Best Episodes
The Simpsons is an iconic American show that has been airing since 1989 on FOX. Set in the average American town of Springfield, the show follows the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family. Over the 36 seasons of the show, there have been many memorable episodes that have made The Simpsons a household name. Here we will rank the best episodes of The Simpsons, from the highest to the lowest rated.
The Simpsons is filled with comedy, satire and commentary directed at politics, media and American life. It has attracted hundreds of celebrities to guest star in the show, making it even more popular. With so many great episodes, it can be hard to pick out the best. Here we will rank the top episodes based on their ratings, reviews and overall popularity.
So sit back and enjoy this list of the best episodes of The Simpsons, ranked from highest to lowest. There is sure to be something here to satisfy everyone, so let’s get started!
Written by Sophie and last updated on dec 20, 2024.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
When Marge's car falls into a sink hole, she buys the perfect replacement to fit her family of five. But she quickly grows to hate it because, as she tells a shocked Homer, the car would be too small if she wanted to have another baby. Meanwhile, Bart and his friends are determined to find out what secret Lisa is keeping when Bart finds her cryptic messages and follows her sneaking off downtown for covert meetings after school.
The episode was rated 7.35 from 829 votes.
Bart and Milhouse explore the perks of adulthood following a shaving experiment.
The episode was rated 7.41 from 618 votes.
Homer joins the "Springfield Preppers," an off-the-grid survivalist group whose leader has set up a top-secret retreat outside of town to prepare for the end of the world.
The episode was rated 7.43 from 704 votes.
Marge encourages Bart to explore his creative side, and his initial reticence quickly subsides when she hires Slava’s beautiful daughter, Zhenya, as his new piano instructor. Homer is shocked when he loses the last two hairs on his head, and employs a wide variety of headgear to try and keep his new found baldness a secret from Marge.
The episode was rated 7.44 from 698 votes.
Moe is flying high after venture capitalists take a shine to his homemade whiskey, while Grampa, after injuring himself babysitting Bart, decides he'd rather be looked after by his grandson than be at the nursing home. Also, Lisa voices her displeasure at a hologram of music legend Bleeding Gums Murphy, and Sonny Rollins (as himself) shows up to ask her to stop all that jazz about boycotting a record label.
The episode was rated 7.44 from 709 votes.
Homer is recruited to be a deacon by the cutting-edge new pastor. The dry cleaner mistakenly switches Marge's wedding dress for one of Krusty's costumes.
The episode was rated 7.45 from 723 votes.
The fate of Springfield Elementary rests on Bart and his test scores, and Homer finds way to make money with his own parking meter.
The episode was rated 7.46 from 697 votes.
Homer's behavior once again lands him in hot water with Marge and he needs to fathom a way to save his marriage, while a dose of "A Streetcar Named Desire" drives Milhouse to affect a Marlon Brando-esque bad-boy demeanor in an effort to impress Lisa.
The episode was rated 7.46 from 728 votes.
When Flanders' parents prove to prefer Homer's company to his, he jealously responds by giving Homer a shiner, and then tries desperately to reconcile with him. Meanwhile, Lisa is at a loss to understand why a new substitute teacher is bullying her for no obvious reason.
The episode was rated 7.50 from 638 votes.
Grampa has to move into the Simpsons house following a fire at the retirement home, and on moving day, Homer 'throws his back out' and 'rests' at home. He later finds an advert for a video game, Villageville on his myPad, and starts playing. During that time, Homer loses Santa's Little Helper. When the family find him, Homer doesn't seem to care because he's "not a dog person". Grampa later tells the rest of the family the story of Homer's childhood companion, pet dog Bongo.
The episode was rated 7.50 from 638 votes.
A black hole threatens to swallow Springfield, Homer tries to find the source of paranormal activity, and a "Back to the Future" parody in which Bart keeps Marge from marrying Homer.
The episode was rated 7.56 from 971 votes.
Homer, Moe, Lenny and Carl win $200,000 in the Springfield Lottery. But when Carl takes off to Iceland – his homeland – with all the winnings, the guys embark on a Nordic adventure to get the cash back.
The episode was rated 7.60 from 757 votes.
A "cool family" from Portland moves in next door to the Simpsons. Homer is desperate to befriend them, while Marge is skeptical, thinking that being cool is not all it's cracked up to be.
The episode was rated 7.60 from 740 votes.
Springfield's Easter is ruined by a prank and all fingers point to Bart. It is up to Lisa to save her brother, in a student court presided over by Attorney General Janet Reno. Meanwhile, inspired by an old comic book, Mr. Burns becomes an ineffectual superhero—fruit bat man.
The episode was rated 7.66 from 729 votes.
When Marge tries to buy Homer snack cakes for their anniversary, she winds up meeting a married man who shares a common love of British Television. Ignorant of all, Homer attempts to secretly construct a romantic anniversary train in the Simpsons back yard.
The episode was rated 7.66 from 733 votes.
