South Park: 20 Best Cartman Episodes (2023)

South Park's residentbigoted pottymouthhas a knack for being both irritatingly cruel and lovably silly. In a way, Cartman is emblematic of the show itself, with his mix of juvenile toilet humor, button-pushing edginess, and comedic wit.

So not surprisingly, episodes centered around this character make for some of the funniest and most interesting in this expansive series. Histrash-talking and insane antics often set the stage for some truly memorable romps — but which of these romps truly stand out from the rest?

Updated on July 21st, 2022, by Shawn S. Lealos: South Park has gone through 25 seasons and 317 episodes, along with some movies that are now appearing on the Paramount+ streaming service. As one of the longest-running animated shows in the United States, Matt Stone and Trey Parker have done a lot to keep it interesting, funny, and always cutting edge with up-to-date news stories and pop culture playing into the episodes almost in real-time. However, when the two are just playing it for fun, nothing is better than the best Cartman episodes, which often see the young child doing things that would send an adult to jail, yet somehow always coming out okay in the end.

Cartman Finds Love (S16 E7)

While the episode's title, "Cartman Finds Love" makes it seem that he gets a girlfriend, that is not what happened. Instead, a new Black girl named Nichole moves to South Park and Cartman sets out to hook her and Token up since he feels that she should only date Black people. However, the problem is that she liked Kyle.

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The entire episode showed how far Cartman would go to get his way, and he had his own Cupid helping him out. He pretended he and Kyle were a gay couple and then started sending gifts to Nichole and Token to help them hook up. Of course, as with the best Cartman episodes, he ends up getting it in the end as well.

Medicinal Fried Chicken (S14 E3)

The season 14 episode "Medicinal Fried Chicken" had two storylines and both were great. In one storyline, Randy willingly contracted testicular cancer just so he could get medicinal weed. This was part of the long-running story where Randy wanted weed at all costs, and the side effects in this episode were grotesque.

However, this was also one of the best Cartman episodes, with him becoming a crimelord similar to Scarface. His goal was to sell illegal KFC and he had his minions and operation set up to perfection.

HUMANCENTiPAD (S15 E1)

The first episode of Season 15 was a disgusting homage to the body horror movie The Human Centipede. However, South Park took the title and used its sound to also parody Apple and their iPad by renaming it "HUMANCENTiPAD." In this, Apple chose to create their latest phone by creating a Human Centipede.

This is a Cartman episode with him demanding to own an iPad and setting out to get one at all costs. Meanwhile, Kyle signed the iTunes terms and conditions, not knowing he was willingly submitting himself to the Human Centipede for the company, and Cartman was told he would own this first version.

World War Zimmerman (S17 E3)

The season 17 episode, "World War Zimmerman," somehow managed to combine the movie World War Z and George Zimmerman killing Trayvon Martin. The episode highlights the racism that Cartman exhibits and has him suffering from nightmares of a zombie apocalypse that is allrioters after the George Zimmerman trial.

Cartman thendecides Token is a "ticking time bomb" and he has to kill him to save the world. Instead, he goes to kill Zimmerman himself, but whenZimmerman shoots Cartman in self-defense, he is arrested and executed for shooting a white person. The episode showed that even when he is wrong, Cartman somehow manages to come out okay in the end.

Tsst (S10 E7)

If there is one thing that is true about the best Cartman episodes, it is that he is a very bad boy and he almost never gets what is coming to him no matter who he hurts. In "Tsst," his mother decides she needs to get him some help so she hires Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer.

Cesar then uses dog training techniques and it amazingly works to get Cartman under control. However, deep down inside Cartman is trying to break out and finally gets that when Cesar refuses to date Liane, and she offers Cartman anything he wants to spend time with her again. The episode ended with Cartman showing a frightening smile and proving the worst might still be yet to come.

Cartman Gets An Anal Probe (S1 E1)

The series launched in the summer of 1997 with "Cartman Gets An Anal Probe" whichsaw the town of South Park visited by aliens who repeatedly abduct Cartman at nightand install an anal probe that begins to oddly affect his behavior.

