The Simpsons has been on the air for over 30 years, and in that time, it has produced some truly classic episodes. Here are our picks for the 31 best Simpsons episodes of all time.
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31 best Simpsons episodes
1. Marge vs. the Monorail (Season 4, Episode 12)
In one of the most well-known and quotable episodes of The Simpsons, Springfield is duped into buying a faulty monorail from a smooth-talking salesman. Marge is the only one who seems to realize that something isn’t quite right, but she’s shouted down by the rest of the townspeople and ends up going along with the plan anyway. Of course, everything goes disastrously wrong and it’s up to Marge to save the day.
2. Homer’s Barbershop Quartet (Season 5, Episode 1)
In this season premiere, we learn that Homer was once in a barbershop quartet called The Be Sharps. The group was incredibly popular, even winning a Grammy, but they eventually broke up due to creative differences. Years later, the four members reunite for a performance at Springfield Elementary and Homer is finally able to let go of his resentment towards his former bandmates.
3. Cape Feare (Season 5, Episode 2)
“Cape Feare” is a parody of the classic film Cape Fear and it might just be the creepiest episode of The Simpsons ever made. Sideshow Bob is released from prison and sets out to kill Bart Simpson once and for all. The family goes into witness protection but even that isn’t enough to stop Bob. This episode features one of the most iconic moments in Simpsons history, with Bob chasing Bart through a field of rakes.
4. Rosebud (Season 5, Episode 4)
In “Rosebud”, Mr. Burns longs for his childhood teddy bear Bobo and will stop at nothing to get it back. Meanwhile, Homer finds out that he’s inherited a large sum of money from an unknown benefactor. It turns out that the benefactor is Mr. Burns and the money is actually just a way to get Homer to help him find Bobo. The episode culminates in a touching moment between the two men as they finally bond over their shared love of the teddy bear.
5. Bart Gets an “F” (Season 2, Episode 1)
In the season 2 premiere, Bart flunks his history test and is told that he will have to repeat the fourth grade if he doesn’t get a passing grade on his next exam. Bart is determined not to fail again but finds himself distracted by a video game called “Kick Axe II”. With the help of Lisa, Bart finally studies for the test and manages to pass, averting disaster just in time.
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6. Homer’s Odyssey (Season 1, Episode 3)
Homer gets fired from his job at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant in this early episode of The Simpsons. He then goes on a quest to find a new job, which takes him all over town. Along the way, Homer accidentally becomes a safety inspector and does his best to make the power plant a safer place to work. In the end, he’s rewarded with his old job back and a newfound respect for safety.
7. Lisa’s Substitute (Season 2, Episode 19)
In “Lisa’s Substitute”, Lisa falls in love with her substitute teacher Mr. Bergstrom. He encourages her to follow her dreams and she begins to think that he might be the father she never had. When Mr. Bergstrom suddenly leaves town, Lisa is heartbroken but realizes that she has the strength to continue on without him. This episode features one of the most memorable guest appearances on The Simpsons, with Dustin Hoffman playing Mr. Bergstrom.
8. Burns’ Heir (Season 5, Episode 3)
In “Burns’ Heir”, Mr. Burns is looking for an heir to inherit his fortune. He settles on Bart but soon realizes that he’s not quite ready for the responsibility. Bart is then sent to a military school in an attempt to make him into a disciplined young man. However, Bart eventually runs away from the school and makes his way back to Springfield. In the end, Mr. Burns decides that he doesn’t need an heir after all and gives Bart a job at the power plant.
9. Homer Goes to College (Season 5, Episode 5)
Homer is forced to go back to college in order to retain his job at the nuclear power plant in “Homer Goes to College”. He quickly discovers that he’s not exactly the best student but is determined to make the most of his time at school. This episode features one of the most iconic scenes in The Simpsons, with Homer riding a motorcycle through the quad.
10. Lisa on Ice (Season 6, Episode 8)
In “Lisa on Ice”, Lisa and Bart find themselves in competition with each other when they both join their school’s hockey team. Lisa is determined to win at all costs but Bart is just happy to be playing. The two siblings end up facing off against each other in the championship game and it’s up to Lisa to decide whether she wants to win or lose. This episode was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program.
11. Treehouse of Horror IV (Season 5, Episode 5)
“Treehouse of Horror IV” is the fourth installment of The Simpsons’ annual Halloween special. It features three segments: “The Devil and Homer Simpson”, in which Homer makes a deal with the devil; “Terror at 5½ Feet”, in which Bart is pursued by a demonic school bus; and “Bart Simpson’s Dracula”, in which Lisa and Bart travel to Romania to visit their cousin Vlad. This episode won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Primetime Animation Program.
12. Marge vs. the Monorail (Season 4, Episode 12)
In “Marge vs. the Monorail”, Springfield is given a monorail by a conman and Marge is the only one who seems to realize that it’s a bad idea. She tries to warn the townspeople but they won’t listen and she ends up being forced to ride on the monorail herself. This episode features one of The Simpsons’ most famous musical numbers, “The Monorail Song” – and is easily one of the best Simpsons episodes ever.
13. Cape Feare (Season 5, Episode 2)
“Cape Feare” is a parody of the film Cape Fear and features Sideshow Bob once again attempting to kill Bart. Bart is placed in the witness protection program and is given a new identity but Bob eventually tracks him down. This episode features one of the most acclaimed sequences in The Simpsons, with Bart being chased by Bob in a houseboat.
