The Simpsons
The Simpsons
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The Simpsons

"Just a product of society that's lost its good manners."

8.0
Yr 1989
Status Returning Series
Animation Comedy
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.

Status

Latest

  • The Simpsons teases new Marge voice actor — reported July 27, 2026
  • Marge Simpson recast for Season 38 episode — reported July 25, 2026
  • The Simpsons Season 38 set for Fall 2026 — reported July 15, 2026
Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 90 /100

Since its debut in 1989, The Simpsons has been celebrated as a landmark animated comedy that broke new ground for television. Critical consensus highlights how the series stood out immediately for its bold humor, adult jokes, and daring take on family dynamics, with early reviews praising its vivid, detailed characters as superior to many live-action sitcoms of the era.

Reviewers have frequently emphasized the show's sharp comedic pacing and impressive character development. Critics noted the series' ability to balance fast-paced animation with witty dialogue and genuine emotional resonance, from Bart's rebellious antics to Lisa's introspective outlook on life, offering material capable of engaging adults and younger audiences alike.

While largely recognized as an influential cultural phenomenon, the series also spurred conversations among family-oriented outlets regarding content. Reviewers and parents noted that its edgy humor and adult themes can vary in tone across seasons, creating mixed opinions on its appropriateness for children despite its widespread acclaim.

“The show immediately stood out for its bold humor, adult jokes, and over the top family dynamics that felt fresh and daring for its time.”

“critics from Entertainment Weekly praised its vivid, detailed characters and considered it superior to many live-action comedies of the era.”

“Clever, fast-paced cartoon with edgy humor.”

“there’s dialogue here that’s enough to keep the average adult from jumping out of the nearest window.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

FOX One Amazon Channel
US
Disney Plus
CA • US • UK
Sky Go
UK
Show 6 more
fuboTV
US
Hulu
US
Channel 4
UK
YouTube TV
US
FXNow
US
Crave
CA
Why fans love it

Since 1989, this animated sitcom has provided a consistent lens on American life. By grounding farce in the domestic chaos of the Simpson family, the show manages to balance juvenile antics with cutting social satire. It functions as a mirror to media, politics, and the suburban experience, using its premise as a platform for constant parody.

