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
Scary On-Air Incident During News Broadcast Finally Explained

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

13 Times Stephen A. Smith Disappointed Black Folks

13 Times Stephen A. Smith Disappointed Black Folks

Before Stephen A. Smith gets serious about a potential 2028 presidential run, he still has to answer for these shocking and disappointing incidents …
Black Stars Who Slayed on the 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors Red Carpet

Black Stars Who Slayed on the 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors Red Carpet

From the Oscar nominees like Ryan Coogler to veterans like Vivica A. Fox, check out some of our faves who slayed on the ABFF 2026 red carpet! …
Exclusive: Bakari Sellers Reflects on the Passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson

Exclusive: Bakari Sellers Reflects on the Passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson

CNN political contributor Bakari Sellers shared his thoughts on the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson exclusively with The Root …
The Best and Worst TikTok Theories About Beyoncé's Upcoming 'Act III' Album

The Best and Worst TikTok Theories About Beyoncé’s Upcoming ‘Act III’ Album

Thanks to Beyoncé’s recent photo dump on social media, many fans are pointing to it as potential clues for her next musical act. Let’s get into all of the best and worst breakdowns! …
Sherrone Moore May Get A Break After Judge Orders Hearing After Having Concerns His 'Due Process May Have Been Violated'

Sherrone Moore May Get A Break After Judge Orders Hearing After Having Concerns His ‘Due Process May Have Been Violated’

Sherrone Moore could have charges dropped if judge finds out his due process was violated. Court hearing scheduled for March 2 …
TikTok Trad Wife Nara Smith's Goes Viral Again -- This Time For Issues With Her House

TikTok Trad Wife Nara Smith’s Goes Viral Again — This Time For Issues With Her House

The East Coast winter storm has TikTok influencer Nara Smith doing a major renovation project on her home …
Whoopi Goldberg Clears Up Epstein Files Confusion

Whoopi Goldberg Clears Up Epstein Files Confusion

Whoopi Goldberg isn’t here for any potential links between her and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. And now she’s providing some much needed clarity! …
How <i>Not</i> To End Up Like Cardi B, Halle Berry or J. Lo: Unlucky in Love Because of Bad Decisions

How Not To End Up Like Cardi B, Halle Berry or J. Lo: Unlucky in Love Because of Bad Decisions

If you want to be happy in love but don’t know how to get there, pull up a chair. It’s time we had a talk …
Kansas State Fires Basketball Coach Over Publicly Trashing His Own Team, But That's Not All

Kansas State Fires Basketball Coach Over Publicly Trashing His Own Team, But That’s Not All

After a blistering criticism of his basketball team, Kansas State has fired basketball head coach, Jerome Tang, for “just cause.” …
CNN's Abby Phillip On Jesse Jackson's Political Legacy

CNN’s Abby Phillip On Jesse Jackson’s Political Legacy

The Root spoke exclusively with CNN’s Abby Phillip about what we can learn from the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s multicultural political movement …
Former Obama Staffers Reveal How Profoundly Trump Blindsided Them in 2016

Former Obama Staffers Reveal How Profoundly Trump Blindsided Them in 2016

Obama and his staff had a perception about Trump leading up to the 2016 presidential election that …
NBA Legend Chris Paul's 5 Dirtiest On-Court Moves

NBA Legend Chris Paul’s 5 Dirtiest On-Court Moves

Retiring after 21 years in the NBA, Chris Paul was widely regarded as one of the dirtiest players in the league …
What NYT Journalists Are Finding in The Epstein Files

What NYT Journalists Are Finding in The Epstein Files

The New York Times staff is poring through millions of pages of documents in the Epstein files. Now four NYT journalists are revealing what they know so far …
'We Were All Rooting For You' ANTM Model Speaks Out!

‘We Were All Rooting For You’ ANTM Model Speaks Out!

‘ANTM’ contestants are breaking their silence after the release of Netflix’s new documentary. Let’s take a look at what they have to say! …
Trump Locks Horns With Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over This Scary Environmental Disaster

Trump Locks Horns With Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over This Scary Environmental Disaster

After more than 240 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Potomac River, President Trump is calling out Gov. Wes Moore …
Why Lil Durk's Music Will Play a Huge Role in His Murder-for-Hire Case

Why Lil Durk’s Music Will Play a Huge Role in His Murder-for-Hire Case

A federal judge has just issued his complicated ruling over song lyrics and Instagram DMs connected to Lil Durk’s upcoming trial …
Clifton Powell Crashes Out When Challenged To Be More Accountable To Black Women, Black Twitter Responds

Clifton Powell Crashes Out When Challenged To Be More Accountable To Black Women, Black Twitter Responds

Powell was a part of a round table discussion titled “Black Men Trust Black Women.” …
Exclusive: Raphael Saadiq Opens Up About Being With D'Angelo Days Before His Passing

Exclusive: Raphael Saadiq Opens Up About Being With D’Angelo Days Before His Passing

Oscar-nominee and legendary singer Raphael Saadiq sat down with The Root where he reflected on his deep friendship with the late D’Angelo …
Why Tyra Banks Was Always the <i>Real</i> Problem on 'ANTM'

Why Tyra Banks Was Always the Real Problem on ‘ANTM’

Thanks to Netflix’s new documentary, Tyra Banks’ time as host and producer of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ is getting looked at with fervent scrutiny! Let’s break down why …
Celebs Pay Tribute to The Rev. Jesse Jackson

Celebs Pay Tribute to The Rev. Jesse Jackson

After the shocking news of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s passing, celebrities are sending their condolences to the Jackson family …