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You would be surprised to find out just how much science-fiction can be found within The Simpsons, and it ranges from some of the series’ biggest classic episodes to some of the newer era stuff that might have gone under the radar up to this point. Below are ten episodes that feature some notable science-fiction ideas and stories, and you should check them out. Whether it be one of the most notable classics or a hidden gem, these are The Simpsons episodes that sci-fi fans will enjoy seeing in action.
10). Deep Space Homer
“Deep Space Homer” is about as classic as The Simpsons episodes come. The Season 5 episode launches Homer into space as part of a special NASA program made to help boost ratings, and Homer fails his way to the top. It’s more actual science than fiction (complete with a guest spot from Buzz Aldrin), but it’s still very entertaining nonetheless.
It’s got some top tier science fiction jokes here like when Kent Brockman quickly accepts being ruled by his new ant overlords, “Make rocket go now,” and the plan to get all of the ants out of the shuttle. It’s just a classic episode through and through, and there’s just not enough praise that can be lauded on it. But there’s more fiction to be found in the rest of this list.
9). The Man Who Came to Be Dinner
On the complete opposite of the spectrum is Season 26’s “The Man Who Came to Be Dinner.” This was an incredibly shocking event episode that brought Kang, Kodos, and the entire Rigel 7 planet into the series’ main timeline. For the first time outside of Treehouse of Horror, The Simpsons were introduced to space aliens and even left Earth as part of a plan to have them be eaten by the Rigellians. It’s an episode that feels like a dream as the Simpsons themselves seem to casually accept everything that’s happening, and are only saved when they turn out to be too poisonous to actually eat.
The episode is then written out of the canon when it’s joked that the adventure will fade from their memories, but it’s still just something that feels so wildly out of place. The Simpsons has done some wild things over the years, but this sci-fi episode sending them out into space definitely takes the cake in terms of maybe going too far. But in this context, it’s definitely worth looking into.
8). Mayored to the Mob
Although many fans of The Simpsons don’t consider Season 10 to be a part of the animated series’ “Golden Era,” it is packed with a ton of memorable episodes like “Mayored to the Mob.” The science fiction influence comes early in the episode as the family attend Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi-Con and get the updates on some of their most favorite sci-fi franchises. Homer still hilariously has a thing against nerds, and ends up saving a guest starring Mark Hamill when he’s attacked by them. The rest of the episode itself doesn’t really have that same flavor, however.
But there are some fantastic moments for Hamill as he not only makes fun of himself as Luke Skywalker (and how he was perceived post Star Wars), but he also voices the leader of the bodyguard boot camp and has some fantastic moments there as well. It comes full circle with Hamill saying “Use the forks!” at the end, so it just feels like a fun nod to Star Wars overall without going too far with it. It still leaves room for jokes.
7). Holidays of Future Passed
The Simpsons has a few episodes that jump forward in time to imagine what the characters would be like years later, and there are a few that prominently use a science-fiction base to showcase that future. “Holidays of Future Passed” is the best example of this as we get to spend a lot of time in the future vision of Springfield, and see how sci-fi technology has advanced to the point where it seems relatively mundane. It’s just a part of future life, and that’s such a cool premise for a story.
On top of this, “Holidays of Future Passed” serves as both a great Christmas episode of The Simpsons and a potential finale for the series. It almost was before the animated series continued way beyond Season 23, but for those who want a story as a potential end point this is what you’re looking for. It’s an episode filled with character and love all within a nice dose of a sci-fi future.
6). Simpsorama
It’s wild in retrospect to realize that this Futurama crossover came during the same season as the episode where Kang and Kodos joined the official canon, but Season 26’s “Simpsorama” offers yet another science-fiction fueled story that takes the Simpsons far out of their depth. Serving as more of a reunion for Futurama‘s main cast (as this episode was released when that series in the midst of its latest cancellation), this episode combines the two shows together to result in a wild adventure perfect for any Futurama episode.
There’s unfortunately just not enough time to explore both of the franchises in any great detail. But for what is there, it’s a great story between Homer and Bender. The two find they share quite a lot in common, and it has an ending that fits right into Futurama’s future stories too. It’s all fitting within The Simpsons timeline (with Bender making future cameos in their basement), and a fun story that imagines what the future would look like if Bart destroyed it.
