From its humble beginnings on the Tracey Ullman Show to becoming one of the longest-running TV shows of all time, The Simpsons has been making audiences laugh for over three decades. During that time, the show has given us tonnes of iconic characters, hilarious moments and so many memorable quotes that it could very easily be its own list.
So to celebrate this milestone and the launch of the show’s 35th season on Disney+ this October, here are the 35 best episodes of The Simpsons…according to us. Which is quite the task considering there’s over 700 episodes to choose from.
35. Barthood (S27,E9)
It is widely considered that the overall quality of The Simpsons took a drastic dip after its apparent ‘golden age’, but this statement is greatly detrimental to all the amazing episodes that came in the show’s later seasons such as this fantastic parody of Richard Linklater’s 2014 film Boyhood. This episode manages to add many layers to the relationships Bart has with his family in ways that could only be done by borrowing the format of the aforementioned Linklater film.
34. Guess Who’s Coming to Criticize Dinner? (S11,E3)
Episodes centred around Homer’s shenanigans can lead to some of the show’s best, and sometimes weakest, outings. Thankfully, this is definitely one of the better ones. From Homer’s road rage at an ambulance to the deadly éclair, this is a great episode that doesn’t get talked about nearly as much as it should.
33. Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (S1,E1)
Released on 17th December 1989, Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire is the one that started it all. Whereas most TV shows can take a few episodes or even seasons to find their identity, The Simpsons managed to do it right out of the gate. Though the character dynamics, jokes and storytelling would all be refined with later seasons, there’s no denying that almost everything we know and love about the show is here in this festive debut.
32. Bart vs Australia (S6,E16)
Throughout the show’s run, the Simpsons have visited/mocked a wide variety of countries, from England to Africa to France and even Brazil. However, one of the show’s most iconic visits to another country is in this Bart centred episode which starts with an innocent prank and ends up with him almost destroying relations between America and Australia in the process.
31. Brick Like Me (S25,E20)
Every now and then The Simpsons will find a way to experiment with either its structure or animation in new and interesting ways. Most of the time this is saved for Treehouse of Horror Halloween specials but occasionally they will change things up during a standard episode like with this LEGO themed story of Homer’s attempts to spend more one on one time with Lisa.
30. Hurricane Neddy (S8,E8)
Ned Flanders has always been one of the most likeable characters in the show, so to see him finally snap at everybody in glorious fashion here is both cathartic and a little bit heartbreaking. The episode keeps things humorous whilst letting this beloved character air out his grievances that have been built up for many years…especially with Homer.
29. Bart of Darkness (S6,E1)
Who knew The Simpsons parodying Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window would be this good? This is another fantastic episode filled with some of Bart and Lisa’s funniest moments as well as a running joke featuring Martin that results in one of the best pay-offs of any bit in the whole show.
28. Homer’s Barbershop Quartet (S5,E1)
Out of all the things you would expect The Simpsons to cover in an episode, the entire career of The Beatles isn’t necessarily one of them. However, that is what this episode does and it does it well. Whether you’re a Beatles fan or not, there is still a lot of comedy gold to be found here as well as verbal and visual references that will please any admirers of the fab four.
27. Itchy and Scratchy Land (S6,E4)
This is one of those episodes everyone remembers watching as a kid. The Jurassic Park style entrance to the island, the Disneyland inspired sections of the theme park and the perilous attractions, Itchy and Scratchy Land is one of those episodes that delivers on being both fun and memorable. Just remember to pick up your Bort licence plates on the way out.
26. Mr. Plow (S4,E9)
To say this episode is a classic is an understatement. As soon as you read the title you’re immediately singing the jingle, which shows just how impactful this one is. It’s incredibly rewatchable and filled with plenty of quotable lines.
25. To Surveil with Love (S21,E20)
Yet another example of how good some of the later seasons can be, To Surveil with Love uses a simple concept that escalates in hilarity the deeper into it goes. Though Ned is mostly at the centre of this one, the episode still manages to give characters such as Marge, Bart and Lisa their chances to shine.
24. A Milhouse Divided (S8,E6)
Despite the tensions that drive this episode, its comedic genius is at an all time high and can be summed up with one simple exchange between Kirk and Homer. Kirk: I sleep in a racing car. Do you? Homer: I sleep in a big bed with my wife.
23. I Love Lisa (S4,E15)
Arguably one of the most heartbreaking episodes the show has given us, I Love Lisa is a great example of the show working wonders with its characters and thematic core. It still supplies the laughs when it needs to but most importantly, this episode continues to be endearing on every rewatch.
