10 South Park episodes that defined the 2000s

South Park debuted in the animated sitcom of the era in 1997, redefining satire and establishing a reputation for crossing boundaries. What started as a crudely drawn cartoon slowly transformed into a show that gained popularity.

The 2000s were a decade marked by evolved viewership that liked its voice and its ability to maintain a rapid production schedule. The show was a decade defined by the internet boom and an evolving gaming culture.

Pop culture was dominated by blockbuster franchises and celebrity gossip, which found a new expression and representation in South Park’s comedic episode. With a touch of absurdity and humor, the show captured the pulse of the time.

Here are ten South Park episodes from the 2000s that didn’t just entertain but became cultural landmarks of the decade

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10 South Park episodes that defined the 2000s

1. "Scott Tenorman Must Die" (Season 5, Episode 4, 2001)

This episode chronicles how Eric Cartman, one of the integral characters of South Park, transforms into a Machiavellian and sinister antagonist from a ruthless, depthless bully. An older student named Scott Tenorman insults him, an act that soon spirals into a carefully plotted revenge.

What made this episode an era-defining addition was its ability to set a new bar for darkness and audacity in animated comedy. Cartman orchestrates a notorious plan that leads to the death of Scott's parents. He cooks them into chili and feeds it to an unsuspecting Scott.

These moments induce shock and present something raw and unforeseen in a comedy show before.

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2. "The Return of the Fellowship of the Ring to the Two Towers" (Season 6, Episode 13, 2002)

This episode picks up the momentum on Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings film trilogy, offering a brilliantly executed spoof of the epic fantasy genre.

When the boys are focused on returning a rented videotape tape they comically realise that they were given an adult film instead of the epic fantasy movie. A simple task takes on comic proportions when Butters descends into a Gollum-like obsession.

This episode tapped into the era’s obsession with grand scale, epic fantasy narrative, while commenting on inadvertent exposure to adult content.

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3. "Casa Bonita" (Season 7, Episode 11, 2003)

In this episode from 2003, Cartman becomes oddly obsessed with attending Kyle's birthday party at the titular, real-life Mexican restaurant in Colorado.

Cartment, who was uninvited, uses his mind to hatch an outrageous scheme to eliminate Butters. He convinces Butters that the world outside has come to an end and hides him in a bomb shelter.

This episode defined the show’s characteristic satire with these absurd plans of Cartman, fueled by sheer, selfish desire. Cartman stands out as the definitive 2000s antihero who is manipulative, hilarious, and yet undeniably human.

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4. "Good Times with Weapons" (Season 8, Episode 1, 2004)

In this episode, the boys transform into ninja warriors in their imagination. As we dive into full-scale anime-style fantasy, we get the catchy song "Let's Fighting Love" theme song. But things turn dark when Butters is accidentally injured during the game.

This episode delivered an affectionate parody of the rising popularity of manga and anime audience on an international level.

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5. "AWESOM-O" (Season 8, Episode 5, 2004)

The rivalry between Cartman and Butters intensifies as he tricks Butters by disguising himself as ‘AWESOM-O’, a robot who will learn all of his secrets. The plan goes haywire when Hollywood executives mistake the robot for a film idea generator and carry AWESOM-O to Los Angeles.

With a comic lampoon of both Cartman's arrogant nature and the gullibility of the entertainment industry, this episode stands out. It also highlights the growing risk of trusting technology too much, demonstrating South Park's biting take on celebrity and high-concept film ideas.

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6. "Woodland Critter Christmas" (Season 8, Episode 14, 2004)

This Christmas episode is presented with a storyteller-like narration, but it quickly spirals into signature South Park chaos. Stan helps the woodland critters get ready to welcome their savior, but soon it is discovered that they are Satanic cultists who want to bring Antichrist into the world.

This dark, comedic episode pushed the limits of holiday storytelling with a touch of meta twists. The mid-2000s cultural tension between childhood, Christmas-toned storytelling, and media cynicism is captured in this epic South Park episode.

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7. "Cartmanland" (Season 5, Episode 6, 2001)

Cartman buys his dream amusement park with a million dollars that he inherits. He did not want to open the park for anyone, but in an unexpected twist, he realised the high costs of running the park.

When he eventually opens the park to the public, it drains his fortune and his excitement. This episode sets a timeless appeal with its themes of greed and karma. Cartman has been involved in many nefarious plots, from revenge to punishment.

It defined the era’s growing obsession with consumerism and instant gratification.

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8. "Make Love, Not Warcraft" (Season 10, Episode 8, 2006)

The South Park boys fight a rogue player in World of Warcraft who unleashes destruction, but soon, they get so intensely immersed that they lose all sense of reality.

The episode focuses on a key trend of the 2000s: online gaming culture and the rise of digital escapism. By parodying gamers obsession with real Warcraft visuals, the story touched the heart of the tech-fuelled world.

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9. "Imaginationland Trilogy" (Season 11, Episodes 10–12, 2007)

The boys go on a full-scale adventure when they are transported to a realm where every fictional character exists after a tragic terrorist attack.

The plot captures the 9/11 paranoia and satirizes Hollywood through moral chaos. The trilogy highlighted a growing audience appetite for blended stories on politics, pop culture, and fantasy of the late 2000s.

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10. "Fishsticks" (Season 13, Episode 5, 2009)

Jimmy’s “fishsticks” joke gains many views, but Kanye West fails to understand it, and the plot descends into madness. Coming on the cusp of the 2010s, this episode captured and commented on celebrity culture and digital virality.

South Park maintained its comic appeal with the depiction of public icons taking themselves too seriously. This clever commentary on fame, self-importance, and the often random, nonsensical means by which pop culture creates trends.

Read more: 10 South Park facts you’ll want to know