The Only 'Friends' Thanksgiving Episode Ranking You Need This Year 🦃
There’s something so satisfying about a sitcom Thanksgiving episode. It takes all the things we love about the art form — hijinx, hilarity, a group of friends that always somehow end up hanging out at a mutual location in the middle of the day instead of working a job to afford their overpriced apartment, and takes it to the next level (as holidays often do). Even here at Meet Cute, we’re so taken by the power of the sitcom that this month, we released our own, inspired by our all-time favorites (listen to James Is Missing wherever you get your podcasts). When it comes to Thanksgiving episodes, nothing beats the legacy of Friends – so here’s the best of them, from snooze-worthy to binge-worthy.
Season 2, Episode 8 – The One With the List
This episode ranks last because it’s just “not very Thanksgiving-y,” as Phoebe would say. We sadly don’t get the beloved tradition of the friends sharing an even more beloved meal together. As a result, we don’t get to witness the communal hijinks that ensue when they do. While it’s entertaining to watch Monica try and concoct Thanksgiving desserts with mocklate, overall this episode is really just there to keep Ross and Rachel apart for longer.
Season 8, Episode 9 – The One With The Rumor
Oof. This episode doesn’t age particularly well. Yes, guest star Brad Pitt (Jennifer Aniston’s then-husband) playing Will, founder of the “I Hate Rachel Green” club, is quite funny, but the fat shaming and transphobic titular rumor, coupled with the fact that Jen and Brad are no longer together, doesn’t exactly scream Thanksgiving magic – although Joey eating an entire turkey while wearing Phoebe’s maternity pants is truly iconic.
Season 5, Episode 8 – The One With All The Thanksgivings
We know this is more controversial than marshmallows on sweet potato casserole, but this episode, like any flashback episode, feels like a cop out. It’s a little snooze-worthy, and while we do get to see the deeper history Monica and Chandler share and get Chandler’s first “I love you,” it comes with a generous helping of fat-shaming. That said, who wouldn’t want to have love confessed to them with a turkey stuck on their head?
Season 7, Episode 8 – The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs
This episode ranks lower on the list for a couple of reasons: first, it centers around dog-hatred (how cute is Clunkers?!) and second, it focuses heavily on Rachel and Tag’s icky workplace relationship. We do, however, love the introduction of the maddening States game, the deepening friendship between Joey and Rachel (“it’s all a moo point”), and the fun dynamic of Phoebe living at Monica and Chandler’s.
Season 10, Episode 8 – The One With The Late Thanksgiving
While lots of Friends fans aren’t crazy about season 10, this episode delivers on all the fronts we expect from the show: big laughs, physical comedy, characters at their best, plus poignancy. Phoebe and Rachel take Emma to a baby beauty pageant, while Joey and Ross head to a hockey game. When they all show up late (the disrespect!), Monica and Chandler are furious and lock them out (which is hilarious for a door that seems to always be unlocked). This episode has so many memorable moments: all the friends ironically sticking their heads through the door, Joey crashing into the Thanksgiving dinner, and Monica’s “we’re getting a baby!” All the petty bickering stops and the friends come together and cheers to Monica and Chandler’s life-changing news.
Season 9, Episode 8 – The One With Rachel’s Other Sister
Christina Applegate truly steals the scenes in this episode as Rachel’s self-involved, oblivious sister Amy. When Amy takes offence to not getting baby Emma if Ross and Rachel passed away, it raises questions for Chandler about his abilities as a parent. This episode gives us a little bite of everything: sisterly bonding (and fighting), Monica’s kitchen neuroses, and Chandler coming into his own as a father figure.
Season 3, Episode 9 – The One With The Football
Nothing screams ‘Thanksgiving’ more than sibling rivalry and touch football, and this episode has both. The girls vs. boys game is truly epic as Phoebe, Monica, and Rachel use their wiles to make up for what they lack in athletic ability (way better than any football game we could see on TV on Thanksgiving, unless we’re getting some Tayvis action). We don’t often get to see the friends outside of the apartments or Central Perk, and the fall foliage and football jerseys perfectly capture the Thanksgiving vibe.
Season 1, Episode 9 – The One Where Underdog Gets Away
The episode that launched a zillion friendsgivings across the nation, season 1 is a true ode to your chosen family. When all of their respective plans fall through, the 6 friends kick off a tradition that will last 10 seasons – despite dinner getting ruined after accidentally locking themselves out of the apartment. It warms our hearts to see the six come together over grilled cheese and wine, and reminds us that sometimes, getting drunk with your friends is a far superior way to spend the holiday (instead of enduring your aunts asking why you’re still single). Chef’s kiss!
Season 4, Episode 8 – The One With Chandler in A Box
This episode is a true testament to Matthew Perry’s comedic timing: Chandler spends most of the episode inside a foosball table box to make up for kissing Joey’s girlfriend, but still manages to get the biggest laughs (and show Chandler’s vulnerable side). The gang recoils at the ick factor of Monica inviting her ex’s son to Thanksgiving, but she has her insults locked and loaded: “Judge all you want to but you married a lesbian, left a man at the altar, fell in love with a gay ice dancer, threw a girl’s wooden leg in a fire, live in a box!”
Season 6, Episode 9 – The One Where Ross Got High
If you thought Thanksgiving was about food, family, and being thankful, you’re wrong. It’s about drama, and this episode has secrets more delish than anything your mom’s making. This episode takes the number one spot: it features Rachel’s revolting English trifle, Jack and Judy Gellar, and Monica and Ross at their absolute best. Monica still hasn’t told her parents that Chandler moved in (or that they’re dating), and Jack and Judy don’t like him because Ross smoked pot in college and blamed it on him back in the day. There’s nothing more seasonal than hiding things from your parents, and eventually screaming at one another. The confession scene is one of the most iconic in Friends, and the visual of everyone trying to stomach Rachel’s trifle will be forever burned into our brains.