Thanksgiving is the one holiday built entirely around a family sitting at the same table, so it's no surprise that TV families have been ruining, rescuing and arguing over the turkey for decades. Some shows did it once. Others, like The Middle, Bob's Burgers and Roseanne, turned it into an annual tradition.
Here are the best Thanksgiving episodes from the families we cover, from 1970s classics to modern sitcoms and animated favorites. Each pick links to its episode page, so you can line up your own holiday marathon. Looking for spooky season instead? We also have a guide to the best Halloween episodes of TV's greatest families.
The Simpsons S02E07: Bart vs. Thanksgiving
The Simpsons' first Thanksgiving episode aired on November 22, 1990, and it's still the one most fans reach for first. On Thanksgiving, Bart accidentally wrecks Lisa's centerpiece and runs away rather than face the family. It's a small, sharp story about a kid who can't bring himself to apologize, and it set the template for a lot of TV Thanksgivings that followed.
Watch the episode page: The Simpsons S02E07
Roseanne S04E10: Thanksgiving '91
Roseanne did Thanksgiving almost every year, and the Conners' holiday dinners were always gloriously messy. In "Thanksgiving '91", four generations of the family come together and have to cope with a surprise announcement from Bev. If you want a second helping, Thanksgiving '93 (S06E10) has Becky preparing the bird, Dan and Mark going at it, and Nana Mary letting slip a secret about Bev's marriage.
The Middle S01E08: Thanksgiving
Few shows committed to Thanksgiving like The Middle. The Hecks got an episode titled "Thanksgiving" in every one of the show's nine seasons, from this first one through Thanksgiving IX (S09E07). In the original, Frankie's dream of an idyllic family Thanksgiving falls apart when her boss makes the staff work the holiday, Sue brings home her first boyfriend, and Axl loses Brick in a corn maze.
The Middle S01E08 episode page
Everybody Loves Raymond S01E10: Turkey or Fish
Everybody Loves Raymond was built on in-law tension, and Thanksgiving was the perfect pressure cooker. In this first-season episode, Debra wants to start her own tradition by serving fish instead of turkey. Marie is not happy about it. The show came back to the Barones' Thanksgiving table in almost every season after that, right up to season nine's Debra's Parents (S09E07).
Everybody Loves Raymond S01E10 episode page
Full House S01E09: The Miracle of Thanksgiving
The sweetest pick on this list. It's the Tanner girls' first Thanksgiving without their mom, and Danny, Jesse and Joey do everything they can to make the day easier for them. It's the kind of episode Full House did best. Decades later, Fuller House S02E06: Fuller Thanksgiving brought the whole Tanner family back to the house for the holiday, pushing D.J.'s organizing skills into overdrive.
Full House S01E09 episode page
Bob's Burgers S03E05: An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal
Thanksgiving is Bob Belcher's favorite holiday, and Bob's Burgers has given him one in most seasons since. This was the series' first Thanksgiving episode. Bob wants to make it the most memorable Thanksgiving ever, but plans change when Mr. Fischoeder, voiced by guest star Kevin Kline, hires Bob as his chef and the rest of the Belchers as his stand-in family to stage a perfect dinner and make a former flame jealous. Follow it with Turkey in a Can (S04E05), where someone keeps dumping Bob's meticulously prepared turkey in the toilet.
Bob's Burgers S03E05 episode page
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air S01E12: Talking Turkey
Will's mom, Vy, comes to the Banks household for Thanksgiving and doesn't like that the kids leave all the work to Geoffrey. Vivian decides the kids will cook Thanksgiving dinner themselves to learn how hard other people work for them. Carlton invites his English teacher, the kids make error after error, and the lesson doesn't go quite as planned.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air S01E12 episode page
Everybody Hates Chris S02E08: Everybody Hates Thanksgiving
Julius's successful younger brother joins the family for Thanksgiving dinner, and Julius works hard to prepare the perfect meal. It's a great showcase for Julius, the dad of Everybody Hates Chris, and a holiday episode that fits right in with Chris Rock's narrated memories of growing up in 1980s Brooklyn.
Everybody Hates Chris S02E08 episode page
The Cosby Show S01E11: Bonjour, Sondra
Cliff is excited to have the whole family together for Thanksgiving and anxiously waits for Sondra to come home from Princeton. Instead of celebrating, Sondra spends the holiday trying to persuade her parents to let her spend the summer in Paris.
The Cosby Show S01E11 episode page
Boy Meets World S04E10: Turkey Day
Cory and Shawn convince their families to have Thanksgiving dinner together. It's a simple setup, and a sweet one for fans of the Cory and Shawn friendship at the heart of Boy Meets World.
Boy Meets World S04E10 episode page
Home Improvement S07E09: Thanksgiving
The Taylors spend Thanksgiving at a Detroit Lions game with a Hollywood producer. Leave it to Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor to turn a family holiday into a big outing, and leave it to Home Improvement to find the goof-ups along the way.
Home Improvement S07E09 episode page
Malcolm in the Middle S05E04: Thanksgiving
As Thanksgiving approaches, Malcolm gets a shot with a friend from school, Reese prepares a fabulous Thanksgiving meal, and Francis and Piama want a divorce. Reese, of all people, turning out a fabulous holiday meal is one of the best twists in Malcolm in the Middle.
Malcolm in the Middle S05E04 episode page
Modern Family S06E08: Three Turkeys
Phil cooks Thanksgiving dinner with Luke as his sous-chef, while Claire secretly makes a backup turkey because she doesn't trust them. Meanwhile, Jay and Gloria's travel plans fall through and they regret not telling anyone, and Cameron comes up with an unusual plan to get Lily into a dress. Modern Family did Thanksgiving several times, including The Last Thanksgiving (S11E07) in its final season.
Modern Family S06E08 episode page
The Goldbergs S02E07: A Goldberg Thanksgiving
A Jazzercise bet between Beverly and Erica ends with Erica opting out of the family Thanksgiving. At the same time, Uncle Marvin shows up and unexpectedly bonds with Adam, much to Murray's annoyance. The Goldbergs went on to make Thanksgiving with Marvin a recurring headache for Murray.
The Goldbergs S02E07 episode page
That '70s Show S01E09: Thanksgiving
Laurie brings her friend Kate home for the holiday, Red's mother keeps calling about dinner to Kitty's annoyance, and Red weighs a job offer from Bob. It's an early look at how well That '70s Show handled the Forman family, not just the basement crew.
That '70s Show S01E09 episode page
Black-ish S03E07: Auntsgiving
Pops' older sister arrives unexpectedly for Thanksgiving, to the delight of everyone except Ruby, who can't stand her ex-sister-in-law. While Bow and Dre take their last vacation before the baby arrives, the kids try to figure out why Ruby dislikes her so much.
Married... with Children S11E06: A Bundy Thanksgiving
For the anti-Thanksgiving crowd. Al's childhood tradition was Aunt Maddie's potato pie, so he and Griff go to buy some, only to find out she has just died. Meanwhile Jefferson can't find a turkey for Marcy, and a stray turkey follows Kelly home. Classic Married... with Children.
Married... with Children S11E06 episode page
Happy Days S06E12: The First Thanksgiving
Marion Cunningham tells the story of the first Thanksgiving to remind her family that the Pilgrims gathered around the table for fellowship, not around the television for football. A charming throwback from Happy Days.
Happy Days S06E12 episode page
Young Sheldon S02E09: Family Dynamics and a Red Fiero
Sheldon studies his own family for a psychology project, and Thanksgiving dinner turns into a family fight when George Sr. is offered a job in Oklahoma. A good pick if you're watching Young Sheldon in order anyway.
Young Sheldon S02E09 episode page
The Conners S02E07: Slappy Holidays
The Conners kept the Roseanne Thanksgiving tradition alive. Dan finally gets the entire family together for dinner, mixed feelings about the Lunch Box keep building tension in the house, and Harris makes an unexpected move.
The Conners S02E07 episode page
The Loud House S03E38: The Loudest Thanksgiving
Faced with spending Thanksgiving apart, Lori and Bobby try to bring their families together for the first time. With one boy and ten sisters in the Loud house alone, "crazy" is an understatement. A great pick if younger viewers are watching too.
The Loud House S03E38 episode page
How to plan a TV family Thanksgiving marathon
- Short on time? Start with The Simpsons, Full House and The Middle. That's three very different families and three very different dinners.
- Classic sitcom night: Happy Days, The Cosby Show, Roseanne and Boy Meets World.
- Animation block: The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers and The Loud House.
- For people who dread their own family dinner: Everybody Loves Raymond, Married... with Children and The Goldbergs.
Want more holiday viewing? Browse all of our family shows or jump ahead to our guide to the best Christmas episodes of TV families.