5 Best Seasons of South Park So Far, Ranked

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After almost thirty years on the air, South Park continues to be a cultural force, as evidenced by the buzz around seasons 27 and 28. Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s show clearly hasn’t lost its edge. But how do the latest episodes stack up against the very best seasons? While every season of South Park offers something worthwhile – whether it’s sharp satire of celebrities or bold portrayals of public figures – some are simply funnier and more insightful than others. Certain seasons consistently deliver a higher level of humor and intelligence.

Choosing the five best episodes from 28 seasons of South Park is tough! While the show hasn’t been quite as strong in recent years, even its weaker episodes are still really good.

5) Season 2

As a huge fan, I’ve always been fascinated by how Trey Parker and Matt Stone seem to distance themselves from the very early seasons of South Park, especially the first four. They’re particularly critical of Season 2, and honestly, I can kind of get where they’re coming from. But for me, those initial years have a really special, late ’90s vibe that I love. Sure, the writing isn’t as intricate as it later became – that’s their main complaint, it seems – but that’s actually part of the appeal! Those early episodes are just pure, silly fun – perfect for switching off and enjoying without thinking too much.

Season 2 is the most enjoyable to rewatch from the show’s first four seasons. Episodes like “Chef’s Chocolate Salty Balls,” “Summer Sucks,” “The Mexican Staring Frog of Southern Sri Lanka,” “Chickenlover,” and “Roger Ebert Should Lay Off the Fatty Foods” are all particularly memorable. While many episodes center around the boys playfully teasing each other or facing a local crisis, the season also includes more thoughtful episodes like “Clubhouses” and “Gnomes.” The highlight, though, is “Spookyfish,” which remains one of the series’ best episodes even today.

4) Season 9

Though the ‘Trapped in the Closet’ episode caused some controversy and the loss of Isaac Hayes, it really showcases Parker and Stone’s boldness – and going to the Oscars while under the influence of acid was pretty daring, too! ‘Trapped in the Closet’ is definitely a standout episode, but Season 9 as a whole is brilliant because of how funny it is to watch Mr. Garrison (who was presenting as Mrs. Garrison) get hilariously angry when things don’t go his/her way, like in the incredibly funny episode ‘Follow That Egg!’

What really makes Season 9 stand out are its surprisingly unpredictable storylines. Like Season 8, it touches on political themes without being overly focused on them, and it’s full of genuinely unexpected episodes. The best example is “Free Willzyx,” which is funny because it starts with a simple mistake by the four main characters. They sincerely want to help what they believe is an alien whale return home, and their attempt to rescue it comes from a good place. However, things go hilariously wrong, ending with the whale dead on the moon. The closing scene is so absurdly funny, it’s guaranteed to make you laugh—even though you might feel a little bad about it.

3) Season 7

Season 6 should be appreciated for attempting something different by removing Kenny from the story. However, Season 7 demonstrates that audiences simply prefer him being included.

The season begins strongly with “Cancelled,” an episode where the creators reflect on the show’s journey. Despite its impressive 22-year run, Parker and Stone were determined to create something fresh, even when revisiting the original pilot. Take “South Park Is Gay!,” which famously features the Crab People – a segment Parker and Stone have always cringed at, but which still manages to be funny. While “Red Man’s Greed” is a bit of a weak link, it’s balanced out by excellent episodes like “Lil’ Crime Stoppers,” “Christian Rock Hard,” and “Casa Bonita.”

2) Season 5

Season 5 marked a clear improvement for the show, demonstrating a willingness to play with viewers’ feelings – as seen in the episode “Kenny Dies” – and take bolder creative chances. A prime example is the season finale, which centered on Butters, a character who hadn’t yet been fully explored. The introduction of Towelie was also a risk; his first episode famously included a live-action segment that directly addressed the likely polarized reaction to the character – people would either love him or hate him, with no middle ground. This proved remarkably insightful, as that’s precisely how audiences have always responded to Towelie.

The episode “It Hits the Fan” was a milestone for Parker and Stone, finally letting them use the word “sh*t” – and they didn’t hold back, saying it a whopping 162 times! Beyond that, the season is also famous for containing what many fans consider the greatest episode of the series, “Scott Tenorman Must Die.” It’s incredibly well-written and perfectly paced, making it hard to think of a better 22 minutes of comedy on television.

1) Season 8

Season 8 strikes a great balance between being funny and offering social commentary. It hadn’t yet become overly focused on delivering messages, unlike later seasons – as pointed out in the Season 10 episode, “Cartoon Wars Part II,” it hadn’t become self-important or preachy.

This season has 14 consistently excellent episodes – not a single one disappoints. Standout episodes include “Good Times with Weapons,” which experimented with a new animation style, as well as “The Passion of the Jew,” “Awesom-O,” “The Jeffersons,” “Douche and Turd,” “Something Wall-Mart This Way Comes,” “Stupid Spoiled Wh*re Video Playset,” and “Woodland Critter Christmas” – the show’s best Christmas episode ever. Overall, more than half the episodes are nearly perfect, and the season finishes with a truly exceptional holiday special.

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2025-11-08 02:41