6 Shows to Binge During Thanksgiving Weekend

The holiday weekend is a great time for a good TV binge. From Insecure to Queens, these shows offer a lot no matter what your TV preferences are.

Photo: Shutterstock Joshua Resnick

The Wednesday to Sunday that encompass Thanksgiving weekend can be hectic at best, chaotic at worst. Unfortunately, if you’re not a sports fan, there’s not much on TV to help you escape. That’s why it’s the perfect weekend for a good binge.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Whether you’re looking for a few episodes to catch up on, or a more comprehensive re-watch, we’ve got you covered. From captivating crime drama to fan favorite comedy to family friendly franchise, there’s something for everyone in our 6 shows to binge during Thanksgiving weekend.

Succession

Photo: Getty Images Theo Wargo

Throughout Succession season 3, the Roy family civil war has made for some hilarious moments. While the ratings have been everything HBO wants, there are always those who like to wait and binge most, if not all the episodes at once. Why wait each week, when you can have the next entry in minutes.

And with a show like Succession, that week-long wait can be an eternity. The Covid-19 pandemic led to a two year delay between seasons 2 and 3, meaning the show has more fans than ever. What better way to make yourself feel better about your family dysfunction than by laughing at and judging the Roys.

BMF

Photo: Getty Images Marcus Ingram

Your family may have its issues, but we assume it’s not a huge criminal empire full of intrigue and backstabbing. Starz initially promoted BMF as a companion to Power Book III: Raising Kanan, however once its season ended, BMF seemed to fade into the background.

Inspired by the true story of the Flenory brothers, who built a powerful mafia family from nothing, BMF wraps up its first season just in time for Thanksgiving, making it perfect to jump into. Eight episodes will keep everyone occupied as the itis kicks in after dinner.

Insecure

Photo: Getty Images Vivien Killilea

None of us are happy about it, but yes, this is the final season of Insecure. What makes Insecure so perfect for a holiday binge is that it has something everyone in your family will like. Your parents will love Molly’s blunt parents, your sister will definitely see herself in Condola’s so-over-Lawrence sister and the reason we love Issa is because we’re all painfully awkward at some point.

By the time we hit the big weekend, season 5 will be at the halfway point. Thanksgiving can be tense, so why not let Issa and Molly’s complicated love lives and Kelli’s always hilarious shenanigans ease all the weirdness of seeing some family members for the first time in two years?

This is Us

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman

This is a binge for the serious TV watchers. If you plan to hole up all weekend with leftovers, and avoid the chaos, first of all, congrats. Second of all, may we interest you in a full series binge of This is Us?

Ahead of the final season premiere Jan. 4, get a jump on the tears with all 88 episodes. Yes, it’s a lot, but if you cut off all contact with the outside world Wed-Sun, you should be able to handle it. A This is Us binge will definitely take an emotional toll, but don’t worry, the rest of that sweet potato pie is there to make you feel better.

Queens

Screenshot: ABC

With all the prestige TV and sports on, Queens may have slipped past your radar, which means its midseason hiatus is the best time to get onboard. The soapy drama stars Brandy, Eve, Naturi Naughton and Nadine Velazquez as the members of a ‘90s hip hop girl group who reunite as middle aged women.

With themes of female empowerment combined with paternity questions, cheating husbands, sexual identity and long lost mothers, all set to an amazing soundtrack, this is the best show you’re not watching. Since we’ve all become so good at binging, six episodes should be light work after Black Friday shopping.

The Mandalorian

Photo: Getty Images Evgeniy SOFRONEYEV

Honestly, there’s never a bad time to binge The Mandalorian. However, with spinoff The Book of Boba Fett set to hit Disney+ Dec. 29, the long weekend is a good chance to catch up on the entire series. It’s only 16 episodes.

The Mandalorian takes place five years after Return of the Jedi, and follows Pedro Pascal’s bounty hunter as he cares for The Child aka Baby Yoda aka Grogu. You don’t have to be a Star Wars fan to enjoy it, though that does help. Plus, it’s a family friendly show, so everyone can sit down and watch this one together. We promise one episode and you’ll be hooked.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

The Tragic Story of Florence Ballard, The Soulful Singer Who Started The Supremes

The Tragic Story of Florence Ballard, The Soulful Singer Who Started The Supremes

Fifty years ago, on February 22nd, she passed away following a meteoric rise to international fame that was ultimately overshadowed by personal misfortune …
A Timeline of Kim Kardashian and Ray J’s Decades-Long Rocky Relationship

A Timeline of Kim Kardashian and Ray J’s Decades-Long Rocky Relationship

As Kim Kardashian pushes back against Ray J’s racketeering claims while pursuing her law degree, the mess continues to unfold — so we’re unpacking the chaos behind their rocky relationship …
He Became a TikTok Joke —But Maybe It's Time to Stop Laughing Because His Story is Better Than You Can Imagine

He Became a TikTok Joke —But Maybe It’s Time to Stop Laughing Because His Story is Better Than You Can Imagine

Michael Seals– once a professional boxer– is taking the internet by storm, but how well do you know him? …
America's Birth Rate Is Shifting Toward a Minority Majority  and Now Things Are Starting to Make Sense

America’s Birth Rate Is Shifting Toward a Minority Majority and Now Things Are Starting to Make Sense

White births have fallen below 50 percent for the first time in U.S. history. The milestone comes with a striking irony as the Trump administration’s policies target the women who are driving the nation’s growth …
How Trump Now Targeting Cuba Can Be More Detrimental than You Think

How Trump Now Targeting Cuba Can Be More Detrimental than You Think

The Trump administration has shut off oil flow to Cuba in an attempt to put pressure on the communist country to make some significant political changes …
Exclusive: The Honey Pot Co. CEO Beatrice Dixon Shares Her Ancestral Recipe for Empire Building in New Memoir

Exclusive: The Honey Pot Co. CEO Beatrice Dixon Shares Her Ancestral Recipe for Empire Building in New Memoir

The Root spoke with The Honey Pot CEO Beatrice Dixon about her inspiring new memoir …
Rapper Lil Jon Break Silence After His Son's Tragic Death

Rapper Lil Jon Break Silence After His Son’s Tragic Death

Lil Jon spoke out earlier this month about the death of his son and now he’s sharing his reflections and an update with his fans …
Oklahoma Cop Caught Beating a Black Man on Video—But Police Chief Says It's Not What It Looks Like

Oklahoma Cop Caught Beating a Black Man on Video—But Police Chief Says It’s Not What It Looks Like

After a clip of a Black man being punched in the head by an Oklahoma cop went viral, the police chief is speaking out, and what he says may shock you …
Not McSteamy! Why Black Women Are a Mess Over Eric Dane's Death

Not McSteamy! Why Black Women Are a Mess Over Eric Dane’s Death

Black women are taking to social media to share their grief over “Euphoria” and “Grey’s Anatomy” star Eric Dane …
Inside the Wild $1 Million Designer Clothes Heist Allegedly Staged by a Black Fashion Model and His Crew

Inside the Wild $1 Million Designer Clothes Heist Allegedly Staged by a Black Fashion Model and His Crew

A $1 million designer heist, disguises and a balcony getaway: Police finally have a suspect in the cinematic robbery of SoHo’s 4Gseller boutique …
Was Heathcliff in 'Wuthering Heights' Really Black?

Was Heathcliff in ‘Wuthering Heights’ Really Black?

Jacob Elordi’s portrayal of the infamous Heathcliff in the new ‘Wuthering Heights’ movie has fans speaking out about the character’s alleged Black origins and Hollywood’s whitewashing …
How this New Supreme Court Ruling on Tariffs Is Great News for Black Consumers Badly Hit by Trump's Economic Policy

How this New Supreme Court Ruling on Tariffs Is Great News for Black Consumers Badly Hit by Trump’s Economic Policy

After the Supreme Court ruled against Trump’s blanket tariff policy, Black consumers– the most impacted Americans– are picking up the pieces …
Naomi Campbell is In the Epstein Files Hundreds of Times -- Here's Her Response to That

Naomi Campbell is In the Epstein Files Hundreds of Times — Here’s Her Response to That

Supermodel Naomi Campbell’s name appeared in nearly 300 documents of the Epstein Files. And now, she’s speaking out about it! …
Trump Calls Out Obama For Talking About Aliens...Only to, Um, Do This

Trump Calls Out Obama For Talking About Aliens…Only to, Um, Do This

Donald Trump calls out Obama for making a “big mistake” by talking about aliens… but then decides to release government files on UFOs …
Inside Frederick Douglass' Final Home in DC

Inside Frederick Douglass’ Final Home in DC

Take a peek inside the home of one of the greatest African American men in history, Frederick Douglass …
Why <i>That</i> Pepsi Incident From Over 40 Years Ago is Blamed for Michael Jackson's Downfall

Why That Pepsi Incident From Over 40 Years Ago is Blamed for Michael Jackson’s Downfall

TMZ’s new documentary takes a deeper look at Michael Jackson’s infamous 1984 Pepsi commercial fire and the possible link it had to his demise years later …
Who NYT Says Is Facing the Biggest Fallout From The Epstein Files

Who NYT Says Is Facing the Biggest Fallout From The Epstein Files

The New York Times is tracking and documenting the names of those caught up in the fallout of the Epstein Files. Here are the ones you should know …
Activist Ms. Shirley's Cause of Death FINALLY Revealed

Activist Ms. Shirley’s Cause of Death FINALLY Revealed

News of Ms. Shirley’s cause of death comes in the middle of American Heart Month, the February initiative raising awareness about cardiovascular disease …
Former Prince Andrew in Cuffs: Is This the Official End of White Privilege?

Former Prince Andrew in Cuffs: Is This the Official End of White Privilege?

Prince Andrew is the first notable figure arrested after the Epstein files were released, and the potential fallout is probably lot worse than you think …
Tyra Banks Is 'ANTM's' Biggest Villain, But Jay, Miss J and Nigel Need to Be Called Out

Tyra Banks Is ‘ANTM’s’ Biggest Villain, But Jay, Miss J and Nigel Need to Be Called Out

America’s Next Top Model judges Miss J, Jay Manuel and Nigel Barker all played a role in the show’s unhealthy ecosystem, and they should be called out, too! …