Top 20 Most Rewatchable South Park Episodes

In this extremely meta episode, Butters’ alter ego, Professor Chaos, sets out to hatch evil schemes. Unfortunately, though, every idea he comes up with has already been done – by another cartoon! The story plays off the longstanding comparison between “South Park” and “The Simpsons,” tackling the notion that nothing in pop culture is truly original. As Professor Chaos grows increasingly frustrated, his antics offer a fresh take on imitation in the creative industry. A blend of satire and absurdity makes “Simpsons Already Did It” one of our favorites. We also get a lot of Tweek, who temporarily serves as a replacement Kenny. His nervous energy is always endearingly uncomfortable.

Only “South Park” could take a subject so disgusting and still make it funny. Here, we’re treated to sharp commentary on double standards as Kyle tries to intervene in the relationship his little brother has developed with his kindergarten teacher. This cringe-yet-powerful episode dives right into the subject of teacher-student relationships, featuring a desperate Kyle attempting to look out for his brother and Cartman as an entertaining caricature of Dog the Bounty Hunter. Though it may be hard to ever look at Ike Broflovski the same way again, at least we get a legendary meme out of the deal. “Nice.”

When the obvious route of hiring nanny-themed television programs fails, Liane requests the help of the “Dog Whisperer” himself, Cesar Millan. Using his dog-training expertise, Cesar tackles Cartman's manipulative, bratty tendencies by treating him like a misbehaving canine. Cartman, who’s used to getting his way, finds himself powerless against Cesar’s calm, assertive presence, leading to a more submissive version of him than we’ve ever seen. The episode brilliantly parodies reality shows and behavioral therapy, highlighting Cartman’s chaotic personality in a new light.

Social media is so ingrained in our lives now that it’s hard to remember when it was new. But when Facebook first rose to popularity, Trey and Matt jumped at the chance to dive into it. After Stan’s friends pressure him to create an account, he’s quickly overwhelmed by the demands of maintaining superficial, yet somehow so important, online friendships. Meanwhile, Kyle becomes fixated on his friend count, and lonely Kip Drordy, with no online friends, becomes an unexpected focus. “You Have 0 Friends” sheds light on the pressures and insecurities tied to social media, making it a relatable fan-favorite that withstands the test of time.

When KFC is banned in South Park, Cartman becomes immersed in the black market, turning fried chicken into a profitable, high-stakes smuggling business. Amidst this “Scarface” parody, Randy learns he can qualify for medical marijuana if he develops a serious condition, leading to one of his most brilliantly stupid ideas: intentionally exposing himself to radiation to give himself testicular cancer. How’s that for priorities? With Randy bouncing around town on his oversized “space hopper” and Cartman scheming away, "Medicinal Fried Chicken" aptly lampoons the crazy things people will do to indulge their vices.

The “South Park” fandom is known for creating some unexpected pairings, but few fans ever expect these “ships” to make it onto the actual show. In the case of "Tweek x Craig," however, that’s exactly what happened. It’s Season 19, and the stoic Craig Tucker suddenly finds himself in an unexpected “relationship” with the anxious Tweek Tweak after the town discovers “yaoi” art depicting them as a couple. What starts as a joke about fan shipping evolves into a surprisingly thoughtful exploration of relationships and identity. The episode serves as a testament to the creators’ respect for, and engagement with, their massive fanbase.

Both fans and the show’s creators rank this one among the best. When the boys are tasked with delivering a “Lord of the Rings” DVD to Butters, they embark on an epic journey with several parallels to the work of J. R. R. Tolkien. Unbeknownst to them, however, the DVD is actually a notoriously graphic adult film. The result is a legendary blend of clever references, ingenious tie-ins, and – of course – spot-on humor. It captures the innocence of childhood play and the absurdity of mistaken adult mishaps. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the source material, it’s hard not to enjoy this Season 6 classic.

Here, “South Park” tackles religious fervor, controversy, and fanaticism through the lens of 2004’s “The Passion of the Christ.” After seeing the film, Cartman becomes disturbingly obsessed and rallies others with his intense new religious zeal, while Kyle is left questioning his Jewish identity. Stan and Kenny confront Mel Gibson himself, discovering his eccentric behavior and extreme views in an exaggerated encounter. The satire cuts deep, poking fun at the polarizing impact of the film and fanaticism in general. Not only does “The Passion of the Jew” balance outrageous humor with a sharp critique of blind devotion, but it was one of the first media to suggest Gibson might not be entirely “all there.”

At the tail end of Season 5, Butters finally gets a day in the spotlight – and even his own theme song. Naturally, this means a full episode of “South Park’s” favorite punching bag being put through even more torment. Through the eyes of this sweet, naive character, we get front-row seats to a cascade of darkly humorous events, driven by his dysfunctional and abusive home life. This pivotal story demonstrates Butters’ unwavering optimism and resilience, no matter how chaotic his surroundings are. To boot, fans loved spending time with the chipper and innocent Butters, whose popularity rose to new heights after this episode.

This two-parter zeroes in on a concept that lies at the heart of “South Park” – censorship – while also taking some well-aimed jabs at another adult cartoon. When the town learns that “Family Guy” plans to portray the prophet Muhammad, Cartman and Kyle race to Los Angeles with conflicting agendas: Cartman hoping to get the show canceled out of spite and Kyle arguing for freedom of expression. In fact, it’s here that Kyle utters what may be the entire series’ most poignant line: “Either it’s all okay, or none of it is.” “Cartoon Wars” is both a thoughtful critique and a comedic gem. Too bad they made it so hard to find.

