South Park has established itself as one of the most impactful television shows over the past two decades, continuously delivering a remarkable level of quality while exploring fresh topics. Initially, South Park gained attention for its controversial themes, but it has evolved into a surprisingly insightful commentary on politics, world events, the entertainment industry, and small-town values.
While even the most acclaimed comedy shows have their share of missed opportunities, the finest episodes of South Park epitomize the pinnacle of television excellence. Although many fans contend that the show’s most iconic episodes belong to its earlier seasons, a number of newer episodes from its recent seasons have successfully attracted a new audience. Below are some of the standout episodes of South Park that are near perfection.
20
“Sermon on the Mount”
Season 27, Episode 1 (2025)
South Park has once again showcased its relevance, as the episode “Sermon on the Mount” demonstrates that creators Matt Parker and Trey Stone can still ignite passion in their audience decades after the show’s debut. While South Park has frequently tackled political themes with biting humor directed at public figures, “Sermon on the Mount” presented a sharp critique of President Donald Trump, cleverly linking back to jokes seeded in South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut.
“Sermon on the Mount” illustrated that there remains a vibrant future for South Park, especially as the merger between Skydance and Paramount Pictures posed a temporary threat to the development deal established by Parker and Stone. However, the triumph of “Sermon on the Mount” affirmed that new South Park episodes are still considered “must-see event television.”
Season 19, Episode 8 (2015)
“Sponsored Content” serves as a testament that the serialized format of South Park can be effective, as it represents another installment in the overarching narrative surrounding the rise of PC Principal, which largely dominated the nineteenth season. Serialized storytelling can sometimes feel stretched thin, but “Sponsored Content” introduced an intriguing new dimension by illustrating how Jimmy evolves into a rival of his new Principal.
Alongside this, “Sponsored Content” delivers a comical critique of native advertising and corporate cross-promotions, which have increasingly blurred the lines of genuine news reporting. Although the rapid production cycle of South Park has enabled it to remain ahead of contemporary discussions on topical issues, “Sponsored Content” critiques capitalistic influences that persist as relevant, especially given the ongoing pressures faced by journalistic institutions from their proprietors.
18
“The Return of the Fellowship of the Ring to the Two Towers”
Season 6, Episode 13 (2002)
Episodes where the boys engage in imaginative play are always a delight, as they provide South Park the opportunity to flex its world-building abilities while incorporating more genre elements. With the show’s airing coinciding with the release of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, it was the perfect moment for South Park to craft a sprawling J.R.R. Tolkien parody, featuring Cartman, Kenny, Kyle, Stan, and Butters embarking on their own fantastical quest.
Parker and Stone clearly have an appreciation for The Lord of the Rings, as “The Return of the Fellowship of the Two Towers” is packed with subtle references to both the original texts and the adaptations by Peter Jackson, showcasing their understanding of the material. The success of this episode laid the groundwork for future South Park parodies, including a take on Game of Thrones.
17
“Good Times with Weapons”
Season 8, Episode 1 (2004)
Given the overwhelming success of the show’s parody of World of Warcraft, it was only natural for South Park to take aim at the anime phenomenon and Dragon Ball Z in an episode that uniquely altered the show’s artistic style. While it was fascinating to witness the South Park creators embrace a different visual approach, “Good Times with Weapons” serves as a hilarious critique of how Japanese culture is portrayed in the media and the potential issues that arise when a character as prejudiced as Cartman is involved.
Moreover, “Good Times with Weapons” revives themes of censorship, a recurring element in the show since the release of South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut. Although the game the boys engage in features significant graphic violence, the parents in South Park seem to be more offended by any suggestion of sexual content.
16
“All About Mormons”
Season 7, Episode 12 (2003)
“All About Mormons” stands out as one of the most contentious episodes ever produced by South Park, generating substantial backlash from the Mormon church. When a new family of Mormons relocates to South Park, Kyle initially becomes intrigued by their seemingly idyllic family life, only to later be horrified upon uncovering the unsettling history of Joseph Smith and the foundational aspects of the religion.