14. Homer’s Barbershop Quartet (Season 5, Episode 1)
In “Homer’s Barbershop Quartet”, Homer tells the story of how he became a member of a barbershop quartet called The Be Sharps. The group becomes very successful but they eventually break up and go their separate ways. This episode features guest appearances by George Harrison and Ringo Starr as themselves.
15. Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Season 6, Episode 25)
“Who Shot Mr. Burns?” is a two-part episode that was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program. In the episode, Mr. Burns is shot and the townspeople of Springfield are all suspect. The police launch a investigation and eventually arrest someone but the true identity of the shooter is not revealed until the end of the episode.
16. Sweets and Sour Marge (Season 8, Episode 3)
In “Sweets and Sour Marge”, Marge becomes obsessed with healthy eating after she learns that sugar is bad for you. She then starts a campaign to get rid of all the sugar in Springfield but her efforts end up causing a riot. This episode features guest appearances by Rush Limbaugh and Dr. Joyce Brothers as themselves.
17. Homer’s Enemy (Season 8, Episode 23)
“Homer’s Enemy” is considered by many to be one of the best episodes of The Simpsons. In the episode, Homer gets a new co-worker named Frank Grimes who quickly becomes disgusted with Homer’s unprofessional behavior. Grimes eventually snaps and tries to kill Homer but he ends up electrocuting himself. This episode won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Animation Program.
18. Mother Simpson (Season 7, Episode 8)
In “Mother Simpson”, Homer learns that his long-lost mother is still alive and living in Springfield. He goes to visit her but discovers that she is part of a group of fugitives who are on the run from the law. This episode features guest appearances by Glenn Close and Danny DeVito as themselves – and is easily one of the best Simpsons episodes ever.
19. Sideshow Bob Roberts (Season 6, Episode 5)
“Sideshow Bob Roberts” is a political satire that features Sideshow Bob running for office. He is elected but it quickly becomes apparent that he is a corrupt politician who is only interested in power. This episode won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Primetime Animation Program.
20. The PTA Disbands (Season 7, Episode 12)
In “The PTA Disbands”, the teachers of Springfield go on strike and the parents are forced to take over the school. The school quickly descends into chaos and the parents eventually vote to disband the PTA. This episode was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program.
21. Lisa the Vegetarian (Season 7, Episode 5)
In “Lisa the Vegetarian”, Lisa decides to become a vegetarian after she bonds with a lamb at a petting zoo. Her decision is met with resistance from her family and friends but she eventually sticks to her convictions. This episode features guest appearances by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney as themselves.
22. Two Bad Neighbors (Season 7, Episode 13)
In “Two Bad Neighbors”, Homer becomes buddies with former President George H. W. Bush who moves into the neighborhood. Their friendship quickly sours when Homer realizes that Bush is a pompous jerk. This episode won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program.
23. The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show (Season 8, Episode 14)
In “The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show”, the producers of The Itchy & Scratchy Show decide to add a new character named Poochie in an attempt to boost ratings. The character is an immediate flop and he is quickly dropped from the show. This episode features guest appearances by Maurice LaMarche and Phil Hartman as themselves.
24. When You Dish Upon a Star (Season 10, Episode 4)
In “When You Dish Upon a Star”, Homer becomes the personal assistant to Hollywood celebrities Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger. He quickly discovers that they are not as nice as they seem and he ends up getting them in trouble. This episode features guest appearances by Baldwin and Basinger as themselves.
25. The Simpsons Movie (2007)
The Simpsons Movie is a feature-length film that was released in theaters in 2007. The movie sees Homer accidentally causing environmental disaster in Springfield and the townspeople turning against him. The family then has to go on the run from the angry mob. The movie was a box office success and it received positive reviews from critics.
26. “Bart’s Comet” (Season 6, Episode 14)
In this episode, Bart discovers a comet, which is headed for Springfield. While the town panics, Bart tries to enjoy his 15 minutes of fame. This episode is a great example of The Simpsons’ ability to mix comedy with heartwarming moments.
27. “Lisa’s Wedding” (Season 6, Episode 19)
This episode takes place in the future, where Lisa is attending her college graduation. She then finds out that she is engaged to be married to a wealthy man whom she does not love. This episode is a touching look at Lisa’s relationship with her family and her own personal growth.
28. “Trash of the Titans” (Season 9, Episode 22)
In this episode, Homer becomes Springfield’s sanitation commissioner and quickly learns that the job is more difficult than it seems. This episode features one of the best musical numbers in The Simpsons’ history, “The Garbage Man Can.”
29. “King-Size Homer” (Season 7, Episode 7)
In this episode, Homer attempts to gain weight so that he can qualify for disability and work from home. This episode is a hilarious look at the lengths that people will go to in order to avoid work.
30. “Homer The Great” (Season 6, Episode 12)
In this episode, Homer becomes the leader of a secret society of elite drinkers known as The Stonecutters. This episode is a classic Simpsons satire of elitist organizations and their absurd rituals – and is easily one of the best Simpsons episodes ever.
31. “Bart vs. Australia” (Season 6, Episode 16)
In this episode, Bart makes an enemy of Australia after prank calling the Australian prime minister. This episode is a brilliant satire of Australia and its customs, and it features one of the best guest appearances by an Australian actor on The Simpsons.