The Super Bowl of retail – Black Friday. It’s that day of the year when festive cheer gives way to consumer chaos.
What began as a clever post-Thanksgiving sales boost in the 1950s has evolved into a high-stakes shopping extravaganza, complete with long lines, bustling sales and crazy revelry.
In the past, shoppers have braved frigid temperatures to snap up the hottest items — game consoles, televisions, even $2 children’s pajamas — while crowded parking lots and marathon lines turned malls into battlefields.
I still remember sifting through a pile of $5 DVD cases while others shoved entire shelves into their shopping carts without even looking at them.
We run from store to store chasing deals until we are exhausted. perhaps. Is it fun? Absolutely.
In recent years, online shopping and Black Friday “week” sales have moved the action to scrolling screens, but the stress, craziness and absurdity remain.
From slapstick holiday comedies to terrifying shopping sprees, these movies and shows capture the chaos and glamor of Black Friday.
So grab your list, avoid the crowds, and get ready to laugh, cringe, and maybe be glad you watched it all from your couch.
Supermarket – “Black Friday”
“I hate Black Friday,” Amy complained in Superstore Season 2 Episode 10, and she wasn’t wrong. For Cloud 9 employees, it’s the Super Bowl of retail chaos.
As they prepare for the stampede, Jonah hilariously compares it to the American version of “Running with the Bulls.”
Shoppers are rushing in to grab deals before stores even open, like vultures killed on the side of the road.
Internally, the calm of a team dinner quickly turned into absolute madness—half the staff fell ill from faulty dishes, while malfunctioning electronics and indulging customers added to the chaos.
It’s funny, relatable, and the ultimate retail nightmare – and we’re all glad it’s not us who are in trouble.
Watch Superstore Season 2 Episode 10 online
Bon voyage
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Howard Langston, a frantic father tasked with providing for his son Jamie (Jack Lloyd, who later played Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace ) get the must-have Turbo Superman figure.
Howard’s biggest rival? Sinbad stars as Myron Larabee, a similarly desperate postal worker competing to get the same toys for his own children.
Their escalating rivalry leads to an all-out frenzy of slapstick disaster, packed stores, and toy shortages.
This laugh-out-loud holiday classic perfectly captures the madness of last-minute shopping and the absurdity of parents going to great lengths to get the perfect gift.
Watch “Bon Voyage” online
Bull – “But for grace”
On Bulls Season 3 Episode 8, “But for Grace,” Black Friday chaos turns deadly when a holiday melee gets out of hand.
After an argument broke out during the Black Friday queue and a fight broke out, Dr. Jason Bull and his team stepped in to defend Chris, who was charged with manslaughter.
What started as a plea deal for simple assault backfired when the victim fell into a coma and died, leaving Chris facing serious charges.
As the law goes awry and the stakes mount, this episode explores the dark side of holiday madness as tensions rise with tragic consequences.
Watch Bull Season 3 Episode 8 Online
bad santa
Bad Santa turns the holiday cheer on its head with dark humor and unapologetic irreverence.
Billy Bob Thornton stars as a foul-mouthed, alcoholic con man who poses as a mall Santa and plots with his gang to rob stores on Christmas Eve.
Things get very complicated when an innocent kid catches him and believes he’s the real deal.
Bad Santa is raunchy, chaotic, and strangely sincere, making it the perfect antidote to sugar-coated holiday movies. It’s Christmas chaos, complete with alcohol and bad decisions.
Watch Bad Santa online
Scream Queens – “Black Friday”
The holiday shopping frenzy takes a hilariously twisted turn in Scream Queens Season 1, Episode 11, “Black Friday.”
In true Chanel fashion, Chanel bribed a store employee to come in early and use Black Friday as an excuse to buy cheap, forgettable gifts.
She gleefully mocks the greedy shoppers who cling to the locked doors, snatching up and using every bargain in front of them.
But the chaos doesn’t stop there.
When the Red Devil appears and the mall goes into lockdown, the channels scramble to survive or hilariously try to kill Dean Munche, whom they are convinced is the killer.
From poisoned cider to a cryogenic chamber, their clueless plans are pure comedy gold.
This episode is fun, ridiculous, over-the-top and highlights the madness of Black Friday. Lucky for Chanel, it’s not just the red devils following her – those shoppers are ready to riot.
Watch Scream Queens Season 1 Episode 11 Online
Elf
Elf has cemented itself as a modern holiday classic, delivering laughs and an even bigger holiday spirit.
Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a human raised by Santa’s elves who travels to New York in search of his long-lost father.
With boundless enthusiasm and childlike curiosity, Buddy collides hilariously with the city’s cynicism, the madness of holiday shopping, and his cantankerous, workaholic father.
From syrupy pasta to “Santa! I know him!” moments, Elf is filled with famous lines and heartwarming cheers.
It’s the ultimate reminder to embrace your inner child and believe in the magic of the season—no matter how ridiculous it may seem.