“All About Mormons” permits Parker and Stone to delve deeply into the origins of Mormonism along with the peculiar practices observed by its members, which they had been examining since their underrated film “Orgazmo.” This exploration ultimately inspired them to create the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon, which became a monumental success, winning multiple Tony Awards, including the prestigious Best Musical.
15
“The Death of Eric Cartman”
Season 9, Episode 6 (2005)
“The Death of Eric Cartman” stands as one of the most intricate episodes featuring Cartman, as it examines the genuine difficulties in punishing an individual who shows no desire for redemption. When the other boys create a dark rendition of It’s A Wonderful Life, pretending their most obnoxious friend has vanished, Cartman enlists Butters to help him uncover the truth.
“The Death of Eric Cartman” highlights the lengths to which Cartman will go to gain attention, even though a genuine effort to improve himself would have sufficed; he even exploits Butters for his own gain. The dynamic between Cartman and Butters serves as one of the episode’s standout features, reminiscent of classic action films like Lethal Weapon and 48 Hrs.
14
“The Losing Edge”
Season 9, Episode 5 (2005)
“The Losing Edge” is a hilarious satire of inspirational sports films like The Sandlot and The Bad News Bears, depicting the struggles faced by the children of South Park who detest the very idea of playing baseball. Stan, Kyle, Kenny, Cartman, and Butters find themselves playing baseball out of parental obligation; as the season unfolds, they devise a plan to sabotage their own success in hopes of ending the season prematurely.
Furthermore, “The Losing Edge” brilliantly showcases the generational gap within South Park, highlighting the differing values placed on sports and athletics by parents and their children. The show excels at mocking clichés prevalent in various genres, and its anarchic take on family-friendly baseball narratives results in exceptionally surprising comedic moments.
13
“The Tale of Scrotie McBoogerballs”
Season 14, Episode 2 (2010)
South Park is rich with intriguing concepts of social satire, often enhanced by the use of outrageous humor. “The Tale of Scrotie McBoogerballs” serves as a biting critique of literary criticism; when the boys grow exasperated with reading The Catcher in the Rye at school, they decide to pen a vulgar book of their own to demonstrate that there isn’t anything worthy of praise in J.D. Salinger’s work. However, their plan backfires, leading to their book receiving widespread acclaim, with Butters being celebrated as a literary genius.
“The Tale of Scrotie McBoogerballs” highlights a problematic aspect of all forms of criticism, where value is assigned to something that was never intended to stand out. This surprisingly relevant issue has become even more pronounced in recent years, and the episode includes ample vomit-related humor to keep traditional South Park fans entertained.
12
“Simpsons Already Did It”
Season 6, Episode 7 (2006)
Despite the series’ mockery of various rival adult animated shows (particularly Family Guy), South Park exhibits a significant admiration for The Simpsons, acknowledging it as a groundbreaking series that remains one of the greatest of all time. The challenge arises because The Simpsons has maintained such a high standard for decades, making it difficult for shows like South Park to deliver something distinctly original without seeming like a mere repetition.
“Simpsons Already Did It” explores the creative pressures faced by South Park writers and delves into the complexities of innovating in the realm of animated comedy in the aftermath of The Simpsons era. While South Park typically employs a sharp tongue when referencing other shows, it appears that Parker and Stone harbor a genuine respect for The Simpsons.
11
“Dead Kids”
Season 22, Episode 1 (2018)
“Dead Kids” ranks among the darkest and most contentious episodes of South Park, addressing the pressing issue of school shootings that have become alarmingly prevalent in the United States. The grim vision of the future that South Park portrays is one where dodging gun violence becomes a routine aspect of life for Cartman, Kenny, Kyle, and Stan; the situation escalates to the point where Randy must reassure his wife that the chaos around them is not as dire as it seems.
“Dead Kids” draws attention to the overwhelming violence depicted on television, and the desensitization of viewers regarding the safety of children. While many fans argue that South Park has lost some of its strength in recent seasons, “Dead Kids” exemplifies that the show still possesses the capacity to shock its audience.
