14 Best Thanksgiving Episodes in Animated Television Ranked

14 Best Thanksgiving Episodes in Animated Television, Ranked

If an animated series takes place in the U.S., there’s bound to be a Thanksgiving episode. So, spend Turkey Day with these episodes and specials.

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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.

14 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.

13 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.

12 South Park: A History Channel Thanksgiving

South Park is a notorious animated show known for parodying real-life characters, actors, celebrities, pop culture, and politics. In 2011, the show aired a Thanksgiving special, “A History Channel Thanksgiving.” The episode parodies the television series, Ancient Aliens and even includes the MCU movie, Thor.

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.

11 Teen Titans Go!: Thanksgiving

Teen Titans has gone through a couple of show changes over the years. The animated show 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.

10 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.

9 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.

8 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.

7 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.

6 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.

5 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 remember 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.

4 The Simpsons: Bart vs. Thanksgiving

After accidentally destroying Lisa’s Thanksgiving centerpiece, Bart is sentenced to his room. However, he instead runs away and ends up at a soup kitchen filled with people without homes. Upon seeing this, Bart feels remorse for his actions and returns home. There, he makes amends to everyone.

In its second season, The Simpsons was on the fast track to finding itself. The humor had yet to be shaped into what is characteristic of the “golden age” for the series, but with episodes like “Bart vs. Thanksgiving”, it was definitely getting there. The frank depiction of familial interactions at the dinner is amusing, and Bart’s timely contrition is convenient, but also not offensively outrageous.

3 Bob’s Burgers: An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal

Mr. Fischoeder enlists Bob’s help when he aims to entice an old flame who has a penchant for married men. In exchange for several months’ rent, Bob agrees to let Mr. Fischoeder pretend Linda and the kids are his family. This plan doesn’t sit well with Bob, though, as he’s left pining for his family on his favorite holiday.

Very few shows handle awkward situations with as much wit as Bob Burgers does. What helps this Thanksgiving episode stand out is simply the fact that it’s hardly about the day itself. The plot is so silly yet it’s what we’ve come to expect — and love — when watching Bob’s Burgers.

2 A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Charlie Brown is surprised when Peppermint Patty invites herself over for Thanksgiving dinner. Then, Marcie and Franklin are added to the sudden guest list. Charlie Brown is flummoxed by this development as he and Sally are scheduled to leave soon for their grandmother’s. Luckily, Linus, Snoopy, and Woodstock all pitch in to make a Thanksgiving meal for their friends.

This 1973 special encapsulates everything that is perfect about Charlie Brown while also demonstrating the power of “Friendsgiving”. It’s a beloved tradition that you just have to watch every year. And luckily for most of us, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving airs annually in November.

1 King of the Hill: Happy Hank’s Giving

As the Hills rush to the airport so they can spend Thanksgiving with Peggy’s mother, they get caught up in the holiday rush. The inclement weather also puts a damper on everyone’s plans as all flights have been temporarily grounded. It appears the Hills and their friends are going to be stuck in the airport this Thanksgiving.

This long-running sitcom about slice-of-life Texas sensibilities has several Thanksgiving episodes. And you really can’t go wrong with any of them as they’re all good in their own ways. Nonetheless, “Happy Hank’s Giving” is both funny and heartwarming as Hank struggles to keep it together like so many of us do during the holidays.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/thanksgiving-turkey-day-episodes-animated-series-tv-ranked/

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