“The Simpsons,” the longest-running animated TV show, has become famous not only for its humour and cultural commentary but also for its uncanny ability to predict future events. From Donald Trump’s presidency to smartwatches and even major political events, the show’s writers have shown a weird talent for predicting the future.

This article provides a complete list of Simpsons predictions, exploring the most surprising and accurate forecasts made by the beloved animated series. Discover how The Simpsons has managed to predict technological advancements, political shifts, and societal changes, and see why it continues to be a remarkable cultural phenomenon.

What is The Simpsons?

The Simpsons is an iconic American animated television series created by Matt Groening. Premiering on December 17, 1989, it has become the longest-running animated TV show in history. The series satirizes American culture, society, and television, following the lives of the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie—in the fictional town of Springfield. Known for its sharp wit, cultural references, and memorable characters, The Simpsons has won numerous awards and remains a significant influence in popular culture. With over 750 episodes spanning 35 seasons, the show continues to entertain audiences worldwide, offering a humorous and often insightful look at everyday life.

Full List of Simpsons Predictions from Latest to Old in 2024

The Full List of Simpsons Predictions from Latest to Old

1. Kamala Harris’s Presidential Participation (2024)

In a surprising turn of events in 2024, Kamala Harris‘s active participation in the presidential race has brought yet another Simpsons prediction to light. An episode aired years earlier, Season 11, Episode 17 (“Bart to the Future”), depicted Harris in a presidential role, wearing a distinct purple outfit similar to what she wore during her 2021 inauguration as Vice President. This prediction has once again solidified the show’s reputation for foreseeing political developments.

2. Richard Branson’s Spaceflight (2021)

In Season 25, Episode 15 (“The War of Art”), aired in 2014, the show depicted Richard Branson floating in space. In 2021, Branson’s Virgin Galactic successfully sent him to space, marking another accurate prediction by The Simpsons.

3. Kamala Harris’s Inauguration Outfit (2021)

The 2000 episode, Season 11, Episode 17 (“Bart to the Future”), showcased Lisa Simpson as the first female president of the United States, dressed in a purple outfit similar to Vice President Kamala Harris‘s attire during the 2021 inauguration.

4. GameStop Stock Surge (2021)

In Season 9, Episode 14 (“The Joy of Sect”), aired in 1998, “The Simpsons” hinted at the stock market’s volatility when Homer invested in “Animotion,” a stock that skyrocketed. This scene drew comparisons to the GameStop stock surge orchestrated by Reddit users in early 2021.

5. US Capitol Riot (2021)

An episode from 1996, Season 7, Episode 18 (“The Day the Violence Died”), features an eerily similar scene to the US Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, with characters storming the Capitol.

6. Donald Trump’s Presidency (2016)

One of the most talked-about predictions was the 2000 episode, Season 11, Episode 17 (“Bart to the Future”), where Donald Trump is depicted as the US president. This became reality in 2016, showing the show’s foresight into future political events.

7. Nobel Prize Winner (2016)

In a 2010 episode, Season 22, Episode 1 (“Elementary School Musical”), Milhouse predicts that Bengt R. Holmström will win the Nobel Prize in Economics. Holmström did win the prize in 2016, confirming yet another accurate Simpsons prediction.

8. Siegfried and Roy Tiger Attack (2003)

“The Simpsons” predicted a tiger attack on magicians similar to Siegfried and Roy in Season 5, Episode 10 (“$pringfield (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling)”), aired in 1993. Tragically, Roy Horn was attacked by a tiger in 2003 during a live performance.

9. Smartwatches (2014)

In Season 6, Episode 19 (“Lisa’s Wedding”), aired in 1995, the show featured a futuristic watch that allowed users to make phone calls. This resembles modern smartwatches that became popular nearly two decades later.

10. Ebola Outbreak (2014)

An episode from 1997, Season 9, Episode 3 (“Lisa’s Sax”), shows Marge suggesting a sick Bart read a book titled “Curious George and the Ebola Virus.” The Ebola outbreak occurred in 2014, highlighting another Simpsons prediction.