22. Who Shot Mr. Burns?: Parts 1 & 2 (S6,E25/S7,E1)
The first of a handful of two-parters the show would attempt yet this one still remains the most talked about. Everyone remembers their first time watching this whodunnit. Whether you watched it when it first aired or only recently saw it for the first time, this story brilliantly brings all of the inhabitants of Springfield together and keeps the audience guessing right up to the big reveal.
21. Lisa The Vegetarian (S7,E5)
Some of the most profound episodes of The Simpsons tend to focus on Lisa. Stark Raving Dad, Lisa’s Sax and Lisa The Simpson, to name a few, are all great show Lisa’s growth as a character as well as strengthening her relationship with others and nowhere is this more apparent and handled best than in this classic episode that sees, as the title suggests, Lisa becoming a vegetarian much to the confusion of the rest of the family.
20. Marge vs the Monorail (S4,E12)
One of the most beloved episodes of the entire show and for good reason. Marge vs the Monorail is a non-stop burst of great jokes, classic moments and of course impeccable musical numbers. All courtesy of Conan O’Brien who outdoes himself on writing duty here.
19. A Serious Flanders: Parts 1 & 2 (S33,E6/7)
This Coen brothers homage is some of the best storytelling The Simpsons has ever attempted. It handles everything with a clear sense of maturity and commitment, the jokes are sparse but still effective and it arguably does Fargo better than Fargo. Yes, that is a bold statement but when it’s done this well it’s hard to ignore.
18. King-Size Homer (S7,E7)
Cited by many as the show’s best episode, King-Size Homer offers a laugh a minute with sharp writing and visual gags that remain some of the funniest the show has ever put to screen including, but not limited to, the sight of Homer in a brightly coloured muumuu frantically driving an ice cream truck before the reactor at the nuclear power plant blows up.
17. 30 Minutes Over Tokyo (S10,E23)
When the Simpsons travel to another country, there is no limit to how many jokes will be made at that nationality’s expense and how far they are willing to go. This episode for instance rides a very thin line between mocking Japanese stereotypes and subverting them in ways only this show can get away with. It can be quite a bizarre episode at times but it delivers constant laughs whilst paying homage to Japan in its own unique way.
16. Homer’s Phobia (S8,E15)
Occasionally the show can use episodes to tackle sensitive topics to varying degrees of success. Homer’s Phobia is arguably one of the best examples of this, proven by the fact it won four Emmys, as the writing does a good job of balancing the right amount of comedy with a mature understanding and resolution for Homer’s initial homophobic reactions to the John Waters’ voiced character. It’s a funny and very well done episode considering what it is attempting to address.
15. Treehouse of Horror VI (S7,E6)
Trying to choose a favourite Treehouse of Horror episode is a near impossible task as there are so many good ones to pick from throughout the show’s 35 year run. However, this sixth instalment of the annual Halloween showcase is one of the most memorable to date with its Groundskeeper Willie take on A Nightmare on Elm Street to the famous Homer3 story which sees the show delve into 3D animation for the first time.
14. Trilogy of Error (S12,E18)
As previously mentioned, the show can sometimes play around with its own format to create unique stories within the usual things you would see in a regular Simpsons episode. Trilogy of Error is one of those instances where the show revels in experimenting with overlapping storylines, non-linear storytelling and even squeezing in the odd film spoof along the way. The end result is a brilliant episode that weaves in and out of multiple narratives in a manner that feels seamlessly executed.
13. Marge Be Not Proud (S7,E11)
Outside of the comedy, The Simpsons can often display a lot of heart in its writing and themes and Marge Be Not Proud is an episode that wears that very confidently on its sleeve…or more appropriately inside its hoodie. Though it still features some very well integrated jokes, it is the core message of forgiveness and owning up to one’s actions that really makes this such a memorably tender episode.
12. And Maggie Makes Three (S6,E13)
The words ‘do it for her’ will immediately tug at the heartstrings of any longtime Simpsons fan thanks to this beautifully realised episode. It’s one that puts Homer and Marge through their limits but in the end reminds us how committed they are as parents despite the many ups and downs they’ve gone through.
11. Homer’s Enemy (S8,E23)
Never before has a one-off character made such an impact on a show as Frank Grimes did in this singular episode. Homer’s Enemy is the peak of comedic genius when it comes to playing with audience versus character expectations. The constant dumbfoundedness of Grimes as Homer continues to just be himself leads to arguably the most sudden and genuinely gut-busting deaths of any character in the show’s history.
