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The Best Episodes of The Simpsons

Every episode of The Simpsons ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Simpsons!

Binge this in 12d 16h•Peaking at 8.7/10

Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Simpsons Season 5 Episode 2 - Cape Feare
    8.7/10(6698 votes)

    #1 - Cape Feare

    S5:E2

    The Simpsons go incognito to avoid the newly paroled Sideshow Bob, who's out to get Bart.

    Director:Rich Moore
    Writer:Jon Vitti

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  2. The Simpsons Season 4 Episode 12 - Marge vs. the Monorail
    8.6/10(6593 votes)

    #2 - Marge vs. the Monorail

    S4:E12

    When Springfield gets a sudden windfall, a charismatic traveling salesman convinces the town to build a monorail.

    Director:Rich Moore
    Writer:Conan O'Brien

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  3. The Simpsons Season 37 Episode 6 - Bart 'N' Frink
    8.6/10(486 votes)

    #3 - Bart 'N' Frink

    S37:E6

    When Bart becomes Professor Frink's lab assistant, the Simpsons are thrown into a world of tech billionaires determined to live forever, with the future of the internet at stake.

    Director:Rob Oliver
    Writer:Brian Kelley

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  4. The Simpsons Season 7 Episode 7 - King-Size Homer
    8.5/10(5182 votes)

    #4 - King-Size Homer

    S7:E7

    Homer tries to gain sixty pounds so he can stay home on disability. When he nearly causes a catastrophe at the plant, Homer reconsiders his plan.

    Director:Jim Reardon
    Writer:Dan Greaney

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  5. The Simpsons Season 8 Episode 2 - You Only Move Twice
    8.5/10(7146 votes)

    #5 - You Only Move Twice

    S8:E2

    In an idyllic planned community, Homer works for a new boss who has trouble with the government. Meanwhile, the rest of the family has difficulty dealing with the bucolic burg.

    Director:Mike B. Anderson
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  6. The Simpsons Season 8 Episode 10 - The Springfield Files
    8.5/10(5462 votes)

    #6 - The Springfield Files

    S8:E10

    Homer witnesses something out of this world in Springfield woods, but no one believes him -- not even FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who come to investigate the incident.

    Director:Steven Dean Moore
    Writer:Reid Harrison

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Simpsons

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  7. The Simpsons Season 8 Episode 18 - Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment
    8.5/10(4143 votes)

    #7 - Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment

    S8:E18

    When Prohibition is revived in Springfield, Homer and Bart supply the town with alcohol.

    Director:Bob Anderson
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  8. The Simpsons Season 35 Episode 6 - Iron Marge
    8.5/10(792 votes)

    #8 - Iron Marge

    S35:E6

    When Marge's heart is broken by a bad birthday present, Bart and Lisa must dig into their mom's past to show that they really know her. Homer becomes a neighborhood fear-monger.

    Director:Matthew Faughnan
    Writer:Mike Scully

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  9. The Simpsons Season 6 Episode 12 - Homer the Great
    8.4/10(5044 votes)

    #9 - Homer the Great

    S6:E12

    Homer joins the secret society of the Stonecutters and is suddenly exalted when the brethren discover his birthmark. The ancient order is shaken to the core by the ineptitude of its new Chosen One.

    Director:Jim Reardon
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  10. The Simpsons Season 8 Episode 15 - Homer's Phobia
    8.4/10(4757 votes)

    #10 - Homer's Phobia

    S8:E15

    The Simpsons befriend a shop owner, but when Homer discovers the man is gay, he worries about his influence on Bart.

    Director:Mike B. Anderson
    Writer:Ron Hauge

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  11. The Simpsons Season 8 Episode 23 - Homer's Enemy
    8.4/10(7830 votes)

    #11 - Homer's Enemy

    S8:E23

    A hardworking new employee at the power plant is consumed with resentment at Homer's undeserved success.

    Director:Jim Reardon
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  12. The Simpsons Season 4 Episode 3 - Homer the Heretic
    8.3/10(5772 votes)

    #12 - Homer the Heretic

    S4:E3

    After skipping church one Sunday morning, Homer decides to quit church altogether and spend Sundays worshiping in his own way -- with cigars and beer.

    Director:Jim Reardon
    Writer:George Meyer

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  13. The Simpsons Season 5 Episode 15 - Deep Space Homer
    8.3/10(4904 votes)

    #13 - Deep Space Homer

    S5:E15

    Homer and Barney compete to be the first "average" American in space.

