The Best Seasons Of 'The Simpsons,' Ranked

Ranker TV
Updated October 29, 2023 241.2K views 32 items
Ranked By
24.7K votes
3.8K voters

This list of the best seasons of The Simpsons is organized from best to worst with pictures of DVD covers or season posters when available. Make sure to also check out the best Simpsons fan theories and the funniest subtle adult jokes on The Simpsons. Hardcore fans of the series often argue over what the greatest season of The Simpsons is, which is exactly why this ranked list was created. The Simpsons ratings are off the charts, because every season of The Simpsons is pretty great. 

The Simpsons is one of the most beloved American television shows. With 32 seasons, over 600 episodes, and millions of fans worldwide, it's truly one of the funniest satirical looks at life in middle America. It is currently the longest-running American sitcom, the longest-running American animated program, and the longest-running American scripted primetime television series. With so many episodes and seasons to choose from, it's definitely hard to settle on which one is the best. 

Each season of The Simpsons has at least one memorable episode, so it isn't necessarily easy to figure out what the top season is. If you want to answer the questions, "What is the best season of The Simpsons?" and "Which season of The Simpsons is the best?" then this list will have you covered. Vote up the best seasons of The Simpsons below.

 

  • The Simpsons - Season 4
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox
    1
    1,613 VOTES

    The Simpsons - Season 4

    Arguably the pinnacle of the show's golden era, this season gifted viewers with unforgettable episodes like "Marge vs. the Monorail" and "Mr. Plow." From brilliant satire to heartwarming stories, it's no wonder fans still reminisce about it being one of the best seasons ever.

    1,613 votes
  • Highlighted by classics such as "Bart Sells His Soul" and "22 Short Films About Springfield," this season saw the show firing on all cylinders. Diving into deeper themes while maintaining its uproarious humor, it successfully raised the bar yet again.

    1,181 votes
  • A season packed with iconic episodes like "Treehouse of Horror V" and "Who Shot Mr. Burns? - Part 1," it continued the show's strong run in its prime. Bursting with creativity and humor, it delivered both laughter and tears, making it a fan favorite.

    1,685 votes
  • In its third outing, the series truly hit its stride with episodes like "Flaming Moe's" and "Radio Bart." With more polished animation and sharper writing, viewers were treated to a perfect blend of satire and character-driven storytelling.

    1,283 votes
  • This season marked a turning point for the show, solidifying itself as a pop culture phenomenon with episodes like "Cape Feare" and "Homer's Barbershop Quartet." Juggling both wit and sentimentality, it proved that animation could tackle grown-up themes while maintaining its charm.

    1,366 votes
  • Boasting unforgettable moments like "You Only Move Twice" and "Homer's Enemy," this season not only brought laughter but also delved into complex issues with episodes like "The Homer They Fall." Striking a balance between humor and insight, it demonstrated the writers' ability to keep audiences hooked.

    1,234 votes
  • Building on its promising start, the show's sophomore season came into its own with episodes like "Bart Gets an F" and "Dead Putting Society." By exploring relatable issues through a comedic lens, it paved the way for its future success.

    1,014 votes
  • While some fans believe this season marked the beginning of the show's decline, it still had gems like "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson" and "Lisa the Skeptic." Despite the debate, there's no denying that it remained packed with memorable moments.

    877 votes
  • Where it all began – a groundbreaking debut that introduced us to the iconic characters we've come to love. With standout episodes like "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" and "Krusty Gets Busted," it was a strong start to a legendary series.

    998 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 10
    Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use

    This season, while often overshadowed by its predecessors, still managed to deliver hits like "Bart the Mother" and "Maximum Homerdrive." By exploring new character dynamics and adding fresh twists, it kept the show feeling engaging.

    847 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 11
    Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use

    Although not as well-regarded as earlier seasons, this one still brought laughs with episodes like "Behind the Laughter" and "Grift of the Magi." It showed that, despite some stumbles, there was still plenty of life left in Springfield.

    703 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 13
    Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use

    Boasting highlights like "She of Little Faith" and "Weekend at Burnsie's," this season maintained the unique blend of satire and heart that endeared it to viewers. Even though the show couldn't quite recapture the magic of its glory days, it still produced quality entertainment.

    584 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 12
    Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use

    Despite mixed reactions from fans, episodes like "Hungry, Hungry Homer" and "HOMR" showed that there were still nuggets of gold to be found. The show continued to push boundaries, proving that it wasn't afraid to evolve.

