The Ultimate Friends Thanksgiving Episode Marathon Guide for Busy Moms
Written by Zach Miller on November 18, 2025
Looking for the perfect way to unwind after the turkey’s in the oven? We’ve got you covered with the best Friends Thanksgiving episodes to stream this holiday season!
Let’s be real, mama—Thanksgiving can be exhausting. Between prepping the meal, managing family dynamics, and keeping the kids entertained, you deserve a moment to kick back with something that makes you laugh. And what’s better than revisiting the Thanksgiving episodes from one of TV’s most beloved shows?
Whether you’re a die-hard Friends fan or you’re looking for something nostalgic to watch with your older kids (hello, quality family time!), these 10 Thanksgiving episodes are pure comfort viewing.
Why Friends Thanksgiving Episodes Hit Different
There’s something magical about the Friends Thanksgiving episodes. They captured that beautiful chaos of the holidays—family drama, cooking disasters, unexpected guests, and those heartwarming moments that remind us what really matters. Sound familiar? Yeah, we thought so.
Your Complete Friends Thanksgiving Watchlist
Season 1: “The One Where the Underdog Gets Away”
The very first Friendsgiving! Plans fall apart, doors get locked, and dinner gets burned—but the gang discovers that imperfect holidays can still be perfect. (If this doesn’t resonate with every mom out there, we don’t know what will.)
Season 3: “The One With the Football”
Competitive siblings + touch football + Thanksgiving = absolute chaos. Monica and Ross were banned from playing football on Thanksgiving for a reason, and watching them break that rule is comedy gold. Great for watching with your own competitive kiddos!
Season 4: “The One With Chandler in a Box”
Yes, Chandler literally sits in a box for the entire Thanksgiving dinner to prove his friendship with Joey. It’s weird, it’s hilarious, and it’s oddly touching.
Season 5: “The One With All the Thanksgivings”
This is the iconic turkey-on-the-head episode! Monica accidentally puts a turkey on her head in a flashback, and it’s become one of the most memorable moments in Friends history. Perfect for sharing with your kids—they’ll think it’s hysterical.
Season 6: “The One Where Ross Got High”
Family secrets come tumbling out at dinner (as they do), and Rachel attempts to make a traditional English trifle with… unexpected results. The dessert disaster alone is worth the watch.
Season 8: “The One With the Rumor” (featuring Brad Pitt!)
Brad Pitt guest stars as an old classmate who reveals he and Ross started an “I Hate Rachel Green Club” in high school. Cue the awkward Thanksgiving dinner. This one’s extra fun if you remember the Brad and Jen era!
Season 10: “The One With the Late Thanksgiving”
The final Friends Thanksgiving episode—Monica and Chandler lock their late friends out, Joey gets his head stuck in the door, and somehow it all ends beautifully. A perfect series closer for these beloved holiday episodes.
Stream Them All on Max
All 10 seasons of Friends are currently streaming on Max (formerly HBO Max), making it super easy to queue up your Thanksgiving marathon. Pop some popcorn, grab your favorite blanket, and let the laughter begin!
Make It a New Thanksgiving Tradition
Here’s our suggestion: After the dishes are done and before the leftover turkey sandwiches begin, gather the family for a Friends Thanksgiving episode or two. It’s lighthearted, family-friendly (mostly—you know your kids best!), and gives everyone something to laugh about together.
Because at the end of the day, Thanksgiving isn’t about the perfect turkey or the flawless table setting. It’s about being together, creating memories, and finding reasons to laugh—even when (especially when) things don’t go according to plan.
What’s your favorite Friends Thanksgiving episode? Let us know on Froggy 102.7’s Facebook page!
Source: The Pioneer Woman