When it comes to holiday specials, Christmas and Halloween remain supreme, so it can be easy to forget that there have been a few Thanksgiving specials of yesteryear, sharing stories about the holiday. Some animated special feature stories set during the U.S. colonial period, looking at when the holiday began. Some are pieces of historical fiction that make use of a bit of artistic license, while others pride themselves on historical accuracy. Others often explore how famous characters, from books to comics, to even films, celebrate the holiday.
As Christmas is right around the corner, it’s not uncommon for the holiday to somehow factor into a Thanksgiving story, from characters planning their Christmas shopping to Santa Claus appearing during any Thanksgiving Day parade. Sometimes, the holiday is replaced with a similar one that fits into the series' universe. One thing that is almost assured, however, is the characters sitting down to a nice Thanksgiving feast.
Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow (2015)
InJim Henson’s Turkey Hollow, Tim and Annie Emmerson and their newly divorced father are planning to spend Thanksgiving at their unconventional Aunt Cly’s farm in the town of Turkey Hollow. While there, the kids take an interest in a local legend known as the “Howling Hoodoo.” However, they instead find a bunch of friendly creatures: Squonk, Zorp, Burble, and Thring. Meanwhile, Eldridge Slump, a scheming neighbor, wants the farm for himself, going so far as kidnapping and a frame-up to get what he wants. The family’s new friends must help them save the farm.
What Makes It Great
While seemingly a more modern standalone Thanksgiving special,Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollowhas an interesting history. The project was first proposed in the 1960s as “The Musical Monsters of Turkey Hollow,” with an early treatment written by Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl. Over the years, puppets made for the special appeared in various works, such as in an early episode of Sesame Street. In 2014, a graphic novel adapted the story, using the originalThe Musical Monsters of Turkey Hollowname. Overall, the project is one forfans ofThe Muppetsand their long history.
Stream on Disney+
Thanksgiving in the Land of Oz (1980)
Thanksgiving in the Land of Oz, also known asDorothy in the Land of Oz, is an animated special starting off with the Gale family preparing for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, it looks to be their last, as Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are losing the farm, and Dorothy is about to be shipped off to live with relatives she’s never met. Before that happens, however, Dorothy finds herself taking another trip to Oz, where she meets all sorts of new characters: Jack Pumpkinhead, Tik-Tok, the Hungry Tiger, and Queen Ozma. Meanwhile, she’ll encounter a plot to take over the Emerald City.
The plot is an original story, though it honors various Oz works. The special’s happy ending, which involves Ozma arranging for Dorothy to permanently stay in Oz with her aunt and uncle, is taken fromThe Emerald City of Oz, the sixth book in the original Oz series.
Thanksgiving appears throughout the story. A turkey balloon intended for a parade is what sends Dorothy to Oz, and the characters end the story enjoying Thanksgiving dinner. Ironically, Dorothy saves the day with a song about Christmas. Interestingly, versions of the special exist that cut out references to the holiday.
Garfield’s Thanksgiving (1989)
Garfield’s Thanksgivingstarts with the famous comic-strip cat excited to about the holiday is coming up. After all, Thanksgiving makes feasting an annual tradition, and Garfield is a fan of this tradition. Unfortunately, Garfield’s holiday plans are called off when Liz, the vet, decides to put him on a diet the day before. Odie is tasked with watching him. Meanwhile, Liz is invited to Thanksgiving dinner by Garfield’s love-struck owner, Jon, which she begrudgingly accepts. Unfortunately, Jon’s lack of cooking skills ruins the dinner, only for Liz to take Garfield off the diet. Fortunately, Jon’s grandmother saves the day.
Grandma Arbuckle, voiced by Pat Carroll, briefly appears in the story, not even staying for dinner, so Jon can take the credit. However, she steals the show. The second she arrives on her motorcycle. Grandma Arbuckle’s ability to make croquettes out of a ruined turkey might inspire viewers to get creative with their own holiday spread. The comic version of the story even ends with Garfield and Jon admitting she’s what they’re thankful for. The animated version ends on a more comedic note with Odie becoming lethargic Thanksgiving dinner, meaning Garfield gets the last laugh as his trainer.
Stream on Peacock
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The Thanksgiving That Almost Wasn’t (1972)
The Thanksgiving That Almost Wasn’tis an animated special from Hanna-Barbera. A family of squirrels is celebrating Thanksgiving while watching humans celebrate the holiday. The father squirrel shares a story about how his ancestor saved the first Thanksgiving. His story features two boys: a Pilgrim named Johnny Cooke and a Native American boy named Little Bear. The two get lost in the woods, facing off against dangers from waterfalls to wolves. Fortunately, it’s up to Jeremy Squirrel to rescue them and the holiday.
The story shares the message of building friendships across different backgrounds. Jeremy Squirrel serves as a voice of reason for the two boys, often saving them from danger. Interestingly, Johnny Cooke, and his father Francis Cooke, take their names from historical figures. The special also serves as a treat for fans of Hanna-Barbera, featuring familiar animation and sounds. Music fromScooby-Doo, for example, plays when Jeremy is chased by a wolf.
This Is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers (1988)
This Is America, Charlie Brownwas a miniseries that featured Charles M. Schulz’sPeanutsgang traveling through time to various historical events in U.S. history. “The Mayflower Voyagers,” the first episode, details the voyage of the Mayflower, with thePeanutsgang among the children aboard. The Pilgrims' faith is tested as they endure trial and deaths. The episode ends on a happy note, with the celebration of the first Thanksgiving.
