7 Best Episodes of South Park From the Last Five Years

As a movie enthusiast who appreciates wit and humor, I must admit that not many animated series can maintain the edge, satire, and unrelenting hilarity like “South Park.” Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s brainchild has been gracing our screens since 1997, and even after almost three decades, it remains as bold as ever in addressing societal issues with its trademark biting humor and audacious commentary that catapulted it into the cultural limelight. In the last five years alone, “South Park” has tackled topics ranging from pandemics to generational disputes, gentrification, consumerism, and society’s reluctance to embrace change.

Given the wealth of exceptional content, it’s worth revisiting some standout episodes from our more recent seasons, despite their shorter run since 2020. The storylines remain as sharp and engaging as ever. Keeping this in view, we have curated a list of seven South Park episodes that we believe are the cream of the crop between 2020 and 2025. However, if you haven’t caught up with season 27 yet, beware, there are spoilers ahead!

7) “The Pandemic Special”

Currently, while the content primarily concentrates on particular events from the past 5 years, it’s impossible to overlook the significant impact of the year 2020, often referred to as the “C-word.” When South Park released their Emmy-nominated special titled “The Pandemic Special” in September 2020, viewers pondered how creators Parker and Stone would approach one of the most bizarre periods in recent history. Consistently provoking thought, they crafted an episode brimming with wit that effectively mocked both the absurdity and the sadness of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this installment, Randy Marsh attempts to profit from the worldwide predicament by marketing his unique “Pandemic Special” cannabis strain. Meanwhile, the children grapple with the new normal of socially distanced education, and law enforcement officers take on dual roles as educators. The blend of wit and societal critique is spot-on, as South Park satirizes a wide range of pandemic-related issues, including panic buying of toilet paper and the strain public institutions faced under stress.

This episode resonated strongly due to its accurate depiction of the disorder and bewilderment experienced by many during the year 2020, a situation that drove people up the wall. Who else could have encapsulated this madness better than Stone and Parker? Notably, it was the most-watched South Park episode in more than seven years, attracting over 4 million viewers. “The Pandemic Special” serves as both a historical record and a testament to the show’s ability to maintain its humor while responding to current events.

6) “Back to the Cold War” (Season 25, Episode 4)

2022 saw the airing of “Back to the Cold War”, a show that seems almost presciently ominous. The plot revolves around Mr. Garrison returning to teaching, Mr. Mackey exhibiting extreme unease, and Butters engaging in an unusual equestrian contest against Russia, all while wearing a horse costume. Concurrently, the adults are gripped by fearful apprehensions about international tension and invest their hopes in young Stotch in an odd portrayal of America triumphing over Russia.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I can’t help but admire how South Park masterfully taps into the public’s tendency to blow things out of proportion, turning everyday situations into tangible anxieties. With the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia in real life, Parker and Stone cleverly leveraged Garrison’s clumsy character to underscore the recurring patterns in history. Although the Cold War has ended, political grandstanding and global instability persistently make headlines, serving as a testament to Garrison’s ongoing relevance.

The episode showcases South Park’s remarkable knack for being simultaneously ridiculous yet strikingly pertinent. Though fan reactions to the episode varied, its unique blend of realism and humor is precisely what makes it worthy of inclusion here.

5) “The Big Fix” (Season 25, Episode 2)

One method of rephrasing in a simple and conversational style: If there’s one thing South Park consistently excels at, it’s reflecting society’s awkward double standards. The episode “The Big Fix” accomplishes this by delving into the topics of diversity and the notion of superficial support for social causes.

In the given episode, Randy Marsh recognizes a decline in his customer base due to consumers preferring products produced and marketed by individuals of color. To save his business, he extends an invitation to Tolkien Black and his family for dinner and proposes Steven Black (Tolkien’s father) as a partner for Tegridy Farms. This scenario presents a sharp commentary on the ways businesses often take advantage of people from various backgrounds for financial gain, and it highlights how even well-intentioned white allies may unknowingly contribute to this issue.

In addition to developing Randy’s character, the episode playfully addresses the misunderstanding surrounding Stan’s friend’s name. Contrary to popular belief, his name isn’t “Token,” but rather “Tolkien” – a nod to author J.R.R. Tolkien. This unexpected reveal serves as a witty form of satire, making viewers question their assumptions in a tongue-in-cheek manner: “Can you believe we thought his name was Token?” It’s ironic because the original reason for calling him Token was to critique the show itself for primarily featuring white characters and mocking those who cried about tokenism, referring to minority roles as “jerrb” jobs.

Through a compelling challenge to established beliefs, “The Big Fix” solidified its reputation as one of the most intellectually stimulating episodes in recent times.

