From the warped minds of creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park has been pushing the boundaries of animated comedy for years.
It's impossible to count the times we've nudged one another and said, "Did they really just go there?" Well, they did. It's South Park, after all!
Here are the absolute best South Park episodes that have left us laughing, cringing, and contemplating the absurdity of it all.
We've taken it upon ourselves to personally revisit these fun episodes to create this list to make you LOL.
Top 30 South Park Episodes (Ranked)
1. "Scott Tenorman Must Die" (Season 5, Episode 5)
Eric Cartman wants revenge on the titular South Park character because he tricked him into buying pubic hair, so he plots an epic scheme to get back at him, like messing with his chili cook-off.
However, Cartman's revenge plan goes WAY overboard to give us an ending with a disturbing nature.
2. "Make Love, Not Warcraft" (Season 10, Episode 8)
So, the boys are all hooked on this multiplayer online game and playing day and night. One of the biggest highlights in this episode is the epic training montage, all to beat Jenkins.
This episode also features the infamous line "Mom, bathroom!" which is a thing among fans.
3. "Casa Bonita" (Season 7, Episode 11)
Cartman's birthday is coming up and he wants to go to Casa Bonita, a Mexican-themed restaurant with food, games, and diving shows. Cartman can only bring one friend, so he invites innocent Butters.
But the catch is, Eric Cartman just wants Butters to be his 'token' friend so he can enjoy all the Casa Bonita goodness himself.
This episode showed the true influence of South Park. It brought attention to the real Casa Bonita restaurant in Colorado, and more people started going there after the episode aired. [1]
4. "Good Times with Weapons" (Season 8, Episode 1)
In "Good Times With Weapons," Kyle, Cartman, Stan, and Kenny buy ninja weapons from a fair.
However, they accidentally hit Butters in the eye with a throwing star, and instead of being responsible, they go on a mission to cover it up. Classic South Park style, right?
The first episode of Season 8 had a unique anime style, which fans totally dug.
Check out this infamous Kenny 10-Slot Knife Block Holder here.
5. "Trapped in the Closet" (Season 9, Episode 12)
In "Trapped in the Closet," Stan joins the Church of Scientology, thinking it might help him find a purpose in life. Tom Cruise is here! He's all over the place, hiding in closets and making everyone think he's... well, trapped in the closet.
This episode made waves in the real world, too. The Church of Scientology wasn't thrilled about it, and we can understand why.
Read: South Park vs Family Guy
6. "You're Getting Old" (Season 15, Episode 7)
Stan's birthday is coming up, but something strange happens – he starts seeing everything as crap, whether it's his favorite music, TV show, or food.
Turns out, Stan's not the only one feeling this way. His parents, Randy and Sharon, are also going through a ton of marriage crap.
This episode is a commentary on how things start becoming more crappy as we get older.
7. "Cartman Joins NAMBLA" (Season 4, Episode 5)
Eric Cartman hears about an organization called NAMBLA. However, he has no clue what NAMBLA is and just thinks it's where cool guys hang out and have fun.
Turns out NAMBLA is a super sketchy organization! [2]
8. "Tsst" (Season 10, Episode 7)
Here, Cartman's mom is at her wit's end with his bad behavior. She calls in a professional named Cesar Millan. (If that name sounds familiar, he's like the Dog Whisperer, but for kids.) [3]
This episode features the absurd trend of using reality TV parenting and pet training techniques.
9. "Imaginationland" Trilogy (Season 11, Episodes 10-12)
The boys – Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and the rest of the gang – stumble upon a magical portal to Imaginationland. Things turn for the worse when terrorists sneak into Imaginationland and cause chaos.
What's super cool about these three episodes is it takes some digs at pop culture, with characters like Darth Vader and Jesus teaming up at some point.
This ambitious fan favorite eventually won a Primetime Emmy Award.
Read: Recommended South Park Gifts
10. "All About Mormons" (Season 7, Episode 12)
Stan meets a new kid in town, Gary, who's a Mormon. Sensing Stan's curiosity, Gary starts telling him all about Mormonism. [4]
"All About Mormons" sparked conversations about religion, tolerance, and understanding, all wrapped up in South Park's witty humor.
