🍩Best Simpsons Episodes of All Time

Last Exit to Springfield▲ Rising

Homer leads a strike at the power plant to save dental benefits and deliver Lisa's braces. The episode builds to an unforgettable union anthem and plant meltdown climax. It earns the top spot through perfect structure and evergreen labor satire.

Season: 4Year: 1993IMDb Rating: 9.1/10US Viewers: 11.5 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRLast Exit to Springfield

Marge vs. the Monorail▲ Rising

Springfield blows its money on a con-man's monorail and Marge must stop the doomed ride. Leonard Nimoy's cameo and the town-wide musical number define the episode. Its skewering of civic boosterism and escalating disaster make it an all-timer.

Season: 4Year: 1993IMDb Rating: 8.8/10US Viewers: 10.8 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRin 2 rankingsMarge vs. the Monorail

Homer's Enemy▲ Rising

Frank Grimes, the only sane man at the plant, grows obsessed with Homer's effortless luck. The tragic arc ends with Grimes's breakdown and death. Its dark tone and commentary on merit versus mediocrity earn lasting debate.

Season: 8Year: 1997IMDb Rating: 9/10US Viewers: 10 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRHomer's Enemy

Lisa's Substitute▲ Rising

Lisa bonds with a charismatic substitute teacher who sees her potential. Mr. Bergstrom's departure forces Lisa to confront adult disappointment. The quiet character study gives Lisa rare emotional depth.

Season: 2Year: 1991IMDb Rating: 8.2/10US Viewers: 12.5 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRLisa's Substitute

Cape Feare▲ Rising

Bart enters witness protection after Sideshow Bob threatens revenge. The family flees to a houseboat while Bob stalks them in classic thriller style. The episode's tight suspense parody and Bob's theatrical menace secure its classic status.

Season: 5Year: 1993IMDb Rating: 9/10US Viewers: 12.2 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRCape Feare

The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson▲ Rising

Homer's car is booted in Manhattan and the family endures a nightmare day in the city. The World Trade Center visit and Homer's escalating rage deliver iconic set pieces. Its love-hate portrait of New York remains unmatched.

Season: 9Year: 1997IMDb Rating: 8.4/10US Viewers: 9.8 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRThe City of New York vs. Homer Simpson

Homer at the Bat▲ Rising

Mr. Burns assembles a nuclear plant softball team stacked with ringers. Nine legendary players guest-star in a slow-motion collapse. The episode's all-star absurdity and underdog twist make it a perennial favorite.

Season: 3Year: 1992IMDb Rating: 8.6/10US Viewers: 13 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRHomer at the Bat

You Only Move Twice▲ Rising

Homer takes a dream job with a Bond-villain boss who may be plotting world domination. The family thrives in Cypress Creek while Homer ignores red flags. The spy parody and Hank Scorpio's charisma make it a standout.

Season: 8Year: 1996IMDb Rating: 8.9/10US Viewers: 11.2 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRYou Only Move Twice

A Streetcar Named Marge

Marge lands the lead in a musical version of A Streetcar Named Desire. Homer's neglect fuels her performance while the kids endure daycare. The musical numbers and Marge's quiet strength shine.

Season: 4Year: 1992IMDb Rating: 8/10US Viewers: 10.5 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRA Streetcar Named Marge

Bart Gets an F▲ Rising

Bart faces repeating the fourth grade unless he passes one test. Mrs. Krabappel and Bart's unlikely alliance builds to a rain-soaked redemption. The episode's honest look at failure and growth resonates deeply.

Season: 2Year: 1990IMDb Rating: 8.3/10US Viewers: 14 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJR

Treehouse of Horror V

Three nightmare segments include time-traveling toaster and Homer as a cannibal. The "Nightmare Cafeteria" and "Time and Punishment" segments deliver horror-comedy peaks. Its consistent quality across vignettes earns repeat watches.

Season: 6Year: 1994IMDb Rating: 8.7/10US Viewers: 12.8 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRTreehouse of Horror V

I Love Lisa

Ralph gives Lisa a Valentine's card and she reluctantly goes on a date. The episode explores Ralph's earnestness and Lisa's guilt with surprising tenderness. Its heart and Ralph's vulnerability stand out.

Season: 4Year: 1993IMDb Rating: 7.9/10US Viewers: 10.2 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRI Love Lisa

The PTA Disbands

Teachers strike and the town descends into educational chaos. Bart and Lisa's opposing views on the strike highlight family tension. The episode's labor satire and school anarchy deliver consistent laughs.

Season: 6Year: 1995IMDb Rating: 8/10US Viewers: 10.5 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRThe PTA Disbands

Itchy & Scratchy & Marge▲ Rising

Marge's crusade against cartoon violence leads to a national TV ban. The kids' rebellion and the return of graphic mayhem deliver sharp media satire. Its meta commentary on censorship remains timely.

