Despite the gradual decline of Homer Simpson’s character over the years, the creative team behind The Simpsons has honed their talent for predicting future events with startling accuracy. From foreseeing the US curling team winning gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics to anticipating the major Fox and Disney merger, this long-running animated series seems to possess an almost prophetic insight, leading many to wonder if they have a seer among their writers.
With over three decades of production and a penchant for integrating current events into the storyline, it’s not surprising that some of their predictions turn out to be quite accurate. Nonetheless, it remains eerie how many of the show’s humorous scenarios have come to fruition. As we venture deeper into the 2020s, numerous instances from past episodes continue to echo into reality, offering both comedic relief and moments of discomfort as some predictions appear to materialize like haunting truths.
1
Donald Trump Elected President
Season 11, Episode 17: “Bart to the Future”
In “Bart to the Future,”we are introduced to a glimpse of 40-year-old Bart, who lives off his family while striving for a music career. His visit to sister Lisa, now the President, unravels a stark reality: “As you know, we’ve inherited quite the budget crunch from President Trump.”Originally aired in 2000, this joke became a reality 16 years later when Donald Trump assumed the office of the 45th President of the United States, with a backdrop of a poster ominously predicting “2024”as the year of his potential reelection.
2
Lisa Wears Kamala Harris’ Purple Pantsuit
Season 11, Episode 17: “Bart to the Future”
In a separate prediction from the same episode, a grown-up Lisa Simpson dons a purple pantsuit while taking office. On November 6, 2021, Kamala Harris made history as the first female Vice President, wearing a similar ensemble. This iconic purple outfit has since become emblematic, marking a significant moment in American history, mirrored eerily by Lisa’s fictional presidency.
3
Cypress Hill Performing With The London Symphony Orchestra
Season 7, Episode 24: “Homerpalooza”
When Homer takes Bart and Lisa to a music festival, the comedic duo Cypress Hill serves as a highlight of the 1990s. In a quirky twist, a stage manager suggests they collaborate with the London Symphony Orchestra, leading to an unexpected performance of “Insane in the Membrane.”Astonishingly, in October 2024, these two musical entities actually reunited for a live performance. Rarely does art imitate life so closely!
4
A Flu Virus That Originates From Asia
Season 4, Episode 21: “Marge in Chains”
Touching a more unsettling topic, the 1993 episode “Marge in Chains”features an outbreak of the “Osaka Flu,”kicked off by an ill worker in Japan. This comedic plot echoed alarming real-world events, where the COVID-19 pandemic originated, highlighting the show’s grim foresight into global health crises.
5
Murder Hornets
Season 4, Episode 2: “Marge in Chains”
In May 2020, vigilant observers noted the arrival of an invasive species of hornets—malevolently dubbed “murder hornets”—from Asia, which drew direct connections to classic The Simpsons content, bringing its satirical edge to a too-real occasion.
6
The Downfall Of JCPenney
Season 18, Episode 3: “Please Homer, Don’t Hammer ‘Em”
The Simpsons also forecasted retail trends, as showcased in a 2006 episode that portrayed a desolate JCPenney. In reality, JCPenney filed for bankruptcy in 2020, attributing its struggles to the pandemic while signaling the broader decline of brick-and-mortar retail.
7
One Of The Beatles Replies To A Fan Decades Later
Season 2, Episode 18: “Brush with Greatness”
Marge’s long-held hope to hear back from Ringo Starr after sending him artwork came to fruition decades later when Paul McCartney replied to a fan’s message from the 1960s. This intersection of reality and fantasy drew connections to the show’s playful exploration of celebrity—rebirthing the innocence of fan culture.
8
Mr. Burns Planning to Block the Sun
Season 6, Episode 25: “Who Shot Mr. Burns?”
Mr. Burns’s outlandish plot to block sunlight to monopolize Springfield’s energy reflects a facetious yet ominously contemporary discussion on solar geoengineering that became increasingly relevant in 2023, when philanthropist George Soros proposed similar interventions to combat climate change.
9
Homer Takes A Submersible On A Failed Expedition
Season 17, Episode 10: “Homer’s Paternity Coot”
The predicaments of Homer and a fictional treasure hunter echo real events in 2023 when Stockton Rush led an ill-fated submersible expedition resulting in tragedy during the search for the Titanic. Such coincidental parallels highlight the dangers of ambition and adventure.
10
Richard Branson Goes To Space
Season 25, Episode 15: “The War Of Art”
Richard Branson’s virtual space escapade makes an unexpected comeback in reality as he successfully became the first founder of a commercial spaceflight company to travel to space in 2021 with Virgin Galactic. The episode serves as an amusing introspection into the evolution of commercial space travel.
11
The Baby Translator
Season 3, Episode 24: “Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?”
In an episode featuring Herb’s inventive creation of a baby translator, today’s advancements have turned this whimsical idea into a reality with various apps available that are designed to interpret infant communication—a testament to how fiction often paces the forefront of technological evolution.
12
Virtual Reality With The Apple Vision Pro
Season 28, Episode 2: “Friends and Family”
In Season 28, Mr. Burns explores the allure of virtual reality, indulging in fantastical moments with the Simpson family as his digital models. Fast forward to 2024, the release of the Apple Vision Pro represents significant strides in virtual reality, marking a pivotal moment in tech history.
13
The White Party
Season 28, Episode 12: “The Great Phatsby”
Perhaps not a direct prediction, but the reference to Sean “Diddy”Combs’ infamous White Parties resonates with darker implications revealed in 2024, when disturbing truths about violent incidents at these gatherings came to light. The Simpsons’ commentary on celebrity culture remains as relevant as ever, albeit with somber exchanges.