What is The Simpsons about?

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...

The Simpsons

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

TV Show TV-PG 1989 22m/ep 8.0 /10 Returning

A FOX Original

Created by Matt Groening

Stream Now

Where to Watch "The Simpsons"

Stream with Subscription

Rent or Buy

Not Currently Available On (6 platforms)

Streaming availability last verified: February 01, 2026

About The Simpsons

Set in the fictional town of Springfield, the series follows the Simpson family as they move through everyday life with a steady stream of misadventures. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and baby Maggie face minor crises, big misunderstandings and absurd situations that range from home-front comedy to satirical set pieces. A vast ensemble of supporting characters and rotating celebrity guests keeps the town feeling alive, and episodes often switch tone from slapstick to pointed commentary within a single story. The show presents family dynamics alongside broader takes on politics, media and consumer culture, without relying on serialized plot twists or dramatic finales.

Created by Matt Groening, the animated sitcom premiered in 1989 and features a core voice cast including Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria, who bring dozens of recurring characters to life.

Over its long run the series has earned numerous Emmy Awards and other industry honors, accumulating critical recognition across decades for its writing, voice performances and animation work.

As a pop culture fixture, the show has popularized catchphrases like "D'oh!" and produced scenes and characters that are widely referenced in other media. Its format, guest star roll call and recurring town landmarks have become templates for animated sitcoms, and episodes frequently enter public conversation around topical events.

Critical reception has been strong, with an average user rating of 8.0/10 from over 10,000 votes, and reviewers often praise the show's mix of broad comedy and satirical bite. Thematically it balances family comedy with sharp observations about American life, using humor to question institutions, advertising, celebrity and civic culture while keeping the Simpsons family at the emotional center.

What Viewers Are Saying

8.0/10

from 10,553 ratings

Viewers appreciate The Simpsons for its iconic humor, memorable characters, and cultural impact, particularly praising the classic episodes from its early to mid-seasons. Fans highlight the heartfelt storytelling and clever integration of celebrity guests during the show’s peak years. However, some feel the series has declined in quality over time, describing later seasons as stale and less witty, with shifts in comedic style that don’t resonate as well. Despite mixed feelings about recent episodes, many still regard it as a groundbreaking and influential television show.

Details

Release Date: December 17, 1989
Episode Length: 22m
Rating: TV-PG
User Ratings: 10,553 votes
Type: TV Series
Seasons: 37
Episodes: 803
Network: FOX
Status: Returning Series
Genres: Family, Animation, Comedy
Country: United States
Studio: Gracie Films +3 more
External Links: View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Dan Castellaneta

Homer Simpson / Abe Simpson / Barney Gumble / Krusty (voice)

Julie Kavner

Marge Simpson / Patty Bouvier / Selma Bouvier (voice)

Nancy Cartwright

Bart Simpson / Nelson Muntz / Ralph Wiggum (voice)

Yeardley Smith

Lisa Simpson (voice)

Hank Azaria

Moe Szyslak / Chief Wiggum / Apu / Comic Book Guy / Carl (voice)

Harry Shearer

Ned Flanders / Mr. Burns / Smithers / Skinner / Lenny (voice)

Created by: Matt Groening

Seasons (37 seasons, 803 episodes)

Season 1

13 episodes - 1989

Season 2

22 episodes - 1990

Season 3

24 episodes - 1991

Season 4

22 episodes - 1992

Season 5

22 episodes - 1993

Season 6

25 episodes - 1994

Season 7

25 episodes - 1995

Season 8

25 episodes - 1996

Season 9

25 episodes - 1997

Season 10

23 episodes - 1998

Season 11

22 episodes - 1999

Season 12

21 episodes - 2000

Season 13

22 episodes - 2001

Season 14

22 episodes - 2002

Season 15

22 episodes - 2003

Season 16

21 episodes - 2004

Season 17

22 episodes - 2005

Season 18

22 episodes - 2006

Season 19

20 episodes - 2007

Season 20

21 episodes - 2008

Season 21

23 episodes - 2009

Season 22

22 episodes - 2010

Season 23

22 episodes - 2011

Season 24

22 episodes - 2012

Season 25

22 episodes - 2013

Season 26

22 episodes - 2014

Season 27

22 episodes - 2015

Season 28

22 episodes - 2016

Season 29

21 episodes - 2017

Season 30

23 episodes - 2018

Season 31

22 episodes - 2019

Season 32

22 episodes - 2020

Season 33

22 episodes - 2021

Season 34

22 episodes - 2022

Season 35

18 episodes - 2023

Season 36

18 episodes - 2024

Season 37

17 episodes - 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

The Simpsons is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu. You can also rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, The Simpsons is available to stream on Disney+.

Yes, you can buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

The Simpsons has 37 seasons with a total of 803 episodes.

With a rating of 8.0/10 from 10,553 viewers, The Simpsons is highly recommended and considered excellent by most viewers.

The Simpsons stars Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, and Hank Azaria.

The Simpsons was created by Matt Groening.

The Simpsons was released on December 17, 1989.

The Simpsons is a Family, Animation, and Comedy series.

No, The Simpsons is a fictional animated series. It was created by Matt Groening and began as short sketches on The Tracey Ullman Show, though Groening drew on bits of his own life and family for inspiration.

"D'oh!" is Homer Simpson's trademark exclamation expressing frustration or self‑reproach, famously performed by Dan Castellaneta. The line was inspired by comedian James Finlayson's annoyed grunt and became so popular it was added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Critics, notably comedian Hari Kondabolu in his documentary 'The Problem with Apu,' argued the character reinforced negative South Asian stereotypes. In response, Hank Azaria, who voiced Apu, said in 2020 he would stop, and the show has said it will rethink how it casts nonwhite characters moving forward.

Springfield is intentionally ambiguous and not placed in any specific US state, a choice Matt Groening made so it could stand for any American town. Groening has also said he drew on aspects of his Portland, Oregon, upbringing when designing the town and its characters.

7.4

Family Guy

1999

8.4

Friends

1994

7.0

American Dad!

2005

8.3

South Park

1997

8.7

Rick and Morty

2013

8.3

Seinfeld

1989

The Simpsons