What are the 11 best Thanksgiving TV episodes, and where can you stream them now? (2024)

Happy Thanksgiving, readers! The Streamable hopes you’re cozy at home with all the family members that complete your holiday experience, but we also know that holidays can come with significant lulls, especially if you’re not doing any cooking. Fortunately, I’ve put together a list of 11TV episodes that you can stream before or after the Parade, while you’re waiting for the pie to be served, or before the next football game kicks off, that will make for perfect Thanksgiving watching. Check them out below!

What are the top 11 Thanksgiving-themed TV episodes, and where to stream them

‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’

Let’s start the list off with a classic. “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” sees Peppermint Patty and the rest of the Peanuts gang invite themselves over to Charlie’s place for a feast. The only problem? He has nothing to serve them! In the end, however, the group learns the best meals are one shared with friends, no matter what’s on the table.

You can stream “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” on Apple TV+, which comes with a seven-day free trial. The streamer costs $10 per month after that trial ends.

‘Friends’ Season 5, Episode 8, ‘The One with the Thanksgiving Flashbacks’

There are a few different “Friends” Thanksgiving episodes to choose from, but this one climbs to the top of the list for most fans. Each group member tells a story of their worst Thanksgiving; Joey’s head gets stuck in a turkey, while Chandler’s toe gets lopped off in a knife-dropping accident. And of course, Phoebe loses her arm during the first Thanksgiving all the way back in 1862 (it was a past life, okay?).

“Friends” streams exclusively on Max, which doesn’t offer a free trial. However, taking advantage of the streamer’s Black Friday deal will allow you to watch it for just $3 per month for six months!

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ Season 2 Episode 7, ‘Lockdown’

Jake Peralta’s disdain for Thanksgiving is a well-known joke among “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” fans, so being locked in at the precinct thanks to a mysterious package with such a humbug on Turkey Day is quite a pain indeed for the rest of the squad. Fortunately, the gang’s quirks and their genuine affinity for each other manages to pull them through, with more than a few laughs along the way.

Stream “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” on Peacock, and take advantage of the streamer’s Black Friday offer of $20 of service for 12 months!

‘The Simpsons’ Season 2, Episode 7, ‘Bart vs Thanksgiving’

This is one of the more earnest portrayals of a Thanksgiving every family has had at some point. Grandparents are disappointed, relatives passive-aggressively bring dishes they weren’t supposed to, and the evening culminates when Bart destroys Lisa’s handcrafted centerpiece, then runs away after being sent to bed without any supper. It’s still packed with plenty of jokes, but it offers a surprisingly accurate portrayal of family life at the holidays.

The Simpsons” Season 2 is exclusively available to stream on Disney+.

‘Modern Family’ Season 3, Episode 9, ‘Punkin Chunkin’

Modern Family“‘s best Thanksgiving episode is clearly this one, which centers on Cam’s cherished memory of launching a pumpkin across a football field. Some of the family, of course, doesn’t believe it really happened, leaving Cam and his fellow dreamers determined to prove that the incident could have gone down exactly as he says it did. The results are predictably hilarious.

This series is also available to stream on Peacock in its entirety, so if you take advantage of the $20 offer for 12 months of service you’ll be able to watch from start to finish!

‘The Sopranos’ Season 3, Episode 8, ‘He is Risen’

If you want to add a little danger to the Thanksgiving equation, check out this episode of “The Sopranos.” It’s got everything a Sopranos Thanksgiving should; poorly veiled threats of violence, a car crash, a funeral, an affair and a mounting hatred between Tony and one of his most annoying associates, Ralph Cifaretto —played by the inimitable Joe Pantoliano.

Stream “The Sopranos” on Max, either using the Black Friday discount or as part of the Disney+, Hulu and Max bundle.

‘Frasier’ Season 4, Episode 7, ‘A Lilith Thanksgiving’

Any “Frasier” episode where Bebe Neuwirth gets to appear as Frasier’s ex-wife Lilith is a must-see, and this Thanksgiving episode brings an entirely new meaning to the word “cringe.” Frasier travels back to Boston to see his son and ex-wife for Thanksgiving, but the day is predictably thrown off track when the parents travel to the home of a prestigious private school headmaster in order to get their son admitted.

You can watch “Frasier” on Paramount+ with a seven-day free trial, and get the streamer’s Black Friday offer of $3 per month for two months on either of its two plans.

‘King of the Hill’ Season 4, Episode 7, ‘Happy Hank’s Giving’

This classic “King of the Hill” episode sees Hank and the Hill clan stuck at the airport thanks to bad weather, desperately trying to get to Montana. Things take a worse turn when Hank’s deep-fried turkey is mistaken for a bomb, while Dale tries to infiltrate a first-class lounge and Boomhauer makes the most of his layover. All the while, Bill tries desperately to find someone to spend time with while simultaneously convincing them all he has better plans.

You can stream each episode of “King of the Hill” on Hulu with a 30-day free trial, or get its Black Friday deal of a full year of service for just $1.

‘Schitt’s Creek’ Season 1, Episode 7, ‘Turkey Shoot’

This episode of “Schitt's Creek” isn’t technically about Thanksgiving proper, but the turkey hunt theme is more than close enough for our purpose. David is determined to prove to the townies that he’s more than he appears, and joins Roland’s annual turkey hunt, with predictably hilarious but heartfelt results.

You can watch this episode of “Schitt’s Creek” on Prime Video with a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime.

‘Scrubs’ Season 1, Episode 9, ‘My Day Off’

This “Scrubs” episode is actually set on Thanksgiving, even if it doesn’t feature the traditional trappings of a Thanksgiving show. J.D. gets a case of appendicitis on Thanksgiving, and has to spend it with his work family. Dr. Cox insists on trying to show him off to his old mentor Dr. Benson, while Elliot tries to improve her bedside manner.

Stream all seasons of “Scrubs” on Hulu, either with the free trial or the Black Friday deal running at the streamer!

‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 3, Episode 9, ‘A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving’ (Netflix)

Last, but certainly not least on the list comes this classic episode of “Gilmore Girls.” Lorelai and Rory feel obligated to show up at four different Thanksgiving dinners, forcing a lot of code-switching along with the binge eating. It’s a classic “Gilmore Girls” episode, filled with family drama, laughs and plenty of love, even if some of that love leads to some poor boundary enforcement.

You can watch “Gilmore Girls” on Netflix, with plans starting at $7 per month.

What are the 11 best Thanksgiving TV episodes, and where can you stream them now? (2024)
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