In the United States, the biggest fall holiday is possibly Thanksgiving with Christmas not falling too far behind. There is just something about this Thursday in November that brings so much joy to people. Perhaps it's the feeling of togetherness the holiday summons, or it's all the good food that we eat way too much of.
For fans of animated series, often the best episodes happen to do with Thanksgiving. The writers try harder when it comes to stories about Turkey Day. So, if you need something to distract you from eating another helping of stuffing, or you're waiting in line for Black Friday, then check out this list. For we've ranked ten of the best Thanksgiving episodes from various animated series as well as standalone specials. Gobble gobble.
Updated on June 14th, 2021, by Gabriela Silva: Besides the boatload of stuffing and desserts that come with Thanksgiving, audiences also look forward to holiday special episodes. Many television shows have catered to the holidays and make storylines revolving around Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years'. Thanksgiving episodes allow characters from fan-favorite shows to either share heartfelt moments as families or create absolute chaos. Regardless, these episodes are some of the best when it comes to holiday cheer, friends, family, and some quarrels.
Animaniacs: Turkey Jerky
Animaniacs is a long-time favorite animated show that even received its own reboot series. In 1993, the show had its own Thanksgiving special titled, "Turkey Jerky." The storyline involves the Warners trying to protect their pet turkey from Miles Standish.
Standish wants the turkey for himself as he wants to cook it and have it for dinner. At the same time, a bluebird hatches from its egg. A bigger problem arises as the new bird realizes his mother is nowhere to be seen. The episode is worth a watch seeing the Warens try to take on a brute and muscular character set on wanting their pet.
Steven Universe: Gem Harvest
The "Gem Harvest" episode in Steven Universe isn't tagged as a Thanksgiving episode but it might as well be as it premiered November 17th, 2016, and has a Thanksgiving-inspired story. The main premise of the story is Steven visiting the barn and meeting an unexpected character.
There's a deeper story as a pilot lands at the barn and Steve calls his father for help to only learned that the pilot is his uncle, Andy. Andy is dismayed at the loss of family tradition and that extraterrestrials now reside at the family barn. As the characters prepare dinner, Andy, with Steven's help, has change fo heart and apologizes for his behavior.
South Park: A History Channel Thanksgiving
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The show's main characters accidentally discover the origins of Thanksgiving after watching a History Channel documentary. There's a catch, though, as the documentary claims that aliens were present at the first Thanksgiving. Chaos ensues as the boy's hand in reports based on the documentary and soon create a battle with an alien race.
Teen Titans Go!: Thanksgiving
Teen Titans has gone through Teen Titans Go! had its own Thanksgiving special in 2014. Simply titled, "Thanksgiving," the episode has an unexpected visitor for dinner.
Raven's father, Trigon, shows up for Thanksgiving dinner. Robin's perfect seating plan is now ruined but it only gets worse. One by one, Robin's attempts at perfect dinner for his guest Batman crumble to a point that Robin is dismayed. In the end, the titans realize their actions and give Robin the perfect dinner.
Regular Show: The Thanksgiving Special
As per usual, best friends Rigby and Mordecai get themselves into trouble before they have to do something important. And prepping for a Thanksgiving feast provides no exception to their reckless habits. After the pair ruins the holiday meal prior to the guests' arrival, they enter a convenient songwriting contest where the prize is a turducken. Winning the grand prize will be no easy feat, though.
Regular Show is always weird, but this Thanksgiving special takes the cake. Or should we say, "turkey?" If you're partial to bizarre humor, then pull up a chair at the table in Regular Show.
Garfield's Thanksgiving
While trying to get Jon to forget that he has an appointment at the vet, Garfield realizes it's almost Thanksgiving. Garfield wants Thanksgiving dinner, but what he gets is a trip straight to the vet. During the visit, Jon invites the veterinarian he likes, Dr. Liz Wilson, over for Thanksgiving dinner. So, as Jon prepares the meal, Garfield fails miserably at acclimating to his newly appointed diet.
Other than the comics, few incarnations of Jim Davies' Garfield measure up to the cartoon Garfield & Friends or these holiday specials featuring the same voice cast. If you love Garfield, you must seek out this brief and amusing story about how Garfield spends Thanksgiving one year.
Rocko's Modern Life: Turkey Time
After Rocko and Heffer win a turkey in a giveaway at Thanksgiving, Rocko is mortified by the idea of having to cook and eat the bird. Rocko cannot bring himself to feast on his feathered friend. To make matters more complicated, Rocko rounds up all the turkeys in town and hides them in his house. This doesn't fly with Mr. Bighead, however, as he's looking to chow down on some turkey.
This Rocko's Modern Life episode is a sweet attempt at trying to absolve turkeys from being on the Thanksgiving menu, but the concept might fly over the little ones' heads. Then again, the same can be said for a good chunk of this oddball series.
American Dad!: There Will Be Bad Blood
Every Thanksgiving, Stan invites his half-brother Rusty over to gloat about his "wealth." As it turns out, Rusty is actually a millionaire himself. This news devastates Stan. After all, he thought he was going to be the rich sibling after he accepted a flat $20,000 inheritance from his and Rusty's dying great-grandfather. The land that Rusty took ended up containing copper deposits. Feeling like he deserves to be rich, Stan usurps Rusty's home and land.
American Dad! continues to be ever so blunt about social issues while still serving up some delectable humor at Stan's expense. "There Will Be Bad Blood" definitely doesn't shy away from being an on-the-nose allegory about Thanksgiving history, but the insanity that is American Dad! makes it easier to swallow.
Hey Arnold!: Arnold's Thanksgiving
When Arnold and Helga look for a change of scenery during Thanksgiving, they ditch their families and eat dinner with Mr. Simmons. To their surprise, things aren't much better there.
Hey Arnold! was one of those kids' shows that said a lot without actually having to say anything. There was always some hidden lesson or morality story within many episodes. This Thanksgiving one doesn't lay it on thick yet you can get a real sense of Arnold and Helga's hurdles here. Especially Helga, who has always had parental issues. In the end, "Arnold's Thanksgiving" is a well-aged story about family.
A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving
It's Thanksgiving in Hundred Acre Wood, and Christopher Robin has gathered his friends for a holiday feast. Although all the guests bring meals, Rabbit informs Pooh that this day requires "special" things. So, Pooh and the gang go in search of these things together.
This is a very straightforward special connected to The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, but it's a must for any Winnie the Pooh fan. We have to that this series has always been about surrogate families, in a sense. It's a beautiful and whimsical Thanksgiving treat that will definitely warm your heart.