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When Kyle's brother Ikeis abducted, they are forced to use Cartman's anal probe which made a few hilarious fart-filled appearances throughout the episode to contact the aliens. The episode laid the foundation for the series' humor and hadn't quite hit the series' usual tone, but remains a memorable Cartman episode regardless. It was one of thebest Cartman episodes of the first season.

Cartman's Incredible Gift (S8 E13)

The eighth season episode "Cartman's Incredible Gift" featured a comically-injured Cartman who believes his accident gave him psychic powers following a series of lucky guesses and coincidences tied to a serial killer prowling the streets of South Park.

His "psychic" exploits and the serial killers' continued murders draw in a group of psychic detectives who want Cartman to pay to join their organization. The episode is filled with gut-splitting mental battles and a cringe-inducing crime story that is not to be missed. This was one of the best Cartman episodes in what might be South Park's best season ever.

Ginger Kids (S9 E11)

Cartman has never kept his distaste for redheaded "gingers" like Kyle Broflovski a secret, though in the ninth season's "Ginger Kids" he shares his hate-filled theorieswith the school during an assembly to warn them against the dangers of "gingervitis."When Stan and Kyle prank Cartman by bleaching his skin and dying his hair, he is led to believe he has contracted gingervitis himself.

After taking ridicule from his friends and the school based on his new look, he decides to organize the other ginger kids together and spurred them into violence against the non-ginger kids of South Park because "the only way to fight hate… is with MORE hate!"One of thebest Cartman episodes, this showed just how far he is willing to go and how dangerous Cartman can be when he is motivated.

Fat Butt And Pancake Head (S7 E5)

One of the most ridiculous but insanely hilarious episodes focused on Cartman was the seventh season's "Fat Butt And Pancake Head" which featured a cultural diversity event with presentations from the students. Cartman's entry involved the creation of a Jennifer Lopez hand puppet that wowed the judges despitehis offensive and racist impression.

Cartman's use of the puppet annoys Kyle soCartman decides to record asong as Jennifer Lopez which becomes a hit and soon attracts the attention of Ben Affleck, who enters into a relationship with Cartman's hand Jennifer Lopez. It was one of the weirdestCartman episodes in the series.

The Coon (S13 E2)

Cartman decided to become a costumed crimefighter using araccoon theme with a problematic nickname for his alter ego, which was also the title of the thirteenth season episode "The Coon" and the beginning of a multi-episode storyline that would also inspire 2017'sSouth Park: The Fractured But Wholevideo game.

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While the town of South Park doesn't seem to acknowledge Cartman's crimefighting, he soon finds a nemesis in Mysterion, whose identity reveal was drawn out for a couple of episodes as new costumed characters followed in Cartman's footsteps.

Cartoon Wars Part 1 & 2 (S10 E3-4)

Whilethis pick may seem a bit unconventional, it's tough not to be amused by Cartman's palpable hatred of rival cartoonFamily Guyin this two-part epic. As an enraged Eric himself puts it -"I am NOTHING like Family Guy!"

The episode revolves around a classic Cartman-Kyle showdown, as Eric attempts to get Fox studios to pull a controversial episode ofFamily Guy. This saga is loaded with crazy hijinx and quotable gems from Cartman, funnyFamily Guyjabs, and even a cameo fromanotherfamousanimated comedy.

Cartmanland (S5 E6)

Given the aggravation and downright abuse this troublesome kid inflicts on his friends, it's usually nice to see Cartman get his comeuppance. And there are few episodes that present him with a bigger, more well-deserved slap in the face than "Cartmanland."

This season 5 classic starts with a rather irritating plotline of Eric inheriting a vast amount of wealth, which he uses to invest in an amusement park. Not only this, but he bars others (especially Kyle) from entering, and is sure to rub it in their faces. In addition to some humorous moments and a pretty dramatic Kyle-based subplot, this one ends with a delicious twist ending that screams "poetic justice."

Probably (S4 E10)

Cartman takes on many amusing personas inSouth Park, ranging from a raccoon superhero to acaricature of Dog the Bounty Hunter. But one particularly funny rendition that stands out is his stint as an over-the-top Evangelical preacher, who implores the people ofSouth Parkto repent - or face the wrath of "gawd-ah!"

