10 most political South Park episodes, ranked

South Park shines through when they make daring and witty political remarks in their episodes. Since its release in 1997, the show has never shied away from introducing the tongue-in-cheek humor revolving around the protocol environment of their country.

From addressing racism and issues about immigration, religion, and other subjects, including the presidents in the episodes, South Park, not in a demeaning but in a thoughtful manner, tackles these sensitive issues and brings them to the audience.

Here’s a list of the 10 best South Park episodes that deal with the political environment of America.

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.

The 10 most political South Park episodes, ranked

10) Dead Kids, Season 22, Episode 1

Scene from South Park | Image via Comedy Central

What could be more political than satirizing an ongoing crisis about gun use and school shootings in America? The premiere episode of South Park Season 22 does just that by using the school shootings as the theme of their episode. The episode portrays how America reacts to the shootings in a comedic way and how Cartman’s class goes on even after the shooting occurs in their school.

Other than showing the feigned ignorance of the people around, the show also depicted that some people take the matter seriously. It shows Sharon Marsh as the concerned citizen. However, her husband deems that she might be going through some menstrual problem rather than seeing the issue she was concerned about, making it one of the best satirical political episodes of the adult animated series.

9) Band In China, Season 23, Episode 2

Critiquing China in this age is one of the boldest moves by the South Park creators. In this episode of South Park Season 23, Randy is seen going to China to expand his marijuana business and gets imprisoned there for carrying marijuana. In the episode, he also meets several Disney characters and NBA players, including Winnie the Pooh and Piglet, in jail. This depicts the American entertainment industry doing everything to appease the Chinese government and get the huge Chinese market.

It also showcased the issues regarding the Communist Party ruling in the country in a satirical dig, resulting in the ban of the adult animated sitcom. As per Wikipedia, it also became a means of protest when one of the episodes was screened on the streets of China.

8) A Ladder to Heaven, Season 6, Episode 12

A Ladder to Heaven begins with an innocent effort by the kids to meet their deceased friend Kenny and take the ticket stub from him. This will let them win the candy prize. However, it later becomes highly political when the Japanese and the US Army begin building ladders in competition with each other.

It also features Saddam Hussein as he tries to build a nuclear weapon while residing in heaven. Later, President Bush decides to bomb heaven to stop Saddam from building a weapon, making it another of the best political South Park episodes, which you should definitely check out.

7) Chef Goes Nanners, Season 4, Episode 7

Chef in Jimbo in South Park | Image via South Park Studios

In this South Park episode, the plot delves into the territory of racism and a bit of religion in America. It begins with Chef wanting to change the flag of the town, which depicts a Black person being hanged by four white figures, calling it racist, while Jimbo wants to keep it like that.

The two try to gather support for their respective causes but fail. It also delves more into the infamous KKK as it talks about racism and gives us an insightful episode with satirical political elements throughout the episode.

6) Margaritaville, Season 13, Episode 3

Covering crucial issues of America, this episode of South Park season 13 covers another of the big issues related to the economy. With the country suffering from recession, people of South Park have no idea who to blame for the money they have lost or don’t have.

From blaming Jews to blaming the people for their spendthrift nature, episode 3 depicts a powerful and funny narrative about the real struggles. At the end, someone else takes credit for the hard work that someone else does to help the people, making it a contemplative yet wacky political episode.

5) Where my country gone?, Season 19, Episode 2

Another good political episode of South Park is episode 2 of season 19. With a real-life reference to Caitlyn Jenner’s collision, the episode showcases the discourse of illegal immigration in the US.

It depicted Mr. Garrison’s growing concerns about illegal immigrants coming in from Canada to the US and his efforts to try to stop them, satirizing President Trump’s campaigns against illegal immigration. It blends the elements of humor and politics so well and gives us the most thoughtful and compelling episodes.

4) Douche And Turd, Season 8, Episode 8

Scene from South Park | Image via South Park Studios

While they talk about politics in every category, this episode of South Park specifically highlights the election and campaigning. With two joke candidates the people have to vote for, it depicts how people react to voting, with some, for instance, Stan Marsh, refusing to vote for undesirable candidates.

Furthermore, it highlights the campaigning process by showcasing how Cartman and Kyle indulge in bribery and panic-peddling to let their candidate win. The episode is filled with South Park-style humor and a narrative that might be closer to reality than we can agree.

3) Mystery of the Urinal Deuce, Season 10, Episode 10

Discussing South Park’s political episodes but skipping the episode about conspiracy theories would render the list incomplete. This episode of season 10 narrates the story of how Cartman believed that 9/11 was a conspiracy.

With numerous funny euphemisms and laughter, the episode brings back President Bush. He reveals to the boys that it was the government that was responsible for 9/11, breaking many satirical political records that depicted the 9/11 narrative in such a way, making it one of the fan-favorite political episodes of South Park.

2) Obama Wins!, Season 16, Episode 14

This popular South Park episode doesn’t just depict sharp political satire but also adds entertaining elements related to Star Wars. From Cartman helping out the Chinese government to help Obama win to making his win a deal between the Chinese and the Americans about letting them make the Star Wars sequels, this is the main plotline of the story.

With references to numerous Star Wars characters and using the voice of Morgan Freeman, the episode is ranked among the best when we discuss political episodes of the animated sitcom.

1) Sermon on the ‘Mount’, Season 27, Episode 1

On July 23, 2025, South Park returned with an epic bang for its season 27 and an episode that has been in talks ever since. The episode begins with Cartman being disheartened by thinking that ‘woke’ might be dead.

The episode highlights everything going on in the US regarding Trump’s administration and the treatment of citizens to keep them silent, and also satirizes the President's connection with the infamous Epstein files. The episode brings back the bold and political narrative they are known for, with tinctures of satire and hilarity that make it even better.