11. Disney Buys 20th Century Fox (2017)

A 1998 episode, Season 10, Episode 5 (“When You Dish Upon a Star”), depicted 20th Century Fox as “a division of Walt Disney Co.” In 2017, Disney acquired 21st Century Fox, fulfilling this prediction and altering the entertainment landscape.

12. Horse Meat Scandal (2013)

In Season 5, Episode 19 (“Sweet Seymour Skinner’s Baadasssss Song”), aired in 1994, Lunchlady Doris uses “assorted horse parts” in school lunches. This eerily mirrored the 2013 horse meat scandal in Europe, where horse meat was found in various beef products.

13. Greece’s Financial Crisis (2010)

In Season 23, Episode 10 (“Politically Inept, with Homer Simpson”), aired in 2012, a segment titled “Europe Puts Greece on eBay” aired, mocking Greece’s financial troubles. This paralleled the real Greek financial crisis and subsequent austerity measures.

14. US Wins Olympic Gold in Curling (2018)

In a 2010 episode, Season 21, Episode 12 (“Boy Meets Curl”), Homer and Marge compete in curling at the Winter Olympics and win gold. The US men’s curling team won its first-ever gold medal in 2018, making this prediction come true.

15. Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl Performance (2017)

A 2012 episode, Season 23, Episode 22 (“Lisa Goes Gaga”), featured Lady Gaga performing at the Super Bowl, suspended in the air. Lady Gaga’s real Super Bowl performance in 2017 had striking similarities.

16. FIFA Corruption Scandal (2015)

In a 2014 episode, Season 25, Episode 16 (“You Don’t Have to Live Like a Referee”), an executive from the “World Football Federation” is arrested for corruption. This foreshadowed the FIFA scandal in 2015, involving several officials.

17. Autocorrect Fails (2007)

In a 1994 episode, Season 6, Episode 8 (“Lisa on Ice”), a school bully writes a memo that gets autocorrected to “Beat up Martin.” This early depiction of autocorrect mishaps became a common reality with smartphones in the 2000s.

18. The Shard in London (2009)

In a 1995 episode, Season 6, Episode 19 (“Lisa’s Wedding”), Lisa’s future visit to London shows a skyscraper resembling The Shard behind Tower Bridge. The Shard was completed in 2012, years after the episode aired.

19. Three-Eyed Fish (1990)

In a 1990 episode, Season 2, Episode 4 (“Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish”), Bart catches a three-eyed fish named Blinky near a nuclear power plant. In 2011, a three-eyed fish was found in Argentina’s reservoir, which receives water from a nuclear plant.

20. Faulty Voting Machines (2012)

In a 2008 episode, Season 20, Episode 4 (“Treehouse of Horror XIX”), Homer tries to vote for Barack Obama, but the machine changes his vote to John McCain. In 2012, similar incidents were reported where voting machines changed votes from Obama to Mitt Romney.

21. Beating Tiger Woods (2012)

In a 2005 episode, Season 16, Episode 8 (“Homer and Ned’s Hail Mary Pass”), Homer and Marge are shown beating Tiger Woods in a golf game, which many saw as predicting Woods’s fall from grace due to his personal life scandals in 2009 and subsequent career issues.

22. NSA Spying Scandal (2013)

In “The Simpsons Movie” (2007), the NSA is shown listening to citizens’ conversations. This predated the real-life NSA spying scandal revealed by Edward Snowden in 2013.

23. Virtual Reality Games (2016)

In a 1998 episode, Season 9, Episode 12 (“Bart Carny”), a character is shown playing a virtual reality game, much like the VR gaming systems that became widely available in the mid-2010s.

24. Farmville and Virtual Farms (2009)

In a 1998 episode, Season 9, Episode 12 (“Bart Carny”), the character is seen obsessing over a virtual farm game, which resembles the popular Facebook game Farmville that emerged in 2009.