In typical Cartman fashion, his plot in establishing a new church is merely a ploy to extort the townspeople of their money and finally earn his coveted 10 million dollars. But the real highlight of this one is the love triangle between Satan, Saddam, and aman named Chris.

The Death Of Eric Cartman (S9 E6)

Given that Cartman is usually the one doing the conspiring and the razzing, it's refreshing and funny to see him at the brunt of a collective prank. The kids of South Park have had enough of him — oddly spurred by the glutton eating the chicken skins in a bucket of KFC.

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This coaxes everyone to simultaneously ignore him when he tries to talk to them. Being the naive child he is, Cartman's conclusion isn't that he's annoyed the whole town, but rather, that he must be a ghost. In aSixth Sense-esque plot, Cartman enlists the help of the evenmorenaive Butters to carry out good deeds so he may pass on in peace.

Up The Down Steroid (S8 E2)

Cartman really outdoes himself with his deplorable actions in this one,and that's saying something. But regardless of his repellent behavior— and maybe partlybecauseof it— "Up the Down Steroid" is widely regarded as one of the best Cartman episodes to date.

Basically, Cartman concocts a plot to win at the Special Olympics by pretending to be mentally challenged. Deplorable as it is, this naturally sets the stage for plenty of the controversialSouth Park-style silliness the show is known for. Yet, it also injects some clever social commentary, likening this plot to athletes using steroids.

Le Petit Tourette (S11 E8)

In yet another bout of insensitivity, Cartman decides to exploit Tourette's syndrome by pretending to have the condition. What follows is another fun showdown between Cartman and Kyle, as well as an amusing parody of Chris Hansen and his showTo Catch a Predatorfor good measure.

While the plot parallels the previous entry in some ways, this time Cartman's goals are just to be able to shout out whatever he wants and tospeak obscenities on TV, par for the course when it comes to Eric.

Casa Bonita (S7 E11)

If there's one consistent trait to Cartman aside from his foul mouth, it's his relentless determination. This classic romp dials this up to hysterically absurd levels, as Cartman's hellbent on getting to a Mexican restaurant/theme park, Casa Bonita. There's only one problem— Kyle refuses to invite himto his birthday party there. What resulted was one of the best Cartman episodes with Kyle.

Cartman's response isn't to accept defeat though, but rather, to trick Butters into holing himself up in a bomb shelter so that he might take his place. This one is full of moments of goofiness from both Butters and Cartman, along with a crazy fast-paced ending at Casa Bonita. It's a rare instance where you almost don'tmindCartman (partly) getting away with his antics, as it's all so off-the-wall.

The Passion Of The Jew (S8 E3)

Amongst all of Cartman's wacky personas, his bout of essentially emulatingHitleris one of his most memorablyinsane ones.This one tends to be controversial even for the already high standards ofSouth Park, as it involves a Mel Gibson-obsessed Cartmantrying to radicalize people throughThe Passion of the Christ.

Kyle finds himself unjustly receiving the brunt of Cartman's hatred yet again, as he pressures him to watch the film and shames him. Meanwhile, an apparently "righteous" Cartman dresses in Hitler garb while marching through the streets of South Park and rallying the townsfolk against his people.

AWESOM-O (S8 E5)

When it comes to the best Cartman episodes, this one really has it all. It sees the zany character partaking in his typical schemes and spouting off the usual goofy, raunchy rhetoric. It's got the funny dynamic between the malevolent Eric and a pure, whimsical Butters— who thinks that Cartman dressed in a cardboard box is a robot.

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Yet, it's also another satisfying example of Eric getting what's coming to him in the funniest of ways. The fact that Butter's naivety is partly whatmakesCartman suffer in this one is a humorous bit of irony.

Scott Tenorman Must Die (S5 E4)

Beyond just being aSouth Parkclassic, "Scott Tenorman Must Die" is a rare moment of glory foractualfans of Cartman, who (for whatever reason), truly wish to root for him. It's one of the few bouts where he actually comes off as the "good guy," as he takes part in a prank-based battle of wits with the ultimate bully, Scott.

There are tons of laugh-out-loud moments in this gem, from the squeamish use of a certain variety of hairto the simultaneously gross and hysterical twist ending in arguably the best Cartman episode ever.

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