It’s no secret that Friends has the best Thanksgiving episodes in the sitcom universe, and the Thanksgiving episodes are some of the best of the series. Also, these episodes always get the greatest celebrity guest stars, *ahem* Brad Pitt.
The only way to get into the Turkey Day spirit (and by that I mean pause the Christmas music for a few hours), is to binge the sitcom. Whether you watch these Friends episodes while the turkey is cooking, or as an extra treat after dessert as your food coma sets in, I’m here to help you prioritize your binge – especially if there’s a Thanksgiving nap in your future. I’ve ranked every Friends Thanksgiving episode from best to “worst,” and by worst I mean still insanely funny, just not one you’ll be mad that your dad snores through.
9. Season 1, Episode 9: “The One Where Underdog Gets Away”
Okay, we’re getting controversial right off the bat. I know this started what would become the best nine Thanksgiving episodes of all time, but this one just doesn’t pack a punch for me. It gives a great introduction into why the characters start the tradition of “Friendsgiving,” but, besides Joey’s venereal disease, I can’t think of anything memorable. So, let’s ~shoop, shoop, shoop~ to the next episode.
8. Season 7, Episode 8: “The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs”
This episode mostly centers around Chandler and his fear of dogs, it’s not very Thanksgiving-y to be honest. It definitely has some good one-liners, but the best part for sure is that the dog is so cute (and her name is Clunkers!).
7. Season 10, Episode 8: “The One With the Late Thanksgiving”
This is the last Thanksgiving episode of the series, but it doesn’t keep with the traditional Thanksgiving format. Ross and Joey go to a Rangers game, while Phoebe and Rachel take Emma to a baby beauty pageant. The saving grace of this episode comes at the end when the gang shows up late and Monica (and the vein) are extra angry. She can’t stay angry for long as she receives a call with some great news about a “knocked-up girl in Ohio.” This coupled with the floating heads, make for a great last Thanksgiving together with our favorite friends.
6. Season 9, Episode 8: “The One With Rachel’s Other Sister”
Rachel’s least favorite sister, Amy (Christina Applegate), shows up for Thanksgiving and puts everyone on edge over who gets to look after Emma should Ross and Rachel die. Tensions rise as the plans are revealed, and as Monica’s wedding China gets put into the center of the action. The hypothetical deaths get outrageous, but nothing is crazier than the Rachel and Amy fight we get to witness.
5. Season 3, Episode 9: “The One With the Football”
The Geller Cup, or should I say a Troll Doll strapped to a two by four, is back up for grabs this Thanksgiving. This football game is more than just some friendly competition, Joey and Chandler are fighting to impress a girl and Monica and Ross are, well, just fighting. It’s safe to say, the Geller parents were right to ban this game.
4. Season 4, Episode 8: “The One With Chandler in a Box”
I don’t love watching Joey and Chandler fight, but if it means Chandler sitting in a box for the episode, I can get on board. Plus Joey’s reasons were three-fold, so it’s warranted. Not only is Chandler in a box, but Monica has an eyepatch (yes, like a pirate) and a very strange run-in with Richard’s son. This episode has one of the best lines in Friends history and I think it sums up the episode pretty well. “Judge all you want to, but married a lesbian, left a man at the altar, fell in love with a gay ice dancer, threw a girl’s wooden leg in the fire, live in a box!”
3. Season 5, Episode 8: “The One With All the Thanksgivings”
More turkey Mr. Chandler? This is the episode where we finally find out why Chandler hates Thanksgiving and it didn’t disappoint. Here we have THE episode for anyone who has ever had a bad Thanksgiving as the crew tell their worst Thanksgiving stories. We also get flashbacks from when Monica was overweight and Rachel hadn’t had her nose job, plus some crazy Chandler and Ross hair. And, of course, this is the episode where Monica puts the turkey on her head and dances like she’s in Fiddler on the Roof. All around just a 10/10.
2. Season 8, Episode 9: “The One With the Rumor”
Ah, the Brad Pitt episode. When Ross’ old friend Will (Brad Pitt) visits for Thanksgiving, he brings more than a sugar-free pie with him. We are introduced to the “I Hate Rachel Green” club, which he and Ross were in, excuse me, co-founded. To make it even better, the club started a rumor about Rachel during high school that even Chandler had heard. But not without Rachel sharing a rumor of her own that she spread about Ross. Well is it a rumor if it’s true?
1. Season 6, Episode 9: “The One Where Ross Got High”
This is the best Friends Thanksgiving episode mainly because there is so much going on, which makes it top tier. Chandler finds out that Monica’s parents don’t like him and that she’s been hiding their relationship, all because Ross got caught smoking pot and told his parents Chandler did it. Rachel is making her iconic trifle. Joey and Ross are trying to skip out on Thanksgiving to attend a dancer party. As for Phoebe, she’s doing her own thing, per usual, but she did have a steamy dream about Jack Geller. The scene where they go around the table yelling is one of the most memorable scenes in Friends history, so it’s no surprise it made it to the top of the list.