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!
One of the Goth kids has been sent to a camp for troubled children. When she returns, her friends find her changed in a disturbing way. With their very existence threatened, the Goths have to do something drastic. They are forced to ask the Vamp kids for help.
The episode was rated 7.47 from 1225 votes.
When Ike hits puberty, he and Kyle start to grow apart. To save their relationship, Kyle takes Ike to see a live performance of Yo Gabba Gabba.
The episode was rated 7.54 from 1291 votes.
When Cartman manages to get himself behind the doors of the NSA, he doesn’t like what he finds in his personal file. He thinks it’s time he told everyone the truth. Meanwhile, Butters finds someone new to listen to his prayers.
The episode was rated 7.65 from 1538 votes.
Cartman's latest prank has brought about the necessary spiritual conditions for world peace. Religious leaders descend upon South Park to witness a Biblical prophecy that has been fulfilled. Cartman and Kyle are the only two at odds as the world embarks upon a thousand years of peace and harmony.
The episode was rated 7.66 from 1291 votes.
Cartman is deeply disturbed by a single person who he sees as a threat to all humanity. He races around the country to put an end to Patient Zero, the ticking time bomb that is Token.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 1392 votes.
When Wendy tries to prove a point about how much pressure little girls feel to look like celebrities, it gets her in trouble with everyone at school, and gets Clyde a new girlfriend.
The episode was rated 7.95 from 1326 votes.
The boys use the game of MINECRAFT as a distraction to keep their parents from hurting each other.
The episode was rated 8.03 from 1596 votes.
The episode 'Black Friday' from South Park is a brilliant parody of Game of Thrones, while also cleverly subverting the craziness of Black Friday shopping. By using the mall security guards as parodies of the Night's Watch, the mall as a local version of The Wall and Randy Marsh as South Park's version of Jon Snow, the show takes the absurd seriousness of Black Friday and amplifies it in a humorous way.
The absurdity of the episode is further highlighted by its jokes, such as the 'please don't touch me Elmo' doll, as South Park has a unique way of playing in offensive spaces and taking the jokes to absurd places. The show also does a great job of imitating the plotting and style of Game of Thrones, with unexpected divisions and rallying of support ahead of a seemingly gigantic battle. The episode culminates in the reveal that Princess Kenny has switched sides to Stan's PS4 crew, a fun twist that captures the spirit of Game of Thrones.
Overall, 'Black Friday' is a great episode that works on many levels, delivering parody, commentary and great storytelling all in one package.
The episode was rated 8.17 from 1557 votes.
In the South Park episode "A Song of Ass and Fire," the kids prepare for an epic Black Friday battle where one faction's favorite gaming device will come out on top. This episode takes jabs at both Game of Thrones and its author George R.R. Martin, poking fun at Martin's tendency to delay and withhold events in-universe, and his promise of pizzas that never come, as well as the "just keep promising more" spirit of the show. The episode also takes aim at the various entities and institutions that stoke the flames of the Black Friday madness, while also criticizing the media and corporations who benefit from the hoopla around it. Despite all of this social commentary, the episode still manages to blend the two with wit and aplomb as the divisions between the boys continue to grow, and the climax of the tale draws near.
The episode was rated 8.18 from 1454 votes.
This mini episode series of South Park's Game of Thrones-inspired arc is a must-watch for gamers. In the finale of the arc, "Titties and Dragons," the doors to the mall finally open for the biggest Black Friday sale in history, and the boys are divided over which gaming device to buy. The episode uses the setting of a Westeros-style battle to satirize the harshness of consumer conflicts like the console wars, while also incorporating more casual Game of Thrones references. In the aftermath of the conflict, it becomes clear that this was, at best, a hollow victory in a war whose spoils prove not quite worthy of the conflict it took to get them. Cartman then makes a heartfelt observation about how the boys had more fun fighting for their consoles than they did in actually playing it, and the episode ends on an uncharacteristically sincere affirmation of the spirit of the season. During the holidays or any other time of the year, it’s not things that move us, but the people in our lives.
The episode was rated 8.20 from 1400 votes.