    729 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 14
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox

    While far from the show's peak, this season had standouts like "Bart vs. Lisa vs. the Third Grade" and "Moe Baby Blues." These episodes demonstrated that, even though the show had changed, its ability to make us laugh and think remained intact.

    536 votes
  • The Simpsons Season 15
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox

    Notably featuring the 300th episode, this season brought fans hits like "Homer and Marge Turn a Couple Play" and "The Way We Weren't." While not as groundbreaking as earlier seasons, it still provided reliable humor and heartwarming moments.

    566 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 20
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox

    Marking its impressive run with its 20th anniversary, the show continued to deliver laughs through episodes like "Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes" and "Double, Double, Boy in Trouble." Although no longer in its prime, the series showed that it could still pack a punch.

    531 votes
  • With moments like "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Guest Star" and "Future-Drama," the charm of Springfield still shone through. Though not reaching the lofty heights of its earlier seasons, it had enough humor and warmth to keep viewers engaged.

    459 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 18
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox

    While not considered among the show's best, this season still offered fans episodes like "Moe'N'a Lisa" and "The Haw-Hawed Couple." Demonstrating that it hadn't lost its satirical edge, the show continued to provide hearty laughs for its loyal fanbase.

    445 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 27
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox

    Featuring a memorable "Treehouse of Horror XXVI" and the poignant "Barthood," this late-stage season offered fresh takes on familiar characters. Despite its age, the series proved it could still churn out memorable episodes and moments.

    425 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 19
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox

    This season threw curveballs like "Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind" and "He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs." By tackling experimental storytelling and unpredictable plotlines, it showed that the show was still capable of reinventing itself.

    470 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 17
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox

    Standouts like "The Girl Who Slept Too Little" and "The Italian Bob" proved that there was still plenty of humor and heart in the show. Though not quite as consistently strong as earlier seasons, it continued to deliver enjoyable moments.

    476 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 21
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox

    Featuring a milestone 450th episode and classics like "O Brother, Where Bart Thou?" and "Homer the Whopper," this season managed to keep things fresh. Proving that it could still find new ways to entertain, the show remained a staple of TV comedy.

    387 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 28
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox

    Despite entering its 28th season, the show still managed to shine with episodes like "The Great Phatsby" and "Fatzcarraldo." It's a testament to the longevity of the series that it could still produce entertaining stories and humor after all these years.

    303 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 26
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox

    With memorable episodes like "Opposites A-Frack" and "Simpsorama," the show continued to flex its creative muscles. Though not as groundbreaking as it once was, the series displayed its ability to generate laughs and social commentary.

    373 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 25
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox

    Marking a landmark 25th season, highlights like "Married to the Blob" and "Steal This Episode" reminded viewers why the show had endured for so long. By continuing to find new ways to make us laugh, it remained a beloved staple of TV comedy.

    376 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 22
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox

    Not short on memorable moments, episodes like "MoneyBART" and "Homer the Father" kept viewers entertained. Although some fans might argue that this season didn't reach the levels of its predecessors, it still had plenty to offer.

    358 votes
  • 27
    101 VOTES

    The Simpsons - Season 32

    Entering its fourth decade with episodes like "The Way of the Dog" and "Podcast News," the show continued to be a pop culture mainstay. Though not as celebrated as its earlier seasons, it still provided consistent laughs and entertainment.

    101 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 31
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox
    28
    106 VOTES

    The Simpsons - Season 31

    Even as it approached its 31st year, highlights like "The Fat Blue Line" and "Thanksgiving of Horror" showed that the show hadn't lost its touch. Springfield continued to provide biting satire and heartfelt moments, proving that it retained the magic that first captured audiences.

    106 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 29
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox
    29
    131 VOTES

    The Simpsons - Season 29

    With standouts like "Fears of a Clown" and "Whistler's Father," the show managed to keep things fresh even as it approached its 30th season. Demonstrating its adaptability, the series continued to find success by tackling new subjects and exploring uncharted territory.

    131 votes
  • The Simpsons - Season 24
    Photo: The Simpsons / Fox

    While perhaps not remembered as fondly as earlier seasons, episodes like "Moonshine River" and "Gone Abie Gone" showed that the show could still deliver. A mix of unique storylines and classic Simpson moments kept things interesting for fans.

    434 votes