Since its debut in 1977, the American animated series “South Park” has kept fans hooked on it thanks to its dark and surreal humor that has tackled everything from celebrity scandals to social justice issues and the likes. With four best friends Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny at the center of this drama, several memorable episodes have been produced that will have you laughing, cringing and maybe pondering on a thing or two.
Within 2 decades, the sitcom creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have churned out over 300 episodes making it overwhelming to choose which ones are worth watching. Nonetheless, based on the ratings and fan favorites, we have selected 15 episodes everyone needs to see.
1. Scott Tenorman Must Die (Season 5, Episode 4)
- Writer: Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2001
- Rating: 9.6
With a rating of 9.6 according to IMBD, this episode has earned the first spot as one of the most iconic episodes in “South Park”. This episode is focused on Eric Cartman’s quest for revenge on his enemy Scott Tenorman, a cunny older boy who seems to have planned all his plots forehand. Every time Cartman devises a new plot for revenge, Scott finds a way to make it futile and stays on top of his game.
When it seems like Cartman has accepted defeat, he strikes again with a strategic plan that Scott probably never saw coming. This display of ruthlessness by Cartman leaves fans in shock with an unforgettable climax.
Following the release of this episode, it received widespread acclaim with critics considering it as one of the greatest sitcom episodes.
2. Make Love, Not Warcraft (Season 10, Episode 8)
- Writer : Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2006
- Rating: 9.5
This episode stands out for its hilarious parody of online gaming culture and is regarded as one of the best episodes in “South Park”. The boys got obsessed with gaming and dedicated their lives to the game after facing defeat by a mad gamer who had killed several players in World of Warcraft. Facing him again with help from Randy and the employees at Blizzard, the boys decide to give in their time, risk their health increase their levels, and play the game every day in an attempt to get even and stop him.
This episode received critical acclaim and was listed by the writers and co-creators as their third favorite episode of the series. This episode also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program,
3. The Return Of The Fellowship Of The Ring To The Two Towers (Season 6, Episode 13)
- Writer : Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2002
- Rating: 9.4
This is another hilarious episode of “South Park” series. Here, the boys go on a quest to return a copy of the Lord of the Rings movie to a video store. However, their mission takes an unexpected turn when they accidentally swap the film with one of Randy Marsh’s adult movies.
In their quest to find the missing movie, fans got to see many iconic scenes filled with hilarious adventures and characters.
4. Casa Bonita (Season 7, Episode 11)
- Writer : Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2003
- Rating: 9.2
Thinking of how far Eric Cartman would go to get what he wants, then this is the episode to check out. He gets excluded from the guest list of Kyle’s birthday party happening at his favorite restaurant and rather than stay ignored, Cartman devises a means to have Butters removed from the list. This way, he could secure a spot on the list.
Interestingly, he didn’t want to be part of the party to celebrate with Kyle or even get closer to her rather, he just wanted a free meal from the Mexican restaurant he liked. He ends up manipulating Butters into making the whole town consider him a potential murder victim.
5. AWESOM -O (Season 8, Episode 5)
- Writers: Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2004
- Rating: 9.2
This episode is unsurprisingly another standout episode in “South Park”. Here, Cartman disguises himself as a robot named “AWESOM-O 4000” to trick his unwitting friend Butters whom he has been torturing for 21 seasons. His plans here were to find out secrets from Butters and use them for his interest. Unfortunately, this plan backfires so badly.
When Cartman’s true identity is uncovered by his friends, he begs them to play along for a while. He also follows Butter to Los Angeles to visit his aunt. There, he couldn’t hold back on eating and found an excuse to go to the bathroom where he consumed toothpaste.
6. Good Times With Weapons (Season 8, Episode 1)
- Writer : Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2004
- Rating: 9.1
In this episode, fans saw a fantastic incorporation of Japanese action/sci-fin animation into “South Park”. The boys become enamored with war after watching violent movies and decide to create their war with ninja weapons. This episode is not only comedic but also praised for its creative animation which switches from the usual cutout-and-solid color style to a highly stylized anime theme.
7. Woodland Critter Christmas (Season 8, Episode 14)
- Writer : Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2004
- Rating: 9.1
In this holiday-themed episode, Stan befriends a group of woodland critters he found in the woods and is tasked with the responsibility of helping out with their Christmas preparation after they tell him how a mountain lion intends to kill their lord and savior once he’s born. Sadly, he would later discover many details about the celebration that did not suggest they were celebrating Christmas.
Following the death of the mountain lion, he learns that he had just killed a mama lion who had two babies. He also found out that the critters were the evil ones after crossing paths with the orphaned baby lions.
