"South Park" Surprises Fans with Unconventional Season 28 Premiere

As of October 15, 2025, "South Park" fans are in for a surprise. The beloved animated series is not returning for its 27th season as anticipated, but rather premiering the first episode of Season 28 this week.

The upcoming "Twisted Christian" episode marks the start of Season 28, an insider familiar with the matter has confirmed. This is an unusual move, as Season 27 was only 5 episodes long. However, the source has assured that a total of 10 new "South Park" episodes will be released throughout the remainder of 2025, with the remaining 5 episodes airing on October 29, November 12, November 26, and December 10.

The fluctuating episode counts and season structures are not entirely unprecedented for "South Park." The show has historically played fast and loose with its format, with season lengths ranging from 13 to 18 episodes in its early years, before settling into a 10-episode rhythm from 2013 to 2017. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this pattern, leading to shorter seasons and additional Paramount+ specials in recent years.

While the reasons behind the latest changes remain unclear, "South Park" is known for subverting audience expectations. Fans can likely expect more surprises and unconventional storytelling as the series continues to evolve in its 28th season.