The Simpsons isn’t just a successful animated sitcom; it’s an American institution. With over 700 episodes since its 1989 inception, The Simpsons is the longest-running animated series, American sitcom, and scripted primetime TV series.

America’s favorite dysfunctional family, Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and little Maggie, have more than 30 years' worth of hijinks in the bag. While every fan has their favorite episode, most agree that these top 10 Simpsons episodes have the perfect mix of satire and irreverence that makes The Simpsons magic. With the show's recently concluded its 34th season, it cemented its place as the longest-running American animated series. The best Simpsons episodes on IMDb continue to slightly shift with each new season, but still largely feature titles from the beloved classic Simpsons era.

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30 "Mother Simpson" (Season 7, Episode 8)

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

"Mother Simpson" starts with Homer enacting a scheme to fake his death to get out of work, a plan that inadvertently has him learn that his mother, who he presumed to have died 26 years ago, is still alive. After an emotional reunion where Mona Simpson meets the rest of the family, it becomes increasingly apparent that she is harboring a mysterious secret that may just be the reason why she left and never returned. One thing leads to another, and she ends up being chased off by the FBI, once again leaving Homer's life.

"Mother Simpson" may just feature the most iconic singular ending in an episode of the show, with its signature shot of Homer looking up at the night sky that forever impacted a generation. It acted as the perfect climax to an already emotionally resonating episode, thanks to the great guest performance by Glenn Close as Mona Simpson, who helps bring home this tear-jerking story of Homer's short reunion with his long-lost mother.

29 "Lisa's First Word" (Season 4, Episode 10)

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

One of the most emotional episodes in the sitcom's history, "Lisa's First Word" is a flashback episode following many attempts to get Maggie to speak her first words. It conjures up the story of how Lisa said her first words, telling the heartfelt story that would begin before Lisa was even born, and the jealousy and resentment that Bart was beginning to form for having to share his life with a sibling. However, the episode has an emotionally poignant ending that makes for one of the best moments in the show's history.

As opposed to many other Simpsons episodes where the primary draw is inherent comedy and hijinks, the biggest draw of "Lisa's First Word" is its powerful heartwarming energy. It provides much greater context into the relationships and undeniable love in the Simpsons family between siblings, telling a powerful story that no matter how things may appear, the bonds of family are forever strong.

28 "Hurricane Neddy" (Season 8, Episode 8)

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

More commonly recognized as the episode where Ned Flanders snaps at everyone in Springfield, "Hurricane Neddy" sees the town coming together to rebuild Ned's home after it was taken out by a hurricane. However, the shoddy reconstruction of the house has Ned boil over in rage, completely laying into the flaws and failures of everyone in Springfield after years of being the kindhearted neighbor. He then commits himself to a mental hospital, bringing into question the repressed problems from his childhood that caused him to become this way.

"Hurricane Neddy" is a clear example of a great Simpsons episode that doesn't center around a member of the family, with a great deal of the focus and perspective being on Ned and his struggles. Ned Flanders was already such a beloved and iconic character in the show's history, with this episode only further going into detail and scope into the inner struggles and process of the most iconic neighbor in television history.

27 "Homer at the Bat" (Season 3, Episode 17)

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

"Homer at the Bat" sees Homer and the rest of his co-workers joining the plant's softball team, managing to bring the team to great success, putting them in the finals against their rivals, the Shelbyville Power Plant team. However, the stakes find themselves to be astronomically raised when Mr. Burns makes a million-dollar bet that his team will win, and in order to secure victory, Burns hires a full MLB team to play instead.

"Homer at the Bat" is easily the ultimate Simpsons episode for baseball fans, with numerous stellar cameos of the era's biggest players, as well as a great deal of classic sports shenanigans. Even outside of these appearances, the episode is chock-full of great comedic moments, as well as effective stakes, as the game with Shelbyville grows closer and closer, absolutely down to the wire. It's without a doubt the best sports episode that The Simpsons has ever seen.