4) “Japanese Toilet” (Season 26, Episode 3)

The episode titled “Japanese Toilet” from South Park serves as one of Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s powerful satirical commentaries in recent years, hidden beneath a layer of absurdity. The humor in this episode can be appreciated on several fronts. For instance, Randy’s initial reaction to the toilet resembles snobbery, where he displays it like a prized art piece, boasting to his neighbors as if he has ascended into high society. This scene reflects a common trend among people who place more value on expensive goods rather than acknowledging their practical uses. The high cost of these toilets is primarily due to import expenses.

The environmental storyline deepens the complexity. The tissue paper sector symbolizes established U.S. companies reluctant to adapt, despite obvious better options being available. It underscores that financial gains and traditional practices often hold greater importance for businesses over innovation and eco-friendliness (surprisingly enough).

In essence, the episode is amusing due to its absurdity. It effectively transforms a toilet into something both laugh-out-loud funny and thought-provoking, which is quite characteristic of South Park. It serves as a splendid illustration of the show’s knack for using ordinary items as platforms for sharp satire.

3) “DikinBaus Hot Dogs” (Season 26, Episode 5)

In “DikinBaus Hot Dogs,” characters Cartman and Kenny establish a hot dog stand with the intention of earning profits. Eric, seeking to avoid genuine effort or spending funds, persuades Butters to invest, exploiting their friendship in the process. Unsurprisingly, events soon become chaotic as Cartman’s ineptitude, avarice, and lethargy collide with the challenges of managing a small business. As a result, all the money Butters invested is squandered by Cartman on personal trinkets, leaving the business precarious financially.

The episode resembles a satire of the idealized portrayal of the American dream, which suggests that success can be achieved through sheer determination alone. However, in truth, many prosperous businesses are built upon the shoulders of those who are exploited. Cartman’s ill-conceived plan highlights how doomed a business is when the person in charge lacks experience or enthusiasm for hard work, especially in a culture that frequently metes out harsh penalties for failure.

This episode stands out because it’s Butters who triumphs over Cartman, a rare occurrence indeed. He boldly steps in, not just to save his own investment but also to ensure the hot dog stand thrives. Remarkably, he manages to accumulate enough wealth to reclaim Cartman’s house, a turn of events that leaves Cartman feeling utterly crushed.

2) “The Credigree Weed St. Patrick’s Day Special” (Season 25, Episode 6)

As a fervent movie critic, I must say that among the latest installments of the iconic series “South Park,” none have quite captured the unique blend of timely wit and anarchic character dynamics as effectively as “The Credigree Weed St. Patrick’s Day Special.”

In this episode, we find Randy steadily expanding his cannabis conglomerate, only to discover that Tolkien’s father has been stealing his clientele. Incensed, Stan takes it upon himself to call out Steven Black for cultural appropriation, arguing vehemently that St. Patrick’s Day is the last sanctuary of white tradition. It’s interesting to note that – as an American – he seems oblivious to the fact that he too is misappropriating Irish cultural heritage in the process.

Meanwhile, our ever-innocent friend Butters finds himself embroiled in a scandal when his traditional pinch draws accusations of sexual harassment. The ensuing chaos and absurdity are nothing short of quintessential South Park at its finest.

The show skillfully balances the topics of cancel culture, feigned indignation, and exploitation of holidays while maintaining its humor throughout. Character Randy serves as a reflection, highlighting the hypocrisy many individuals exhibit when dealing with monetary gain versus perceived loss.

In this installment, Parker and Stone truly showcased their peak ability for cultural critique, and it’s challenging to find fault with that assessment.

1) “Sermon on the Mount” (Season 27, Episode 1)

Upon the comeback of South Park for its 27th season, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone didn’t hold back on reminding viewers why this show has been around for almost three decades. The episode titled “Sermon on the Mount” is a perfect example of the show’s continued success, as it combines outrageous comedy with keen political satire in a style that’s uniquely South Park.

The response from the audience was immense. In just three days, approximately 6 million people watched the premiere simultaneously on Comedy Central and Paramount+, marking the highest viewership for a season opener since 1999 and an increase of 68% compared to Season 26’s debut. Critics lauded the episode’s courage, describing it as a bold critique of Trump and corporate power. Unsurprisingly, the White House dismissed it as “outdated” and “desperate,” which only served to generate more excitement about the episode’s daring approach.

This episode stands out as the cream of the crop due to its exceptional display of Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s signature style. It’s side-splittingly crass with bold, comedic jabs at Trump, a portrayal of Jesus as a corporate puppet, and over-the-top parodies of public service announcements. Beneath the laughter, it subtly critiques media monopolies, political propaganda, and unquestioning loyalty to power. The show even takes humorous swipes at its own streaming platform, Paramount+, demonstrating its audacity to criticize the very source that sustains it. By mocking Trump, religion, and corporate entities all in one go, “Sermon on the Mount” solidifies itself as one of the funniest and bravest South Park episodes in years.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/south-parks-season-premiere-breaks-25-year-old-record/embed/#

2025-09-08 21:45