Season: 2Year: 1990IMDb Rating: 8.1/10US Viewers: 11.8 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRItchy & Scratchy & Marge

Rosebud▲ Rising

Mr. Burns's lost childhood toy drives him to reclaim his beloved Bobo bear. Homer's accidental discovery sparks a town-wide chase. The episode balances sentiment and absurdity with rare Burns vulnerability.

Season: 5Year: 1993IMDb Rating: 8.4/10US Viewers: 12 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRRosebud

Krusty Gets Busted

Bart's hero Krusty is framed for robbery and Bart must clear his name. Sideshow Bob's scheme and Bart's detective work drive the plot. The episode establishes key character dynamics and Bob's villainy.

Season: 1Year: 1990IMDb Rating: 8/10US Viewers: 13.5 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRKrusty Gets Busted

Mr. Plow

Homer starts a snowplow business and becomes Springfield's hero until Barney competes. The ad campaign and escalating rivalry deliver classic underdog comedy. Its simple premise and catchy jingle make it endlessly quotable.

Season: 4Year: 1992IMDb Rating: 8.3/10US Viewers: 11 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRMr. Plow

Mother Simpson

Homer's long-lost mother returns and reveals her radical past. The reunion forces Homer to confront family secrets and abandonment. The episode adds rare depth to Homer's backstory with emotional weight.

Season: 7Year: 1995IMDb Rating: 8.3/10US Viewers: 11 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRMother Simpson

Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One)▲ Rising

Mr. Burns's greed turns the town against him and someone pulls the trigger. The whodunit structure and town-wide suspect list build perfect mystery tension. Its cultural phenomenon status and cliffhanger payoff cement its place.

Season: 6Year: 1995IMDb Rating: 8.5/10US Viewers: 13.5 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRin 2 rankingsWho Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One)

Bart Sells His Soul

Bart sells his soul to Milhouse for five dollars and begins to regret it. Lisa helps him realize its value through a series of eerie events. The philosophical premise and Bart's crisis feel surprisingly profound.

Season: 7Year: 1995IMDb Rating: 8.2/10US Viewers: 10.8 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRBart Sells His Soul

One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish

Homer eats poisonous blowfish and believes he has 24 hours to live. He rushes to complete a bucket list with the family. The ticking-clock structure and Homer's mortality reflections hit hard.

Season: 2Year: 1991IMDb Rating: 8.1/10US Viewers: 12 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJROne Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish

Team Homer

Homer assembles a bowling team with a ragtag group and wins a trophy. Mr. Burns tries to claim it, leading to a confrontation. The underdog sports story and bowling gags keep energy high.

Season: 7Year: 1996IMDb Rating: 7.9/10US Viewers: 9.5 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRTeam Homer

Flaming Moe's

Homer invents the Flaming Moe drink and Moe steals the credit and profits. The resulting fame and betrayal explore friendship and greed. The episode's bar-culture satire and twist ending remain sharp.

Season: 3Year: 1991IMDb Rating: 8.2/10US Viewers: 12 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRFlaming Moe's

Homer's Phobia▼ Falling

Homer fears his new friend John is a bad influence on Bart. A night out with John forces Homer to confront his prejudices. The episode's message on acceptance and strong guest turn earn its reputation.

Season: 8Year: 1997IMDb Rating: 8/10US Viewers: 10.5 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRHomer's Phobia

Bart the Daredevil▼ Falling

Bart becomes obsessed with daredevil stunts and plans a canyon jump. Homer's desperate intervention leads to a hospital finale. The episode balances danger and father-son emotion effectively.

Season: 2Year: 1990IMDb Rating: 8/10US Viewers: 12.8 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRBart the Daredevil

Much Apu About Nothing▼ Falling

Springfield votes on a proposition to deport immigrants and Apu faces deportation. Homer helps Apu study for citizenship. The immigration satire and Apu's story add timely heart.

Season: 7Year: 1996IMDb Rating: 7.8/10US Viewers: 9.8 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRMuch Apu About Nothing

King-Size Homer

Homer gains 300 pounds to work from home and avoid exercise. His new size creates chaos but also unexpected benefits. The body-positivity satire and physical comedy make it a memorable entry.

Season: 7Year: 1996IMDb Rating: 8.1/10US Viewers: 10 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRKing-Size Homer

The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase▼ Falling

Three proposed spin-offs parody TV tropes with The Simpsons characters. Chief Wiggum, Principal Skinner, and a variety show segment each get a turn. The meta format and parody density make it a unique standout.

Season: 8Year: 1997IMDb Rating: 7.7/10US Viewers: 9.2 MEmmy Wins: 0

added by IJRThe Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase