South Park has always been known for being controversial and pushing boundaries. Since its debut in 1997, the animated series quickly gained a reputation for bold humor, often using profanity, and its ability to hilariously comment on current events. What started as a cartoon about four kids in a small Colorado town has become one of television’s longest-running and most discussed shows, with over 300 episodes and a lasting impact on popular culture.
What I love about the show is how it effortlessly mixes the totally absurd with genuinely insightful observations. Seriously, one week you’re laughing at a talking towel, and the next you’re thinking about some really important stuff about politics or religion. And the deliberately rough animation? It’s perfect! It’s not just a style choice, it actually lets Trey Parker and Matt Stone create episodes incredibly quickly, which is a huge part of why South Park always feels so current and relevant.
I’ve been a fan of South Park for ages, and honestly, with so many seasons, it can be intimidating for newcomers! It feels like there’s just so much to watch. Not every episode is a masterpiece, of course, but there are definitely some that are truly unforgettable. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of twelve episodes I think everyone should experience at least once – they really showcase what makes the show so special.
“Sermon on the ‘Mount”
Season 27, Episode 1
Paramount+
The new season of South Park kicks off with a typically chaotic look at American culture. Cartman struggles with a crisis of meaning after deciding that progressive values are no longer popular, and Randy leads a protest against President Trump’s efforts to increase religion in schools. The episode also touches on the Jeffrey Epstein case and other current legal issues.
The story focuses on the tension between flashy politics and people feeling let down, culminating in the townspeople confronting Farrison, only to discover Trump is living a quiet, ordinary life. This episode is remarkably effective in reminding viewers why South Park remains relevant after being off the air for two years. It goes beyond simple parody, offering a thoughtful look at how we get tired of constant political drama and how that drama plays out. What makes it even more interesting is that the episode, titled “Sermon on the ‘Mount’”, also critiques the behavior of South Park’s owner, Paramount.
“Scott Tenorman Must Die”
Season 5, Episode 4
Paramount+
Cartman’s intense rivalry with high schooler Scott Tenorman starts when Scott embarrasses him with a cruel prank – tricking Cartman into believing he’s bought something that will make him grow up. Humiliated and angry, Cartman plans a complex and escalating revenge. The plan culminates in a shockingly disturbing act: Cartman manipulates events so that Scott’s parents are killed, then serves their remains to Scott, all while the band Radiohead looks on in horror.
The way this episode quickly goes from a simple schoolyard prank to something truly disturbing is one of the most jarring shifts in tone the series has ever seen. It’s also the moment when Cartman fully becomes television’s most compelling villain. What makes “Scott Tenorman Must Die” a must-watch South Park episode is its expertly crafted plot, the way each scene builds tension toward its shocking conclusion, and the show’s bravery in exploring dark humor and difficult themes.
“Casa Bonita”
Season 7, Episode 11
Paramount+
Okay, so there’s this episode centered around Kyle’s birthday, and it’s at Casa Bonita – you know, that awesome Colorado restaurant? The whole thing kicks off because Kyle invites Stan, Kenny, and Butters to the party, but totally leaves Cartman out. Naturally, Cartman freaks. He comes up with this ridiculously elaborate plan to make Kyle invite him. Basically, he convinces Butters the world is ending and hides him away, leaving Kyle with no choice but to ask Cartman to come along instead. It’s classic Cartman – manipulative and hilarious!
The episode culminates in a chaotic scene where Cartman races through the Casa Bonita restaurant, ultimately being escorted out by the police. “Casa Bonita” is a standout episode because it perfectly showcases South Park’s ability to turn everyday childhood conflicts into grand, imaginative stories. The real-life Casa Bonita restaurant in Lakewood, Colorado, is transformed into a legendary place through Cartman’s perspective, and his scheming emphasizes just how self-centered he is. Interestingly, Trey Parker has cited “Casa Bonita” as a personal favorite, and the episode proved so popular that Parker and Stone actually bought the restaurant in 2021.
“Good Times with Weapons”
Season 8, Episode 1
Paramount+
Okay, so there’s this episode, “Good Times with Weapons,” where me and the other guys find a guy selling ninja stuff at a fair. We totally lie about how old we are to buy swords and throwing stars, and then we’re immediately pretending to be these over-the-top anime ninjas – you know, with all the flashy moves and crazy powers. It quickly goes downhill, though. Cartman, being Cartman, thinks he’s invisible if he takes his clothes off, and poor Butters actually gets a throwing star stuck in his eye! It’s classic South Park chaos.
The grown-ups are too distracted by Cartman’s behavior to notice the actual problem, leaving the kids to try and fix it themselves. This episode of South Park is a great example of the show’s willingness to try new things, exploring how a child’s imagination clashes with the realities of the adult world. While the episode is very funny, its real strength lies in its message about responsibility and how adults often fail to understand what children are going through.
“Stunning and Brave”
Season 19, Episode 1
Paramount+
Okay, so Season 19 of South Park starts things off with a huge shake-up at the school. They get rid of Principal Victoria and bring in this new guy, PC Principal, who is obsessed with political correctness. Seriously, he turns the school into a total warzone over social justice issues. And on top of that, everyone in town is suddenly all about Caitlyn Jenner, and poor Kyle gets put on the spot to say she’s “stunning and brave” – it’s just a crazy season opener!
