The Simpsonsis such a long-running series that fans, both new and old, might feel overwhelmed trying to keep track of all the episodes, especially all the fan favorites that are considered essential watching. However, quite a few episodes, especially during its early run, helped set the stage for what the series would become.
There are different ways an episode can make an impression on viewers. Many of these episodes are known for being funny, while others are known for being emotional. Some might have had a character that proved to be a memorable part of the show, even when they only lasted an episode.
The Simpsons
Others introduced elements that would become long-running aspects of the series. Even the more experimental episodes can prove to be iconic episodes. After all, with all the episodes the show has released over the years, it makes sense that the series' essential watching would come with variety.Stream all episodes ofThe Simpsonson Disney+.
20"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"
Season 1, Episode 1
“Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” is a Christmas special that serves as the series' premiere, marking the Simpsons' transition from characters on The Tracey Ullman Show to the stars of their own series. Christmas becomes a comedy of errors for the family. Bart tries to get a tattoo reading “Mother,” thinking it will be the perfect present for Marge, only for her to blow the family’s holiday savings on getting it removed. Things get worse when the plant cancels its annual Christmas bonus.
Homer tries to earn a little extra as a mall Santa, but the job ends up paying much less than he thought thanks to various deductions. His only hope is betting on a dog race, but he loses betting on a dog called “Santa’s Little Helper.”
When the dog gets abandoned by his owner, Homer and Bart decide to adopt him. Of course, this leads to the happy ending where the family thinks the new dog was Homer’s surprise all along, all ending with a round of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
19"A Streetcar Named Marge"
Season 4, Episode 2
“A Streetcar Named Marge” sees Marge get involved in a community theatre production of “Oh! Streetcar!,“a musical adaptationofA Streetcar Named Desire. While initially rejected for the part, the director casts Marge as Blanche DuBois after overhearing her dejectedly talking to Homer on the phone.
Throughout the story, Homer begins to act like a modern Stanley Kowalski. However, seeing the musical ultimately helps him empathize with Marge, giving the two a touching moment as the story ends.
One of the highlights of the episode is the musical performance. Infamously, viewers unfamiliar with the original have been known to assume that is indeed a real musical. There have often been debates whether the cheery finale, in which Blanche advises the audience to make friends out of strangers, was meant to be a non-sequitur or if the musical was rewritten to have a happy ending. Of course, this skit was also criticized for its portrayal of New Orleans, with an apology being issued in the following episode.
18"I Love Lisa”
Season 4, Episode 15
“I Love Lisa” starts as a Valentine’s Day with Ralph Wiggum not getting a single card from his classmates. A sympathetic Lisa makes a card for him at the last second, but this backfires when Ralph develops feelings for her. Even after Lisa tells him she’s not ready for romance, Ralph’s father advises him to pursue her, causing Ralph to eventually invite Lisa to Krusty the Clown’s upcoming Anniversary Special, where she publicly rejects Ralph during the live show.
Ralph channels his pain into the school’s upcoming President’s Day pageant, where his performance impresses the audience and nabs him a few fans. Ralph’s performance really left an impression on fans over the years, being one of the character’s most famous moments. The story also ends happily enough with Lisa cheering up Ralph with a new card, emphasizing that she wants to be his friend, with the two ending on good terms.
17“The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show”
Season 8, Episode 14
“The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show” marks a time that the animated series takes a look at what’s goes on behind-the-scenes when making cartoons, at least inThe Simpsons' universe.The Itchy & Scratchy Showis losing viewers and attempts to win them back with a new character. Naturally, the cat and mouse got a new canine companion. Homer even gets to voice the new character, Poochie. Unfortunately, the character tries too hard to be trendy and ends up annoying fans.
Homer attempts to save the character, but this backfires with the show infamously writing off Poochie as having died off-screen, while returning home to his previously unmentioned home planet. Krusty then assures the kids at home that Poochie won’t magically come back to life in the next episode, complete with legal documentation assuring this.
The story takes a look at the inner workings of a television show and memorably features a tribute to June Foray from Homer’s co-star, June Bellamy. The episode also markedThe Simpsonssurpassing The Flintstones in the number of episodes for a prime-time animated series.
16“Alone Again, Natura-Diddly”
Season 11, Episode 14
“Alone Again, Natura-Diddily” starts off with the family randomly coming across a NASCAR racetrack. While there, Homer’s antics cause Maude Flanders to get shot by a T-shirt cannon, causing her to fall to her death. Ned has to deal with the fallout of his beloved wife’s passing, a brief crisis of faith, and even a second possible chance at love.
