The Simpsons

The Simpsons is an American animated comedy created by Matt Groening and developed with James L. Brooks and Sam Simon. Since its half-hour premiere in 1989, the series has followed Homer and Marge Simpson and their children Bart, Lisa and Maggie in the deliberately flexible town of Springfield. Family arguments, school trouble, workplace mishaps and civic scandals become vehicles for satire about television, politics, consumer culture and everyday American life. Episodes generally stand alone, making the show easy to enter at almost any season, while recurring neighbors, teachers, co-workers and local institutions give Springfield a dense shared history. The tone moves from broad slapstick to character-driven stories and anthology installments such as Treehouse of Horror.

Where to watch (checked October 7, 2026): Disney+ lists seasons 1–36 and exclusive episodes in supported regions, while current FOX episodes and Hulu access vary by country and subscription. Because the series remains in production, check local listings for the newest season and catalog depth.

Key facts

• The half-hour series premiered on December 17, 1989.
• The Simpson family first appeared in shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987.
• Matt Groening created the series and developed it with James L. Brooks and Sam Simon.
• Disney counted 806 episodes as of July 9, 2026; episode totals continue to grow.

Official source: Disney+.