25. Donald Trump’s Escalator Ride (2015)

In a 2000 episode, Season 11, Episode 17 (“Bart to the Future”), a scene shows Donald Trump riding down an escalator, eerily similar to his real-life announcement of his presidential campaign in 2015.

26. Censoring Michelangelo’s David (2016)

In a 1990 episode, Season 2, Episode 9 (“Itchy & Scratchy & Marge”), Springfield residents protest against Michelangelo’s statue of David being exhibited, mirroring real-life protests in Russia in 2016 where people advocated for the statue to be clothed.

27. Bengal Famine and Economic Downturn (2019)

An episode depicted economic hardships and food shortages in an unnamed Asian country, which was interpreted by some as a prediction of the economic downturn and food crises in India during 2019.

28. FaceTime (2010)

In a 1995 episode, Season 6, Episode 19 (“Lisa’s Wedding”), Lisa’s future shows characters using video chat, which resembles the modern-day FaceTime and other video calling apps that became popular in the 2010s.

29. Apple’s iPod (2007)

In a 1996 episode, Season 8, Episode 5 (“Bart After Dark”), a character uses a music device with white earphones, which many believe predicted the design of Apple’s iPod and its iconic earbuds.

30. Walt Disney and Fox Merger (1998)

In a 1998 episode, Season 10, Episode 5 (“When You Dish Upon a Star”), a sign shows 20th Century Fox as “a division of Walt Disney Co.” This became reality in 2017 when Disney acquired 21st Century Fox.

31. Virtual Yard Work (2001)

In Season 6, Episode 19 (“Lisa’s Wedding”), aired in 1995, a scene depicts a future where yard work is done via virtual reality, similar to the robot lawnmowers available today.

32. 9/11 (2001)

In a 1997 episode, Season 9, Episode 1 (“The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson”), a magazine cover shows the number 9 with the Twin Towers in the background, resembling the date 9/11. While this prediction is more of a coincidence, it is often cited.

Conclusion

From Kamala Harris’s presidential participation to Donald Trump’s presidency and smartwatches, “The Simpsons” has an impressive track record of predicting future events. This list of Simpsons predictions demonstrates the show’s keen insight into societal trends and future technologies. As we continue to watch the adventures of the Simpson family, who knows what other predictions will come true?

For fans and curious minds alike, the accuracy of these predictions remains a fascinating aspect of the show. Whether it’s through subtle hints or direct forecasts, “The Simpsons” continues to surprise us with its remarkable ability to foresee the future.

By understanding these predictions, we not only appreciate the show’s genius but also ponder the possibilities of what might come next. Keep watching “The Simpsons” – the next big prediction could be just an episode away!

FAQs About The Simpsons

How many Simpsons episodes are there?

As of 2024, there are over 750 episodes of The Simpsons. The show continues to be a staple of American television, maintaining its record as the longest-running animated series.

When did The Simpsons start?

The Simpsons first premiered on December 17, 1989. It has been a significant part of television history ever since, known for its satirical take on American culture and society.

How many Simpsons seasons are there?

As of 2024, The Simpsons has aired 35 seasons. The show continues to produce new episodes, keeping its audience entertained with fresh content each year.

Who shot Mr. Burns?

The mystery of “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” was a two-part episode in Season 6, Episode 25, and Season 7, Episode 1. The culprit was revealed to be Maggie Simpson, in one of the show’s most famous cliffhangers.

Who created The Simpsons?

The Simpsons was created by Matt Groening. He developed the show for the Fox Broadcasting Company, and it has since become an iconic part of television history.

Why are The Simpsons yellow?

The characters in The Simpsons are yellow to make them instantly recognizable and to stand out when viewers are channel surfing. The unique color choice has become one of the show’s most distinctive features.

Who wrote The Simpsons?

The Simpsons has had numerous writers over the years, but the original creator and primary writer is Matt Groening. The writing team has included many talented individuals who have contributed to the show’s success.