*Originally published in 2019
Updated on October 25, 2024:
Since Friends always aired on NBC's Thursday night lineup of Must-See TV, they always made sure to gift us with a special Thanksgiving episode. It only took them a few seasons to find their groove, and by 1999, we expected it. And we've worked really hard to rank the 10 Friends Thanksgiving episodes. (A true labor of love. But someone had to do it.)
Let's just be clear: Just because an episode falls to the bottom of our ranking list doesn't mean it's bad ... It just means that we like them all, and there are others we like better. So, without further ado, here is our definitive ranking of all 10 Friends Thanksgiving episodes. Enjoy!
No. 10: "The One with the List" (Season 2)
This episode is last on our list because it's the only one of the Friends Thanksgiving episodes that is not very "Thanksgiving-y" (that's a word Phoebe coined in a later Thanksgiving episode, by the way).
Even though he's dating fellow paleontologist Julie, Ross kissed Rachel and now must decide which woman he wants to be with. The guys convince him to list the pros and cons, comparing the two, and Rachel discovers it. Ross's negative characterization of her ("spoiled," "ditzy," and "just a waitress") doesn't do him any favors. But he's already broken up with Julie by that point. Cue: bummed-out Ross.
No. 9: "The One Where Chandler Doesn't Like Dogs" (Season 7)
This one has little to write about, so it's low on our list. We find out that Chandler hates dogs, Tag gets his car stolen, and Ross says he hates ice cream (which is a major continuity error because Ross went on a date with Elizabeth the season before, and they ate ice cream). So, if you're gonna skip an episode in your Thanksgiving marathon, make it this one.
Though, we'd be remiss if we didn't address the classic "moo point" quote. So, moo.
No. 8: "The One with Chandler in a Box" (Season 4)
Joey and Chandler are fighting, which is never fun and a big reason this Thanksgiving episode is a downer. As the title suggests, Chandler spends the majority of the episode in a box to try to show Joey how sorry he is for kissing Kathy, his girlfriend. And don't even start on the totally weird, awkward "flirting" between Monica and Tim, Richard's son—yes, her much older ex-boyfriend's kid. It's just... no. Despite them realizing it's a bad idea, in the end, it doesn't make it any less weird.
No. 7: "The One with the Late Thanksgiving" (Season 10)
Monica doesn't want to host Thanksgiving but does it anyway to please Phoebe. But then, everyone ends up being an hour late to the dinner. Why? Ross and Joey go to see the New York Rangers, while Phoebe and Rachel have Emma entered in a Tristate baby beauty contest. This, naturally, causes Monica and Chandler to be mad, so they lock everyone out, only for everyone to peek in with the chain bolted. Joey then goes and gets his head stuck. Luckily, this episode is saved by the news of Monica and Chandler becoming parents 'cause that's all this episode really brings to the table.
No. 6: "The One with Rachel's Other Sister" (Season 9)
We meet Rachel's sister, Amy (played by Christina Applegate), who is self-involved and selfish. Amy stole the show for us in this episode, especially when she gets mad about not getting guardianship of Emma if something were to happen to Ross and Rachel—even though she can't remember the baby's name.
No. 5: "The One with All the Thanksgivings" (Season 5)
Ah, a flashback episode. We love these because they give us a glimpse into the friends' lives before Friends. In this episode, we go through the group's worst Thanksgiving memories. We hear from Chandler about his parents' divorce and how it caused him to hate the holiday. Ross talks about his short-lived marriage with Emily and subsequent divorce. Phoebe talks about her "earlier life." Rachel talks about when Joey and Monica wore the turkeys on their heads. Monica goes into one from her youth when Chandler called her "fat," only to attempt revenge on him the following year, ending with him losing a toe.
No. 4: "The One Where Underdog Gets Away" (Season 1)
The first Friends Thanksgiving episode gets a spot close to the top of our list, mostly because it's the first, and it sets a precedent for the episodes moving forward. The group has dinner at Monica's, but thanks to a wayward Underdog balloon at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, they get locked out, and the dinner sadly burns—much to the joy of Chandler.
No. 3: "The One with the Rumor" (Season 8)
Brad Pitt. Enough said.
No. 2: "The One Where Ross Got High" (Season 6)
The Geller parents are over for Thanksgiving; the only problem is that they don't know that A) Monica and Chandler are dating and B) the two now live together. So, Chandler does his best to woo Monica's parents. Meanwhile, Rachel is attempting (with an emphasis on attempting) to make a trifle for dessert, but she ends up combining two recipes. The "Custard? Good. Jam? Good. Beef? Good" line gets us every. damn. time.
No. 1: "The One with the Football" (Season 3)
This episode screams "Friends" and "Thanksgiving"—at least it does to us—and that's why it's our No. 1 pick! In this episode, we see the gang play football with ever-so-hilarious results. It's a classic for a reason!
Which Friends Thanksgiving episode is YOUR favorite?
