It’s been a long time on the air, andSouth Parkis stillone of the funniest sitcomson TV. What started out as a low-budget, crudely animated show created by showrunnersTrey ParkerandMatt Stoneback in 1997 quickly turned into a massive cultural phenomenon spanning twenty-six seasons and over three hundred episodes.
This show is responsible for some of the most iconic quotes, memorable characters, and most outlandish and darkly comedic storylines in television history.Many episodes throughoutSouth Park’s continued run are simply a must-watch for anyone who enjoys this one.The best and most rewatchable ones haven’t lost their abilities to entertain, make audiences laugh, or shock them with their subject matter.There’s a laundry list to choose from regarding the best episodes; some are more necessary to watch than others. Let’s look at ten must-watch episodes, ranking them on how much they madeSouth Parkone of themost beloved TV shows ever.
South Park
Season 10, Episode 7 (2006)
Ever wondered why Eric Cartman (Trey Parker), South Park’s foul-mouthed, despicable little troublemaker, is the way he is? Well, stay tuned forthe incredible season 10episode “Tsst.” After Cartman causes more mayhem at school again, his mother, Liane (April Stewart), is forced to finally correct her son by seeking the help of celebrity TV Nannys. But when they all fall victim to his horrible antics, one last TV personality can stand up against Cartman’s wrath: Caesar Malon (Parker), “The Dog Whisperer.”
There’s something incredibly funny and satisfying about seeing Cartman trained to behave the same way they treat vicious canines. The shot of him being leashed and forced to walk through the neighborhood like a dog is an image that’ll always be hilarious.“Tsst” is a wildly amusing episode that couldn’t fail to entertain. It’s also an important one that delves more into how Cartman became so selfish and evil, primarily due to his mother’s misguided and enabling parenting.Overall, this needs to be seen by fans. It’s full of amazing lines and a plot that keeps viewers hooked from beginning to end.
9"The Losing Edge"
Season 9, Episode 5 (2005)
Most sports moviestell inspirational tales of underdogs slowly but surely rising to greatness and winning the big game by the end.South Park’s season 9, episode 5, “The Losing Edge,” takes that approach and hilariously rolls it in reverse. Forced to play their least favorite outdoor activity, baseball, at the encouragement of their parents, the boys and their friends attempt to lose their next game to end their season. The only problem is, the teams want to lose too. Meanwhile, Randy Marsh (Parker) attends his son’s little league games to challenge other dads to a fight.
“The Losing Edge” will instantly make anyone unfamiliar withSouth Parkfall in love with the show.It’s a nonstop laugh riot full of memorable moments and a plot that hilariously takes jabs at certain sporting movies and their clichés. It’s also a perfect Randy episode that sees him committing more of his wacky antics that have becomea popular running gag for the series. This one can be watched time and again and still make anyone crack up. It’s a definite must-watch.
8"Trapped in the Closet"
Season 9, Episode 12 (2005)
Showrunners Parker and Stone have faced backlash over the years for their show’s willingness to mock certain people and religions openly. Season 9’s “Trapped in the Closet” proved so controversial that it led to the angry departure of one of South Park’s cast members. In the episode, Stan (Parker) finds himself in an awkward spot as he’s mistaken for the reincarnation of the founder of Scientology. Things reach a boiling point when actor and known ScientologistTom Cruisebecomes disheartened that Stan doesn’t fully like his acting and locks himself in Stan’s bedroom closet.
This isone of the most controversial episodesinSouth Park’s history. Known for playing the lovable Chef on the show,Issac Hayeswas deeply offended by the episode’s heavy satirizing of his practicing religion, Scientology, leading to his resignation.“Trapped in the Closet” is an episode that pushes the envelope and doesn’t hold back on who it’s satirizing. Its controversy has since died down, but it continues to be one of the shining examples of what madeSouth Parkso controversial and great. It’s necessary to watch for those who want to know just how fearless the showrunners are.
7"Good Times with Weapons"
Season 8, Episode 1 (2004)
Most of the time, when it’s not involved in controversy,South Parkis praised for its creative animation style.Few episodes better express what’s made this show so unique and impressive than season 8’s “Good Time with Weapons.“In it, the boys act like ninja warriors after acquiring authentic and dangerous martial arts weapons at a store. However, things quickly get hairy when Kenny (Stone) accidentally throws his shuriken into Butters' (Stone) eye while he is playinghis alter ego “Professor Choas.“A desperate mission then ensues as the boys try to get help for poor Butters and not get in trouble in the process.
“Good Time with Weapons” is an essential part of the show.Not only does it fire on all cylinders, delivering audiences a darkly comedic joyride that gets more absurd each minute, but it’s also visually stellar. The anime transitions whenever the boys are acting as warriors look and hold up incredibly well today, showing how much South Park’s style has dramatically changed for the better since its debut in ‘97. This is wild, ridiculous, and certainly fun to watch.
6"Cartoon Wars: Parts I & II”
Season 10, Episodes 3 & 4 (2006)
No one is safe from theSouth Parkwriting staff. Anyone, most especially celebrities, can get brutally mocked on this show at any moment, even rival TV shows. In the season 10 two-parter “Cartoon Wars,” the country is in a panic after the popular Fox animated show,Family Guy, intends to release an episode featuring the Muslim Prophet Muhammad. Fearing a terrorist response, everyone decides to cower from this situation by literally burying their heads in the sand. Meanwhile, Cartman and Kyle (Stone) race against time to reach the Fox network to pull the episode before airing to stop people from getting hurt. But Cartman, being Cartman, has his own agenda, and tries to getFamily Guyoff the air entirely.