The creators revealed that this Season 9 episode started with a simple idea: wouldn’t the boys look adorable in Little League uniforms? While they certainly do, "The Losing Edge" also delivers plenty of laughs. The fourth-grade boys find themselves stuck playing baseball all summer, but they hate it and want out. Their new goal? Lose as many games as possible to end the season early. Unfortunately, their opponents are just as determined to avoid winning, creating a ridiculously backward competition. Meanwhile, Randy Marsh steals the spotlight with his over-the-top antics, culminating in a showdown with the infamous Bat Dad. This places “The Losing Edge” among the “best around.”

In this gripping parody, the boys of Garrison’s class assume their own superhero – and villain – identities. The saga features the egomaniacal “Coon,” the brooding Mysterion, the so-called “evil” Professor Chaos, Mintberry Crunch, and more. After being kicked out of the league he created amidst the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster, the Coon is determined to preserve his hero status, eventually enlisting the help of the dark lord Cthulhu (it makes sense in context). Plus, the trilogy finally provides insight into one of the show’s longest-running mysteries. Even those who aren’t DC or Marvel fans find themselves on the edge of their seats throughout this trilogy.

What starts as a typical Cartman prank turns into a rare moment of comeuppance for the series' most heartless character. Cartman disguises himself as a Japanese robot named Awesom-O to mess with the ever-impressionable Butters. Before he can reveal his true identity, Butters confides in his 'robot friend' that he has very specific, and very embarrassing, leverage over Cartman. Cartman is forced to do Butters’ bidding – a stark contrast to their usual dynamic. There's also a surprisingly heavy B-plot about the ethics of controlling a sentient robot. This Season 8 gem is endlessly fun, offering a perfect blend of Butters at his most naive and Cartman at his most... well, whatever that part at the end was.

When a cheerful new kid named Gary joins Garrison’s class, his relentless positivity and wholesomeness irritate the other boys. Stan decides to get to know Gary, leading him to spend time with the kid’s equally upbeat and devout Mormon family. What follows is an entertaining yet surprisingly respectful satire of the Mormon faith, as Stan tries to understand the family’s beliefs through a series of catchy musical segments. “All About Mormons” sports a clever blend of humorous and heartwarming moments, showcasing “South Park’s” unique ability to explore religious themes with equal parts mockery and empathy.

This bold entry takes on Scientology in classic “South Park” fashion, and true fans love it (even if a certain “Top Gun” star supposedly wasn’t so amused). Stan is told he’s the reincarnation of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. The organization’s members, including a few big-name celebrities, flock to the Marsh house to “worship” Stan. Tom Cruise literally hides in Stan’s closet, refusing to come out despite everyone’s pleas. The episode meticulously dissects Scientology's controversial beliefs and practices, holding nothing back as it highlights what the creators see as absurd, even rather shady aspects of the church. As funny as it is fearless, “Trapped in the Closet” is one of the series’ most-viewed milestones.

In this fan-favorite Season 8 opener, the boys get their hands on martial arts weapons from a local market. With a unique anime-inspired animation style, “Good Times with Weapons” temporarily turns the boys into fierce ninjas, complete with dramatic visuals, action-packed sequences, and an insanely catchy song. The fun quickly takes a darker turn when Butters is critically injured by a throwing star and they have to cover up their mistake to avoid getting in trouble. “Good Times with Weapons” is often considered one of the show’s top episodes, capturing the fun of childhood games and the series' signature humor.

This three-part adventure takes viewers on a surreal, colorful, and endlessly rewatchable journey. When the boys find themselves in a magical land where every imaginary character ever exists, their experience quickly turns epic – and dangerous. A fierce battle erupts between the good and evil entities in Imaginationland, with the fate of imagination itself hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, Cartman is dead-set on holding Kyle to a wild bet and Butters struggles with being named a “chosen one.” “Imaginationland” delivers an exhilarating blend of adventure, laughs, and nostalgia, making it one of “South Park’s” most rewatchable sagas.

In this Emmy-winning fave, “South Park” takes on the world of online gaming. The story involves the boys teaming up to stop a high-level player in “World of Warcraft,” stopping at nothing to level up their avatars – and eventually devoting their entire lives to the cause. With the help of animated in-game sequences (which were contributed by Blizzard Entertainment, no less), the episode captures both the excitement and addictive nature of games like “WoW.” Watching the main four kids become comically disheveled and obsessed adds to the humor. The exaggerated stakes turn this parody into a legendary installment.

Here’s another one that the viewers and creators of “South Park” adore. Cartman becomes ecstatic when Kyle announces he’s taking three friends to Casa Bonita, the “Disneyland of Mexican restaurants.” But there’s one problem: Kyle doesn’t consider Cartman a friend (hard to imagine why). Cartman spends the rest of this Season 7 classic plotting to go to Kyle’s birthday celebration whatever it takes, going as far as to trap Butters in a bomb shelter and convince him there’s been a radioactive apocalypse. “Casa Bonita” is a hilarious tale of deception, manipulation, and Cartman’s relentless pursuit of his own selfish desires. You might even say it’s Cartman at his Cartman-est.

Yep. The big one. The moment Cartman went from a spoiled kid to a murdering sociopath. After being conned by ninth-grader Scott Tenorman, Cartman plots an elaborate, disturbing revenge. What starts as a simple prank war escalates into the darkest and most shocking twist in “South Park” history. Cartman serving Scott a special “chili” leaves viewers both stunned and laughing in disbelief. We’ve all watched this one countless times. We’ll continue to revisit it again and again. Each time, we’re reminded that, at the end of the day, Eric Cartman is not someone you want to trifle with.

Which of these “South Park” episodes can YOU practically recite at this point? Let’s talk about it in the comments!