masterclass in escalating tension and physical comedy, brilliantly showcased by Neil Patrick Harris's hilarious performance. It also gave us the iconic "slap countdown" and the conversation salute, making it a fan-favorite full of memorable moments. | © 20th Television
Nothing brings a TV family together quite like a Thanksgiving dinner. From turkeys dropped from helicopters to long-lost secrets revealed at the table, these episodes have given us some of television's most memorable moments. So grab a plate and take a seat for the 15 best Thanksgiving episodes from your favorite shows.
