Friends: Best Thanksgiving Episodes, Ranked

Key points

• The Thanksgiving episodes on Friends are iconic and feature heartwarming and hilarious moments that fans appreciate.
• Memorable plots revolve around friendship, forgiveness, and unconventional celebrations during Thanksgiving.
• Guest appearances, physical comedy and unexpected twists make every Thanksgiving episode stand out.

Friends is one of the most popular sitcoms of all time. Fans love a series that never fails to entertain them, as they bond with the six main characters and accompany them on their personal achievements, challenges, failures, romances, and everything in between.

The show has become iconic as a staple of American pop culture, and it's just a fact that some of the best episodes of Friends revolve around the Thanksgiving holiday. Over the course of ten seasons, fans have seen the gang experience this festival in the most hilarious and eventful ways possible.

8 The one where the loser runs away

Season 1, episode 9

• The first Thanksgiving episode of the series.

It goes without saying that the gang's first Thanksgiving celebration would be a monumental moment for the series. Although almost everyone plans to celebrate this holiday with their families, things don't go according to plan after the group is locked out of Monica's apartment.

However, instead of becoming demoralized, the group realizes that they don't mind spending this time together, even if dinner is ruined and flights are missed. It's a touching moment that sets the stage for Friends and its lovable cast continue to grow closer with each episode.

7 The one with Chandler in a box

Season 4, episode 8

• Chandler's punishment and Rachel's betrayal make for funny moments.

Chandler and Joey are best friends, which makes the former's backstabbing act more harsh when Chandler kisses the woman Joey was seeing. As punishment, Joey tells Chandler that he will spend the entire Thanksgiving in a box, a punishment which Chandler accepts.

Along with this, Rachel's penchant for returning gifts hurts Ross when he realizes that the Christmas present he gave her during their time together has also been returned. These storylines make the Thanksgiving episode memorable, especially when Joey and Chandler make amends in a touching moment.

6 The one where Chandler doesn't like dogs

Season 7, episode 8

• It contains some of the most iconic moments of the series.

“The One Where Chandler Don't Like Dogs” is another Thanksgiving episode Friends it's an instant classic. The jokes in this episode are quite memorable courtesy of Ross' self-imposed agony at failing to declare himself the smartest person in the room. Chandler's hatred for dogs also comes to the fore when Phoebe introduces her adorable mutt to the group.

It's funny to imagine that Phoebe had a dog in the house all this time without Chandler noticing. Of course, it would be hard not to mention this episode without talking about Joey's “moo point” joke, which has become an iconic line.

5 The one with all the Thanks

Season 5, episode 8

• A collection of the highs and lows of the band.

Compilation episodes can heat up the stage or irritate fans with filler scenes and plots. Fortunately, in this case, Friends managed to surprise everyone with a Thanksgiving episode that takes a look back at the series' past.

Some memorable moments include Chandler calling Monica fat in the past, Chandler losing a toe in a kitchen accident several years ago, and Joey getting his head stuck in a turkey. Just when fans think the newly formed couple will break up due to past transgressions, Chandler lets it slip that he loves Monica near the end, creating a touching conclusion to their fight.

4 The one with the list

Season 2, episode 8

• Ross's pragmatic list of pros and cons irritates Rachel.

Just as Ross and Rachel start dating, Rachel finds an incriminating list that ruins her Thanksgiving. Soon after their legendary kiss, Ross' pragmatic side rears its ugly head when he decides to make a pros and cons list of whether he should date Rachel or not.

This irritates Rachel to no end, leading to a fight. To make matters worse, Monica decides to surprise the group with a synthetic chocolate dessert substitute which further dampens the holiday spirit, but makes for a hilariously unconventional Thanksgiving episode.

3 The one with the voice

Season 8, episode 9

• It's a joy to watch Brad Pitt's guest appearance.

Watching Brad Pitt make an appearance as Will in Friends is one of the highlights of the series and his antagonism towards Rachel is executed perfectly. Although she thinks Will is into her, the truth is that Rachel bullied him in the past because of his weight, forcing him and Ross to form an I Hate Rachel club that spread malicious rumors about her in high school.

Will's weight loss journey makes for some great jokes, while Rachel's hurt reaction to Ross's nastiness at school gives their relationship more depth. It's a star-studded Thanksgiving episode and one of Friends' best moments.

Season 3, episode 9

• A memorable episode focused on the Geller Cup.

The Geller Cup is one of the most hilarious creations in the world Friends which reappears around Thanksgiving. While both Ross and Monica are initially banned from participating, the stakes rise after this seemingly friendly soccer game turns into an all-out war between boys and girls.

Both sides give their all in an attempt to win the Geller Cup, achieving a Friends episode focused on physical comedy rather than the usual biting wit. This brings a new change of pace, even if the holiday itself is not the main focus.

1 The one where Ross got high

Season 6, episode 9

• It contains everything from Ross's lies to Rachel's disastrous creation.

After Chandler and Monica start dating, they decide to break the news to Monica's parents by inviting them over for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, it turns out that one of Ross' lies ended up damaging Chandler's reputation with them, leading to a plot where Ross is almost forced to reveal the truth.

If that wasn't funny enough, this episode also features one of the most hilarious cooking disasters in television history. After Rachel mixes two different recipes, the group is offered an inedible dish that is half Shepherd's Pie and half English Trifle.