For nearly three decades,South Parkhas released many highly controversial episodes, but there are several that deeply divided viewers and critics. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone,South Parkhas been following the many hilarious misadventures of school friends Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny in their snow-covered Colorado mountain town since 1997.
Since its first episode,South Parkhas gained a reputation for tackling real-world issues in a comical and often controversial manner.After a two-year hiatus,South Parkhas returnedfor season 27, to high viewership on streaming platforms. The first episode ofSouth Parkseason 27 premiered on August 06, 2025,targeting the Trump administration.
This latest controversialSouth Parkepisodereceived high viewership online, but it also received condemnation from the White House (viaRolling Stone) for its depiction of Donald Trump engaging in a relationship with the Devil, similar toSouth Park’s depiction of Sadaam Hussein in the 1999 movie. The controversy surrounding the first season 27 episode resulted inParker and Stone releasing a sarcastic apology.
The first episode of season 27 is just one of many highly controversialSouth Parkepisodesthat have been released over the years. While many have been criticized for their approach to modern issues, there have been several episodes that severely divided viewers and some are deemed too sensitive for viewing.
10Hell On Earth 2006
Season 10, Episode 11
South Parkseason 10’s “Hell on Earth 2006” depicts Satan deciding to host a large Halloween party on Earth in the style of a Sweet 16, and he becomes obsessed with making sure that every detail of the party is perfect. Satan’s elaborate party catches the attention of the Roman Catholic Church clergy, who decide to crash the event in protest after not being invited.
While the episode was praised for its humorous storyline,there was understandable criticism for its parody of Steve Irwin;the episode was released less than two months after Irwin’s death from a stingray attack in 2006. On average, everySouth Parkepisode is produced over six days to capitalize on topical events, but many viewers felt that the parody of Irwin happened too soon after his death.
9Ginger Kids
Season 9, Episode 11
There aremany Kyle and Cartman episodes acrossSouth Parkthat cover their troubled friendship, and this season 9 episode is no exception. In protest against Cartman’s presentation insulting kids with ginger hair, Kyle, Stan, and Kenny sneak into Cartman’s room and dye his hair red. To prevent being ridiculed, Cartman rallies all the red-haired kids to fight against mockery, but his movement quickly turns into a master race.
While Cartman’s plans for a new master race were called out, this episode’s main controversy was that it served as the inspiration for the “National Kick a Ginger Day,” where several individuals with red hair were viciously assaulted (viaDaily Mail). This infamous event has sparked other violet behavior, andthe installment has been blamed for the increase in discrimination against redheads.
8World War Zimmerman
Season 17, Episode 3
One of Cartman’s best episodesfrom season 17 sees him experiencing nightmares about a potential zombie apocalypse, inspired by the Brad Pitt movie,World War Z. Through these nightmares, Cartman comes to believe that he has to kill J.R.R. Tolkien in order to save the world, and his antics eventually lead him to the house of George Zimmerman.
The episode offers a powerful and satirical message relating to racism and gun laws in the U.S.
“World War Zimmerman” was released only a few months after George Zimmerman stood trial for the 2012 killing of Travyon Martin; in a highly publicized trial, Zimmerman was acquitted on the grounds of self-defense. While the episode offers a satirical message relating to racism and gun laws in the U.S., Cartman’s behavior was considered his most sinister in more recentSouth Parkepisodes (viaUproxx).
7All About Mormons
Season 7, Episode 12
There have beenmanySouth Parkepisodes centered around religion, with this season 7’s “All About Mormons” focused on the Mormon faith. A new boy named Gary moves into town with his Mormon family and quickly astonishes Stan with his friendly nature and perfect family life. As the episode progresses, the friends learn more about the religion, with Stan’s father, Randy, eventually deciding to convert his family.
Like several episodes ofSouth Parkthat depict religious parodies,“All About Mormons” received harsh criticism from the Church of Latter-Day Saints, which described the episode as “a gross portrayal of Church history” (viaChurch of Jesus Christ). Despite the serious remarks, Parker and Stone later used the episode as partial inspiration for their acclaimed 2011 Broadway musical,The Book of Mormon.
