The Simpsons has predicted many real events since 1989. In “Bart to the Future” (2000), Trump becomes president, happening in 2016 and again in 2024. “Marge in Chains” (1993) showed a virus from Asia spreading globally, like COVID-19, plus murder hornets. Disney buying Fox appeared in 1998, true in 2019. Tech hits include smartwatches (1995), autocorrect errors (1994), and Higgs boson math (1998). Lady Gaga flew over a crowd in 2012, matching her 2017 Super Bowl show. Cypress Hill played with an orchestra in 1996, real in 2024. Other forecasts: FIFA scandal (2014 episode, 2015 real), U.S. curling gold (2010, 2018), and three-eyed fish from pollution (1990, 2011). Writers call these coincidences from 790+ episodes and sharp satire, not prophecy. Still, the show’s uncanny accuracy keeps fans amazed.

Long Version

The Simpsons Predictions That Came True: Eerie Forecasts from an Iconic Animated Series

Since its debut in 1989, The Simpsons has captivated audiences as a satirical animated series, blending humor with sharp commentary on society, politics, and culture. With over 790 episodes spanning more than three decades, the show’s longevity has led to countless instances where its fictional scenarios eerily mirror real-world events. Fans often hail the writers as time travelers or modern-day Nostradamus figures, foretelling prophecies that seem uncanny. Yet, as producer Bill Oakley explains, these are mainly coincidences, given that history repeats itself and the series throws enough darts to hit some bullseyes. Showrunner Al Jean echoes this, describing them as educated guesses rather than true predictions. Fact-checking has debunked many claims, attributing resemblances to the show’s vast output and simple explanations. Still, the phenomenon persists, sparking debates about whether these are mere coincidences or something more prophetic. This article delves into the most notable examples, categorized by theme, providing episode details, what was forecasted, and how it came true, offering a complete resource on this fascinating aspect of the series.

Political Predictions: From Presidents to Global Crises

One of the most famous examples is the Trump presidency, depicted in the season 11 episode “Bart to the Future” (2000), where Lisa inherits a budget crunch from President Trump as she becomes the U.S. leader. This aired 16 years before Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory, drawing renewed attention when it happened. The episode’s chalkboard equation gag later referenced the outcome with “Being right sucks” in season 28. Extending this, a 2015 short “Trumptastic Voyage” forecasted Trump’s return to the White House, aligning with his 2024 election win and subsequent 2025 inauguration for a second term.

In “Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy” (season 5, 1994), a news ticker mentions a president’s arrest amid doll hysteria, which fans linked to Trump’s 2023 arrest on racketeering charges. The series also appeared to foretell the Capitol riot in “The Day the Violence Died” (season 7, 1996), showing an attack on the U.S. Capitol that resembled the January 6, 2021, events.

On international fronts, “Politically Inept, With Homer Simpson” (season 23, 2012) had a ticker reading “Europe puts Greece on eBay” during the eurozone crisis, mirroring Greece’s 2015 IMF loan default and economic turmoil. “Midnight Rx” (season 16, 2005) predicted Canada’s legalization of recreational marijuana, or “reeferino,” which became official in 2018.

Technological and Scientific Forecasts: Gadgets and Discoveries

The Simpsons has forecasted numerous tech advancements. In “Lisa’s Wedding” (season 6, 1995), Lisa uses a Picture Phone for video chats, predating Apple’s 2010 FaceTime introduction. Autocorrection debuted in “Lisa on Ice” (season 6, 1994), where Dolph’s Apple Newton device changes “Beat up Martin” to “Eat up Martha,” influencing Apple’s later emphasis on the feature.

Smartwatches appeared in the same episode, with advanced watches shown decades before they became mainstream, though such devices existed in earlier fiction. A striking scientific hit is the Higgs boson, or God Particle, in “The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace” (season 10, 1998), where Homer’s chalkboard equation approximates its mass, discovered in 2012.

In “Ned ‘n’ Edna’s Blend Agenda” (season 23, 2012), an app icon on Homer’s phone foreshadowed a major platform rebrand in 2023. “Friends and Family” (season 28, 2016) depicted virtual reality glasses like the 2024 Apple Vision Pro. Surveillance tech was highlighted in The Simpsons Movie (2007), with the NSA eavesdropping, echoing Edward Snowden’s 2013 revelations.

Health and Epidemic Prophecies: From Flu to Hornets

The show’s health-related forecasts are particularly eerie. “Marge in Chains” (season 4, 1993) introduced the Osaka Flu, spreading from a Japanese worker coughing into boxes shipped globally, akin to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2019. The episode’s mob toppling a truck releasing killer bees paralleled 2020’s “murder hornet” sightings in the U.S.