11. "Grounded Vindaloop" (Season 18, Episode 7)
Butters gets a virtual reality headset and convinces Stan to try it out. But things get crazy when they start confusing real life with the virtual world, and they can't tell what's what anymore. It's like a wild ride that's both trippy and totally South Park.
12. "Ginger Kids" (Season 9, Episode 11)
Here, Eric Cartman goes on a rant about "ginger kids," claiming they're inferior beings with red hair, pale skin, and freckles.
However, the tables turn when Cartman wakes up to find himself transformed into a "ginger kid." Suddenly, he experiences the discrimination he was initially dishing out.
13. "Tegridy Farms" (Season 22, Episode 4)
Randy, Stan's dad, decides to start his own cannabis farm, which he calls Tegridy Farms.
This hilarious episode is a satirical take on the modern cannabis industry and how it's becoming more mainstream. It also gave rise to the South Park lexicon "Tegridy," which is short for "integrity."
14. "Kenny Dies" (Season 5, Episode 13)
Kenny dying in every episode is a running gag in South Park ("Oh my God, they killed Kenny!). However, in "Kenny Dies," he won't be coming back.
While everyone around the dying boy is trying to find ways to save him, Stan is dealing with some pretty heavy feelings. This episode sees and tackles the complexities of life, death, and friendships.
15. "Black Friday," "A Song of Ass and Fire," "Titties and Dragons" (Season 17, Episodes 7-9)
The town is divided between those who want to snag Black Friday deals and those who are all about the "Game of Thrones" console wars.
The episode is also poking fun at people's obsession with consumerism and the fanatical dedication to pop culture franchises.
16. "The Tale of Scrotie McBoogerballs" (Season 14, Episode 2)
Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny write a shocking book they believe is outrageous and offensive for others to read. But guess what? People actually think it's a profound masterpiece!
The boys grapple with their accidental fame and the audiences' ridiculous interpretations of their book. The same can be said by how we sometimes find deeper meaning where there isn't any.
17. "Major Boobage" (Season 12, Episode 3)
Kenny discovers that sniffing cat urine can lead to some bizarre hallucinations. Suddenly, South Park is transformed into a world of flying creatures and rock 'n' roll awesomeness.
18. "The Losing Edge" (Season 9, Episode 5)
The boys – Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny – here are part of a little league baseball team but could care less about winning. You won't believe the hilarious tactics they use to secure their losing streak.
19. "Awesom-O" (Season 8, Episode 2)
Cartman here dresses up as a robot named Awesom-O to mess with Butters. However, Butters starts spilling his deepest secrets to the "robot," thinking they would be safe.
"Awesom-O" is an instant fan-favorite episode and shows us how secrets and lies can be infinitely hilarious.
20. "Guitar Queer-O" (Season 11, Episode 13)
Stan and Kyle are on a mission to become the ultimate Guitar Hero players, and they even hire a coach to help them level up.
On the other hand, Randy starts playing the game, too, and becomes a total Guitar Hero legend.
This episode poked fun at the world's gaming obsession. "Guitar Queer-O" also added new terms to the South Park dictionary, like "gay fish."
21. "Gnomes" (Season 2, Episode 17)
Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny stumble upon a mystery --- some gnomes are stealing underpants, and nobody knows why.
Tweek, another kid in town, is worried about the gnomes, and the boys decide to help him figure out what the gnomes are up to.
22. "Tweek x Craig" (Season 19, Episode 6)
Tweek and Craig suddenly become the talk of the town when the rumor that they're a couple spreads. But they're not a couple --- they're just best friends.
Like in true South Park fashion, the whole situation gets way out of hand, and their non-existent romance suddenly becomes a symbol of tolerance, acceptance, and the power of love.
23. "Dead Kids" (Season 22, Episode 1)
In "Dead Kids," the kids of South Park are dealing with a super serious issue – school shootings. As the boys navigate the chaos and confusion, they devise a plan to try and change the situation.
24. "The List" (Season 11, Episode 14)
The episode starts with the girls in school making a list where they rank the boys based on their looks. This list becomes a bigger deal because everyone wants to determine their place on this mysterious list.