26 "Homer the Smithers" (Season 7, Episode 17)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

"Homer the Smithers" provides a closer look into the work relationship between Homer and his notoriously evil boss, Mr. Burns, following Homer as he is appointed as the temporary replacement to Smithers. This results in a wide number of comedic hijinks, as Homer attempts to do his best to do a great job to Mr. Burns for the sake of his own job prospects, to the point of being overworked. It's all the more ironic because the only reason that Smither chose Homer to be the replacement was that he knew that Homer wouldn't outshine him and the work he'd done while on vacation.

The episode is easily one of the show's brightest showcases of the undeniable bond between Mr. Burns and Smithers, two of the most iconic side characters in the show's history. The episode also features its fair share of genuinely emotional moments, as Homer's dedication and self-destruction for the sake of his job and his family is commendable, and it's easy to feel for him with just how comically strict Burns's demands are.

25 "Bart Sells His Soul" (Season 7, Episode 4)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

In the Season 7 episode "Bart Sells His Soul," a doubtful and arrogant Bart impulsively sells his soul to his best friend Milhouse for five dollars, ridiculing anyone who points out its importance. While Bart doesn't think much of it initially, he begins to doubt his own beliefs after a series of strange occurrences point to the existence of the soul. Bart soon fears the consequences of his actions and tries to take it back.

"Bart Sells His Soul" proves that existentialist themes can be explored beyond film, with the show cleverly addressing philosophical and spiritual subjects while still delivering plenty of laughs. The episode's writer Greg Daniels was actually inspired by a childhood experience where he "bought" a bully's soul, making Bart's story even funnier since it's rooted in reality.

24 "Treehouse of Horror IV" (Season 5, Episode 5)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

Any fan of the series is likely familiar with the Halloween-themed Simpsons episodes, with "Treehouse of Horror IV" among the greatest ones. In the first segment, "The Devil and Homer Simpson," Homer sells his soul to the devil, who looks suspiciously like Ned Flanders, for a donut. In "Terror at 5½ Feet," Bart discovers a gremlin dismantling the school bus during a stormy ride. Finally, in "Bart Simpson's Dracula," the Simpsons visit Mr. Burns' mansion and become the target of his vampire ambitions.

With clever references to shows and movies like The Twilight Zone, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and The Lost Boys, "Treehouse of Horror IV" was on point for its time and quickly became a popular episode. The decision to have Flanders show up as the devil was a particular stroke of genius, which was topped by Homer's gut-busting decision not to eat the last bit of his donut to save his soul from eternal damnation.

23 "Rosebud" (Season 5, Episode 4)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

Some episodes of The Simpsons showcase a more human side to the usually villainous and inhumane Mr. Burns, with "Rosebud" arguably being the best of those. A Season 5 classic, the episode follows Mr. Burns who, after seeing a nostalgic documentary about his life, becomes obsessed with taking back his childhood teddy bear, Bobo. However, Bobo is now owned and deeply loved by Maggie – Mr. Burns goes to great lengths to change this.

Aside from Maggie being adorable, the episode is memorable for Homer's refusal to give up Bobo. Despite sealing a sweet deal for Mr. Burns giving him "a million dollars and three Hawaiian Islands" just for the ratty old bear, Maggie's sad face is enough for Homer to call it off. As expected, the episode also escalates to some absurd levels, blending humor with emotional nostalgia.

22 "One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish" (Season 2, Episode 11)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

"One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish" sees Homer panicked after having eaten a poisonous fugu fish at a sushi restaurant. He's told that he only has 24 hours to live, so he decides to make the most of it by making a list of things he wants to do before his death. Facing his fears, Homer embarks on this bucket list-style quest... only to get caught speeding and put in jail.

The Season 2 episode is an excellent example of tragicomedy on the small screen, with Homer's plight being unsurprisingly rooted in existential and philosophical ideas. It's also just a great episode because of the way it captures Homer's character in general, as if giving viewers a picture of his life up to that point. Oh and spoiler alert, he doesn't die.

