Every South Park Halloween Episode, Ranked From Worst to Best

As a dedicated South Park fan who’s grown up with the show since its inception, I must say that both “Hell on Earth 2006” and “A Nightmare on Face Time” are absolute gems.

South Park is well-known for its humor and social commentary, yet it’s also not unfamiliar with eerie and unsettling topics. The show’s Halloween specials excel at blending dark comedy with more cheerful chuckles, and with just a few days remaining until the celebration, we thought it would be fun to attempt ranking them.

Assembling this list was challenging because shows such as “Pandemic” initially aired close to Halloween, while episodes like “Dead Celebrities” have a haunting ambiance. To simplify the process, we’ve selected episodes that are either set on Halloween, directly mention it, or incorporate the holiday into their plot. We’ve also ranked them in order, from least appealing to most, considering factors such as humor, horror, and creativity.

9 “Goth Kids 3: Dawn of the Posers”

Season 17, Episode 4

“Goth Kids 3: Rise of the Impostors

Fun Buildup, Poor Payoff

The episode boasts numerous strengths, such as its revamped, darker opening theme and the reappearance of the teenage vampires. However, the core joke – implying no real distinction between goths, emos, and vampire kids – loses its charm rather swiftly. This shortcoming is further highlighted when the goths discover that Henrietta transformed into an emo independently. In summary, this isn’t a poor episode, but it falls slightly short compared to some of the others that are more memorable.

8 “Tegridy Farms Halloween Special”

Season 23, Episode 5

In this Halloween-themed episode, our focus is on Randy who aims to share a unique strain of marijuana during Halloween celebrations. However, due to Shelly’s struggle with cannabis addiction, the weed appears to have been ruined. Meanwhile, Butters accidentally sets off a mummy’s curse which results in an unhealthy connection. By the end of the episode, Shelly helps Randy out of his predicament, the mummy ends things with Butters, and Randy enjoys his Halloween experience, although not everyone else might feel the same way.

The Highs and Lows of Randy

Randy, a character from South Park, is often seen as highly contentious, with episodes featuring him generating both intense affection and strong dislike. In this particular episode, Randy tells Towelie that there seems to be an issue with “the special,” suggesting that some viewers might find flaws in it. The episode does include enjoyable references to Farmer Fred and a deceased Winnie the Pooh, but the main jokes about Shelly’s marijuana addiction and Butters being manipulated by the mummy are merely average, according to the author.

There are certainly funnier Butters episodes, as well as funnier Randy ones.

7 “Sons a Witches”

Season 21, Episode 6

In the series “Sons a Witches,” we follow Randy through his yearly pre-Halloween bash, known as “Jack and Crack Witch Week.” This event is filled with partying and spell casting among a group of male companions. Regrettably, one of these men (Chip) unintentionally casts a genuine spell that transforms him into a malevolent witch. He then proceeds to terrorize people by killing them and kidnapping children. As the episode nears its close, the other men confront Chip, as his actions are causing them harm too. In the end, President Garrison shoots Chip with a satellite, resulting in his death and the rescue of the abducted children.

In this episode, the subplot revolves around Cartman’s efforts to part ways with his girlfriend, Heidi, due to her poor time management that led him to miss the pumpkin patch. Eventually, he manages to arrange for Heidi to be taken by Chip, only to find out later that she was among the children who were returned, leaving Cartman feeling let down.

The Scariest Part of the Episode

In a different phrase, it can be said that Cartman has committed some heinous acts in the past, and attempting to have his girlfriend kidnapped and killed ranks among the worst. It could be argued that the scenes involving Cartman are both amusing and terrifying, surpassing those featuring Randy. However, the emphasis on Randy and the other male characters may not resonate with all viewers again.

6 “Korn’s Groovy Pirate Ghost Mystery”

Season 3, Episode 10

As a movie enthusiast, I’m weary of the fifth graders playing tricks, and in an effort to frighten them, my friends and I unearth Kyle’s deceased grandmother. However, we lose sight of her remains. Simultaneously, KORN makes their way into town for a concert, which Father Maxi disapproves of, perceiving KORN and Halloween as sinister entities. When a band of spectral pirates emerge, KORN finds themselves collaborating with us to unravel the mystery. In the end, it is exposed that Father Maxi conjured these ghosts to scare people away from the Halloween party, enabling it to proceed unimpeded.

Only Kind of Groovy

The creators of South Park have expressed that Seasons 1-3 are their least preferred, and it’s understandable why. While these episodes are undeniably amusing, they don’t quite match the memorability of later ones. The humor is present, from the tombstone for Kenny who was still alive to the effortless trickery of Father Maxi with his fake ghosts. However, the Scooby-Doo style mysteries, missing grandma, and Antonio Banderas inflatable doll introduce an abundance of elements that can be overwhelming at times. Perhaps there’s simply too much going on in these early seasons.

5 “Pinkeye”

Season 1, Episode 7

Following a fatal incident where a space station crashes onto Kenny, his body is transported to a morgue. In an unusual mix-up, embalming fluid is inadvertently combined with Worcestershire sauce, resulting in Kenny’s resurrection as a zombie. The strange illness spreads throughout the town, but mistakenly identified as pinkeye by the local doctor. As events unfold, Chef discerns the truth and teams up with the boys to halt the outbreak. After discovering they can put an end to the pandemic by eliminating the initial zombie, Kyle terminates Kenny, restoring peace to the town.