"The List" sparked discussions about popularity, self-esteem, and how people react when their social status is at stake.
25. "Simpsons Already Did It" (Season 6, Episode 7)
In "Simpsons Already Did It," Butters accidentally creates a scheme straight out of a "Simpsons" episode. Actually, every idea he comes up with has already been done by "The Simpsons."
"Simpsons Already Did It" is a cheeky breaking of the fourth wall and discusses the challenges of creating something new.
26. "Woodland Critter Christmas" (Season 8, Episode 14)
Stan stumbles upon a group of adorable critters in the woods who are super excited for Christmas. However, these critters have dark secrets, and their plans involve devilish stuff.
"Woodland Critter Christmas" is a fan favorite for its absurdity and dark humor. It's also a hilarious parody of holiday specials.
27. "You Have 0 Friends" (Season 14, Episode 4)
Here, Stan gets super excited about joining Facebook. But things get a bit out of hand when his online friend count starts to soar, which is a big deal because everyone's all about the number of friends they have.
This episode became a commentary on the growing influence of social media and the way it shapes our interactions.
28. "Miss Teacher Bangs a Boy" (Season 10, Episode 10)
"Miss Teacher Bangs a Boy" is about Ike, Kyle's 4-year-old brother, and his inappropriate relationship with his preschool teacher. When Kyle tells the authorities about the grooming, they don't take it seriously --- on the other hand, all they say is "Nice."
This episode is a social commentary on sensitive topics, like child predators, grooming, and inappropriate relationships.
29. "Butters' Very Own Episode" (Season 5, Episode 14)
Butters has always been the kid who gets caught up in crazy situations. When he accidentally finds out that his dad is having an affair, Butters becomes his own superhero with a quest to repair broken relationships.
30. "Fishsticks" (Season 13, Episode 5)
In "Fishsticks," Jimmy comes up with a joke that's all about fishsticks, which gets everyone cracking up. But one person doesn't quite get the joke – guest star Kanye West.
As the joke spreads and evolves, Kanye's frustration grows because he seems to be the only person who doesn't understand why everyone's laughing.
Note: The episodes are ranked based on their Impact on Pop Culture, Humor and Satire, and Social Commentary.
FAQs
What is the funniest episode on South Park?
Personally, the funniest episode on South Park is "Scott Tenorman Must Die" from Season 5. It's a rollercoaster of revenge, humor, and jaw-dropping twists that'll leave you laughing.
What is the highest-rated South Park episode?
"Make Love, Not Warcraft" (Season 10, Episode 8) is regarded as one of the highest-rated episodes in South Park history. It's a hilarious take on the world of online gaming and has received praise for its humor and cultural commentary.
What is the best season of South Park?
Many consider Seasons 5 and 10 among the best South Park seasons. These seasons are packed with iconic episodes and a blend of satiric humor for which the animated series is known.
Why was season 10, episode 3 of South Park banned?
South Park's Season 10, Episode 3, titled "Cartoon Wars Part II," wasn't banned, but it generated controversy. The episode featured a depiction of the Prophet Muhammad and satirized the issue of censorship.
Due to concerns about depicting religious figures, Comedy Central censored certain parts of the episode, which led to discussions about artists' freedom of expression.
In Summary
And there you have it! From the jaw-dropping revenge in "Scott Tenorman Must Die" to the epic gaming hilarity of "Make Love, Not Warcraft," we've binge-watched the entire series to give you some of the funniest South Park episodes to date.
We've chuckled at our beloved characters' wild escapades, dived into fantastical showdowns, and even witnessed the bizarre tale of Scrotie McBoogerballs.
We like to think that these best episodes aren't just stories – they're like a wild ride through the twisted minds of the South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
However, we believe the best South Park episodes happen when they blend toilet humor with social commentary.
We carry authentic South Park merch for your ultimate satisfaction. We offer fast and free shipping to all orders within the contiguous United States with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
References:
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12174511/South-Park-creators-rescue-famed-Colorado-restaurant-Casa-Bonita.html
- https://www.vice.com/en/article/7bd37e/whatever-happened-to-nambla
- https://screenrant.com/cesar-millan-dog-whisperer-career-after-show/
- https://www.history.com/topics/religion/mormons