The longevity of the series relies on a vast cast of characters that allows for endless narrative combinations. Dan Castellaneta and the rest of the ensemble bring a distinct rhythm to the jokes that keeps the dysfunctional household feeling relevant across decades. The result is a persistent form of adult humor that rarely takes itself seriously while remaining sharp about the absurdities of the average town.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 6
Longest run 806 eps
Dan Castellaneta
Dan Castellaneta
as Homer Simpson / Abe Simpson / Barney Gumble / Krusty the Clown / Groundskeeper Willie / Mayor Quimby (voice)
806 episodes
Julie Kavner
Julie Kavner
as Marge Simpson / Patty Bouvier / Selma Bouvier / Jacqueline Bouvier (voice)
806 episodes
Nancy Cartwright
Nancy Cartwright
as Bart Simpson / Maggie Simpson / Nelson Muntz / Ralph Wiggum (voice)
806 episodes
Yeardley Smith
Yeardley Smith
as Lisa Simpson / Maggie Simpson (voice)
806 episodes
Hank Azaria
Hank Azaria
as Moe Szyslak / Chief Wiggum / Apu / Comic Book Guy / Carl Carlson / Superintendent Chalmers (voice)
806 episodes
Harry Shearer
Harry Shearer
as Ned Flanders / Mr. Burns / Smithers / Principal Skinner / Lenny Leonard (voice)
806 episodes
Alex Rocco
Alex Rocco
as Roger Meyers Jr. (voice)
3 episodes
Buzz Aldrin
Buzz Aldrin
as Buzz Aldrin (voice)
3 episodes
Show 67 more
Jan Hooks as Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon (voice) 7 episodes Beverly D'Angelo as Lurleen Lumpkin (voice) 3 episodes Sab Shimono as Master Sushi Chef (voice) 3 episodes Thomas Pynchon as Thomas Pynchon (voice) 3 episodes Stephen Hawking as Stephen Hawking (voice) 5 episodes Gary Coleman as Gary Coleman (voice) 4 episodes Matt Groening as Matt Groening (voice) 3 episodes David Hyde Pierce as Cecil Terwilliger (voice) 3 episodes James Earl Jones as Narrator (voice) 3 episodes Hank Williams Jr. as Canyonero Singer (voice) 3 episodes Danny DeVito as Herbert Powell (voice) 4 episodes Jane Kaczmarek as Judge Constance Harm (voice) 10 episodes Stan Lee as Stan Lee (voice) 3 episodes Scott Thompson as Grady (voice) 4 episodes Will Forte as King Toot (voice) 3 episodes Joan Kenley as Telephone Operator (voice) 3 episodes Jackie Mason as Hyman Krustofsky (voice) 12 episodes Sarah Silverman as Nikki McKenna (voice) 3 episodes Werner Herzog as Werner Herzog (voice) 4 episodes Paul Rudd as Paul Rudd (voice) 3 episodes Natasha Lyonne as Sophie (voice) 4 episodes Kipp Lennon as Leon Kompowsky (voice) 3 episodes Stacy Keach as Howard K. Duff VIII / Don Bookner (voice) 6 episodes Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob (voice) 25 episodes Marcia Wallace as Edna Krabappel / Ms. Melon (voice) 179 episodes Dana Gould as Murphy (voice) 6 episodes Pamela Reed as Ruth Powers (voice) 4 episodes Glenn Close as Mona Simpson (voice) 13 episodes Rachel Bloom as Annette (voice) 4 episodes Michael York as Mason Fairbanks (voice) 6 episodes Jay Pharoah as Drederick Tatum (voice) 4 episodes Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony (voice) 47 episodes Kerry Washington as Rayshelle Peyton (voice) 9 episodes Albert Brooks as Slick Manager (voice) 11 episodes Megan Mullally as Sarah Wiggum (voice) 6 episodes Phil Hartman as Troy McClure / Fat Tony (voice) 47 episodes Zooey Deschanel as Quirk Girl (voice) 4 episodes Eric Idle as Declan Desmond (voice) 4 episodes Charles Napier as Officer Krackney (voice) 4 episodes Russi Taylor as Martin Prince / Sherri / Terri (voice) 96 episodes Doris Grau as Della (voice) 8 episodes Jon Lovitz as Artie Ziff (voice) 20 episodes Dawnn Lewis as Court Bailiff (voice) 29 episodes Valerie Harper as Ms. Myles (voice) 7 episodes Maggie Roswell as Nurse / Miss Hoover (voice) 175 episodes Grey DeLisle as Terri / Sherri / Martin Prince (voice) 54 episodes Marcia Mitzman Gaven as Samantha (voice) 11 episodes Jenny Yokobori as (voice) 15 episodes Renee Ridgeley as Dr. Wendy Sage (voice) 4 episodes Kevin Michael Richardson as Demogorgon / Demogorgon Flanders (voice) 93 episodes Alex Désert as Carl Carlson / FBI Officer #1 (voice) 67 episodes Jo Ann Harris as Weasel (voice) 8 episodes George Takei as George Takei (voice) 5 episodes Kimberly Brooks as Lewis Clark (voice) 15 episodes Karl Wiedergott as Howell Huser (voice) 110 episodes Pamela Hayden as Ruthie / Jimbo Jones (voice) 390 episodes Maurice LaMarche as Vincent Price (voice) 26 episodes J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson (voice) 5 episodes Christopher Collins as Mr. Burns (voice) 4 episodes Tress MacNeille as Hazel (voice) 323 episodes Eric Lopez as (voice) 7 episodes Chris Edgerly as Springfield Retirement Home Receptionist (voice) 144 episodes Jonathan Lipow as Axel (voice) 5 episodes Tony Rodriguez as (voice) 13 episodes Frank Welker as Santa's Little Helper / Mr. Teeny / Hounds (voice) 7 episodes Christine Nangle as Ms. Timberwood (voice) 4 episodes Kelly MacLeod as Milhouse Van Houten (voice) 11 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where The Simpsons overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

nuclear power plant middle class cartoon satire parody dysfunctional family school adult humor social satire family adult animation sitcom kids farce
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
December 17, 1989
Status
Returning Series
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
11,046