South Park is one of the most successful animated TV shows in history. Since its premiere in 1997, the show has been making a Christmas episode. Here is a list of all the South Park Christmas episodes and how to watch them in order.
Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo (Season 1, Episode 9)
In the episode Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo, Kyle feels excluded during Christmas as a Jewish boy in a predominantly Christian town.
To lift his spirits, Stan introduces him to Mr. Hankey, a cheerful and talking Christmas Poo. However, Kyle's enthusiasm for Mr. Hankey is met with ridicule and skepticism from others.
As Mr. Hankey's mischievous antics cause chaos, Kyle's parents become concerned for his mental well-being. During a school Christmas play, Mr. Hankey makes a chaotic appearance, confirming his existence but leaving a mess.
Eventually, the town accepts Mr. Hankey as a symbol of Christmas cheer, and Kyle finds a sense of belonging in the holiday festivities, promoting the message of inclusion and embracing diverse traditions during the holiday season.
The episode humorously touches on themes of inclusion, belief, and the commercialization of Christmas while introducing the absurd yet endearing character of Mr. Hankey, who becomes a symbol of embracing the holiday spirit regardless of differences in beliefs or traditions.
Merry Christmas, Charlie Manson! (Season 2, Episode 16)
In the South Park episode, Merry Christmas, Charlie Manson!, Ike mistakes Charles Manson for Santa Claus and wants to visit him in prison. He drags the boys along and inadvertently helps Manson escape.
On the run, Manson bonds with the boys while chaos ensues. Meanwhile, Cartman, left home alone, accidentally causes his mother's demise.
As the escapade unfolds, Manson learns the value of responsibility and voluntarily returns to prison when confronted by the police. The boys return home, and Ike finally comprehends the difference between Manson and Santa Claus.
The episode hilariously blends dark humor with mistaken identities, absurd situations, and unexpected bonding moments, satirizing misconceptions and societal perceptions within the context of the holiday season.
Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics (Season 3, Episode 15)
In another South Park Christmas episode, Mr. Hanky returns to host a holiday musical special.
Mr. Hankey gathers various South Park residents, including the boys, to perform classic Christmas songs in his own unique style. Each character presents a humorous and often irreverent rendition of a traditional holiday tune, adding their own twists and humor to the songs.
The episode features musical segments with different characters singing unconventional and comedic versions of Christmas classics, embracing the offbeat and satirical humor characteristic of South Park while celebrating the holiday spirit in its unconventional and comedic fashion.
A Very Crappy Christmas (Season 4, Episode 17)
In A Very Crappy Christmas, the episode follows the boys as they eagerly anticipate Christmas. However, their excitement is dampened when Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo, doesn't show up, causing concern among the residents of South Park.
The boys embark on a quest to find Mr. Hankey, who is dealing with personal struggles and feeling unappreciated.
Meanwhile, Kyle's adopted brother, Ike, has been possessed by Mr. Hankey's excremental counterpart, leading to chaotic and comedic situations.
Ultimately, the boys, along with the town's residents, come together to rescue Mr. Hankey and restore the Christmas spirit.
The episode humorously delves into themes of friendship, overcoming challenges, and the absurdity of holiday expectations.
Red Sleigh Down (Season 6, Episode 17)
South Park's humor never ceases to impress its viewers. In the episode, Red Sleigh Down, the story parodies Christmas-themed action movies.
After Santa Claus is shot down over Iraq by terrorists, the U.S. government asks the boys to help retrieve him using a military helicopter. They embark on a rescue mission, accompanied by Mr. Hankey, Jesus, and others.
Meanwhile, in Iraq, Santa fights his way out of captivity and joins forces with Jesus to combat the terrorists. The boys reach Santa but refuse to rescue him unless he brings them presents, causing a conflict.
Eventually, they all escape, and the boys learn the true meaning of Christmas amid chaos and irreverent humor, with the episode satirizing both action movie tropes and the commercialization of the holiday season.
It’s Christmas in Canada (Season 7, Episode 15)
South Park's It's Christmas in Canada episode follows the Marsh family's journey to Canada after mistakenly boarding a bus bound for Toronto instead of a skiing trip to Colorado. The boys, along with Stan's parents, encounter various absurdities on their trip.
Meanwhile, their parents launch a search effort aided by the government. In Canada, the Prime Minister, due to an ongoing scandal, asks the boys to help resolve the crisis.
The boys navigate Canada's bizarre world, encountering talking heads, a giant spider, and finally, the royal family.
Eventually, the boys expose the corruption, and Canada reinstates its former Prime Minister. Ultimately, the Marsh family reunites and returns home, highlighting the episode's satirical take on politics, absurdity, and the depiction of Canada.
Woodland Critter Christmas (Season 8, Episode 14)
Stan encounters a group of adorable woodland critters in the forest who appear to be preparing for Christmas. He learns that they plan to celebrate the birth of their savior, the mountain lion, and need his help to assist in their holiday festivities.
However, Stan soon discovers a dark and twisted turn to their seemingly innocent intentions. The critters are part of a Satanic cult, and their plans involve a ritual sacrifice of their queen to bring forth the Antichrist.
Despite Stan's efforts to stop them, he finds himself entangled in the bizarre and gory events unfolding in the forest.
The episode parodies Christmas specials by juxtaposing cute woodland creatures with a macabre and darkly humorous storyline, delivering a satirical take on religious themes and the saccharine nature of traditional holiday tales.
#HappyHolograms (Season 18, Episode 10)
The boys explore the world of social media and technology during Christmas time.
They go on a quest to rescue a holographic pop star named "Tupac Shakur" after a digital prank goes awry, causing havoc with holograms.
Meanwhile, Cartman tries to capitalize on the trend of crowdfunding for personal gain.
The episode delves into themes of modern technology's impact on society, the obsession with celebrity culture, and the potential consequences of relying on digital trends.
Bike Parade (Season 22, Episode 10)
In this South Park episode, the town is in a state of emergency due to an escalating trade war with China. Randy, now a marijuana farmer, realizes that China holds a significant portion of the weed market.
The town decides to hold a bike parade to alleviate tensions, but Randy sees an opportunity to resolve the trade issue. He proposes selling marijuana to China but faces opposition.
Meanwhile, the boys are more interested in their bikes and the upcoming parade. As tensions rise between the U.S. and China, the boys struggle to enjoy the event amidst the chaos.
In the end, Randy's plan fails, and the town comes together to celebrate the bike parade, highlighting the absurdity of international relations and trade wars while also focusing on the simpler joys in life, such as a community bike parade.
Christmas Snow (Season 23, Episode 10)
The town anticipates a white Christmas but faces a climate change crisis with unrelenting heat.
When the boys, wish for Christmas snow, they realize that the wish itself is affecting the weather. However, their attempt to reverse the wish leads to chaos, causing extreme weather fluctuations globally.
Amidst the chaos, Randy Marsh, fearing the decline of his weed business due to the changing climate, attempts to manipulate the situation for his benefit.
Ultimately, as the situation worsens, the boys take responsibility, admitting their mistake, and wish for the weather to return to normal. This act restores balance, bringing a white Christmas to South Park while emphasizing the importance of accepting responsibility for one's actions and the impact of climate change.
Which of these South Park Christmas episodes is your favorite?
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