Best Episodes
South Park is an iconic adult animated sitcom that has been airing on Comedy Central since 1997. It follows the misadventures of four grade-schoolers in South Park, Colorado. Its absurd humor and social commentary has earned it a cult following and critical praise. With 27 seasons, there are many great episodes to choose from. Here are our top picks for the best South Park episodes, ranked!
From classic episodes like "Scott Tenorman Must Die" and "Make Love, Not Warcraft" to more recent gems like "Band in China" and "Time to Get Cereal," South Park has offered up a wide variety of hilarious and thought-provoking stories over the years. With its blend of satire, parody, and wit, it's no wonder South Park is still going strong after 27 seasons.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or just getting into the show, these are the best South Park episodes you need to check out. From classic favorites to more recent standouts, there's something for everyone in this list of the best South Park episodes, ranked!
Written by Sophie and last updated on dec 20, 2024.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
Once again Ms. Garrison gets dumped, but this time she decides to take it out on her fourth grade class. When the boys have finally had enough of their teacher's erratic mood swings and excessive homework assignments, they find out that there are people-for-hire that can help out in any situation. Meanwhile, Ms. Garrison is finding life without men has its upsides.
The episode was rated 7.47 from 622 votes.
Stan wants to know the real reason kids have to decorate eggs for Easter, and what, if anything eggs and bunnies have to do with Jesus dying for his sins. To get to the bottom of it, Kyle and Stan get wrapped up in a bizarre society that guards a legendary secret.
The episode was rated 7.69 from 668 votes.
When a breakout of headlice hits South Park Elementary, Mrs. Garrison refuses to say which child brought the plague to the school. So, Cartman takes it upon himself to find out who it is so the kids can make fun of them. Meanwhile, a louse Travis, is desperate to save his fellow lice from imminent destruction from a conscious world.
The episode was rated 7.70 from 654 votes.
The citizens of South Park are gearing up for the arrival of Hillary Clinton for a big campaign rally. Meanwhile, Cartman suspects that a new Muslim student is involved in a possible terrorist attack. Every minute counts for Cartman as he uses his own interrogation methods on his suspect. But could the plan to target Clinton be just the tip of the iceberg?
The episode was rated 7.78 from 705 votes.
Stan's dad becomes South Park's home-town hero when the guys down at the local bar see the size of his most recent crap. Randy contacts a society that keeps track of the world record, thinking his masterpiece would definitely be a contender.
The episode was rated 7.92 from 716 votes.
The girls in the fourth grade class have made a secret list that rates every boy's looks from cutest to ugliest. When the boys steal the list, they are completely unprepared to deal with the results.
The episode was rated 8.00 from 701 votes.
Stan and Kyle become obsessed with Guitar Hero to the point where they're breaking high score records. It doesn't take long for Stan to realize that he could go even further with a different partner. Will the stress of being a rock star get to Stan now that his best friend is no longer by his side?
The episode was rated 8.07 from 721 votes.
In South Park's Imaginationland Episode II, Stan and Kyle are held captive at the Pentagon until they tell the government the secret of how they got into Imaginationland. Meanwhile, Cartman is determined to make Kyle fulfill their bet to suck his balls. This episode is filled with hilarity, starting with the woodland critters discussing ways of torturing Strawberry Shortcake. The comedy is taken to a whole new level when Cartman demonstrates his CPR skills in an incredibly touching moment. It is no wonder that viewers of this episode have reported almost wetting themselves from laughter.
The episode is not without its emotional moments. The CPR demonstration is a perfect example of how comedy and emotion can be blended together to create a powerful and touching scene. Viewers were so moved by this moment that they were moved to tears. The combination of comedy and emotion in this episode makes it truly special and it is no wonder that it is so highly regarded by fans of South Park.
The episode was rated 8.07 from 673 votes.
The number of homeless people in South Park is increasing as they eat, sleep, and beg for change across the town. While the adults try to find creative solutions to deal with the homeless, the boys are trying to figure out a way to solve the problem for good
The episode was rated 8.07 from 730 votes.
In the South Park episode "With Apologies to Jesse Jackson", the show delves into the issue of racism and the power of words through Randy's live television blunder. After accidentally using the "N" word while competing on Wheel of Fortune, Randy is forced to face the public humiliation and backlash that comes with it. Meanwhile, Stan attempts to understand Token's feelings on the subject. The episode also features a visit from a little person, which Cartman can't help but laugh at.