    Director:Carlos Baeza
    Writer:David Mirkin

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  14. The Simpsons Season 6 Episode 9 - Homer Badman
    8.3/10(5300 votes)

    #14 - Homer Badman

    S6:E9

    When Homer gropes for a gummy candy stuck to the babysitter's pants, she mistakes his intentions and turns the town against him.

    Director:Jeffrey Lynch
    Writer:Greg Daniels

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  15. The Simpsons Season 6 Episode 25 - Who Shot Mr. Burns? (1)
    8.3/10(5426 votes)

    #15 - Who Shot Mr. Burns? (1)

    S6:E25

    Mr. Burns makes many enemies when he steals the oil discovered beneath Springfield Elementary.

    Directors:Wes Archer, Jeffrey Lynch
    Writers:Bill Oakley, Josh Weinstein

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  16. The Simpsons Season 36 Episode 1 - Bart's Birthday
    8.3/10(1478 votes)

    #16 - Bart's Birthday

    S36:E1

    Bart celebrates the most shocking birthday party of his entire life — one that might just change everyone in Springfield forever.

    Director:Rob Oliver
    Writer:Jessica Conrad

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  17. The Simpsons Season 2 Episode 11 - One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish
    8.2/10(6016 votes)

    #17 - One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish

    S2:E11

    After eating poisonous blowfish at a sushi restaurant, Homer decides to live life to the fullest in the 24 hours he has left to live.

    Director:Wes Archer
    Writer:Nell Scovell

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  18. The Simpsons Season 4 Episode 9 - Mr. Plow
    8.2/10(5263 votes)

    #18 - Mr. Plow

    S4:E9

    Homer and Barney become competitors in the snow-plowing business.

    Director:Jim Reardon
    Writer:Jon Vitti

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  19. The Simpsons Season 6 Episode 18 - A Star Is Burns
    8.2/10(4045 votes)

    #19 - A Star Is Burns

    S6:E18

    Film critic Jay Sherman is among the judges at the Springfield Film Festival, which Mr. Burns conspires to win by bribing some judges.

    Director:Susie Dietter
    Writer:Ken Keeler

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  20. The Simpsons Season 7 Episode 1 - Who Shot Mr. Burns? (2)
    8.2/10(4949 votes)

    #20 - Who Shot Mr. Burns? (2)

    S7:E1

    With Mr. Burns shot, Chief Wiggum investigates the crime, and nearly everyone in town has a motive. At the end, it all comes down to the Simpson DNA.

    Director:Wes Archer
    Writers:Bill Oakley, Josh Weinstein

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  21. The Simpsons Season 7 Episode 4 - Bart Sells His Soul
    8.2/10(4678 votes)

    #21 - Bart Sells His Soul

    S7:E4

    Bart sells his soul to Milhouse for five dollars, but soon regrets his decision. Meanwhile, Moe turns the Tavern into a family-friendly restaurant.

    Director:Wes Archer
    Writer:Greg Daniels

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  22. The Simpsons Season 7 Episode 8 - Mother Simpson
    8.2/10(4142 votes)

    #22 - Mother Simpson

    S7:E8

    Homer discovers that his mother is still alive, a former radical who is a fugitive from the law. When her old nemesis Burns spots her and tips off the FBI, she is forced to return to the underground.

    Director:David Silverman
    Writer:Richard Appel

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  23. The Simpsons Season 7 Episode 17 - Homer the Smithers
    8.2/10(4413 votes)

    #23 - Homer the Smithers

    S7:E17

    Forced to take a vacation, Smithers needs to find a temporary replacement who won't outshine him. Homer seems the perfect choice until a sudden outburst forces Mr. Burns to assert his independence.

    Director:Steven Dean Moore
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  24. The Simpsons Season 8 Episode 8 - Hurricane Neddy
    8.2/10(4280 votes)

    #24 - Hurricane Neddy

    S8:E8

    A hurricane destroys the Flanders' home and they have to move into the church basement. The people of Springfield gather to rebuild their house, but when Ned sees the poor workmanship, he has a complete breakdown.

    Director:Bob Anderson
    Writer:Steve Young

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  25. The Simpsons Season 8 Episode 12 - Mountain of Madness
    8.2/10(3833 votes)

    #25 - Mountain of Madness

    S8:E12

    To promote teamwork amongst the power plant's employees, Mr. Burns makes them go on a corporate retreat up in the mountains.

    Director:Mark Kirkland
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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Best Episodes Summary

"Cape Feare" is the best rated episode of "The Simpsons". It scored 8.7/10 based on 6698 votes. Directed by Rich Moore and written by Jon Vitti, it aired on 10/7/1993. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Marge vs. the Monorail".