“Stunning and Brave” cleverly mixes pop culture and sports drama, referencing Tom Brady and the Deflategate controversy. This episode marks a change for South Park because Season 19 started telling longer, connected stories. It also boldly addressed issues of political correctness and captured the way people talked about these things in the mid-2010s.
“Pinkeye”
Season 1, Episode 7
Paramount+
Chaos erupts in South Park in the Halloween episode, “Pinkeye.” It all starts when Worcestershire sauce accidentally spills on Kenny’s body at the morgue, bringing him back to life as a zombie. Everyone initially thinks it’s just a bad case of pinkeye, but the problem quickly spreads, turning the town’s residents into zombies craving brains.
Amidst all the chaos, the boys attempt to enjoy trick-or-treating. Cartman initially dresses as Hitler, but is made to change into a ghost costume that bears a striking resemblance to a Ku Klux Klan robe. The situation quickly spirals out of control, leading to a full-blown zombie apocalypse before things finally calm down. This 1997 episode, notable for its festive spirit and over-the-top satire, solidified South Park’s reputation for blending horror elements with sharp social commentary.
“Spookyfish”
Season 2, Episode 15
Paramount+
The South Park Halloween episode, “Spookyfish,” gets really strange when Stan gets a goldfish from his Aunt Flo. This isn’t a normal fish, though—it starts killing people, which terrifies Stan. But nobody believes him when he tries to warn them. At the same time, a creepy alternate version of Cartman shows up from another universe. This Cartman has a goatee and is surprisingly polite, which really freaks out the other boys.
I remember when this episode first aired – it totally freaked me out! The town was dealing with these weird deaths, and then there was this creepy doppelganger of Cartman, which they called ‘Nice Cartman.’ It all built up to a crazy showdown with this evil fish and a mind-bending twist involving alternate realities. It’s classic South Park – totally irreverent and hilarious. Being from 1998, it’s one of the earlier episodes, and it’s really clever how it plays with horror movie tropes. It even introduced the idea of seeing different versions of characters, which they brought back in later seasons. Honestly, it’s a fan favorite for a reason – the Halloween vibe is perfect, and ‘Evil Cartman’ is one of the most unforgettable gags ever!
“Trapped in the Closet”
Season 9, Episode 12
Paramount+
In the animated episode “Trapped in the Closet,” the character Stan takes a Scientology personality test and is surprisingly identified as the reincarnation of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. This leads the Church of Scientology to proclaim him their new leader. The episode explores the core beliefs of the religion, presenting itself as a visual explanation of what Scientologists truly believe.
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In a memorable 2005 episode, Tom Cruise unexpectedly visits Stan, but hides in a closet after Stan critiques his acting. The situation quickly escalates as other celebrities, like R. Kelly, join him in the closet, creating a strange and comical scene. This episode perfectly showcased South Park’s willingness to tackle sensitive subjects, and it generated a lot of discussion – and controversy. It especially angered the Church of Scientology and Tom Cruise, and ultimately led to Isaac Hayes leaving the show, as he voiced the character of Chef.
“Make Love, Not Warcraft”
Season 10, Episode 8
Paramount+
The boys get deeply involved in the online game World of Warcraft, but their experience is ruined by a powerful player who relentlessly kills other characters. They become determined to stop him, and spend weeks intensely playing the game to level up their characters. This leads to unhealthy habits, and they start to gain weight and become less healthy. Eventually, Randy, who didn’t understand the game at first, joins the fight and uses a special sword, the “Sword of a Thousand Truths,” to help them defeat their tormentor.
The episode culminates in an exciting virtual battle with real-world stakes, brilliantly blending digital action with its consequences. “Make Love, Not Warcraft” showcases South Park’s talent for hilariously skewering specific groups while appealing to a broad audience. Its Emmy win in 2006 for Outstanding Animated Program demonstrates the show’s consistently insightful and relevant commentary. The episode is a standout, expertly combining memorable characters, sharp humor, technical skill, and clever pop culture references.
“Imaginationland”
Season 11, Episodes 10–12
Paramount+
The story begins with a three-part adventure called “Imaginationland,” where the boys accidentally enter a huge world filled with every character ever created in stories and dreams. What starts as a fun trip quickly becomes dangerous when bad guys attack, bringing all the scary and evil creations of imagination to life and threatening everyone. During the chaos, Butters is surprisingly identified as a special hero, while Cartman relentlessly chases Kyle, determined to win a bet about the existence of leprechauns.
The story arc escalates into a large-scale war, blending fantastical battles with realistic military action, ultimately leading to a bizarre showdown between good and evil. These episodes prove that South Park can deliver more than just one-off jokes, successfully mixing silly humor with insightful observations about terrorism, the power of imagination, and how cultures create myths. It’s a unique instance of the show tackling a grand, sweeping story without losing its signature, disrespectful edge – it’s undeniably South Park.
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2025-12-27 18:37