Two words, which by themselves are harmless, take on a whole new meaning and power when used together, as highlighted in this episode. While the Wheel of Fortune scene is certainly hilarious, this episode is nonetheless a difficult one to watch as Randy faces the consequences of his mistake. In the end, the episode is wrapped up neatly with a conclusion from Stan, which some viewers feel detracts from the gravity of the subject matter. Despite this, the episode provides an important reminder of the power of words and the need to be aware of their impact.
The episode was rated 8.14 from 910 votes.
In the South Park episode "Imaginationland," Stan and Kyle's imaginations run wild when they enter the world of Imaginationland, a place where all of the world's imagination is held and the possibilities are endless. The boys find themselves in a magical world filled with characters from fairy tales and myths, and they explore everything it has to offer. Meanwhile, back in South Park, Cartman swears that he has seen a leprechaun.
The episode is a great example of how South Park uses its unique style of comedy and storytelling to explore the world of imagination. The boys are able to explore their own world of imagination and discover new things about themselves. In addition, Cartman's quest to find the leprechaun is a hilarious subplot that adds to the overall comedy of the episode. South Park continues to push the boundaries of traditional animation and storytelling, and this episode is no exception.
The episode was rated 8.16 from 709 votes.
In the third episode of South Park's Imaginationland trilogy, Stan and Butters must fight an army of evil imaginary forces. Meanwhile, Cartman goes to extreme measures and takes Kyle to the Supreme Court to make him fulfill his promise of sucking his balls. This episode is famously offensive in true South Park fashion, but is also said to be the peak of the series.
The episode is made even more memorable by Kyle's speech in this one, which shifts viewers' perspectives on their own interests. Kyle's speech speaks to the ridiculousness of children being able to break into the Pentagon, and is a great example of South Park's satirical genius. This episode is a great example of what makes South Park so iconic - its ability to make people think while still having a good laugh.
The episode was rated 8.19 from 653 votes.
The South Park episode, Le Petit Tourette revolves around Cartman's discovery of Tourette's Syndrome and its ensuing implications. After discovering that he can say whatever he wants without consequence, Cartman sets up a national TV coverage to capitalize on his new found power. The episode was acknowledged by the Tourette's Association of America, and serves as a learning opportunity for both the characters in the show and its viewers. Despite Cartman's attempts to take advantage of his newfound power, he is ultimately burned in the end. This episode of South Park is highly acclaimed, with many awarding it 10 out of 10 stars for its comedic take on an important and real issue.
Le Petit Tourette serves as an educational opportunity for those watching the episode. The Tourette's Association of America acknowledged the episode and its accuracy in portraying the condition. It provides viewers with an understanding and knowledge on Tourette's Syndrome they may not have had prior to the episode. The episode also serves to highlight the impact of Tourette's Syndrome on those affected, while simultaneously providing comic relief. Cartman's antics while under the influence of the condition are entertaining, yet also instructive as to how people with Tourette's Syndrome are treated.
The episode was rated 8.20 from 764 votes.
In the episode of South Park titled “Cartman Sucks”, Butters is sent off to a “Pray the Gay Away” camp by his father after he believes his son is bi-curious. During this time, Cartman does everything he can to retrieve a photo of him in a compromising position before too many people see it. This episode is highly praised, with many noting its clever way of tackling misguided homophobia, as well as its comedic moments.
Cartman’s efforts to avoid being thought of as gay provides for great comedy, as his maliciousness and ignorance come back to bite him. His attempts to humiliate Butters backfire, and the reveal of his actions at the end is outstanding. Meanwhile, Butters’ story provides more insight and is more affective. The comedy in the fact that Butters doesn't even realize what kind of camp he’s been sent to, as well as the dark but cutting gags of the recurring suicides, is both depressing and loony but trenchant. Butters’s speech at the end is also inspiring and sweet, providing a frank rebuke from the show’s most innocent character.
The episode was rated 8.21 from 823 votes.
Welcome to our community!
We are a community of women who are passionate about our favorite series and want to share that passion with others.
Our mission is to create a space where women can discover new content, connect with like-minded individuals, and engage in meaningful discussions about the series we love.
We believe that everyone should have access to reliable and trustworthy information about their favorite shows, and we strive to be the premier destination for women seeking that information. Whether you're looking for recaps, fan theories, or just want to connect with other fans, we've got you covered.
So join us and be a part of our growing community of series enthusiasts!