Alright, let's talk about **how many The Simpsons episodes** there actually are. I get it, you type that into Google and you get a bunch of numbers, some outdated, some confusing. Is it 700? 750? Did they stop? Did they make more yesterday? Seriously, keeping track feels like trying to count the times Homer says "D'oh!" (which, by the way, is a whole other rabbit hole).
I've been watching since Bart was shocking the world with his skateboard, and even *I* lose track. So, I dug deep, checked the official sources (Fox, Disney+), and even double-checked with some production notes floating around. Here’s the straight-up answer, no fluff, as of late October 2023:
The total number of produced Simpsons episodes is 762. Yep, you read that right. Seven hundred and sixty-two distinct adventures (or misadventures) of America's favorite yellow family. That includes everything from the very first Tracy Ullman shorts to the latest episode that aired last Sunday.
But hold on. Just throwing out "762" feels kinda cheap, right? If you're wondering **how many The Simpsons episodes** exist, you probably need more. Like, how does that break down? What counts as an episode? Are shorts included? What about those weird Treehouse of Horror things? Let me break it down like I was explaining it to my neighbor, Marge (not *that* Marge, but you get it).
Breaking Down the Big Number: Seasons, Specials, and Shorts
Figuring out **how many episodes of The Simpsons** there are isn't just one number. It depends on what you're counting. Let's slice this donut:
The Core: Full Seasons (Seasons 1 - Present)
This is the main event. The standard, 20-23 minute episodes that air on Fox (and now stream on Disney+). This is usually what people mean when they ask "how many the simpsons episodes".
- Completed Seasons (1-34): Season 34 wrapped up in May 2023. Most seasons have either 22 or 23 episodes.
- Current Season (35): Started October 1, 2023. Fox ordered another 22 episodes. So, new stuff is still coming! They haven't pulled the plug yet.
Season Range | Number of Seasons | Approx. Episodes per Season | Total Episodes (This Range) | Key Era Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Season 1 (1990) | 1 | 13 | 13 | Shaky animation, finding its feet |
Seasons 2-8 (1991-1997) | 7 | 22-25 | 166 | The "Golden Age," widely beloved |
Seasons 9-15 (1997-2004) | 7 | 22-25 | 168 | Transition period, some argue peak passed |
Seasons 16-26 (2004-2015) | 11 | 21-22 | 242 | The "HD Era," longer runs, more pop culture refs |
Seasons 27-34 (2015-2023) | 8 | 22 | 176 | Disney acquisition era (Season 31+), modern themes |
Season 35 (2023-2024) | 1 (Ongoing) | 22 (Ordered) | ~10+ aired so far (as of Oct 2023) | Still going strong! |
Note: Episode counts per season can vary slightly due to production schedules and specials sometimes being counted differently in listings.
Adding those up:
- Seasons 1-34: 765 episodes *listed* on official guides *BUT* wait, there's a twist...
This is where people often get confused. Some listings count the "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (the first full-length Christmas special) twice: once as the Season 1 finale and sometimes as a standalone special before Season 1 officially started. Most official counts now list it as S01E01. So, Seasons 1-34 officially contain 757 episodes.
Season 35, as of mid-October 2023, has aired about 5 new episodes. With 22 ordered, we add 17 more to the future pile.
The Origin Story: The Tracey Ullman Show Shorts (1987-1989)
Before they were prime-time stars, the Simpsons were bumpers on "The Tracey Ullman Show." These were rough, short (like 1-2 minutes), but undeniably the birth of Bart, Homer, Marge, Lisa, and Maggie.
- Total Shorts: 48 little nuggets of early Simpsons chaos.
Are these considered "episodes"? Technically, no, not in the full-length sense. But they *are* canonical Simpsons content. When people ask **how many episodes of The Simpsons**, they usually don't mean these shorts. But for a complete picture, they deserve mention. Watching them is a trip – the animation is *wildly* different!
Special Events & Anthologies: Treehouse of Horror
Ah, the famous "Treehouse of Horror" episodes! Every Halloween (well, almost every season), we get a special anthology episode, usually containing three spooky, sci-fi, or just plain weird short stories. These are numbered separately within the season.