Watch Elf online
Lie to me – “Black Friday”
In Lie to Me Season 2 Episode 7, “Black Friday,” chaos takes center stage—both inside and outside the mall.
Locke investigates a deadly stampede at an electronics store, which turns violent when a frantic crowd mistakes a panicked father for someone who jumped the line.
As he desperately searches for his injured daughter, his actions set off a chain reaction that proves just how volatile the madness of Black Friday can be.
Meanwhile, Carl and the team work on another case involving a teenager who believes he was abducted as an infant, uncovering secrets buried deep in the boy’s past.
This episode blends heart-pounding retail chaos and emotional mystery, capturing the intensity and unpredictability of Black Friday.
Watch Lie to Me Season 2 Episode 7 online
black friday
Black Friday takes the chaos of holiday shopping to hilarious, gory extremes in this horror-comedy mashup.
Set in a toy store on the scariest retail day of the year, the story follows a group of hapless employees who face not just picky customers, but zombie shoppers infected by an alien parasite.
Featuring Devon Sawa bringing charm and Bruce Campbell delivering campy mischief, Black Friday blends over-the-top gore with dark humor.
It’s a gory and laugh-out-loud reminder that no deal is worth this madness. Watch from your couch? priceless.
Watch Black Friday Online
Life – “Black Friday”
In Life Season 2 Episode 8, “Black Friday,” detective Charlie Crews and his partner Danny Reese are faced with a murder just before a shopping spree begins at one of America’s largest malls. Chaos on all fronts.
victim? Mall security supervisor.
In the midst of the madness, the mall refuses to close, and when Cruise and Reese return to the crime scene, the body is gone.
“It’s a miracle!” Charlie exclaimed, but the truth was anything but divine.
Tracking down a missing body and a murderer on Black Friday? Just another day for Cruise and Reese.
Watch Life Season 2 Episode 8 online
Are we there yet? ——”Black Friday”
About Are We There yet? In Season 3, Episode 48, “Concussion,” Black Friday madness hits the gang.
Determined not to miss “the biggest sale of the year,” Nia causes chaos by trying to jump in line.
Meanwhile, Nick, who was advised to stay awake after suffering a concussion, decides to brave the cold and join the Black Friday revelry.
But things go from bad to worse when Nick realizes he’s waiting in line without his wallet.
It’s a hilarious and chaotic look at the lengths people go to get holiday deals and the misfortunes that come with it.
Watch Black Friday Online
felling mall
Chopping Mall transforms mall culture into a sci-fi horror nightmare, delivering over-the-top excitement and 80s nostalgia.
A group of teenagers sneak into a high-tech mall for an after-get off work party, expecting fun – but instead, they’re hunted by the mall’s new security system: killer robots equipped with lasers and zero chill.
What follows is a hilarious battle for survival filled with explosions, cheesy quips and pure ’80s mayhem.
Part horror, part action, and all cult classic, Chopping Mall will make you think twice before going on a late-night shopping spree or trusting a robot with a badge.
Watch “Chopping Mall” online
South Park—”Black Friday”
South Park Season 17 Episode 17, “Black Friday,” is the first of a three-part storyline that takes Black Friday madness to ridiculous new heights.
Inspired by Game of Thrones, kids are divided over whether to buy an Xbox One or a PS4 during mall sales.
Meanwhile, Randy Marsh becomes a mall security guard, initially planning to stay ahead of the crowd, but ultimately tasked with protecting the town from chaos.
The episode hilariously satirizes consumer culture and holiday madness through shopping brawls, console battles and a parody of Game of Thrones drama.
Watch South Park Season 17 Episode 7 Online
Dateline – “Black Friday”
The holiday shopping season turns from chaotic to hair-raising in Dateline Season 26 Episode 8, “Black Friday,” a true crime special that explores shocking cases related to the shopping spree.
While most are focused on securing deals, danger lurks in the aisles.
With its signature in-depth storytelling and gripping narrative, Dateline unveils a twisting crime story that unfolds during the madness of Black Friday.
It’s a sobering reminder that tensions can erupt unexpectedly, making this a must-see for crime fans craving a dose of the dark side during the holidays.
Watch Season 26 Episode 8 Online
Black Friday: Fun from afar
While Black Friday can be chaotic, there’s no denying that it’s really fun to watch crazy things happen from a safe distance.
Whether it’s hilarious situation comedy pranks, high-stakes drama or even festive horror, TV and movies have turned this retail circus into must-see entertainment.
So the next time you want to brave the crowds or hover over a flash sale online, remember: the best Black Friday experience may be the one you watch on your screen.
After all, no deal is worth fighting a stampede of door-breakers or a malfunctioning cash register…unless it comes with popcorn and a comfy couch.
What’s your craziest Black Friday memory, or do you avoid it entirely? Share your shopping war stories in the comments!