Episodes like these have madeSouth Parkone of the greatest satirical showson television. “Cartoon War” is jam-packed with laugh-out-loud moments, and there’s not a single joke wasted or flat.Its jabs atFamily Guyand its writing process cut so deep, and this mocking only gets more hilarious with every rewatch.There’s nothing but great comedy here, and that makes watching it a necessity for all youSouth Parklovers out there.
5"Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo”
Season 1, Episode 9 (1997)
The earlier seasons ofSouth Parkdon’t often get as much love as some later ones. But plenty of great episodes helped launch this show into superstardom. One of them is Season 1’s “Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo.” In it, Kyle is heartbroken and feels left out of the Christmas season due to his Jewish upbringing. As the town begins to lose its Christmas spirit around this time due to the mayor removing anything Christmas-related that could offend other cultures, Kyle finds a solution to bring everybody together after he’s greeted by Mr. Hankey, the magical holiday being, who’s also a living, talking piece of poop.
“Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo” really wasa cruel part that led to South Park’s bombing success.It’s a turning point that showed this show’s potential to be bigger and bolder with its humor. It’s a standout episode that was cruel for its popularity, and it is a classic that needs to be seen every once in a while.There are moments here that’ll leave viewers in stitches, and really it is a blast to experience.
4"Woodland Critter Christmas”
Season 8, Episode 14 (2004)
Continuing with another Christmas episode. Season 8’s “Woodland Critters Christmas” is arguablythe best holiday episode inSouth Park’s history. It sees Cartman narrating a Christmas-themed story for his class, featuring Stan encountering whimsical talking forest animals known as The Woodland Critters. But since this is a tale coming from the twisted, unpredictable mind of Eric Cartman, the story takes a shocking turn as the Woodland Critters seek to carry out a satanic plot to birth the antichrist into the world.
An episode that’s so unapologetically dark and memorable, “Woodland Critters Christmas” is truly one to remember. Comedic moments go through the roof, and there’s so much here that’ll make anyone burst into laughing. It’ll shock and amaze viewers with how comically dark it gets.This episode shows how far theSouth Parkwriters will go to shock audiences, and that’s what made it so beloved all these years.
3"Scott Tenorman Must Die”
Season 5, Episode 5 (2001)
While “Woodland Critters Christmas” is a standout point of the show for how incredibly dark it is, it doesn’t hold a candle to’the" darkest and one of the most controversial episodes of the series: “Scott Tenorman Must Die.” This iconic season 5 episode sees Cartman argrily trying to reclaim $10 swindled from him by a clever 9th grader, Scott Tenorman (Toby Morton). But after being outsmarted by the teen too many times, something snaps in Cartman, and he creates one of the most diabolical revenge schemes he’s ever committed.
“Scott Tenorman Must Die” is often considered a major turning point, not just in Cartman’s personality but inSouth Parkas a whole. Parker and Stone admitted this one was created mainly to show how truly wicked Cartman is and the lengths he’ll go to squash those who wronged him.It’s an episode that sticks with viewers long after they see it and shows just how intense the show can get. This is a definite must-watch episode that shows no signs of ever being forgotten.
2"Casa Bonita"
Season 7, Episode 11 (2003)
Another great strengthSouth Parkhas is creating memorable storylines that will remain funny as the years go by. Take, for instance, the classic season 7 episode “Casa Bonita,” one of the most quintessential episodes in South Park’s history. When Kyle tells the boys his mother is taking them to Casa Bonita for his birthday, Cartman is ecstatic about going to his favorite entertainment restaurant. But, for obvious reasons, Kyle invites Butters instead of Cartman. Being the manipulative little monster he is, Cartman doesn’t take this rejection lying down and decides to trick Butters out of going by hiding him in a bomb shelter.
It’s hard not to enjoy “Casa Bonita.“It’s simply perfect from beginning to endand full of moments that’ll make just about anyone fall down laughing. The plot is iconic and one of Cartman’s finest moments.He’s at his most enjoyable, cooking up ridiculous and dark schemes to get what he wants. The ending scene before he faces the music for his crime, him running around trying to enjoy the restaurant as much as possible, is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and funniest scenes ever to appear on the show. There’s so much here to appreciate.
1"Make Love, Not Warcraft”
Season 10, Episode 8 (2006)
We’ve discussed many important South Park episodes that everyone who enjoys this show should watch. But now we arrive at one of the best and most cherished episodes: Make Love, Not Warcraft. Coming from season 10, this iconic storyline has become a major standout of the show, one that amazes audiences with its animation and hilarious comedy. In it, the boys are enraged that their favorite game, World of Warcraft, is being ruined by a high-level player who’s killing other characters with ease. Refusing to quit, they dedicate all of their time to leveling up and defeating this formidable opponent once and for all.
Anyone who calls themselves aSouth Parkfan could easily see that this episode is one of its greatest.“Make Love, Not Warcraft” is a comedic masterpiece, with every single scene being nothing but comedic gold.It’sa perfect gaming episodewith spectacular animation, top-notch writing, and features an endlessly rewatchable plot.While there are some other episodes that are maybe more significant than this one, “Make Love, Not Warcraft” has become integral to South Park’s popularity and still gets more hilarious with every watch.