21 "Mr. Plow" (Season 4, Episode 9)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

In "Mr. Plow," Homer becomes a local hero after buying a snow plow and starting his own snow removal business, mostly helping his neighbors clear their driveways. His sudden success soon leads to a rivalry with his friend Barney, who also starts a snow plow business and competes with Homer for customers. Barney eventually puts Homer out of business, leading to more friction between the drinking buddies.

"Mr. Plow" is crucial for The Simpsons for many reasons, one of them being that Dan Castellaneta won an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Voice-Over Performance" for this episode. The Season 4 episode is also notable for the way its narrative and characters look and feel more like the classic Simpsons that fans would come to know and love. "Mr. Plow" feels like a turning point for the show that has finally found its footing and has more refined characters that would go on to become iconic.

20 "Homer's Phobia" (Season 8, Episode 15)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

An award-winning episode featuring the voice (and likeness of) filmmaker John Waters, "Homer's Phobia" revolves around Homer's decision-making after discovering that his new family friend John (Waters) is gay. He soon takes Bart hunting just to further dissociate himself from John and embrace the more "masculine" activities he and his son can bond over. Of course, things soon go very wrong.

The episode was controversial when it first premiered, as its anti-homophobia message and new character sparked debates among viewers. It managed to be a biting satire and a Simpsons episode that thoughtfully explored LGBTQ+ issues while still being wildly entertaining (and worth watching more than once).

19 "Homer vs. the 18th Amendment" (Season 8, Episode 18)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

"Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment" showcases the wacky events that follow Springfield's enactment of a prohibition as a consequence of a too-rowdy Saint Patrick's Day celebration. To counteract this, Homer and his friends start a speak-easy (Moe's) and he soon takes on the persona of the Beer Baron.

A classic Simpsons episode, there's no shortage of things to love about it. Aside from the hilarious hijinks courtesy of Homer and the gang, the episode actually shows a rare situation where Homer uses his intelligence to solve a problem, adding to the hilarity of the premise. Anything for beer!

18 "Flaming Moe's" (Season 3, Episode 10)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

In "Flaming Moe's," Homer tells the titular bartender about his newest invention – a bizarre cocktail with fire and medicine guaranteed to catch people’s attention. When Moe steals this recipe and claims it as his own, Homer becomes enraged and vows he’ll get payback.

The episode is best remembered for its obvious parody of the iconic long-running live-action sitcom Cheers, with the opening sequence "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" paralleled for Moe’s Tavern. More importantly, it’s the first episode that really focuses on Moe Szyslak's personality and motivations (thankfully the first of many).

17 "Deep Space Homer" (Season 5, Episode 15)

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

A crucial episode in The Simpsons, "Deep Space Homer" marked an important moment in the direction the series would go in the future. The episode follows Homer’s wacky space adventure after he’s selected by NASA to participate in a spaceflight. While on the shuttle, he unsurprisingly causes some catastrophic but hilarious events.

Aside from being a witty parody of 2001: A Space Odyssey, the episode is memorable because it marked The Simpsons’ decision to dive deeper into absurd humor. No longer confined to the town of Springfield, it would signal the start of many out-of-this-world misadventures for the beloved characters. There’s also the fact that the episode’s guest stars include Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin and musician James Taylor.

16 "And Maggie Makes Three" (Season 6, Episode 13)

IMDb Rating: 8.9/10

In one of the most emotional and iconic Simpsons episodes ever, Homer explains to Bart and Lisa why there are no baby pictures of Maggie in their family albums. He tells them about how he saved up and quit his job at the power plant to apply for his dream position at a bowling alley, but when Marge becomes pregnant, he has to make some tough choices.