10. The Springfield Files (S8,E10)
If you thought a Simpsons crossover with The X-Files of all shows would be dated by today’s standard, then think again. This episode still works wonders if you’re an X-Files fan or not with tonnes of great gags and subtle nods to other franchises such as Star Trek, Looney Tunes and Star Wars.
9. Lisa’s First Word (S4,E10)
Many episodes have looked into the relationship between Bart and Lisa to profound effect, but one of the most touching instances in the show’s run comes in the form of this humorous and heartfelt flashback episode. Lisa’s First Word is a beautiful reminder of what the show is capable of when it puts its characters before its comedy. It will still manage to make you laugh in places, but it will also have you going ‘aww’ in its final moments.
8. You Only Move Twice (S8,E2)
You probably remember this episode for one reason and one reason only…Hank Scorpio. Brought manically to life by Albert Brooks, who would return as the equally deranged Russ Cargill for The Simpsons Movie, Scorpio is one of this episode’s many highlights alongside a plethora of iconic visual gags and playful dialogue driven jokes.
7. Treehouse of Horror V (S6,E6)
There have been many classic Treehouse of Horror episodes over the years, but none more so than this fifth instalment of the now iconic Halloween special. This one includes Homer travelling through time with a toaster, the teachers of Springfield Elementary attempting to eat the children and, most famously, a near perfect parody of The Shining done with a well placed sprinkling of bonkers Simpsons humour.
6. Bart on the Road (S7,E20)
Bart, Milhouse, Nelson and Martin use a fake driver’s licence to go on a road trip. Such a simple concept that is brimming with comedic potential that the writers take full advantage of during this often overlooked episode. This episode knows exactly what it is and works within its constraints resulting in some fantastically simple, but effective jokes.
5. 22 Short Films About Springfield (S7,E21)
What could have easily been a beat for beat rip-off of Pulp Fiction actually ended up resulting in an episode that gave the writers room to breathe in more ways than one. Over the course of a series of vignettes varying in absurdity and simplicity, this episode features so many iconic moments that range from a dinner between Skinner and Superintendent Chalmers that gradually increases in stupidity to Milhouse being denied the use of the Android’s Dungeon bathroom…and it does all of this while still managing to fit in a few references to the aforementioned Tarantino classic.
4. Sweet Seymour Skinner’s Baadasssss Song (S5,E19)
The rivalry between Principal Skinner and Bart is one of the show’s most tried and tested comedic angles. When in doubt, a good old Skinner prank always does the trick. However, this episode does a fantastic job of conveying the unlikely friendship of these two characters while also perfectly diving into why one can’t work without the other.
3. The City of New York vs Homer Simpson (S9,E1)
After Barney drunkenly leaves Homer’s car illegally parked between the Twin Towers, Homer must pick up his car within 72 hours before it is destroyed. From that initial setup, what follows is a barrage of top tier visual jokes that continually outdoes itself with each new gag. From Homer’s rage fuelled attempts to remove the clamp on his wheel to the ridiculous amounts of khlav kalash and crab juice that he consumes, The City of New York vs Homer Simpson is, and always will be, one of the finest examples of animated comedy to ever grace TV screens.
2. A Star is Burns (S6,E18)
If you ever want to watch an episode that showcases the sheer comedic range The Simpsons can achieve, look no further than A Star is Burns. Using the premise of a film festival in Springfield allows side characters to work their magic and also gives way to some of the funniest moments in the history of the show. Whether it’s man getting hit by football, Barney Gumble’s poetic black and white short film or Eudora Welty’s impressively loud off-screen belches, this really is an episode that keeps on giving no matter how many times you watch it.
1. Cape Feare (S5,E2)
Cape Feare has been a fan favourite for many years and it’s easy to see why. In one episode you get a clear grasp of the long running dynamic between Sideshow Bob and Bart whilst also using clever ways to ramp up Bart’s growing paranoia. This episode also serves as a surprisingly faithful spoof of Martin Scorcese’s Cape Fear, but it can be equally as enjoyed even if you’ve never seen said film as it supplies joke after joke after joke that all hit their respective marks as consistently as rakes have hit Sideshow Bob’s face.
You can watch all of these classic The Simpsons episodes and more on Disney+, where the all new 35th season will debut on October 2nd.
