‘The Simpsons,’ a staple of television, has long been lauded for its humor. However, the show has also gained notoriety for its apparent ability to predict future events. The show’s track record of foreshadowing real-life occurrences, from political outcomes to pop culture moments, has fascinated fans.
A prime example of this is the prediction of Donald Trump’s presidency. An episode titled ‘Bart to the Future,’ which aired in 2000, offered a satirical depiction of Trump’s political aspirations. The episode’s relevance grew exponentially when Trump entered the White House in 2016.
Another noteworthy instance involved the Nobel Prize. In a 2010 episode, ‘Elementary Musical,’ a joke featured Milhouse betting on Finnish economist Bengt R. Holmstrom to win the Nobel Peace Prize in Economics. The prediction was validated when Holmstrom actually received the award in 2016.
‘The Simpsons’ also anticipated the Disney-Fox merger. A 1998 episode included a background sign that read: ’20th Century Fox, a Division of Walt Disney and Co.’ This joke foreshadowed the real-world acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney in a significant deal.
Adding to its list of accurate predictions is a Beatles fan surprise. In a 1991 episode, Marge mailed a portrait to Ringo Starr and received a reply years later. In a surprising turn of events, Paul McCartney responded in 2024 to a fan video sent six decades before, again highlighting the convergence between the show and reality.
This ability to look beyond it to the future is a result of the show’s mix of cultural commentary and uncanny foresight.