“Lisa’s Sax” (season 9, 1997) featured a book titled Curious George and the Ebola Virus, predating major outbreaks in 2000 and 2014. Environmental impacts appeared in “Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish” (season 2, 1990), with Blinky the three-eyed fish from nuclear waste, mirrored by a 2011 catch near an Argentinian plant.

Entertainment and Pop Culture Foretellings: Mergers and Performances

Entertainment predictions abound. The Disney merger with Fox was shown in “When You Dish Upon a Star” (season 10, 1998), with a sign reading “20th Century Fox: A Division of Walt Disney Co.,” coming true in 2019. “The Ziff Who Came to Dinner” (season 15, 2004) hinted at a Matrix sequel, realized with The Matrix Resurrections in 2021.

Lady Gaga’s performance in “Lisa Goes Gaga” (season 23, 2012) showed her flying on cables over an audience, matching her 2017 Super Bowl halftime show. Cypress Hill orchestra collaboration in “Homerpalooza” (season 7, 1996) had the group performing “Insane in the Brain” with the London Symphony, happening in 2024.

The Rolling Stones tour into old age was forecasted in “Lisa’s Wedding” (1995), with a “Steel Wheelchair Tour 2010” poster; the band continued touring into their 80s, including 2024 shows. Ringo Starr fan mail response in “Brush With Greatness” (season 2, 1991) saw him replying decades later, similar to Paul McCartney’s 2013 and 2024 responses to old fan letters.

Richard Branson space flight in “The War of Art” (season 25, 2014) depicted him floating in a Virgin Galactic ship, fulfilled in 2021. Game of Thrones twists, like a dragon burning a village in “The Serfsons” (season 29, 2017), echoed Daenerys’ 2019 attack. Even the 2023 Barbie craze was hinted at in “Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy” with doll hysteria.

Sports and Miscellaneous Bullseyes: Wins and Scandals

Sports forecasts include Super Bowl winners in “Lisa the Greek” (season 3, 1992), correctly predicting Washington’s victory over Buffalo, with redubs for subsequent games. Winter Olympics curling gold for the U.S. against Sweden in “Boy Meets Curl” (season 21, 2010) came true in 2018.

FIFA corruption in “You Don’t Have to Live Like a Referee” (season 25, 2014) showed arrests and Germany’s World Cup win, matching the 2015 scandal and 2014 victory. Miscellaneous include Siegfried and Roy’s tiger attack in “$pringfield” (season 5, 1993), occurring in 2003. “Elementary School Musical” (season 22, 2010) predicted Nobel winners Bengt R. Holmstrom (2016) and Ben Feringa. Grease theft in “Lard of the Dance” (season 10, 1998) mirrored 2008 spikes. Submersible mishaps in “Homer’s Paternity Coot” (season 17, 2006) echoed the 2023 Titan implosion. Voting machine glitches in “Treehouse of Horror XIX” (season 20, 2008) reflected 2012 issues. London’s Shard in “Lisa’s Wedding” (1995) was built in 2009. Ferret scams in “Papa’s Got a Brand New Badge” (season 13, 2002) happened in 2013. JCPenney’s decline in “Please Homer, Don’t Hammer ‘Em” (season 18, 2007) aligned with its 2020 bankruptcy. McBain puns in “Last Exit to Springfield” (season 4, 1993) resembled Batman & Robin (1997). Kill Bill billboards in “Itchy and Scratchy: The Movie” (season 4, 1992) inspired New Zealand ads. Kamala Harris’ purple outfit in “Bart to the Future” matched her 2024 campaign attire.

To expand on lesser-known instances, “The Cartridge Family” (season 9, 1997) featured a soccer riot that paralleled various real-world sports violence outbreaks in the 2000s. “The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson” (season 9, 1997) depicted the World Trade Center with a parking offer that some tied to post-9/11 sensitivities, though coincidental. In “Homer at the Bat” (season 3, 1992), celebrity softball players foreshadowed real cameos in sports events.

Understanding the Phenomenon: Coincidences or Prophecies?

While these examples feel uncanny, the writers attribute them to the show’s satirical edge and broad cultural references. With so many episodes, statistical likelihood plays a role—most are educated guesses or throwaway gags that align by chance. Notions of true foresight often have mundane explanations like the Apple Newton’s real flaws or pre-existing smartwatch concepts. As Al Jean puts it, if you throw darts long enough, you’ll score bullseyes. Bill Oakley emphasizes coincidences over predictions, given the series’ age. Ultimately, The Simpsons’ ability to forecast stems from its keen observation of trends, making it a cultural mirror rather than a crystal ball. This blend of humor and insight ensures its prophecies remain a topic of endless fascination, with new alignments emerging as time progresses.