WHERE TO START
The Simpsons: Where to Start (2026)
The Simpsons · Updated Sep 15, 2026
803 episodes and counting since 1989 makes The Simpsons the longest-running scripted primetime show in American TV history. It's also one of the easiest long-runners to jump into anywhere, since it's a sitcom with no ongoing plot — but "anywhere" isn't the same as "anywhere good."
The show and the film
1.
The Simpsons (1989– ) — TMDB 456 — the series proper, 803+ episodes across 36+ seasons.
2.
The Simpsons Movie (2007) — TMDB 35 — a self-contained theatrical film; watch anytime, no series knowledge required beyond knowing who the family is.
Where to start if you only have a weekend
Widely-recommended jumping-on point: Season 3 through Season 8 (roughly 1991–1997) is considered the show's creative peak ("the golden era") by critics and longtime fans alike, and doesn't require anything from Seasons 1–2. Pick any episode from that stretch — there's no serialized plot to catch up on.
If you want current episodes
The show is still airing new seasons every year; recent seasons stand alone from the classic era and don't require watching the golden era first, though many callbacks and long-running gags land harder if you have that context.