Since the very first episode, The Simpsons have been a source of laughter in living rooms worldwide. But beyond the humor, the show has featured some truly intriguing episodes. It almost seems as if the creators have a glimpse into the future, including events in the show before they actually happen in real life. In many ways, these episodes feel like predictions or premonitions. Here are 19 examples of The Simpsons forecasting the future.
1.Who’s Winning the Big Game?
In 1992, Lisa Simpson accurately predicted the outcome of Super Bowl XXVI in Season 3, Episode 14. She declared that the Washington Redskins would win—and they did.
2.Another Winning Prediction from The Simpsons
In 1993, The Simpsons made another remarkable Super Bowl prediction. Following their accurate forecast the previous year, viewers were amazed when the show depicted the Dallas Cowboys as the winners—and once again, the prediction proved true.
3.Another Win!
Who would have thought they’d get it right twice, let alone a third time? Surprisingly—and a little eerily—The Simpsons nailed their third Super Bowl prediction by accurately forecasting that the San Francisco 49ers would win Super Bowl XXIX.
4.The Simpsons’ Prediction That Shocked the World
In Season 11, Episode 17, titled “Bart to the Future,” The Simpsons traveled to the future and predicted that Donald Trump would serve as President of the United States in 2024. While Trump actually held the presidency from 2017 to 2021, he has announced plans to run again in 2024—just as the show foresaw.
5.Sensory Moments with The Simpsons
In Season 2, Episode 9 (“Itchy & Scratchy & Marge”), The Simpsons explored the idea of making their favorite in-show cartoon, Itchy & Scratchy, less violent and more morally appropriate. Marge attempts to tone down the crude content, but it backfires when the public starts calling for censorship of famous artworks—like covering the nudity on Michelangelo’s David. Interestingly, a similar event occurred in 2016 when Russian officials proposed adding clothing to one of their famous statues.
6.Choosing the Right Pet for Your Poodle
The Simpsons once predicted that people might scam others by selling ferrets disguised as toy poodle puppies. Surprisingly, this became a reality when a man in Argentina believed he had purchased a poodle puppy—only to discover it was actually a ferret.
7.Topology of the Cosmos: The Doughnut Theory
In Season 10, Episode 22 of The Simpsons, titled “They Saved Lisa’s Brain,” the show featured a conversation with Stephen Hawking, where he described his theory that the universe could be doughnut-shaped. This fascinating concept is a real scientific theory that emerged in the 1980s.
8.When The Simpsons Go Underwater
The world recently witnessed the OceanGate submersible emergency during a Titanic tour, but The Simpsons had a similar storyline years ago. In Season 17, Episode 10, “Homer’s Paternity Coot,” Homer embarks on an underwater adventure with his presumed father in submersible vessels. During the dive, Homer’s vessel gets tangled in coral, and his oxygen supply begins to run dangerously low.
9.The Rise of Video Chat
The Simpsons predicted yet another technological breakthrough—video calls, and more specifically, FaceTime.
10.Olympic Outcome Predictions
The Simpsons predicted the U.S. curling team winning gold at the Winter Olympics eight years before it actually happened. This was depicted in Season 21, Episode 12, titled “Boy Meets Curling,” long before the U.S. team took home the gold in 2018.
11.Ebola: A Global Health Concern
Did The Simpsons really predict a pandemic outbreak? In Season 9, Episode 3, titled “Lisa’s Sax,” the show appeared to foresee the rise of the Ebola virus and its global impact.
12.Saddle Up for Fun
In Season 5, Episode 19, titled “Sweet Seymour Skinner’s Baadasssss Song,” the sons appeared to anticipate a certain company beginning to include horse meat in elementary school lunches. Interestingly, in 2013, health officials caused a stir when they disclosed that many beef products were found to contain traces of horse meat.
13.Election Integrity Under Threat
In Season 20, Episode 4: “The Treehouse of Terror XIX,” Homer Simpson tries to vote for Barack Obama, but the voting machine unexpectedly changes his vote to John McCain. Interestingly, a similar incident occurred in 2012 when a voting booth in Pennsylvania automatically switched a voter’s selection, an event that was captured on camera.
14.Roar of the Tiger in Springfield
It’s hard to question the accuracy of that particular episode. Who could have predicted a tiger would attack its trainer on stage? Yet, it seems the Simpsons possess some kind of crystal ball. In Season 5, Episode 10: “$pringfield,” they depicted just that scenario—ten years before Roy Horn was actually attacked by a tiger during a live performance.
15.Unlimited Munchies
In an episode of The Simpsons, Homer took the “All You Can Eat” buffet concept to the extreme, ultimately getting kicked out and later challenging it in court for “false advertising.” Surprisingly, a similar situation unfolded in real life in 2017—and the most ironic part is that it happened in Springfield, Massachusetts.
16.The Suspended Diva: A Strange Prediction
Famous for her wild performances, Lady Gaga surprised everyone with how far she’d go—except maybe The Simpsons. Years before her actual Super Bowl appearance, the show predicted her dazzling grand entrance, complete with a glittery Versace dress suspended high above the crowd.
17.When The Simpsons Saw the Future: The Tiger Incident
It’s hard to dismiss that particular episode as mere fiction. Who could have predicted a tiger would attack its trainer on stage? Yet, The Simpsons seem to have a crystal ball. In Season 5, Episode 10: “$pringfield,” they depicted exactly that scenario—ten years before Roy Horn was actually attacked by a tiger during a live performance.
18.Ordinary Guy, Extraordinary Journey: Simpsons Predict Space Travel
The United Kingdom once held a contest giving an ordinary person—with no prior space experience—the chance to go to space like a real astronaut. Interestingly, The Simpsons predicted a similar idea in Season 5, Episode 15: “Deep Space Homer.”
19.When The Simpsons Predicted Restaurant Grease Heists
Another example of The Simpsons reflecting real-life trends rather than predicting the future comes from Season 10, Episode 1: “Lard of the Dance.” In this episode, Homer finds a clever way to get rich quickly by siphoning grease from restaurants and selling it for profit. Interestingly, the New York Post later reported that this grease theft was actually happening in real life.
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