Every Thanksgiving episode of Friends ranked

Could be there Be Is it a better show for a Thanksgiving marathon than “Friends”?

“Friends” is a classic series to watch on Turkey Day, as each season has had an episode dedicated to the holiday. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also a crowd favorite for the whole family.

Last year’s viewing experience was particularly poignant as Matthew Perry, who played Chandler, died on October 28, 2023 at the age of 54.

All of his former co-stars paid tribute to him on Instagram, with Jennifer Aniston writing a particularly heartfelt remembrance: “I talk to you every day…sometimes I can almost hear you saying, ‘Could you be any crazier?'” she wrote. “Rest, little brother. You always made my day.”

In classic Joey and Chandler fashion, Matt LeBlanc made a joke in his tribute at the time, writing, “I guess you keep the $20 you owe me.”

Here’s a ranking of the ultimate Thanksgiving episodes of Friends.

10. “The one with the list“

This second season episode aired briefly in the series’ timeline after Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Aniston) had their first kiss. In it, Ross makes a “pros and cons” list about continuing the relationship – and unsurprisingly, things go sideways when she finds it. It’s an entertaining episode and a reminder that Ross and Rachel’s epic rollercoaster ride of a love story was a cornerstone of the series. But even though there’s a Thanksgiving subplot involving Monica (Courteney Cox), this episode feels more “Ross and Rachel” focused. There are better episodes about the holiday.

9. “The One With Late Thanksgiving”

In this season 10 episode, Monica and Chandler try to stop having Thanksgiving. Phoebe manipulates them into hosting anyway, and they get annoyed when everyone else is late – leading Monica to lock everyone out. It’s another good episode, but not the most memorable of the Thanksgiving episodes, and it doesn’t have a colorful guest star.

8. “The one with Rachel’s other sister.”

In this Season 9 episode, Rachel’s sister (Christina Applegate) comes to dinner and insults everyone. Chandler (Perry) wants Monica to use her wedding dishes for the meal, but Monica refuses. Meanwhile, Joey realizes he’s supposed to be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) helps him come up with a strange excuse for missing the parade.

7. “The one where Ross got high”

In this season six episode, Monica keeps her relationship with Chandler a secret from her parents, who, it turns out, disapprove of him for smoking weed in college, when in reality Ross was the culprit. So Monica and Chandler try to convince Ross to admit it. Rachel also has a classic cooking disaster – understandable.

6. “The one with the rumor”

In this episode of the eighth season, Aniston’s then-husband Brad Pitt appears as a guest star. He plays Will, an old friend of Ross’ who comes to Thanksgiving and has a grudge against Rachel. He even started an “I Hate Rachel” club. Joey also puts on Phoebe’s maternity pants. It’s a classic episode and Pitt is hilarious in it. But Pitt’s stunt casting actually steals the show from the core group (and the gag about Will hating Rachel is based on the fact that Pitt and Aniston were a real power couple at the time – without that context, the joke isn’t as funny).

5. “The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs”

In this season seven episode, Rachel goes out to dinner with a date (her assistant Tag, played by Eddie Cahill), Ross and Chandler enter a competition to name all 50 states, and it turns out discovers that Phoebe has a dog hidden in her room because Chandler has an aversion to the animal. It’s full of the gang’s classic shenanigans.

“The one with the football”

In this third season episode, the group decides to play soccer – and they find out why Monica and Ross were both previously banned – due to their overly aggressive competitive behavior. It’s a strong episode and benefits from a change of scenery – it doesn’t take place in the main characters’ apartments or in Central Perk.

“The one with Chandler in a box.”

In this fourth season episode, Joey lets Chandler spend the day in a box (for the transgression of kissing Joey’s girlfriend). Monica has a romance with a doctor and there’s a lot of drama surrounding Secret Santa as Ross is offended when he realizes Rachel likes to come back and exchange gifts – even while they were together. It’s an episode worth watching if you’re a fan of Joey and Chandler’s friendship.

“The One Where the Underdog Gets Away”

In this first season episode, Monica offers to host the group of friends’ first Thanksgiving dinner. Chandler is a Thanksgiving skeptic and agrees to come only if he can eat his traditional meal of grilled cheese and Funyuns. There’s a subplot where Rachel tries to join her family’s ski trip, and the characters all end up stuck on the roof after being locked out (after going up to watch a runaway Macy’s parade balloon). It’s a classic episode full of funny moments, absurdity and heartwarming friendship.

“The One With All the Thanksgivings”

This Season 5 episode is ranked #1 because it features one of the show’s most famous images – Joey getting a turkey stuck on his head. It’s also full of flashbacks to the worst Thanksgivings of the past, which means the facial hair is funny (and the famous Monica Fat suit). And in addition to big laughs (Monica also puts a turkey on her head in another fan-favorite scene), it has heart – thanks to Chandler confessing his love to Monica.