As a Texan, I know Black Friday isn’t just a shopping day—it’s a full-contact sport. From those 5 a.m. doorbuster crowds to strategic planning sessions that could rival a football playbook, we don’t mess around. But let’s be real: even the most chaotic shopping spree I’ve witnessed doesn’t come close to some of the outrageous Black Friday moments Hollywood has cooked up. Here are five of the wildest Black Friday TV and movie scenes and what they’ve taught me about surviving the madness. Be warned, this is a Rated R list!

1. Jingle All the Way (1996) – The Turbo Man Free-for-All

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desperate hunt for a Turbo Man action figure? Peak Black Friday energy. Watching him battle crowds, dodge punches, and fight for that one toy perfectly sums up the chaos of chasing a must-have item.

What I’ve Learned: If you’re gunning for the year’s hottest deal, you need a game plan. Scout the store layout, study your competition, and maybe skip leg day so you’re ready to sprint when the doors open.

2. Krampus (2015) – The Dark Side of Black Friday

This one’s a horror-comedy, but the opening Black Friday scene hits a little too close to home. There’s trampling, screaming, and flying fists over big-screen TVs. It’s a not-so-subtle reminder that sometimes, the season of giving goes dark.

What I’ve Learned: Keep your cool. No deal is worth throwing hands—or being the person who steamrolls someone’s grandma for a discount blender. Let’s spread a little kindness in the chaos, y’all.

3. The Hunger Games (2012) – The Cornucopia Chaos

Okay, so technically this isn’t a Black Friday scene, but hear me out: the opening scramble at the Cornucopia, where everyone fights for supplies, feels like the perfect metaphor for those early-morning doorbusters. The chaos, the intensity, the single-minded determination—it’s all there.

What I’ve Learned: Black Friday may not be life or death, but it can feel like it in the moment. Stay calm, be strategic, and maybe let someone else grab the last discounted blender if it saves you a headache. Peace over panic, y’all.

4. El Camino Christmas (2017) – Parking Lot Brawls

This one’s not exactly about Black Friday, but there’s a scene with parking lot tension that escalates into a fight, and it feels all too familiar. Sometimes the drama starts before you even make it through the doors.

What I’ve Learned: Get there early—not just for deals but to snag a parking spot. And let me tell you, nothing good comes from messing with a Texan’s truck.

5. South Park: Black Friday (2013) – The Battle of Westeros

This might be a TV episode, but it’s too good to skip. The kids of South Park parody Game of Thrones with a Black Friday storyline full of betrayals, alliances, and absolute carnage. It’s over-the-top, but I’ve definitely seen people channel that same energy in line for a PS5.

What I’ve Learned: If you’re shopping with a crew, make sure everyone’s on the same page. Dividing and conquering only works if your team doesn’t start turning on each other over the last air fryer.

Ready, Texans?
For me, Black Friday is about the thrill of the hunt as much as the deals. These movie moments remind me to prepare for the worst but also have some fun along the way. No matter how wild things get, we’ve survived Texas summers—this is child’s play.

So, what’s your go-to Black Friday strategy? Let me know!