The Top 10 Best South Park Episodes, Ranked

For over two decades, South Park has been pushing boundaries and cracking us up with its wild mix of sharp satire, hilarious antics, and fearless commentary. From unforgettable parodies to jaw-dropping moments, the show has delivered some of the most iconic episodes in TV history. Here we count down the top-rated episodes which have defined the series. Buckle up and get ready to revisit the very best of South Park!

10. “Tsst”

Season 10 Episode 7

IMBD Rating - 9.1

Kicking the list off is the episode “Tsst”, with a IMBD rating of 9.1, Cartman’s behaviour spirals out of control, leading to his mother seeking professional help. In comes “The Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan. Cesar treats Cartman like a misbehaving dog, using calm, assertive techniques to train him. Cartman goes through a range of emotions, ultimately realising he can no longer manipulate his mother. “Tsst” stands out for its clever satire of reality shows and Cartman’s hilarious transformation from a brat to a well-behaved child.

9. “The Death of Eric Cartman”

Season 9 Episode 6

IMBD Rating - 9.1

In at number 9 is “The Death of Eric Cartman”. Cartman finally pushes his friends to breaking point when he selfishly eats all the skin off a bucket of fried chicken. Fed up, the boys decide to ‘Ignore him’, refusing to acknowledge his presence in any way. Cartman misinterprets this, believing he has died and is now a ghost. Butters’ is not in on the joke and agrees to help Cartman atone for his sins so he can move on to the afterlife. The hilarious exploration of Cartman’s delusion and Butters’ gullibility creates an unforgettable South Park episode.

8. “Trapped in the Closet”

Season 9 Episode 12

IMBD Rating - 9.1

The focus of this episode is the Church of Scientology and features several Hollywood stars including Tom Cruise. Stan unintentionally becomes the leader of the Church of Scientology after a personality test deems him the reincarnation of the church’s founder. When Stan criticizes Tom Cruise’s acting, the Hollywood star locks himself in Stan’s closet, refusing to ‘come out’ - a running joke throughout the episode.

The episode fearlessly mocks both Scientology and celebrity culture with sharp, no-holds-barred humour. “Trapped in the Closet” became infamous for its clever jabs at high-profile figures making it one of South Park’s most memorable and controversial episodes.

7. “Woodland Critter Christmas”

Season 8 Episode 14

IMBD Rating - 9.1

What begins as a seemingly heartwarming holiday story quickly takes a dark and twisted turn. Stan stumbles upon a group of adorable woodland creatures preparing for Christmas, who asks for his help in creating a manger for the birth of their saviour. Things soon spiral out of control when Stan discovers the woodland critters are part of a satanic cult, and they’re planning to bring the Antichrist into the world. Stan reluctantly takes on the role of the hero, in a bizarre battle between good and evil, to save Christmas against the demonic critters. The blend of holiday cheer and dark humour is what makes “Woodland Critter Christmas” one of the series’ most unforgettable episodes.

6. “Good Times with Weapons”

Season 8 Episode 1

IMBD Rating - 9.1

With a 9.1 rating next is “Good Times with Weapons” with its anime-style animation. In this episode the boys buy ninja weapons at a local fair, instantly transforming their ordinary world into an epic anime-inspired fantasy. With their weapons, they imagine themselves as powerful ninjas, complete with dramatic music and over-the-top battles. However, the fun takes a dark turn when Butters, dressed as his alter-ego Professor Chaos, gets accidentally injured by a throwing star. Panicking, the boys try to cover up the incident instead of seeking help, which leads to a series of hilarious and increasingly absurd situations. “Good Times with Weapons” is a fan favourite for its unique animation style, memorable action scenes, and the unforgettable sight of wounded Butters trying to pass as a dog.

5. “AWESOM-O”

Season 8 Episode 5

IMBD Rating - 9.2

In the South Park episode “Awesom-O”, Cartman devises an elaborate prank on Butters by disguising himself as a robot named AWESOM-O. He does this to trick Butters into revealing his most embarrassing secrets, pretending to be a friendly robot sent to serve him. The episode takes a shocking turn when Butters reveals he has a humiliating video of Cartman, and now AWESOM-O must retrieve it without breaking character. Cartman’s situation further spirals out of control when the military and Hollywood take an interest in AWESOM-O’s supposed abilities, leading to some hilarious scenarios. The brilliant showcase of Cartman’s self-serving schemes and his eventual comeuppance makes a satisfying watch. The clever premise and hilarious execution makes this such a loved episode.

4. “Casa Bonita”

Season 7 Episode 11

IMBD Rating - 9.2

If you’ve watched this episode you’ll remember the famous catchy “Casa Bonita” song Cartman sings repeatedly. The premise of this is based on the extreme lengths Cartman will go to secure an invitation to Kyle’s birthday at Casa Bonita. A place with arcade games, cliff divers, and other attractions that Cartman has become obsessed with. His excitement soon turns when he finds out Butters has been invited instead, leading him to hatch a devious plan to take Butters’ spot. Cartman convinces Butters that an apocalyptic disaster is imminent, causing him to hide in an underground bunker, while Cartman takes his spot at the party. “Casa Bonita” is beloved for its mix of outrageous humour, clever plotting, and Cartman’s relentless determination to get what he wants, no matter the cost.