There aren’t a lot of Thanksgiving-related movies or TV shows, but every holiday should be celebrated with a bounty of media to get into the spirit. From sitcoms to dramas, we have compiled a list of Thanksgiving films and TV shows you should watch during your time off this Thanksgiving break. Our standards for what counts as a Thanksgiving medium are low — if a turkey is involved, it’s a Thanksgiving film! 

Bob’s Burgers Season 4, Episode 5: “Turkey in a Can” 

“Bob’s Burgers” might just be the best family sitcom to hit the air. Following the Belchers, a family who lives above the burger restaurant they own and run, this show is fueled by familial love, rather than tension or dysfunction (as some sitcoms seem to prefer). This driving force makes “Bob’s Burgers” the perfect thing to get you in the holiday spirit.  

“Turkey in a Can,” one of the show’s Thanksgiving-themed episodes, is all parts hilarious, endearing, clever and a little immature. When Bob keeps waking up to discover his turkey is in the toilet, he doubles down on his Thanksgiving preparations and seeks whoever is responsible, only to discover that the root of the problem might be much deeper than he suspects.  

Friends Season 6, Episode 9: “The One Where Ross Got High” 

While “Friends” isn’t for everyone, it’s hard to deny how iconic, charming and hilarious Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler and Joey can be on screen. In “The One Where Ross Got High,” one of the show’s best Thanksgiving episodes, Monica and Chandler plan to tell Monica’s parents that they are in a relationship but discover that a lie Ross told about Chandler in college to save his own skin might complicate things. Meanwhile, Rachel makes a traditional English trifle that includes ground beef, and Phoebe grapples with some interesting dreams. The funniest moments in this episode are scattered throughout lighthearted drama, ridiculousness and Thanksgiving festiveness — making it the perfect, easy watch to turn on while you digest your meal.  

Gilmore Girls Season 3, Episode 9: “A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving”  

How many times do you go up for seconds during Thanksgiving? Once, maybe twice? The Gilmore Girls will put you to shame – during this episode, they manage to not only eat but enjoy four different Thanksgiving dinners. They first stop by the Kims’ house and then Sookie’s, where Jackson attempts to deep fry a turkey. Up next, they go to Luke’s house and end at the Gilmores. This episode develops relationships with Lane and Dave, as well as giving us a glimpse into the tensions behind Jess and Rory’s relationship. So, if you’re in need of a little pre-Thanksgiving dinner motivation to help you maximize the amount of food you consume, turn on “Gilmore Girls” and remind yourself that it is possible to eat multiple Thanksgiving meals! 

Four Brothers (2005) 

“Four Brothers” is a cult-classic that has remained relatively underground but is beloved by all those who watch it. While it’s not a typical holiday movie, it can be considered one since the events of the story take place during the giving season and unfold in the wintery landscape of Detroit. “Four Brothers” follows a family of adopted brothers, played by Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, Andre3000 and Garrett Hedlund, who are reunited by the murder of their mother and come together to enact revenge on her killers. It is a more violent drama, but that doesn’t take away from the themes of gratitude and blessings of the brothers, going through the motions of grief and gratitude as they strengthen their familial bonds. It’s a surefire way to start the holiday season that isn’t overly festive and combines genres of action, drama and a modern Western. 

Spider-Man (2002) 

This film is another unconventional Thanksgiving film, but one that fits into the cozy holiday feel. This film follows the beloved origin story of Peter Parker in Raimi’s iteration of the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man as he becomes the hero fighting against the Green Goblin. The most pivotal scene takes us to a Thanksgiving dinner where Peter Parker and his Aunt May have a dinner with the Osborns, which leads Norman, the Green Goblin, to uncover Spider-Man’s identity. The aesthetics of New York in fall and the core theme of family and hope really to ground this movie as a great superhero movie that just so happens to take place at Thanksgiving. 

Ugly Betty Season 1, Episode 8: “Four Thanksgivings and a Funeral” 

This comedy-drama follows Betty Suarez, an aspiring journalist, as she gets sucked into Mode, a fashion magazine. This episode follows multiple characters as they attempt to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families. Betty must balance her job, cook Thanksgiving dinner and resolve the pending issue of her father’s legal status as an immigrant, causing division with the family. Wilhemina Slater, a workaholic and the creative director of Mode, cancels her plans to spend time with her avoidant daughter to try to reconcile their relationship. Amanda and Marc, the comedic duo of the show with no real plans of their own, camp out in the Mode office to celebrate Thanksgiving in their own way — watching the parade, drinking and dressing up in designer clothes — leading to confessions of work drama. All of these storylines are captivating and charged with drama that make this such an entertaining watch, as well as a diverse cast that is so rare in contemporary media. 

How I Met Your Mother Season 6, Episode 10: “Blitzgiving” 

Out of all the numerous Thanksgiving episodes that “How I Met Your Mother” has, this is one of my favorites. When Ted leaves early to focus on cooking the “turturkeykey,” a slightly smaller turkey stuffed within a bigger turkey, he becomes a victim of “the curse of the Blitz” as he begins to miss out on epic and monumental occurrences within the group. The main story is zany and completely hilarious as the group tries to find a place to host Thanksgiving, eventually choosing Ted’s archnemesis of the season: Zoey. While funny, it has a good mix of blending the sad themes of the episode, such as having no one to celebrate Thanksgiving with, as well as the irrational fear of missing out. It’s a heartwarming episode that makes me enjoy all the characters and the wild goose chase they go on even more.