"And Maggie Makes Three" is known for its tear-jerking ending, which shows how Homer covered the large plaque Mr. Burns placed near his desk, which originally read "Don't forget: you're here forever." After falling in love with Maggie after she was born, those letters would soon be covered with her baby pictures to reveal the words "Do it for her."

15 "Homer the Heretic" (Season 4, Episode 3)

IMDb Rating: 9.0/10

The Simpsons established itself as an animated series for mature viewers early on, especially through episodes like "Homer the Heretic." The episode depicts Homer's string of good luck after deciding to stay home on a Sunday instead of going to church with the rest of his family. Instead, he enjoys dancing around in his underwear, making his special waffles, finding a penny, and more. When he decides never to go back to church again, God pays him a visit.

A fantastic example of how the series presents social commentary in humorous ways, the Simpsons episode highlights the absurd obsession with religion and conformity (and the social repercussions of choosing otherwise).

14 "Who Shot Mr. Burns? Part Two" (Season 7, Episode 1)

IMDb Rating: 9.0/10

As Mr. Burns lies in the hospital with a gunshot wound, the investigation into his attempted murder gets intense. Everyone in Springfield has a motive, but when Chief Wiggum relies on an Agatha Christie novel to guide him, things don’t go well until Simpson DNA turns up on Burns’ suit.

This episode opens with Burns in Smithers’ shower, and for a moment, fans are led to believe it’s all been just a dream, reminiscent of Dallas’ infamous cliffhanger. Sideshow Mel pulls a Sherlock Holmes, Lisa speaks in Twin Peaks tongue, and Groundskeeper Willie channels Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct. To keep the ending from leaking, several alternates were animated, some of which aired during "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular!," including Apu, Barney, Smithers, and Santa’s Little Helper as the gunmen.

13 "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson" (Season 9, Episode 1)

IMDb Rating: 9.0/10

On Barney’s turn as designated driver, Duffman shows up with bottomless beer. This breaks poor Barney; when he drops Homer off that night, he disappears with the Simpson car, leaving it illegally parked at the World Trade Centre for two months. While the rest of the family goes sightseeing in NYC, Homer has to wait by his car from 9 to 5, though some clam juice derails his best intentions.

Fans love this episode – which comes from one of the best seasons of The Simpsons – for the pickled egg draw, Homer’s Flushing Meadows fantasy, the parking enforcement department that only hires Steves, Marge’s humble dream “of being in a Broadway audience,” and Bart’s visit to MAD Magazine. This episode was removed from syndication after 9/11 but went back into rotation in 2006 with some scenes edited out. Producers later donated a hand-drawn cel from the episode to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

12 "22 Short Films About Springfield" (Season 7, Episode 21)

IMDb Rating: 9.0/10

A loose parody of Pulp Fiction, "22 Short Films About Springfield" is an episode with a title that reveals the entire plot. It portrays a variety of Springfield's residents – Bart and Milhouse, Apu, Mr. Burns and Smithers, Moe, and more – experiencing their own little stories that are soon revealed to be interconnected.

The Simpsons episode is a wonderful view into the lives and personalities of the characters fans know and love. Each story is creative and entertaining, from Principal Skinners' disastrous roast and Lisa's hair issue to Bart's daring prank and Chief Wiggum's conversation about McDonald's.

11 "Last Exit to Springfield" (Season 4, Episode 17)

IMDb Rating: 9.0/10

Eight-year-old Lisa needs braces. It’s bad timing since the power plant has just nixed the union’s dental plan in favor of a beer keg at all their meetings. Instead of braces, Lisa gets a headset that predates stainless steel, “so you can’t get it wet.” Homer takes over as union president and goes head-to-head with Mr. Burns, leading the plant employees on strike.

The episode’s most memorable elements include Grampa’s pointless story, Lisa’s protest song, Mr. Burns’ likeness to The Grinch, the horrifying Big Book of British Smiles, and the first of many gags involving Burns’ never remembering who Homer Simpson is. The Simpsons episode is an ode to activism and the power of united workers.