Entertainment
8 ‘Simpsons’ Episodes That Would Have Made Great Movies
The Simpsons Movie 2 is slated for next year. Can you believe it? This is exciting for fans of The Simpsons, and yet one can’t help but have concerns, too. The Simpsons Movie came out all the way back in 2007, and it’s not often sequels that arrive so long after the original are good. Even the first movie didn’t quite reach the comedic and dramatic heights of the beloved show in its prime, but even being as fun as the 2007 movie would be impressive at this point. Along with such unavoidable issues as the cast’s inevitable voice changes, many fewer choices for original storylines after 37 seasons, and certain characters no longer appearing on the sitcom, there are definitely some obstacles to overcome for this sequel to live up to its franchise.
This is far from a simple task, but hey—it’s not impossible! Meanwhile, the prospect of a Simpsons movie makes you wonder how certain episodes could have played on the big screen if the team had embraced the movie format in the ’90s. “Who Shot Mr. Burns” shows the writers could handle a longer narrative as early as Season 6, but that does work best as a two-parter. It would be fascinating to watch Homer hallucinate from chilis à la “The Mysterious Voyage of Our Homer,” like an irreverent Fantasia, but that would be way too niche to draw a wide theatrical crowd. Some of the series’ most memorable storylines, however, do seem like they could have been stretched out to fit a commercially viable feature film. They would need action, unique settings, high-stakes, narratives that foster meaningful character arcs, and obviously some room to goof around. When you take a closer look, some episodes might have even been improved with a longer runtime. The following episodes aren’t the only ones, but they may be the best examples of squandered opportunities at cinema gold (or cinema yellow, if you will).
“Bart on the Road”
Season 7, Episode 20
The first film showed the family on a road trip for a little while, so why couldn’t the whole thing be a road movie? An underrated gem from Season 7, “Bart on the Road” would serve as an excellent vehicle (pun intended) for a feature-length narrative. Having Milhouse (Pamela Hayden), Martin (Russi Taylor), Nelson (Nancy Cartwright), and Bart (Cartwright) as the main group might have been a little off-beat, but in the refreshing way you might expect from the big screen.
Imagine all the places these kids could go and the shenanigans they would get into. The plot line where Bart gets a job as a flight attendant is definitely fun, so what if the three other boys got jobs in the hopes of finally getting home without getting caught? Meanwhile, the whole dynamic with Lisa (Yeardley Smith) and Homer (Dan Castellaneta) developing a closer bond would be a terrific storyline to explore further. Plenty of room for action, pathos, and parodies here.
“Deep Space Homer”
Season 5, Episode 15
“Deep Space Homer” is pretty overrated, but that doesn’t mean its premise couldn’t be re-worked into a dazzling zero-gravity screenplay. After all, The Simpsons in space? That certainly sounds like a movie, and Homer munching on floating potato chips would do wonders in the theater. But a few things would have to change, and the first would be Barney (Dan Castellaneta). The character just feels overused when he’s in a larger role.
Also, this may sound weird to say about a Simpsons plot thread, but NASA taking Homer into space sounds way too implausible to suspend disbelief. It would feel more believable if a space program with no bona fides whatsoever sent Homer into space instead. Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer) could easily fill that role, since he’s rich enough to do almost anything and evil enough to have his own reasons for exploring space without anyone else’s authority. Like traveling through space, the writers could go in as many directions as they could with this premise.
“Bart’s Comet”
Season 6, Episode 14
Unlike South Park, The Simpsons usually doesn’t have exaggerated large-scale conflicts where the town, the country, or the world is in imminent danger. However, a notable exception would be Season 6’s “Bart’s Comet,” which sees Bart discover a comet that’s headed straight for Springfield. The attempts to stop it are futile, and even make it impossible to leave town. All funny stuff, creating a scenario where everyone just accepts their fate.
With the scramble to get into Flanders’ bunker, there is a psychological focus on this that reminds us of one of The Twilight Zone‘s most intriguing conflicts. Insulating Springfield from the rest of the world, this story of impending doom could mirror The Simpsons Movie‘s societal breakdown—only accelerated and tense with the hope that they’ll figure out a way to stop it. The episode resolves amusingly enough, but maybe the movie would have done something that gives the characters more agency.
“Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington”
Season 3, Episode 2
Admittedly, “Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington” is already such a masterful entry that the prospect of changing anything about it feels a bit like heresy. But this is all hypothetical anyway. Lisa doing so well in an essay contest that she gets to recite a speech in Washington D.C. is an excellent excuse for a fresh setting that’s just begging for political satire.
