Every year around this time, Friends fans mourn the absence of the annual “Thanksgiving” episodes that the show aired throughout the epic 10-year run. Thanksgiving was the only holiday to be featured every year and these episodes were perfection. Here’s my definitive ranking so you can go back and reminisce before Thanksgiving this year:
1. The One with the Football (Season 3)
What’s more Thanksgiving than football? This episode introduced the world to the Geller family’s twisted “Geller Cup” award. It was also the first time audiences saw Monica’s competitive side come out in full force during the gang’s memorable football game.
2. The One Where Ross Got High (Season 6)
Ross and Monica’s parents come to Thanksgiving and learn that Monica and Chandler are living together. The sequence of revelations depicted below alone secures this episode the #2 slot.
3. The One with the Late Thanksgiving (Season 10)
This episode showed the group’s last Thanksgiving dinner. Rachel, Phoebe, Ross and Joey arrive late to dinner, making Monica furious. But all’s well that ends well because we find out Monica and Chandler are adopting a baby!
4. The One with the Rumor (Season 8)
Brad Pitt makes a hilarious appearance as Will Colbert, president and co-founder of the “I Hate Rachel Green Club.” Only problem? Ross, who is having a baby with Rachel, is revealed to be the other co-founder from back in the day.
5. The One with All the Thanksgivings (Season 5)
This episode revealed past Thanksgivings through a series of flashbacks. Best moment: Monica dancing with a turkey on her head as an apology to Chandler.
6. The One Where Underdog Gets Away (Season 1)
After all of the friends’ individual Thanksgiving plans are ruined, they realize that their friendship is more important than missed flights, fake STDs and burnt dinners. They also learn that Ugly Naked Guy has an Ugly Naked Girlfriend!
7. The One with Rachel’s Other Sister (Season 9)
Rachel’s other sister, Amy, shows up unexpectedly and quickly makes enemies by insulting everyone. The only negative: Reese Witherspoon wasn’t available (which is why they brought in Christina) so we didn’t see the return of Rachel’s hilarious original sister, Jill.
8. The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs (Season 7)
Chandler would have an irrational fear of dogs. In this episode, Phoebe sneaks a dog into the apartment and Tag (Rachel’s much-younger assistant at Ralph Lauren) gets his car stolen. This episode would’ve been ranked higher if it weren’t for the the Tag storyline… he is so not her lobster.
9. The One with Chandler in a Box (Season 4)
Props to Monica for rocking an eye patch for the entire episode, but besides that this one was just weird. Chandler is exiled to sitting in a wooden box and Monica kisses Richard’s son. Awkward!
10. The One with the List (Season 2)
This episode was put last because I genuinely can’t believe Ross actually thought it was a good idea to make a list comparing Rachel and Julie… and Julie sucked.