The Simpsons: how many seasons and where to watch them?

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A thirty-seventh season under way, more than 800 episodes broadcast, a renewal already secured through season 40: the state of play is current as of 30 June 2026. Then comes the French answer, Disney+, which has carried the show since 7 April 2020, the advice to start with the golden age of seasons 3 to 8, the entirely non-canon status of the "Treehouse of Horror" specials, and the sequel to the 2007 feature film, announced by Disney for 2027. You will know exactly where to enter Springfield.

More than thirty-five years after its very first episode, The Simpsons remains the longest-running animated series in American television history — and a genuine monument you may well want to (re)discover today.

How many seasons? Where to watch it in France? Which episode should you start with when hundreds of adventures lie ahead? Here is the complete guide to diving back into the world of Springfield's yellow family, up to date as of 30 June 2026.

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How many seasons and episodes does the show have?

Created by Matt Groening, the Simpson family first appeared as shorts in the Tracey Ullman Show on 19 April 1987, before landing its own twenty-minute format on 17 December 1989 with the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". Broadcast by the American network Fox and produced by the studio 20th Television Animation, the show has never left the air since.

As of 30 June 2026, The Simpsons is in its 37^th season: the run broadcast on the Fox network ended on 15 February 2026, and the show has already passed the 800-episode mark (the 800^th to air, "Guess Who's Coming to Skinner", came out on 7 December 2025). Better still: the network has renewed the programme through season 40 (the 2028-2029 season), in a joint Fox / Disney announcement on 2 April 2025 covering four additional seasons.

🛋️ More than 800 episodes under its belt and a show already renewed through season 40: a marathon that long is best watched wrapped up warm, and our Simpsons blankets are made to cover every one of your catch-up evenings.

These figures earn it several records: The Simpsons is at once the longest-running American scripted prime-time series (ahead of the western Gunsmoke), the longest-running sitcom and the longest-running animated series in American television history.

📺 Before you dive in, (re)acquaint yourself with its heroes: our profile of the most famous family on television retraces three decades of Springfield.

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Where to watch The Simpsons in France?

At the time of writing, Disney+ is the go-to platform for watching The Simpsons in France: it carries almost every season in both French and the original version, the 2007 feature film, and the new episodes that now come out there exclusively. The show has been in Disney+'s French catalogue since the platform launched in France, on 7 April 2020. Streaming catalogues change regularly, so do check current availability before subscribing.

The film can also be rented or bought individually on demand on the usual platforms (Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Rakuten TV, Pathé Home…), at prices that vary by offer — worth checking at the time of purchase. On television, the show has a long French history: first broadcast on Canal+ from 15 December 1990, it then passed through W9, M6, Canal+ Family, 6ter and Série Club. Those channels belong to the show's history, though: for new episodes, Disney+ is where to look today.

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Where to start when you are new to the show?

Good news: there is no imposed viewing order. The Simpsons is an essentially episodic series, with no strong narrative continuity — the characters return to their starting situation at the end of each episode. Showrunner Matt Selman has even compared it to Groundhog Day: the family resets every week without knowing it. So you can start just about anywhere.

If you are looking for the best entry point, critics most often place the show's "golden age" around seasons 3 to 8 (the boundaries vary by source). Starting with season 3, 4 or 5 is a safe choice for discovering the show at its creative peak. Among the episodes regularly cited as the best:

• "Marge vs. the Monorail" (season 4) — Springfield is sold a high-speed train by a smooth talker; an episode written by Conan O'Brien.
• "Last Exit to Springfield" (season 4) — Homer leads a strike to save the employees' dental plan.
• "Cape Feare" (season 5) — the return of Sideshow Bob, in a parody of Cape Fear.
• "Homer at the Bat" (season 3) — the plant's softball team brings in baseball champions as reinforcements.
• "You Only Move Twice" (season 8) — Homer works for Hank Scorpio, the nicest… and most dangerous boss in the show.

And if the little family wins you over, carry on with our profiles of Marge, Lisa and Bart, the household's other pillars.

🧢 In "Homer at the Bat", the plant's softball team brings in baseball champions as reinforcements; without recruiting anyone, you can already borrow baseball's signature headwear with our Simpsons caps, in the stands or around town.

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The "Treehouse of Horror" episodes: the Halloween specials

Impossible to talk about the show without its famous Halloween episodes. Titled "Treehouse of Horror" in the original version and "Simpson Horror Show" in France, they come back at a rate of one per season since season 2 (the very first is the third episode of that season). Each special generally brings together three short stories mixing horror, science fiction and fantasy.

Their distinctive feature: they are entirely non-canon. No continuity with the rest of the show — the characters can die, transform or travel through time without the slightest consequence. You can therefore watch them independently, but they are not representative of the show's usual tone: see them as a bonus, not as a starting point.

🎃 In the "Treehouse of Horror" specials, the characters can transform without the slightest consequence; on Halloween night, our Simpsons costumes grant you the same privilege, and you're back to being yourself by morning.

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The films: the 2007 feature and the 2027 sequel

"The Simpsons Movie" (Les Simpson, le film in French) came out in 2007, directed by David Silverman and produced by Gracie Films and 20th Century Fox. A huge success, it took more than $500 million worldwide (around $536 million) on a budget of roughly $75 million. It contains a few moments that became cult favourites: the giant glass dome the environmental agency drops over Springfield, and above all Homer's pig, Plopper, immortalised by the musical gag "Spider-Pig" ("Spider-Cochon" in the French version).

Good news for fans: a sequel has been officially announced. On 29 September 2025, 20th Century Studios (Disney) confirmed a second feature film, whose cinema release is announced for some time in 2027. At this stage, neither the director, nor the cast, nor the plot has been revealed — and like any distant release date, this one remains liable to change.

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Summary table

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FAQ

• How many seasons of The Simpsons are there?
  As of 30 June 2026, the show is in its 37^th season and has already been renewed through season 40 (2028-2029).
• How many episodes does the show have?
  More than 800 episodes have been broadcast; the 800^th came out on 7 December 2025. It is the longest-running American scripted prime-time series.
• Where can you watch The Simpsons in France?
  On Disney+, which offers almost every season in French and the original version as well as the film, at the time of writing. Do check current availability, as catalogues change regularly.
• Do you have to watch the episodes in order?
  No. The show is episodic, with no strong continuity: you can start with any season. To discover it at its peak, critics often recommend seasons 3 to 8.
• Is there a second Simpsons film?
  Yes: a sequel to the 2007 feature has been officially announced by Disney, with a release planned for some time in 2027. No plot or casting details have been released yet.
• What is the "Treehouse of Horror"?
  It is the Halloween special, broadcast once a season since season 2. Made up of three short stories and entirely non-canon, it can be watched independently of the rest of the show.

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Conclusion

With more than 800 episodes, a 37^th season under way and a horizon already mapped out to 2029, The Simpsons has lost none of its standing as a monument of popular culture. Whether you are nostalgic for the golden age or curious to discover it all, the essentials are here: the show can be picked up from any point, and Disney+ opens the gates of Springfield in a few clicks.

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