Over the years, “The Mayflower Voyagers” has been aired as a Thanksgiving special, often paired off withA Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, allowing it to air as a one-hour special. The series is noted for being one of the fewPeanutsmedia to depict adult characters, notably drawn in the style of Schulz’s comic stripIt’s Only a Game. The story is also notable for not shying away from some of the darker aspects of history, such as the Pilgrims dying from early hardships, giving it a serious tone at times.
The Mouse on the Mayflower (1968)
Rankin-Bass is famous for its animated holiday specials. While they’re usually associated with Christmas, there have been a few Rankin-Bass specials honoring other holidays. A rare Thanksgiving story came out inThe Mouse on the Mayflower. A church mouse named Willum serves as the narrator of the story as he travels on the Mayflower. As the Pilgrims start working on their new colony, they realize winter is coming, and they don’t have much food saved for the cold season.
The story also features a loose adaptation of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’sThe Courtship of Miles Standish. Thanks to this, the story includes the figures of Myles Standish, John Alden, and Priscilla Mullins. Of course, the twist is that Willum Mouse served as an unseen figure who influenced history. As many Rankin-Bass projects were animated in Japan, anime fans might be interested to know that Toei Animation worked on the special.
The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw (1980)
The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpawis a Thanksgiving-themed special based around Stan and Jan Berenstain’sBerenstain Bears. With Thanksgiving around the corner, a premonition causes Mama to fear that an old local legend, Bigpaw, shall appear. According to the legend, Bigpaw will devour Bear Country unless the bears prove their selflessness. Brother and Sister learn that Bigpaw is real, though he’s fortunately friendlier than the stories would have you believe. Meanwhile, Papa is rallying an angry mob to fight the supposed monster. Fortunately, everyone reconciles with a Thanksgiving feast.
The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpawwas the second of a series of NBC specials about the famous bear family, following a Christmas special and, in turn, succeeded by an Easter and Valentine’s special. Notably, the story was also the introduction of Bigpaw into theBerenstain Bearsmythos. The special was also notably adapted into the bookThe Berenstain Bears' Thanksgiving.
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Nick’s Thanksgiving Fest (1989)
Nick’s Thanksgiving Festis aholiday special from Nickelodeonthat aired from 1989 to the mid-90s. The special is an anthology composed of two stories. The first is “Thanksgiving Nightmare,” which revolves around the unseen aftermath of a family’s Thanksgiving supper. Two different sets of pests, mice and roaches, compete in their search for leftovers. However, they find themselves joining forces thanks to a common enemy: the family cat.
“Thanksgiving Dream,” the second, is a story set during the Great Depression on the night before Thanksgiving. When their mother is unable to find work, a brother and sister aren’t expecting a holiday feast. Overnight, the two dream of their kitchen coming to life, preparing dinner and a show for the kids. Unfortunately, a bitter batter transforms into a monster, ruining the happy dream. The kids wake up safe and sound in their bed, and, by some magic, they somehow wake up to a lavish Thanksgiving spread.
“Thanksgiving Nightmare” is a cartoon in the style of a Tom and Jerry cartoon, though interspersed with a story about the importance of working together, although some viewers might end up feeling sorry for the cat. “Thanksgiving Dream” is a fairy tale for the season, offering a story of hope during hard times. The special also features a few animated segments as a framing device. These tongue-in-cheek segments explore how the holiday is celebrated, ending with how turkeys must celebrate Thanksgiving. The special also notably aired on TeenNick’s The Splat in 2015.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
A Charlie Brown Thanksgivingsees the Peanuts gang celebrate the holiday.Charlie Brown is planning on having Thanksgivingdinner at his grandmother’s house. However, this doesn’t stop Peppermint Patty from inviting herself over, with Marcie and Franklin along for the ride, without giving her pal “Chuck” a chance to explain the situation. With a little help, especially from Snoopy, a makeshift dinner is whipped up out of junk food.
Admittedly,A Charlie Brown Thanksgivingisn’t too forgotten. In fact, the special is probably the first thing many think of when they hear about Thanksgiving specials. However, the special somewhat earns this reputation by association, as it sometimes gets overshadowed by Peanuts' Christmas and Halloween specials, both of which have been heavily referenced and even parodied in pop culture.
Peppermint Patty’s behavior can be off-putting to some viewers, but she does get called out and apologizes in the end. The story has a heartwarming resolution, however: Charlie Brown’s grandmother is more than happy to invite the other kids to her Thanksgiving dinner, allowing everyone to have a nice meal. Of course, there is one final punchline: Snoopy actually had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner stored away, which he enjoys with Woodstock in the end.
Stream on Apple TV
The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)
The Star Wars Holiday Special
The Star Wars Holiday Specialis a television special that came out on June 26, 2025. The plot revolves around Life Day, a futuristic holiday that Chewbacca plans to spend with his family, who are preparing for his return. Unfortunately, stormtroopers and officers appear on their doorstep before Chewbacca gets home. Fortunately, everything is resolved for the Wookie family in time for them to attend the funeral at the Tree of Life.
Over the years, fans have debated whetherThe Star Wars Holiday Specialcounts as a Christmas or Thanksgiving story, especially as it aired in November. Life Day admittedly does have some Christmas trappings, however, like gifts and a prominent tree.
Admittedly, the special isn’t too popular with fans of theStar Warsfranchise. Despite this, the special still has a few moments that have their fans, notably an animated segment, “The Faithful Wookiee,” which introduced Boba Fett, and Bea Arthur’s character Ackmena, who works at the Mos Eisley Cantina. In fact, “The Faithful Wookiee” is the only part of the special to receive an official home release. In popular culture, the special was also the inspiration forThe Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, which was also notably released in late November, the day after Thanksgiving.