6Scott Tenormann Must Die
Season 5, Episode 4
“Scott Tenorman Must Die” is one ofSouth Park’sbest episodes, as it showcases how far Cartman will go to get revenge on those who wronged him. After being tricked by Scott Tenorman into buying pubic hair for $10, Cartman gains his revenge by having Scott’s parents killed and cooked into a chili that he tricks Scott into eating.
Eric Cartman has gained a reputation with viewers for his evil antics, butin this season 5 episode, many agree that he went way too far. The unexpected result of his revenge against Scott has never been forgotten and years after it was aired,Cartman is still paying for the darkest decision he ever made.
5Band In China
Season 23, Episode 2
South Park has tackled many topical issues, andthis season 23 episode parodies the issues of media censorship in China. Randy Marsh decides to travel to China to expand his Tegridy Farms marijuana business, but he ultimately ends up locked in a labor camp with Disney characters. Meanwhile, the boys' band learn that their image must be censored to be successful in China.
The episode was well-reviewed (it holds an 8.5IMDbrating). However, in response to the episode,South Parkwas completely banned in Chinaby the Chinese government. Similar to the season 27 episode, Parker and Stone issued a mock apology in response to the ban (viaHuffPost) and have continued to critique China’s censorship in further episodes.
4Butters' Very Own Episode
Season 5, Episode 14
ThroughoutSouth Park’srun, there have beenmany episodes where Butters stole the show, and his popularity with viewers saw him receive an episode with him as a central character. In season 5, episode 14, Butters accidentally discovers his father’s affairs with men, and his mother tries to kill him by driving her car into a lake, before lying to the press about what happened.
The murder attempt against Butters shocked viewers, as it felt eerily similar to the Susan Smith murder case from 1994.Many celebrities have been impersonated inSouth Park, but this episode was also criticized for its parody of Gary Condit, who, at the time, was under suspicion of murder. Years later,Stone and Parker admitted to regretting how Condit was portrayed in the episode(viaThe New York Times Magazine).
3With Apologies To Jesse Jackson
Season 11, Episode 1
In the first episode ofSouth Parkseason 11, Randy Marsh makes it to the bonus round ofWheel of Fortune, where the category is “people who annoy you.” In response, Randy inadvertently uses a racial slur on live TV, which turns the family into pariahs. Stan faces trouble at school, and Randy’s attempt to make amends only makes things worse.
“With Apologies to Jesse Jackson” was criticized for its continuous usage of racial slurs and its depiction of racism. Despite this, the episode garnered over two million viewers in its attempt to address offensive statements,one of the worst things Randy Marsh is often guilty of.
2Trapped In The Closet
Season 9, Episode 12
In season 9, episode 12, Stan takes a Scientology personality test, where it’s discovered that he has high thetan levels; this leads Scientologists to believe that he is the reincarnation of L. Ron Hubbard and the new leader of Scientology. When Stan publicly denounces Scientology as a scam, many celebrity Scientologists, including Tom Cruise and John Travolta, lock themselves in Stan’s bedroom closet.
While “Trapped in the Closet” was widely praised by viewers for its comedic interpretation of Scientology (it has a 9.1 rating onIMDb),there was controversy surrounding its parody of Tom Cruise and the questioning of his sexuality(viaUSA Today).This episode was also seen as the reasonwhy Isaac Hayes' character, Chef, leftSouthParkand was killed off in season 10.
1200 & 201
Season 14, Episodes 5 & 6
In this two-partSouth Parkspecial,the show’s celebrity parodies, led by Tom Cruise, take up a lawsuit against the citizens of South Park for damaging their reputation. Meanwhile,the identity of Cartman’s fatheris finally revealed in a shocking twist.
BothSouth Park’s “200” and “201” were banned, and Parker and Stone received severe condemnation for the episodes' depiction of the Prophet Muhammad; the backlash resulted in the episodes never being released in full and Comedy Central heavily censoring different scenes. While they were both praised for the twist ending and parodies, “200” and “201” remain some of the most divisive and controversialSouth Parkever released.
Sources:Rolling Stone,Daily Mail, IMDb,Uproxx,Church of Jesus Christ,HuffPost,The New York Times Magazine,USA Today
South Park
Cast
South Park follows the irreverent misadventures of four grade-schoolers—Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny—that take place in the quiet, dysfunctional town of South Park, Colorado. The animated series explores various social and political issues through its characters' humorous and often absurd escapades.