A Strong Start to the Specials

Title “Pinkeye” effectively sets the mood for the upcoming specials, blending humor with a touch of suspense, all while maintaining that unique South Park flavor that keeps viewers hooked. It’s more than just a good Wendy and Stan episode; it’s an excellent Chef-centric one as well. Kyle employing his signature line against himself adds to the intrigue, and Chef’s thriller dance is the cherry on top. Though not our favorite, this episode undoubtedly belongs in the hall of classics.

4 “The Scoots”

Seasons 22, Episode 5

E-scooters have become prevalent in town, causing dismay for Kenny and Mr. Mackey. The boys intend to utilize these scooters for their Halloween trick-or-treating, which leaves Kenny out since he doesn’t own a phone needed to operate one. This also means an influx of trick-or-treaters approaching houses, causing distress for Mr. Mackey.

In unanticipated alliance, this unlikely pair bands together to bring down the cell towers and put an end to the scooters’ dominance. The episode concludes as Mr. Mackey extends counseling services to the town, while Kenny enthusiastically partakes in trick-or-treating alongside his (noticeably less cheerful) companions.

A Sweet Story and an Ominous Voice-Over

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the undervalued charm of Mr. Mackey. The pairing of him with everyone’s favorite character, Kenny, was not only entertaining but also surprisingly rewarding. It’s a breath of fresh air to see Kenny, who often meets his demise in gruesome ways, receive recognition instead. This episode, unlike many others, wasn’t just about laughs. Instead, it was filled with moments that were either heartwarmingly sweet or subtly poignant. And that’s exactly what made it stand out – it transcended the typical “Halloween special” label to become something more profound and memorable.

In summary, during the entire show, a narrator provided commentary on Kenny’s story, and they described his final Halloween as one that retained the essence of Halloween. The significance for any future Halloween episodes is yet to be determined, but it’s interesting to note that no other specials have been released since then.

3 “Spookyfish”

Season 2, Episode 15

In a twist of events, Stan’s beloved Aunt Flo has made a visit and presented him with a pet fish. However, this seemingly innocent aquatic companion turns out to be lethally malicious, causing the untimely deaths of several individuals, including Aunt Flo. Stan’s mom Sharon hastily buries these victims in the backyard. Simultaneously, a benevolent version of Cartman emerges, leading the boys to discover that both Cartman and the fish originate from a malevolent alternate dimension. As the episode reaches its climax, they manage to return the fish, but are faced with the dilemma of keeping their old troublesome Cartman or allowing him to swap places with the new, amiable one (spoiler: the cunning old Cartman outsmarts them, ensuring that the kind Cartman is returned to the alternate dimension, much to the boys’ frustration, and he remains).

Hella Spooky Episode (in a Good Way)

In this episode, the boys seem to highlight two potential issues: Cartman’s frequent use of the term “Hella,” and the enigmatic “Spookyfish” character’s use of Spookyvision. However, these criticisms aside, the episode is packed with many positive aspects, such as a creative Halloween special featuring Terrance and Phillip, and Sharon’s descent into madness concerning Stan. Unlike some other episodes on this list, “Spookyfish” offers authentic moments of dark humor and sheer terror, making it a must-watch for any South Park enthusiast.

2 “Hell on Earth 2006”

Season 10, Episode 09

“Satan’s Super Sweet 16 Halloween Bash 2006

This episode features two subplots: one centered around the boys bringing Biggie Smalls into their world, and another concerning a gang attempting to retrieve Satan’s birthday cake. Both tales are uproariously funny, striking a perfect balance between physical comedy and bloody sequences for maximum entertainment value.

A Super Sweet Episode

This television show caused quite a stir when it aired because it included Steve Irwin, who had recently passed away in reality, and made jokes about Diddy that now seem regrettable. The depiction of priests with naked boys might also be too intense for certain audiences. Nevertheless, the overall concept is hilarious, and the conclusion offers a truly heartwarming message, akin to pure candy sweetness. Essentially, Satan’s Super Sweet 16 offers an episode that is as delightful as candy, satisfying viewers’ taste this holiday season.

1 “A Nightmare on Face Time”

Season 16, Episode 12

Randy has taken over Blockbuster Video as its new proprietor, and he, along with his family, immediately dive into efforts aimed at attracting customers. However, the store is so outdated that it feels like an ancient relic, causing no customers to show up. Then, Randy starts seeing ghosts who seem eerily similar to those in Stephen King’s “The Shining.” These spirits bring out his darkest impulses, subtly hinting that his family might be responsible for the store’s lack of business success. Eventually, after attempting to eliminate them, everything turns out all right when the building mysteriously catches fire and burns down.

In this episode’s secondary storyline, the boys yearn to go door-to-door for candy on Halloween, but Stan is barred from participating. To circumvent this restriction, Kyle permits Stan to use his iPad so he can video call from each house. However, when the boys encounter the Red Box Killers, it’s Stan who steps up and goes undercover to apprehend them. Despite the iPad running out of battery, Stan manages to pull it off, resulting in a joyful Halloween for all involved.

The Real Blockbuster

In a compact 20-minute span, this episode has a cinematic feel that’s both captivating and entertaining. The humor in its references isn’t excessive but just right, while the boys’ costumes and enthusiasm to solve crimes add an enjoyable twist. It’s a straightforward yet engaging narrative that perfectly encapsulates the essence of nostalgic, spine-tingling movies from Blockbuster, which seems to be the season’s main theme.

Calling something a blockbuster used to be a good thing, and here, that’s how we mean it.

2024-10-27 19:04