“Friends” ended nearly two decades ago, but it still remains incredibly popular. Having been on Netflix for so long, fans were able to go back and watch their favorite episodes. Something that everyone loved was each season’s Thanksgiving episode. 10 seasons mean 10 Thanksgiving episodes, and each one is definitely memorable. Here’s my ranking of the best and not-so-great “Friends” Thanksgiving episodes.
10. “The One with the List” (Season 2, Episode 8)
This doesn’t feel like a Thanksgiving episode as much as the others do. It’s more focused on the drama between Ross and Rachel. The Thanksgiving aspect of it is Monica trying to make a Thanksgiving dish with “mockolate” (a knock-off of chocolate) for her potential employer.
9. “The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs” (Season 7, Episode 8)
You might think that me ranking this low is a “moo point” (a reference to the episode). The episode does have some funny moments, and it definitely made me want to play the States game that Ross spent the whole evening trying to win. I didn’t really care too much about Rachel trying to date her assistant, Tag. Also, Chandler doesn’t like dogs and Ross doesn’t like ice cream?
8. “The One with Chandler in a Box” (Season 4, Episode 8)
Monica dating Richard’s son was definitely weird, but it was funny when Monica finally had enough of her friends’ judgment, she blurted out things they could be judged for. Also, yes, the title is true; Chandler is in a box for hours to make up for kissing Joey’s girlfriend, Kathy.
7. “The One with the Rumor” (Season 8, Episode 9)
With Brad Pitt guest starring as Will, Ross and Monica’s old friend from high school, you’d think it’d be a happy reunion. That is, until he finds out Rachel will be there, who he hates for making his life miserable in high school. It turns out he and Ross started an “I Hate Rachel” club. They spread a rumor about her and Rachel spread a rumor about Ross. Throughout all of this, Joey is trying to accomplish one mission: eat an entire turkey by himself! I don’t know how he did it, but he did.
6. “The One Where Underdog Gets Away” (Season 1, Episode 9)
This is the gang’s first Thanksgiving! Everyone’s plans fall through, so they end up spending it at Monica’s. Monica is stressed out about cooking what everyone wants for Thanksgiving, only for all of it to be ruined when they get locked out of the apartment to find the Underdog balloon that floated away from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. They start arguing, but in the end, they all end up sitting at the table eating sandwiches, grateful to have one another.
5. “The One with the Late Thanksgiving” (Season 10, Episode 8)
This episode definitely has to make the top five. It’s the last Thanksgiving episode of the show, and Chandler and Monica have big news that they had been waiting so long for! I couldn’t help but feel so happy for them. Also, it was so funny to see Joey and Phoebe make their own rules for rock, paper, scissors.
4. “The One with Rachel’s Other Sister” (Season 9, Episode 8)
Rachel’s sister, Amy, comes to visit, and it is not a happy one. Her original Thanksgiving plans fall apart, so Rachel invites her to dinner at Monica’s, where she gets along with no one. Meanwhile, Joey tries to learn how to come up with a believable lie because his lies keep including raccoons for some reason? Monica hesitantly agrees to use her wedding China, which ends up being a mistake. This Thanksgiving proves to be another chaotic one for the gang.
3. “The One With all the Thanksgivings” (Season 5, Episode 8)
This episode is filled with flashbacks where we get to know a little more about everyone! Well, Phoebe talks about her Thanksgiving in a past life as an American Civil War nurse, so we don’t get to learn much about her in her current life. We learn how far Joey is willing to go for a prank, what Chandler cruelly said about Monica when they first met back when he and Ross were in college and what Monica accidentally did to Chandler the Thanksgiving after that. It’s also the first time Chandler says, “I love you” to Monica!
2. “The One with the Football” (Season 3, Episode 9)
The gang decides to play a friendly game of “touch” football, except with how competitive Ross and Monica are, it doesn’t stay friendly for long as they compete for the Geller Cup. Meanwhile, Joey and Chandler hilariously try to win over a woman who they invite to watch the game. As the game continues, the two teams get desperate to win. Unlike Ross and Monica, I would’ve joined the rest of the gang in going back inside for dinner.
1. “The One Where Ross Got High” (Season 6, Episode 9)
This episode is so hilariously chaotic that I had to put it first. Rachel is making the dessert, trifle, not realizing the order of the recipe book’s pages are wrong. The layers of the trifle are messed up, but no one tells her. Meanwhile, Chandler is trying so hard to impress Monica’s parents, and they find out why they don’t like him; in college, Ross blamed the marijuana in his room on Chandler. Throughout all of this, Ross and Joey are trying to leave to go to Joey’s roommate’s Thanksgiving party with her dance friends. As soon as the truth about Ross getting high in college gets out, everyone starts shouting out so many things that Monica’s mom is right; it was a lot to take in within 30 seconds!