The episode is notable for permanently killing off a regular character like Maude. Her death was notably never retconned, with her only appearing in flashbacks or as a spirit in following episodes.
Christian rock singer, Rachel Jordan, a possible love interest for Ned introduced in the story, also proved popular with fans. She would return in “I’m Goin' to Praiseland,” although Ned still clinging onto Maude’s memory caused issues, with him even cutting her hair to look like Maude’s.
15"Marge vs. the Monorail”
Season 4, Episode 12
In “Marge vs. the Monorail,” after the town comes into some money, they decide to invest it in a new monorail system, thanks to salesman Lyle Lanley, complete with a lavish musical number. However, Marge soon learns that Lanley is a con-artist who plans on taking most of the money for himself, having already successfully swindled another town into ruin. Marge teams up with an engineer, Sebastian Cobb, to save Springfield.
The story has certainly made its mark on fans of the series, particularly exploring Marge’s character, having her be the one to foil Lanley’s scheme. That said, Lanley musical number has also become one of the series' most famous moments. The episode is also notable for featuring the memetic Mr. Snrub, with fans debating over the years if he really was Mr. Burns or just someone from someplace far away.
14"Rosebud"
Season 5, Episode 4
“Rosebud” pays homage to Citizen Kane, with Mr. Burns becoming obsessed with finding his old childhood teddy bear, Bobo. After Bart finds the toy, it ends up as Maggie’s newest playmate. When Maggie refuses to give up the bear, Burns goes on the warpath against the Simpsons.
Maggie gets a prominent role in the episode. While giving up the bear would put the family on “Easy Street,” they just can’t take away her new toy.In a heartwarming moment, Maggie ultimately feels sorry for Burns and willingly returns Bobo to him in the end. In a strange way, there is just something endearing about Burns' love for his bear, even if, by his own admission, he does routinely forget about him. The ending even shows Burns having survived to a distant future thanks to cybernetics, once again reuniting with Bobo.
13"Cape Feare"
Season 5, Episode 2
“Cape Feare” sees Sideshow Bob, who has recently been paroled, plot his revenge against Bart after foiling his scheme to frame and usurp Krusty the Clown. To protect Bart’s life, the family enters witness protection. Unfortunately, Bob is still on their trail, following them to their houseboat hideout. Bart will have to use a little quick-thinking and Bob’s love of Gilbert and Sullivan to escape with his life.
The episode is notable for being the last one written by the series' original writing team. Many fans felt the team went out on a high note, with the swan song being a popular episode. Kelsey Grammer steals the show as Sideshow Bob, especially with his rendition ofH.M.S. Pinafore. Even the running joke of Bob accidentally stepping on rakes, which was allegedly added to just pad out the runtime, is cited as a fan favorite.
RELATED:15 Hilarious “Modern” Simpsons Episodes That Don’t Get Enough Credit
12"22 Short Films About Springfield"
Season 7, Episode 21
“22 Short Films About Springfield” is a more experimental episode ofThe Simpsons, made up of short vignettes revolving around various characters from around town. Events include Apu getting five minutes to go to a party and the whole town coming and failing together to help Lisa get gum out of her hair.
The episode is best known forthe “Steamed Hams” sequence, in which Principal Skinner has to prepare dinner for a visiting Superintendent Chalmers. When he accidentally burns the roast, he tries to replace it with a tray of Krusty burgers, claiming they’re Albany-styled “steamed hams.” More sitcom shenanigans ensure until the house catches on fire. Of course, even Chalmers has to admit Skinner steams a good ham. Over the years, the scene has been subject to a variety of internet memes.
The experimental episode also left such an impression on the showrunners it also nearly inspired an unmade spin-off called “Springfield Stories.” While this went unmade, the episode also reportedly inspired theFuturamaepisode, “Three Hundred Big Boys.”
11“Itchy & Scratchy Land”
Season 6, Episode 4
“Itchy and Scratchy Land” sees the Simpsons take a vacation at the titular amusement park. However, Homer and Bart’s antics soon get them in trouble. Of course, with a park based around such a violent cat-and-mouse duo, the trip was always fated to be a disaster in the making. However, not even the Simpsons could have predicted there would be a robot uprising.
The park is a parody of Disneyland and Walt Disney World, complete with Bart and Lisa watching “Itchy and Scratchy" parodies ofPinocchioandFantasiawhile waiting in line. That said, the overall story somewhat reads like a parody ofJurassic Park.
The episode is an early example of the series dealing with an absurdist plot, even in a canon story, and many fans feel the episode handled these unusual elements with good humor. That said, the episode is also notable for the famous “Bort” gag, which has even inspired real-life personalized “Bort” products at Universal Studios.
