Commentary: The one where we rank the ‘Friends’ Thanksgiving episodes

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Thanksgiving could really use a boost in its public image. While there’s plenty of attention given to cooking tips and navigating family gatherings, it lacks the widespread celebratory atmosphere you see with other holidays. There’s a surprising lack of Thanksgiving-themed movies and TV specials – Christmas has a dedicated lineup, but Thanksgiving gets mostly overlooked by filmmakers and even many TV shows. It feels like the holiday is missing a strong cultural identity and consistent media presence.

There’s one more reason to be thankful for “Friends.” Throughout its entire run, the show always delivered Thanksgiving episodes filled with fun, laughter, and heartfelt moments. You can find all 10 episodes – each under 25 minutes long – on HBO Max, making it ideal for a quick watch during travel or the night before Thanksgiving. If you don’t have much time, here’s a personal ranking of the best ones.

10. “The One With the List” (Season 2, Episode 8)

Rachel reveals to Monica and Phoebe that she kissed Ross, sparking a debate among Ross, Joey, and Chandler about whether he should end things with his current girlfriend. They try to help Ross by making a list of Rachel’s good and bad qualities – a list Rachel eventually finds out about. Elsewhere, Monica lands a job working with a quirky chef (Michael McKean) creating Thanksgiving recipes using a chocolate alternative called Mockolate.

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Okay, let’s talk about this Thanksgiving episode. Honestly, the food is pretty much the only thing that feels like Thanksgiving. The rest of it? Mostly Ross being a total downer and acting passive-aggressive, and for some reason, two women are interested in him. Rachel does a little complaining at first, but she at least tries to set boundaries when she sees that infamous list. While the ‘Mockolate’ bit is genuinely hilarious, the whole episode feels surprisingly…downbeat. On a lighter note, seeing Chandler with that brick of a laptop, plus the massive printer and phone with the antenna, is a funny little time capsule moment. It really dates the show, but in a charming way.

9. “The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs” (Season 7, Episode 8)

Chandler suggests a game where everyone names all fifty states, but no one succeeds. Ross, as usual, can’t resist pointing out everyone’s failures. Rachel brings her new, recently single assistant, Tag, to dinner. Meanwhile, Phoebe unexpectedly reveals she’s been dog-sitting, which leads Chandler to confess he doesn’t have a dog allergy – he simply dislikes dogs.

This episode has some funny moments, like Joey hilariously misinterpreting ‘moot point’ as ‘moo point’ – explaining it as ‘like a cow’s opinion, it doesn’t matter.’ However, Rachel’s romantic interest in her assistant feels uncomfortable, the running gag about Ross not being able to name the states gets old quickly, and it’s unbelievable that Chandler would dislike dogs. The dinner scene happening mostly off-screen makes the episode feel a little unnatural and lacking in holiday cheer. On a positive note, Rachel’s classic bob haircut and Chandler’s glasses are a nice touch.

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8. “The One Where Underdog Gets Away” (Season 1, Episode 9)

Rachel is determined to make it to Vail, Colorado for Thanksgiving with her family. Monica volunteers to host dinner, though Chandler will only participate if she makes him grilled cheese and Funyons – he really dislikes Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, Ross insists on having “belly time” with his pregnant ex-wife, and Joey gets a modeling gig for the City Free Clinic, only to find out the ad is about sexually transmitted diseases. As the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade passes by, the group goes to the roof to watch the Underdog balloon, but they accidentally lock themselves out of their apartment.

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This classic Thanksgiving episode shows the friends when they were very young – Rachel is still adjusting to life without wealth, and some of the jokes haven’t aged well (like one about Joey and makeup, or a reference to the cartoon Underdog). The turkey cooks incredibly fast, but anyone who’s lived in an apartment can relate to being locked out! The simple, shared meal foreshadowed the now-popular ‘Friendsgiving’ celebrations and the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving with chosen family.

7. “The One With the Late Thanksgiving” (Season 10, Episode 8)

Monica attempts to get out of cooking dinner, explaining she’s stressed about the adoption, but her friends insist she go through with it. They then deliberately do things that will make everyone late: Rachel and Phoebe sign Emma up for a baby pageant, and Ross and Joey head to a hockey game.

Things get really funny when they attempt to sneak into the party, but a serious confrontation seems inevitable, especially after Monica gets a life-changing phone call.

I totally relate to Monica’s hosting stress – I’m the same way, especially when people are late! This Thanksgiving episode really got me, particularly the cranberry-washing scene – the ‘not with soap’ line was hilarious. It felt like a perfect way to say goodbye to their Thanksgiving traditions. It’s just…things change, and maybe they won’t all be able to get together every year. And honestly? It might be nice if someone else took on the cooking for a change!

6. “The One With the Football” (Season 3, Episode 9)

While dinner is being prepared, the friends start a football game. Monica and Ross share a story about how their mother forbade them from playing as kids because they were so competitive – things got so heated they actually threw the Geller Cup into a lake! That competitive spirit hasn’t faded, and this episode, filmed outdoors, is a lighthearted look at their sibling rivalry, as well as how the others view teamwork and competition. The fun also includes Chandler and Joey both trying to impress a woman they meet.

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If you’ve ever had a sibling or gotten competitive with friends or family, you’ll definitely relate to this episode. And the homemade Geller Cup—complete with a Troll doll—is a truly wonderful creation.

5. “The One With Chandler in a Box” (Season 4, Episode 8)

Joey is furious that Chandler kissed his girlfriend and demands Chandler spend Thanksgiving inside a box as punishment. Meanwhile, Phoebe suggests a Secret Santa gift exchange, which exposes Rachel’s habit of returning all presents – a revelation that upsets Ross. Monica ends up with ice in her eye and, while getting it checked out (surprisingly on Thanksgiving!), meets – and is instantly attracted to – the son of her former boyfriend, Richard. Naturally, she invites the doctor, played by Michael Vartan, to Thanksgiving dinner.

Monica with an eye patch and Chandler stuck in a box – now that’s a festive holiday moment! But let’s be real, does Secret Santa ever actually go smoothly?

4. “The One With Rachel’s Other Sister” (Season 9, Episode 8)

When Rachel’s sister, Amy, unexpectedly arrives for Thanksgiving, she throws the holiday into chaos after finding out she won’t be the guardian of Rachel and Ross’s daughter, Emma, if anything were to happen to them. This news leads Chandler to question his own readiness to be a father. Meanwhile, in a classic Thanksgiving storyline, Joey discovers he was meant to be on a “Days of Our Lives” parade float and frantically tries to come up with an excuse, with Phoebe lending a hand.

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Courteney Cox’s Emmy-winning guest appearance was well-earned; her witty performance highlighted Rachel’s growth and cleverly explained why we hadn’t encountered her character, Amy, sooner. Meanwhile, Chandler’s discovery that he’d be a wonderful father feels particularly poignant considering Matthew Perry’s passing, as does his line about likely being the first to go. It’s a reminder to cherish every moment with loved ones.

3. “The One Where Ross Got High” (Season 6, Episode 9)

Monica is keeping her relationship with Chandler a secret from her parents because they disapprove of him. Chandler tries to win them over, but it turns out their dislike stems from an old misunderstanding: Ross blamed Chandler years ago for a marijuana incident in his room. Meanwhile, Rachel tries to help with dinner and accidentally creates a bizarre trifle containing custard, jam, beef, and peas. She defends it by pointing out that some English desserts also have unusual ingredients. When Monica’s parents arrive, Phoebe unexpectedly reveals a brief crush on Mr. Geller. Throughout the meal, Joey and Ross are eager to finish quickly so they can attend a party hosted by a roommate they find attractive, and they’re forced to eat Rachel’s strange trifle in the process.

Rachel’s trifle is famous in the show “Friends” mainly because Joey genuinely enjoys it, enthusiastically listing its ingredients – custard, jam, and even meat! The realistic sibling rivalry between Ross and Monica, combined with their parents’ amused confusion, makes the Thanksgiving episode feel especially cozy and relatable. It’s often considered the most heartwarming and familiar episode of the series.

2. “The One With the Rumor” (Season 8, Episode 9)

Monica invites her old high school friend Will (Brad Pitt) to dinner, jokingly threatening to skip making a turkey since only Joey likes it – and Joey promises to eat the whole thing if she does make it. It turns out Will, who’s lost weight over the years, secretly dislikes Rachel. He and Ross used to be in a club dedicated to disliking her, and they even spread a false rumor about her. Meanwhile, Chandler and Phoebe pretend to be engrossed in a football game to get out of helping with dinner preparations.

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As a huge fan of Friends, rewatching the Thanksgiving episodes is always a treat, but knowing Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were married while filming this one adds a whole other layer. The playful bickering between Will and Rachel feels different now, of course, but both Pitt and Kudrow are fantastic. Phoebe’s reaction to Will is comedy gold – seriously, “Come on, Will, just take off your shirt and tell us!” – but honestly, Joey completely steals the show with that epic turkey-eating contest. Monica’s trying to be reasonable, saying he doesn’t have to finish it, and Joey’s response? Perfection. He’s not about to become a guy who can’t finish a turkey, only to then half-eat a power bar and save the rest for later. It’s a classic moment!

1.”The One With the Thanksgiving Flashbacks” (Season 5, Episode 8)

Okay, so after a big Thanksgiving dinner, the group starts sharing what they’re grateful for, but things quickly devolve into a hilarious competition between Ross and Chandler about who’s had the worst Thanksgiving ever. We’re treated to flashback after flashback – Chandler’s incredibly awkward childhood when his dad left, Phoebe’s bizarre past-life holiday experiences, Joey getting a turkey stuck on his head (naturally!), but the real emotional core comes from Monica and Chandler’s history. We see young Monica meet young Chandler, and he… well, he calls her fat. It’s rough! Then, years later, he tries to make amends by complimenting a newly slim Monica, who immediately turns the tables on him. Present-day Chandler gets rightfully upset, and in a desperate (and funny) attempt to win him back, Monica puts a turkey on her head! It’s all wonderfully chaotic, and it’s in that moment, amidst the feathers and awkwardness, that Chandler finally says ‘I love you’ for the first time. It’s a truly memorable Thanksgiving, to say the least.

I don’t enjoy the running jokes about Monica’s weight or the flashbacks showing her in a fat suit. However, in this instance, those moments do provide some humor and genuine emotion, and the young Chandler and Ross outfits are fantastic. Plus, it’s hard to top the classic Thanksgiving gag of someone getting hit with a turkey – it’s a timeless bit of comedy, which is probably why most shows don’t even attempt it.

As a huge fan, I’ve been rewatching ‘Friends’ in order, and it really hits home how much of a cultural impact that show still has. Seriously, even now, it feels like we’re all living in a ‘Friends’-filled world, and making your own ranked list just proves it!

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2025-11-24 14:32