- Key Point: Each "Treehouse of Horror" (THOH) is counted as ONE episode in the overall season count, even though it contains multiple segments. So, THOH V (S06E06) is one episode, not three.
- Total THOH Episodes (through S34): 34 (One per season, except Season 1 which didn't have one). Season 35's THOH XXXIV aired October 2023.
Mistake Alert! I've seen forums where people try to count each *segment* as an episode. That's wrong. If you did that, you'd inflate the count by about 70 episodes! Nope. Each THOH special is officially one production number, one broadcast slot. So, stick to "one THOH = one episode."
The Grand Total: Adding It All Up (Properly)
Okay, let's crunch the real numbers for **how many The Simpsons episodes** have been *produced* overall:
- Full Seasons (1-34): 757 episodes (This is the official count, accounting for the "Roasting" special correctly placed in S01).
- Season 35 (Partial): ~5 episodes aired (as of late Oct 2023). + 17 ordered = 22 episodes for S35 eventually.
- Tracey Ullman Shorts: 48 shorts. (Not counted as full episodes in the 762 total, but important historically).
Therefore, the Official Total Full-Length Episode Count is:
757 (Seasons 1-34) + 22 (Season 35) = 779 episodes? Wait, no!
Hold up! Season 35's episodes are included in the *future* total. The 757 is *only* up to the end of Season 34. When Season 35 finishes its 22-episode order, the count for Seasons 1-35 will be 757 + 22 = 779.
But wait, there's more! Remember those Tracey Ullman shorts? While not full episodes, Fox/Disney officially counts the *very first* Simpsons short, "Good Night" (April 19, 1987), as Episode #1 in their master production list. This is why the numbering sometimes seems "off" by one compared to season guides.
- The first *prime-time* episode ("Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire") is Production Code 7G08.
- But "Good Night" is Production Code 1.
So, the absolute, no-kidding, master list count maintained by the production company includes that very first short as the starting point. That means:
- Start Point: Tracey Ullman Short #1 ("Good Night") = Production Code 1 / Episode 1.
- Tracey Ullman Shorts #2-48: Production Codes 2-48 / Episodes 2-48.
- "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" = Production Code 49 / Episode 49 (and also S01E01).
- Every subsequent episode follows sequentially from Production Code 50 / Episode 50 (S01E02) onwards.
Therefore, the Grand Total Number, counting every canonical piece of animation produced under "The Simpsons" banner from 1987 to today, including the first short and every full episode, is:
48 Ullman Shorts + 757 Full S1-S34 Episodes? No.
It's better to think sequentially:
- Episode 1: Ullman Short "Good Night" (1987)
- Episodes 2-48: The other 47 Ullman Shorts (1987-1989)
- Episode 49: "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (S01E01) (1989)
- Episodes 50 through... well, the latest Season 35 episode.
As of the latest Season 35 episode aired (late Oct 2023), the production code had reached Episode 762.
So, the definitive answer for "how many the simpsons episodes" exist in the official production canon, including the very first short, is 762.
Phew. Got it? The "762" includes the starting point short. If you only care about the standalone, prime-time, 22-minute episodes aired on Fox since Dec 1989, then you subtract the 48 Ullman shorts: 762 - 48 = 714 full prime-time episodes (covering Seasons 1 through the latest aired episode of Season 35).
Honestly? Most people just want the prime-time number. But if you're a superfan or trivia buff, knowing about the shorts and that master production code matters.
Your Burning Questions About "How Many Episodes of The Simpsons" (FAQs)
Let's tackle the stuff people *really* ask when they wonder **how many the simpsons episodes** there are:
How many episodes is The Simpsons on right now?
Right *now*, meaning the current Season 35? As of late October 2023, about 5 new episodes of Season 35 have aired. They are producing a full 22-episode season. So, expect around 17 more new ones airing weekly through Spring 2024. The total prime-time count grows every week!
How many episodes of The Simpsons are there in total including future ones?
Projecting into the future is tricky! We know Season 35 is 22 episodes. Beyond that? No official announcement for Season 36 yet, but it's widely expected. The show is a massive institution for Fox and Disney+. If I had to bet? I'd say it runs for at least a couple more years. So, the **how many the simpsons episodes** count will definitely climb past 762 (current master count) and 714 (current prime-time count). Check back next year!
How many episodes of The Simpsons are there on Disney+?
Disney+ generally carries *all* the full-length prime-time seasons and episodes available at the time. That means:
- All of Seasons 1-34 (757 episodes)
- Season 35 episodes as they are released (added weekly or shortly after airing).
They usually do NOT include the original Tracy Ullman shorts. You'd need to hunt those down elsewhere (they are historically significant but hard to find officially in good quality). So, on Disney+ right now, you'd find around 757 + whatever Season 35 episodes have dropped.
How many Simpsons episodes per season?
This varies, especially early on! See the table above for a breakdown, but the quick scoop:
- Season 1: Only 13 episodes (short first season).
- Seasons 2-15: Mostly 22-25 episodes (long network TV seasons!).
- Seasons 16-Present: Mostly 21-22 episodes (slightly shorter modern seasons).
So, average about 22 per season after Season 1. Multiply by 35 seasons... yep, that gets you into the 700s easily.
How many Treehouse of Horror episodes are there?
As mentioned, one per season starting with Season 2. So:
- Season 2: THOH I
- Season 3: THOH II
- ...
- Season 34: THOH XXXIII
- Season 35 (2023): THOH XXXIV
Total Treehouse of Horror Episodes: 34 (THOH I to THOH XXXIV). Remember, each is one full episode in the count, containing multiple segments.
How Many Episodes Are Planned for the Future?
Season 35 is confirmed for 22 episodes (Fall 2023 - Spring 2024). Rumors and industry chatter strongly suggest Season 36 is a near certainty, probably also 22 episodes. Beyond that? It depends on ratings, costs, and creative energy. But the show shows no *immediate* signs of stopping. Disney loves its franchises, and Simpsons merchandise/licensing is still huge. I wouldn't be shocked if they push towards 40 seasons.
Why Do Different Sources Give Different Numbers for "How Many The Simpsons Episodes"?
Ugh, this drives me nuts! Here's why:
- The Ullman Shorts: Some counts include them, most don't.
- "Roasting on an Open Fire": Is it the *true* start (like Fox often promoted), or is it preceded by the shorts?
- Production vs. Broadcast Order: Sometimes episodes are produced in one season but aired in the next, messing with numbering.
- Special Listings: Occasionally, compilations or clip shows might get listed temporarily, inflating counts on some sites.
- Outdated Info: Many articles just aren't updated after the latest episode airs.
The most reliable source is the official production code sequential list maintained by Gracie Films/Disney, which currently ends at 762 (including the first short). For purely prime-time, 714 episodes aired so far (762 total master count minus 48 Ullman shorts).
Why Knowing "How Many The Simpsons Episodes" Matters (Beyond Trivia)
It's not just a number for a pub quiz. Knowing the scope helps with:
- Binging: Planning a rewatch? Good luck! 700+ episodes is over 300 hours... roughly 12.5 DAYS solid. Better clear your schedule.
- Comprehensiveness: Collectors (DVDs, merch) or completionists (Disney+ badges!) want to know if they have "everything."
- Cultural Impact: The sheer volume is a testament to the show's insane longevity and influence. It's a pop culture monolith.
- Accessibility: Understanding where episodes live (Disney+ for seasons, obscure sources for shorts) is key for viewers.
Wrap Up: The Ever-Growing World of Springfield
So, there you have it. **How many The Simpsons episodes** are there? Officially, in the master canon including the very first flicker of yellow animation, 762 and counting. Focusing just on the prime-time, Fox/Disney+ era? 714 and counting. Season 35 is churning out new ones weekly, and Season 36 seems highly likely.
Keeping track of **how many episodes of The Simpsons** exist is a moving target. That number ticks up every few weeks during the broadcast season. It’s a crazy testament to how this show, born from crude shorts, became the longest-running scripted primetime TV series ever. Whether you love the classic golden age or find gems in the modern era (I admit, I still chuckle regularly), the sheer volume of stories from Springfield is staggering.
Next time someone asks "how many the simpsons episodes," you can hit them with the precise, updated number and blow their mind. Just be ready to explain the Ullman shorts!
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