For over two decades, South Park has fearlessly tackled any topic, no matter how sensitive, using its signature blend of humor, satire, and shock value. So, it's no surprise that Halloween, a night traditionally filled with dark and absurdity, fits perfectly into the show’s wheelhouse. Whether it’s Cartman plotting for candy or Randy Marsh losing his mind, South Park’s Halloween episodes consistently deliver a blend of spooky fun and biting social commentary.
While not every season offers a Halloween-themed episode (often due to scheduling), the ones that do make their mark have become fan favorites. Here’s our definitive ranking of South Park’s best Halloween episodes—from good laughs to genuinely disturbing moments.
10. "Goth Kids 3: Dawn of the Posers" (Season 17, Episode 4)
This episode is an ode to the brooding youth subcultures that South Park often parodies. Here, the Goth kids take center stage as they face an existential crisis when one of their own, Henrietta, returns from a rehab camp as an emo kid. The Goths are forced to team up with their sworn enemies, the vampire kids, to uncover a sinister plot of emo mind control, all while being haunted by the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe.
Though it barely qualifies as a Halloween episode—mentioning the holiday only in passing—this episode makes for a memorable adventure into South Park's often-overlooked subcultures. However, the humor around subculture identity and the poser debate feels a bit stretched, lacking the depth needed for a full episode. The ghost of Poe smoking cigarettes at a diner offers a delightful highlight, but it’s not enough to elevate this one higher on the list.
9. "Sons a Witches" (Season 21, Episode 6)
This episode capitalizes on South Park's ability to mix the absurd with the mundane. It’s Halloween week, and Randy Marsh and his friends are all about Witch Party Week, an annual retreat where they dress as witches and indulge in debauchery. Meanwhile, Cartman’s ongoing frustrations with his girlfriend Heidi reach new heights. When a real witch is unleashed during Randy’s retreat, it causes chaos in town, allowing Cartman to scheme his way out of his relationship.
While the witchcraft angle is a solid setup for satire—poking fun at secret organizations and overblown traditions—the episode veers a bit dark when Cartman contemplates killing Heidi. The Halloween backdrop adds enough atmosphere to classify this as a holiday episode, but overall, it’s not as memorable as some of South Park’s other spooky offerings.
8. "Tegridy Farms Halloween Special" (Season 23, Episode 5)
In typical Randy Marsh fashion, this episode revolves around his latest venture at Tegridy Farms. Randy is eager to launch a Halloween special, but his daughter Shelly remains unimpressed by his marijuana empire. On the other side of town, Butters encounters a cursed exhibit at the Denver Museum, leading to a hilariously toxic relationship with an ancient Mummy.
While Randy’s weed-centric humor tends to be hit or miss, the Butters-Mummy storyline is where the episode truly shines. This subplot channels the offbeat and absurd humor that South Park excelled at in its earlier years. Despite the Halloween setting, much of the humor in this episode isn’t directly tied to the holiday, which keeps it lower on the list.
7. "The Scoots" (Season 22, Episode 5)
With the rise of e-scooters in real life, it was only a matter of time before South Park took a swing at the trend. The kids of South Park see the scooters as a way to maximize their Halloween candy haul, but Kenny is left out due to not owning a smartphone. Meanwhile, Mr. Mackey, driven to madness by the scooters, teams up with Kenny to destroy the devices.
Though the focus is on a specific cultural trend, this episode still embraces the Halloween spirit, with candy shortages and trick-or-treating chaos taking center stage. Mr. Mackey’s frustrations combined with Kenny’s silent determination make this episode a fun, if slightly dated, commentary on tech dependency.
6. "Night of the Living Homeless" (Season 11, Episode 7)
While not explicitly a Halloween episode, this one earns a place on the list for its clever homage to classic zombie films. Homeless people overrun South Park, chanting “change” instead of “brains,” sending the townspeople into panic. The boys navigate through the chaos, trying to figure out the cause of the influx and how to stop it.
The episode’s parody of George A. Romero-style zombie flicks is spot-on, and it even includes clever references to the Dawn of the Dead remake. Despite its lack of Halloween elements, the horror tropes and social satire make this a memorable episode that fits into the holiday's spooky spirit.
5. "Spookyfish" (Season 2, Episode 15)
One of South Park’s earliest Halloween specials, "Spookyfish" leans into the supernatural. Stan receives a creepy goldfish from his Aunt Flo, which turns out to be murderous. Meanwhile, the boys encounter a parallel dimension where an alternate, much nicer Cartman exists.
The episode’s use of horror tropes, like an Indian burial ground and evil pets, is both funny and unsettling. The gag of "Spookyvision," featuring Barbra Streisand's face in the corners of the screen, adds a bizarre but amusing touch. It’s a chaotic but endearing episode that captures the essence of South Park’s early humor.
4. "Pinkeye" (Season 1, Episode 7)
This is the episode that set the bar for all future Halloween specials. After Kenny is accidentally transformed into a zombie, he spreads the infection around town. The chaos is further exacerbated when the outbreak is mistaken for a pinkeye epidemic.
The zombie narrative is both hilarious and gruesome, with plenty of nods to horror classics like Night of the Living Dead. Chef’s Thriller-inspired musical number is a standout moment, cementing this as one of the best early South Park episodes and a Halloween tradition for many fans.
3. "Korn's Groovy Pirate Ghost Mystery" (Season 3, Episode 10)
In this Halloween special, the band Korn visits South Park to solve the mystery of pirate ghosts, all while the boys dig up Kyle’s grandmother for a Halloween prank. The episode is a loving homage to Scooby-Doo, complete with cheesy dialogue, a laugh track, and an animal sidekick.
The episode’s lighthearted take on Halloween, paired with its parody of mystery-solving cartoons, makes it one of the most unique entries on the list. Korn’s guest appearance adds a fun twist, and the ridiculousness of "pirate ghosts" keeps the episode entertaining from start to finish.
2. "Hell on Earth 2006" (Season 10, Episode 9)
Satan throws a lavish Sweet 16 party in Los Angeles, complete with celebrity guests and a Ferrari cake. Meanwhile, the boys accidentally summon Biggie Smalls, who must now attend the party or risk Satan’s wrath.
This episode delivers sharp satire, blending pop culture references with Halloween hijinks. Satan’s bratty behavior, along with appearances by notorious historical figures like Ted Bundy, gives the episode a darkly comedic edge. The Three Stooges parody with Bundy, Dahmer, and Gacy is a highlight, balancing horror with South Park’s signature absurdity.
1. "A Nightmare on FaceTime" (Season 16, Episode 12)
Topping our list is this brilliant Halloween special that parodies The Shining while tackling the decline of physical media. Randy buys a Blockbuster Video store, convinced it will be a success, despite the rise of streaming. Meanwhile, Stan and the boys navigate Halloween night with Stan appearing virtually via an iPad.
This episode flawlessly mixes Halloween-themed trick-or-treating with an elaborate horror parody. Randy’s slow descent into madness, mirroring Jack Torrance in The Shining, is one of the most entertaining plotlines in South Park’s history. The Halloween atmosphere, paired with the show’s knack for satirical storytelling, makes this the best Halloween episode to date.
Conclusion: From early zombie parodies to modern-day takes on pop culture, South Park has consistently delivered strong Halloween episodes that blend horror, satire, and absurdity. Whether you're revisiting these classics or discovering them for the first time, each of these episodes offers something uniquely spooky and hilarious for the Halloween season.