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8. Trapped in the Closet (Season 9, Episode 12)
- Writer : Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2005
- Rating: 9.1
In this episode, Stan gets convinced by some Scientologist that he’s the reincarnation of L. Rod Hubbard following his impressive tan levels. The first time he crossed paths with Scientologists, he was convinced to take a free personality test that labeled him depressed and also left him questioning if Scientology was a religion.
The outcome of the personality test also allowed him to join a self-help program. He asked for money from his parents for the program and revealed that he had been living with depression but only got to find out. Here, Randy interrupts him and insists that if he must be part of the program, he should use the money he’s saving for his bike.
9. Grounded Vindaloop (Season 18, Episode 7)
- Writer(s) : Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2014
- Rating: 9.1
In this episode, Butters gets tricked again by none other than Eric Cartman. This time, he is tricked into believing that he is in a Virtual Reality and using an Oculus Rift. At some point, he finds a way to exit virtual reality at Cartman Residence and also finds out that he was tricked.
Cartman continues to brag for tricking Butter and even calls him an “asshole” but Butter is not cut up for this. He shows up and calls everyone stupid.
10. Christian Rock Hard (Season 7, Episode 9)
- Writer : Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2003
- Rating: 9.0
This episode somewhat explores religious hypocrisy as well as the power of music. In this episode, Cartman got himself in the spotlight again after joining the Christian rock band called “Faith + 1” leaving the rest of the gang to struggle with starting a new band.
He would later start his group to win a bet of $10 between him and Kyle on whose records would sell up to 1000 records and go platinum.
11. All About The Mormons (Season 7, Episode 12)
- Writer : Trey Parker
- First Aired: 20032013
- Rating: 8.9
With Stan’s fascination with his newly found Mormon family in South Park, this episode gets to explore various religions with a focus on the Mormon religion. The people of South Park also get introduced to this new faith.
In this episode, themes of religious tolerance and acceptance are explored. Some absurd aspects of Mormonism also made this episode entertaining.
12. Black Friday (Season 17, Episode 7)
- Writer : Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2013
- Rating: 8.9
In preparation for the big Black Friday sales, Randy Marsh joins the security guards at the South Park mall saying he’ll be needing extra holiday cash. On the other hand, Cartman quickly informs Lady McCormick on how to get cheap Xbox Ones and also urges his student to be the first at the mall before other shoppers as only the first 30 shoppers will be given 80% off.
The episode also received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards.
13. Fishsticks (Season 13, Episode 5)
- Writer : Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2009
- Rating: 8.8
Even though this episode did not take the first spot on this list, it is the most absurd and funniest episode in the “South Park” series. This episode features a joke that becomes a viral sensation in South Park. Here, Jimmy tells Cartman a joke about fish sticks and concludes by asking “What are you, a gay fish”
While Jimmy tries to find the origin of the joke, Cartman figures out a way to take credit for the joke and Kanye West is left with no understanding of the joke. He is left trying to find out why everyone is laughing at him and becomes outrageously upset for being called a gay fish because he likes fish dicks.
14. Butter’s Bottom Bitch (Season 13, Episode 9)
- Writer : Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2009
- Rating: 8.8
Here’s another episode that also deserves to be on this list. At the beginning of this episode, Butters is seen tied to a pole while the boys are beating him using a tetherball. Cartman would later reveal that Butters is bullied because has never kissed a girl. To help him get his first kiss, Clyde hinted that Sally Darson is giving out kisses for $5 behind the school.
With the encouragement from the boys, Butters paid his dues to finally get his first kiss and this would see him earn respect from the boys. He would later start The Kissing Company and recruit a lot of ladies causing a sudden rise in prostitution. Following Butters’s influence and money, he declares that Sally is his Bottom Bitch.
15. The Death Camp of Tolerance (Season 6, Episode 14)
- Writer : Trey Parker
- First Aired: 2002
- Rating: 8.7
This episode also earns a spot on this list for its blend of funny and thought-provoking scenes. The storyline follows Mr. Garrison as he gets promoted from being a kindergarten teacher to a fourth-grade teacher. However, he soon got tired of his new position. With help from Mr. Slave who made his memorable debut in this episode and Lemmiwinks, a brave and kind gerbil, he hatches a plan to deliberately get himself fired.
Thinking of why he would want to get fired? well, he realized that if he got fired for being gay he could potentially sue the school for millions., As such, Mr. Garrison and his partner Mr. Slave terrified the fourth graders with many outrageous acts. However, their efforts to provoke a dismissal fall short when the parents of his students surprisingly defend Mr. Garrison’s actions and conclude that their wards are rather intolerant. In this twist, the students are sent to the Museum of Tolerance as a form of punishment.
