The South Park Movie Gets 25th Anniversary New Release

It’s hard to imagine that 25 years have passed since South Park released its sole big screen effort, South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, a title which is both literally accurate and also a penis pun. While it was able to get away with quite a lot in its late-night slot on Comedy Central, the confines of cable meant that creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone couldn’t do — or say — certain things. The theatrical release gave them the opportunity to get as indulgent as they’d like, and after a weak second season, the movie revitalized the show and ultimately strengthened South Park as a cultural institution.

The 25th Anniversary edition of South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut contains a wonderful commentary track, but it’s one that’s already been out and available. Aside from a basic music video and trailer, the best aspect of the release is an alternate Sing-A-Long Version which makes for great fun for a group of friends and fans. The 4K UHD transfer doesn’t help the semi-intentionally crude and rudimentary animation much (except for the awesome scenes in Hell and the final battle of the film). Meanwhile, the 20th anniversary 4K UHD release of Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Team America: World Police is full of great special features and looks phenomenal.

So the most interesting thing about the South Park movie’s new release (which is also in select theaters today, June 26, find showtimes and tickets here) isn’t exactly its contents, but the opportunity the anniversary affords to compare the cultural moment we’re in now with the state of culture in 1999. Fortunately, the film holds up.

South Park Goes to Hell and Back

South Park Bigger Longer and Uncut Movie Poster

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)

4.5/5

From the minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut is an adult animated comedy film released in 1999. All hell breaks loose when Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny sneak into an R-rated film that features their favorite Canadian comedic duo, leading their parents (and the U.S. Military) to declare war against Canada to censor their naughty language.

Release Date: June 30, 1999
Runtime: 1h 21m
Studio(s): Comedy Central Films , Scott Rudin Productions
Distributor(s): Paramount Pictures

South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut was Parker and Stone’s chance to comment on the controversy that their TV show generated, with parents and politicians decrying the show as a bad influence and blaming it for social malaise. They had built self-reflexive commentary into the show ever since the sixth episode of the first season, “Death,” which features the fictional Terrance and Phillip, a Canadian comedy duo with a profane and fart-heavy TV show that the kids love, a la South Park.

The film takes it to an exaggerated level, following an outbreak of profanity that occurs in the town of South Park after Terrance and Phillip release an R-rated movie, Asses of Fire, which includes catchy songs like “Uncle F**ka.” Soon, all the kids are dropping the F-bomb, something they couldn’t do on Comedy Central. The outraged parents get together and, instead of actually parenting their children, decide to blame Canada and go to war with the country (resulting in the Oscar-nominated song, “Blame Canada”).

Meanwhile, Kenny is killed as always (you bastards), and is sent to Hell where Satan is in an abusive relationship with Saddam Hussein. Their sex life is great, but Saddam is clearly using him and treats him like crap. They’re closely monitoring events in South Park, because one of the signs of the apocalypse is a war with Canada and the spilled blood of Terrance and Phillip; once that happens, they can reign on Earth, and Saddam will clearly crown himself king over Satan. Keep an ear out for Metallica’s singer, James Hetfield, screaming Hell’s theme song. The movie also has ridiculous cameos from George Clooney, Minnie Driver, Dave Foley, Mike Judge, and, of course, Isaac Hayes as Chef.

10 South Park Characters Who Were Retired From the Show (And Why)

Some of South Park’s most popular characters have appeared on the show since day one. Other characters came and went quickly.

A Musical Must-Watch That Spits in the Face of Cancel Culture Doomsayers

Perhaps the biggest surprise about the film is that it’s a legitimate musical, taking structural notes from Broadway musicals like Oklahoma! and South Pacific, not to mention Disney movies. It all adds to the inherent gimmick of South Park — the incongruity of children saying really bad things; here, it’s peppy, old-fashioned musical numbers filled with profanity and absurdity. And the songs are fantastic, from Cartman singing “Kyle’s Mom’s a B*tch” to Big Gay Al’s “I’m Super.” You can sing along to these songs with the new release (and see it in theaters tonight).

What Makes Each Episode of South Park Season 1 Important

South Park has a massive cast of characters and an incredibly fleshed-out world. But that takes time. And Season 1 got the ball rolling in a big way.

And the thing is, if you really pay attention, it’s not really offensive. It’s a testament to the love of comedy and art in this country and our nation’s (sometimes precarious) free speech that South Park has been on the air for so long. People have been profiting off of the false alarm of cancel culture and political correctness for so long, from Bill Maher to Tim Pool, that it’s important to remember how popular South Park is, how the movie was nominated for an Oscar (and “Blame Canada” was performed at the ceremony), and how we’re celebrating it 25 years later. To people who whine about cancel culture — grow up and watch South Park.

Don’t Forget Team America: World Police

Check out the new 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray combo of Team America: World Police as well, which includes access to a Digital copy of the film, the Uncensored and Unrated cut of the film on Blu-ray, as well as the following legacy bonus content: