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 letβs get started!
Written by Sophie and last updated on dec 08, 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!
The Simpson household's overrun with puppies--the offspring of Santa's Little Helper and his new girlfriend from which Mr. Burns would love to make a greyhound-skin tuxedo.
The episode was rated 7.81 from 562 votes.
Stuck in his room with a broken leg, Bart hears a high-pitched scream. When he looks through his telescope, he sees a guilty Ned Flanders burying the evidence.
The episode was rated 7.84 from 914 votes.
Mayor Quimby pardons attempted murderer Sideshow Bob, who then runs against Quimby for mayor.
The episode was rated 7.84 from 661 votes.
A fortuneteller predicts Lisa's engagement and wedding to a fellow student from an upper-crust British family.
The episode was rated 7.88 from 606 votes.
Krusty the Clown's reckless spending forces him to open a clown college to keep afloat. New graduate Homer discovers the perks and perils of being Krusty.
The episode was rated 7.94 from 654 votes.
Lisa's surprising ability at hockey spawns jealousy in Bart and a showdown when their teams meet.
The episode was rated 7.95 from 710 votes.
After tricking an Australian boy into accepting a collect call, Bart flies Down Under to apologize.
The episode was rated 7.96 from 669 votes.
The family's trip to Itchy & Scratchy Land takes an unexpected turn when high-tech robots malfunction and become violent.
The episode was rated 8.03 from 796 votes.
In "Homer Badman," an episode of the long-running animated series The Simpsons, Homer finds himself in hot water after an innocent misunderstanding. Homer is trying to retrieve a gummy candy from the babysitter's pants, but the babysitter mistakes his intentions and the town turns against him.
In this episode, Homer's blunder leads to a media frenzy, with the townspeople believing he is a sexual predator. Homer quickly finds himself in over his head and must rely on the help of his family to get out of the situation. In the end, Homer's innocence is proven and the townspeople reluctantly accept him back.
This episode of The Simpsons is a hilarious look at how a misunderstanding can quickly spiral out of control. It's a classic example of the show's combination of biting satire and goofy humour, and it's an excellent example of why the show has remained so popular for so long.
The episode was rated 8.03 from 738 votes.
The Simpsons episode "Lemon of Troy" is an iconic episode that injects some great comedy and social commentary into the rivalry between Springfield and Shelbyville. The episode begins with Shelbyville kids stealing Springfield's prized lemon tree, which is seen as a symbol of their rivalry. This sparks Bart and the other Springfield kids on a quest to reclaim the tree.
The episode is full of great comedy, from running gags such as the use of Roman numerals, to great character-based humor like Nelson and Martin having to team up. Even Homer gets in on the act, as we see his use of Ned's RV to get to Shelbyville. It is also an interesting take on how kids see the world and the lessons they learn from their parents. "Lemon of Troy" is an iconic episode that is full of great comedy, social commentary, and an amusing take on how kids view the world.
The episode was rated 8.06 from 633 votes.
The Simpsons episode, "Bart's Comet" is one of those platonic ideals of a Simpsons episode. It is full of hilarious moments, off-the-wall gags, and mob mentality humor. The opening act showcases Bart and Skinner, with the latter giving into his young prankster ways and the latter succumbing to his sad sack squareness. It then transitions into a satire of how people respond to a crisis, from hubris to despair and desperation, and finally with community. The clockwork perfection of the comet destroying the weather balloon and bomb shelter is wonderful, and the jokes never stop hitting. Furthermore, it also contains asides about military spending and congressional ineptitude. Although there is no Bond villain or flashbacks or attacks from Sideshow Bob, the humor is so dense, and the satire so well-observed, that it becomes an all-timer.
The episode also features a lovely bit of heart. It culminates with a sweet "Que Sera Sera" moment, during which the entire town shows up at the Flanders family bomb shelter. It also includes Homer's delightful thumb-twiddling song, the animal noise guessing game, and the "Never give up, never think things out" spirit of Springfield. All of these elements combine to make an episode that is not only hilarious from start to finish, but also contains great moments of character-based humor and satire.
The episode was rated 8.08 from 671 votes.
The Simpsons episode "And Maggie Makes Three" tells the story of the birth of the youngest of the Simpson family, Maggie. In a series of flashbacks, the audience is taken through the events leading up to her birth, beginning with Homer quitting his job at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant to pursue his dream of working at a bowling alley. It is then that Marge reveals her pregnancy, much to the surprise of the family.
The episode is filled with emotion as it captures the true importance of family, particularly in Homer's case when he realizes what matters most to him. This is demonstrated in the episode's tagline "Do it for her" which had viewers in tears. The wholesomeness of the episode is further highlighted when the audience is taken back to the present day, where we learn that the lack of pictures of Maggie in the photo album is what spurred the story in the first place.
The episode was rated 8.12 from 662 votes.
Treehouse of Horror V is a beloved episode from the classic show The Simpsons. It is considered by many to be one of the best Treehouse of Horror episodes, and it is certainly a classic. This episode revolves around a lack of beer and cable TV driving Homer to become a crazed killer, a time-traveling Homer who alters the present, and Principal Skinner turning detention students into food.
The episode has a great mix of horror and comedy, giving it a unique and memorable feeling. The plot is twisted and unexpected, while still maintaining a sense of fun. It is also quite timely, as it can still be enjoyed today. The last story in particular is particularly sick, but in a good way. All in all, Treehouse of Horror V is an amazing episode, and is well worth a watch!
The episode was rated 8.16 from 972 votes.
In "Homer the Great", Homer discovers a secret society of Stonecutters and is welcomed with open arms as their Chosen One, much to his surprise. Despite the absurdity of the events that unfold in this episode, its success lies in its ability to make the audience sympathize with Homer's emotional journey, from feeling excluded to feeling accepted, and ultimately feeling emptiness and fulfillment. Despite its lack of continuity, its off-the-wall lunacy is rooted in Homer's emotions, making the episode feel real enough to work. Additionally, the episode is filled with plenty of humor, making it a classic among Simpsons fans.
The episode is a prime example of how, if you make your characters' emotions real enough and the resulting craziness funny enough, you can get away with stretching the boundaries of reality. The audience feels Homer's sadness at being ostracized and his excitement at being welcomed into the brotherhood of the Stonecutters. We understand his spiritual emptiness when he realizes getting what he wants isn't making him happy and his spiritual fulfillment when he uses his power and position for good. This is all brought to life with plenty of jokes and gags, making the episode a wild ride of emotions, reality-breaking lunacy and humor.
The episode was rated 8.24 from 762 votes.
The first part of the season finale of The Simpsons, "Who Shot Mr. Burns?", introduces Mr. Burns as a villain when he steals the oil discovered beneath Springfield Elementary. His actions leave him with many enemies, providing the perfect set-up for the cliffhanger ending of the episode. This episode is widely considered to be one of the best season finales of the entire show, with some viewers even calling it the pinnacle of The Simpsons. The episode is suspenseful and well-crafted, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats as they anxiously await the answer to the question, "Who shot Mr. Burns?"
The episode is full of memorable moments. Aside from the main plot of trying to figure out who shot Mr. Burns, the episode also features some classic moments of comedic gold. From Bart and Lisa's investigations to the townspeople's reactions, the episode is full of laughs and surprises. It's no wonder why this episode is so highly praised. It's a great example of why The Simpsons is one of the most beloved shows of all time.
The episode was rated 8.25 from 691 votes.
Welcome to our community!
We are a community of women who are passionate about our favorite series and want to share that passion with others.
Our mission is to create a space where women can discover new content, connect with like-minded individuals, and engage in meaningful discussions about the series we love.
We believe that everyone should have access to reliable and trustworthy information about their favorite shows, and we strive to be the premier destination for women seeking that information. Whether you're looking for recaps, fan theories, or just want to connect with other fans, we've got you covered.
So join us and be a part of our growing community of series enthusiasts!