For over three decades, The Simpsons has been a cornerstone of animated television, renowned for its satirical humor and sharp social commentary. Beyond the laughs, the show has garnered attention for seemingly predicting real-world events with uncanny accuracy. Let’s delve into some of these notable instances, exploring the episodes, characters involved, and the intriguing connections to actual events.
1. Donald Trump’s Presidency
Episode: “Bart to the Future” (Season 11, Episode 17)
Aired: March 19, 2000
In this episode, a glimpse into the future reveals Lisa Simpson as the President of the United States. During a cabinet meeting, she remarks, “We’ve inherited quite a budget crunch from President Trump.” At the time, the notion of Donald Trump ascending to the presidency seemed far-fetched. Fast forward to 2016, and Trump was elected as the 45th President of the United States.
Connection: The writers intended this as a satirical comment on the political climate, not a genuine prediction. As former writer Dan Greaney explained, it was a “warning to America.”
2. Disney’s Acquisition of 20th Century Fox
Episode: “When You Dish Upon a Star” (Season 10, Episode 5)
Aired: November 8, 1998
In this episode, a sign is displayed that reads, “20th Century Fox, a Division of Walt Disney Co.” This humorous jab at corporate mergers became reality two decades later when, in 2019, Disney acquired 21st Century Fox for $71.3 billion.
Connection: The show’s creators often satirize media consolidation trends, leading to this coincidental prediction.
3. Team USA’s Curling Gold Medal
Episode: “Boy Meets Curl” (Season 21, Episode 12)
Aired: February 14, 2010
Homer and Marge Simpson join a mixed-doubles curling team, unexpectedly defeating Sweden at the Vancouver Olympics. In a surprising turn of events, the U.S. men’s curling team clinched the gold medal against Sweden during the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Connection: While the episode focused on the mixed-doubles team, the U.S. men’s team’s victory mirrored the underdog triumph depicted.
4. Smartwatches
Episode: “Lisa’s Wedding” (Season 6, Episode 19)
Aired: March 19, 1995
Set in the future, this episode showcases Lisa’s fiancé using a wristwatch to communicate, resembling modern smartwatches. This was long before devices like the Apple Watch became mainstream.
Connection: The concept of wearable technology was speculative at the time, highlighting the show’s forward-thinking creativity.
5. Video Chat Technology
Episode: “Lisa’s Wedding” (Season 6, Episode 19)
Aired: March 19, 1995
In the same futuristic episode, characters engage in video calls, a technology that became commonplace with platforms like Skype and FaceTime in the 2000s.
Connection: The depiction of video communication showcased the show’s imaginative portrayal of future tech advancements.
6. Legalization of Marijuana in Canada
Episode: “Midnight Rx” (Season 16, Episode 6)
Aired: January 16, 2005
Ned Flanders and Homer travel to Canada to procure affordable prescription drugs. During their visit, a Canadian character offers Ned a “reefer,” to which he responds, “They warned me Satan would be attractive.” Canada nationally legalized recreational marijuana in 2018.
Connection: The episode humorously touched on Canada’s progressive stance on certain policies, preceding actual legislative changes.
7. Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl Performance
Episode: “Lisa Goes Gaga” (Season 23, Episode 22)
Aired: May 20, 2012
Lady Gaga visits Springfield, performing a high-flying musical number suspended by cables. In 2017, Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl halftime show featured a strikingly similar aerial performance.
Connection: The episode captured Gaga’s theatrical style, which she later showcased on one of the world’s biggest stages.
8. Richard Branson’s Spaceflight
Episode: “The War of Art” (Season 25, Episode 15)
Aired: March 23, 2014
A brief scene depicts a character resembling Richard Branson floating in a spaceship. In 2021, Branson journeyed to the edge of space aboard his company Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft.
Connection: Branson’s well-known ambition for commercial space travel was humorously portrayed years before its realization.
9. Three-Eyed Fish
Episode: “Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish” (Season 2, Episode 4)
Aired: November 1, 1990
Bart catches a three-eyed fish, dubbed “Blinky,” near the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. In 2011, a three-eyed fish was discovered in a reservoir in Argentina, which received water from a nuclear facility.
Connection: The episode satirized environmental concerns related to nuclear power, coincidentally preceding a real-life parallel.
10. Faulty Voting Machines
Episode: “Treehouse of Horror XIX” (Season 20, Episode 4)
Aired: November 2, 2008
Homer attempts to vote for Barack Obama, but a malfunctioning machine records his vote for John McCain. In 2012, reports emerged of voting machines in Pennsylvania switching votes due to calibration issues.
Connection: The episode highlighted potential technological flaws in electronic voting systems, a concern that manifested in reality.
11. The COVID-19 Pandemic
Episode: “Marge in Chains” (Season 4, Episode 21)
Aired: May 6, 1993
A viral outbreak, dubbed the “Osaka Flu,” spreads through Springfield after residents order juicers from Japan. The episode portrays the rapid transmission of the virus and ensuing public panic, reminiscent of the global COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2019.
Connection: While the episode depicted a fictional virus, the themes of global transmission and societal response echoed real-world events decades later.
12. Los Angeles Wildfires
Episode: Various episodes
Claim: Some fans assert that The Simpsons predicted the Los Angeles wildfires, particularly referencing episodes depicting fires in Springfield. However, these claims often stem from fabricated images or misinterpretations.
Clarification: According to PolitiFact, there is no specific episode of The Simpsons that predicted the Los Angeles wildfires. The images circulating online are fabricated.
13. Attack on Donald Trump
Claim: Rumors have circulated suggesting that The Simpsons featured an episode depicting an attack on Donald Trump, even specifying dates like February 14, 2025.
Clarification: These claims are unfounded. PolitiFact confirms that no such episode exists, and images or videos suggesting otherwise are digitally altered.
How Do The Simpsons Predict the Future?
Given these instances, one might wonder: Are the writers of The Simpsons psychic? Not exactly.
1. Probability and Sheer Volume of Episodes
With over 750 episodes, The Simpsons has tackled nearly every conceivable scenario. When a show runs for over 30 years, some plotlines are bound to overlap with real-world events.
2. Satirical Writing Based on Trends
The show’s writers are experts at observing trends and exaggerating them for comedic effect. For instance, the idea of Donald Trump becoming president was considered absurd in 2000—but his growing media presence and political aspirations made it a plausible joke.
3. Inspiration from History
Many so-called “predictions” are actually inspired by past events. The three-eyed fish, for example, was likely inspired by real-life concerns about nuclear contamination in the past, making it a logical satire that later coincided with an actual discovery.
4. The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Effect
Some believe that The Simpsons doesn’t predict the future—it influences it. For example, Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl performance might have been inspired by her animated counterpart. Similarly, Richard Branson was already working on space travel when the show depicted him in orbit.
Final Thoughts: Coincidence or Conspiracy?
At the end of the day, The Simpsons’ predictions are a mix of coincidence, clever observation, and occasional self-fulfilling influence. While some predictions are mind-blowing, others are simply a result of great satire. Whether it’s a case of sharp writing or just pure luck, one thing’s for sure—whenever something major happens in the world, fans will rush to check if The Simpsons saw it coming first!
