The Simpsons future predictions
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Since its debut in 1989, The Simpsons has produced over 790 episodes. Many episodes have drawn attention for bearing resemblance to later historical developments. Media scholars note that given the show's longevity and satirical nature - which frequently incorporates contemporary cultural references - some apparent correspondences are statistically likely to occur.
One of the writers, Stephanie Gillis, said there are so many things happening in the world and she spends a lot of time discussing the show outside of work.[1][2]
Notable predictions
[edit]Sports
[edit]An early example of this phenomenon was observed in season three's "Lisa the Greek". Airing only days before Super Bowl XXVI on January 23, 1992, the episode correctly predicted the victory of the Washington Redskins over the Buffalo Bills.[3] A repeat of the episode airing the following year redubbed the episode's dialogue to mention the Dallas Cowboys, once again against the Bills; the Cowboys would go on to win.
The season 21 episode "Boy Meets Curl", released in 2010, foresaw the first American men's curling team winning a gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics.[4]
The season 25 episode "You Don't Have to Live Like a Referee" would predict the 2015 FIFA corruption case.[5]
Politics
[edit]A scene in the season eleven episode "Bart to the Future" mentions that Donald Trump became the president of the United States. In response to this, the episode garnered renewed attention, and the chalkboard gag in season 28's "Havana Wild Weekend", released after the 2016 election, reads "Being right sucks."[6]
In "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy", a news clipping reads that "the US President was arrested", which is believed to predict Trump's arrest in 2023;[7] "The Day the Violence Died", aired 1996, reportedly predicted the United States Capitol attack;[7] and "Midnight Rx" in 2005, reportedly predicted the legalization of recreational marijuana in Canada which was made official as of October 17, 2018.[8] Furthermore, the 2015 short "Trumptastic Voyage" predicted Trump’s return to the White House the following year.[9]
Entertainment
[edit]A gag featuring in the season ten episode "When You Dish Upon a Star" featured a sign depicting the 20th Century Fox logo, with the byline "A Division of Walt Disney Co" underneath it. This predicted the company's acquisition of 21st Century Fox, over twenty years before it would come to fruition.[10]
"The Ziff Who Came to Dinner", which aired in 2004, teased that The Matrix would have a fourth movie, and The Matrix Resurrections was eventually released in 2021;[7] The season seven episode "Homerpalooza", released in 1996, features Cypress Hill, guest starring as themselves, as they perform with the London Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, they performed together at the Royal Albert Hall.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "The Simpsons: How the show's writers predict the future". 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ a b France, Lisa Respers (2024-07-22). "'The Simpsons' are once again getting credit for predicting American politics". CNN. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ Nelson, John (January 23, 1992). "Plenty of hype on road to Super Bowl". St. Petersburg Times. p. 13D.
- ^ "16 bizarre The Simpsons predictions that actually came true". The Independent. 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ France, Lisa Respers (2020-05-08). "Another example of 'The Simpsons' predicting future". CNN. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ White, Jamie K. (November 15, 2016). "'The Simpsons' respond to Trump victory prediction: 'Being right sucks'". CNN. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
- ^ a b c Saab, Hannah; Kosmala, Karina; Heffernan, Ryan (2022-03-21). "55 'The Simpsons' Predictions That Came True". Collider. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ "21 times 'The Simpsons' predicted the future". EW.com. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-buzz/did-simpsons-predict-trumps-three-presidential-campaigns-fact-checking-viral-trumptastic-voyage-clip-article-115100559
- ^ Fernandez, Matt (December 14, 2017). "'The Simpsons' Predicted Disney's Acquisition of Fox Almost 20 Years Ago". Variety. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