Corruption is represented by a single politician and lobbyist about to destroy a forest. But what if there were more, and what if the stakes were higher? The contest could be taking place during the general election race, for instance, and Lisa could be at the heart of a Watergate-esque scandal. That montage of people at the end who quickly learn about Lisa’s speech and promptly oust that corrupt congressman from power is incredibly swift, so that process could be longer and more complex. Meanwhile, the other Simpsons don’t do much here, so they could have subplots and arcs of their own.
“Boy-Scoutz ‘n the Hood”
Season 5, Episode 8
Season 5’s “Boy-Scoutz ‘n the Hood” could make a great story about chaos in the wilderness: two different sets of people in two different parts of the woods. When Homer and Flanders go down one path while Ernest Borgnine‘s group head down another, they encounter totally different problems. With one group lost at sea and another in constant backwoods danger, this conflict could last weeks.
Which would provide enough time for the campers’ families to realize they’re missing and start searching for them. Since there’s nothing for Marge (Julie Kavner) and Lisa to do in that episode, they can go on their own journey to help look for the lost campers. In the meantime, that hilariously random location for that unsuccessful Krusty Burger can be merely one pit-stop on Homer’s journey home. Best of all, the writers would have to appeal to a mass audience and therefore give poor Borgnine and those campers a happy ending. The current one just doesn’t feel right.
“The Springfield Files”
Season 8, Episode 10
Season 8’s “The Springfield Files” is one of The Simpsons‘s greatest mysteries. It doesn’t even have a subplot, as there is so much emphasis on the green alien that Homer supposedly encountered in the woods. After he and Bart capture the creature on video, Homer sparks a cultural phenomenon in Springfield. With all the conspiracy theories about governments covering up the existence of aliens for a long time, this could definitely be explored further in a movie.
The FBI coming to help investigate can further complicate things. Maybe they help, maybe they make things worse, maybe they have an ulterior motive. If they believe the alien theory is real and try to cover up the story, lots can be done there. Various subplots can arise from this, and Homer can have more of a character arc than the episode allows. For instance, he could become so obsessed with re-discovering or capturing the alien that he becomes isolated from his family. In any case, the eerie atmosphere and endless movie references would shore up whatever the creative team decided to do.
“Kamp Krusty”
Season 4, Episode 1
Season 4’s classic debut, “Kamp Krusty” was such a promising setting for a film that executive producer James L. Brooks actually wanted to make it into the first Simpsons movie. So, how did that not happen? Well, there were scheduling issues, and the writers somehow didn’t think they could come up with enough material for this. But if they had been pressed to think about it more, “Kamp Krusty” the film could have been a masterpiece.
Bart’s psychological descent is one of the things that makes this episode shine, and that process could be more gradual in a screenplay. Also, his takeover of the camp could last for a longer period before Krusty’s (Dan Castellaneta) arrival—during which the young Simpson’s fractured psyche could ironically lead him to be just as tyrannical as his predecessors. The Apocalypse Now allusions could abound here, and Lisa’s escape attempts could be expanded upon as well. Maybe Krusty hears about the uprising before the news does, and has to clandestinely restore the camp before the end of summer to save his reputation. So much potential here.
“You Only Move Twice”
Season 8, Episode 2
Many fans would say “You Only Move Twice” is perfect as is, and sure, they’re not wrong. But when you think about it, this actually could have been an incredible premise for a film. The Simpsons leave Springfield and move away for a new start—sound familiar? But Cypress Creek would be a better payoff than Alaska. Imagine another hour of Albert Brooks‘ hilarious dialogue as supervillain Hank Scorpio, instead of his amusing but inferior turn as the head of the EPA. Imagine another hour of James Bond parodies!
And consider this: Homer’s the only one in the family who really does something. Marge has zilch to do around the house (which is the gag, but still), Bart has no influence in the remedial class, and Lisa just gets ill. It’s concise enough for the show, but it also means they could have had much more complicated conflicts and interesting character arcs in a feature-length film. This combination of large-scale action and intimate moments of home-sickness could have struck the perfect balance of spectacle, humor, and heart that the ultimate Simpsons movie would need.
The Simpsons
- Release Date
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December 17, 1989
- Network
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FOX
- Directors
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Steven Dean Moore, Mark Kirkland, Rob Oliver, Michael Polcino, Mike B. Anderson, Chris Clements, Wes Archer, Timothy Bailey, Lance Kramer, Nancy Kruse, Matthew Faughnan, Chuck Sheetz, Rich Moore, Jeffrey Lynch, Pete Michels, Susie Dietter, Raymond S. Persi, Carlos Baeza, Dominic Polcino, Lauren MacMullan, Michael Marcantel, Neil Affleck, Swinton O. Scott III, Jennifer Moeller
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Homer Simpson / Abe Simpson / Barney Gumble / Krusty (voice)
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Julie Kavner
Marge Simpson / Patty Bouvier / Selma Bouvier (voice)
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