Since its debut on the Tracey Ullman Show, The Simpsons has become the world’s most recognizable animated television series. Created by Matt Groening, developed with Sam Simon, and produced by Gracie Films for the Fox Broadcasting Company, this American TV series first aired in 1989 and has remained a staple of popular culture ever since.
Featuring the dysfunctional family living in the fictional town of Springfield, the show satirizes American families and American life with humor that resonates across generations. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson are now household names — voiced by iconic cast members such as Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, and Yeardley Smith. Supporting voices from Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, and guest legends like Phil Hartman made the television show deeply character-driven.
Writers like John Swartzwelder, George Meyer, Jay Kogen, Mike Reiss, and Jeff Martin shaped its voice, while Al Jean and David Silverman refined its enduring style. The show’s opening sequence, complete with Danny Elfman’s theme and a chalkboard gag, remains one of the most recognizable in television history.
From its roots on Evergreen Terrace to the chaos of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, this animated series shaped generations of television programs, inspiring shows like American Dad and Family Guy.
As of 2025, The Simpsons has aired 36 seasons, making it the longest-running animated television series ever. Since premiering on the Fox Network in 1989, this beloved television show continues to produce new episodes, keeping Springfield’s dysfunctional family and its unique take on American life alive across generations.
Throughout its remarkable run, The Simpsons has earned more than 35 Primetime Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and multiple Annie Awards for excellence in animation. The series has also been recognized by the Writers Guild of America for outstanding scripts written by legends such as John Swartzwelder, George Meyer, and Al Jean. Its success extends to music as well, with Danny Elfman’s iconic theme song becoming a cultural landmark in television history. Few animated series have received as many accolades for both creativity and social commentary, proving the enduring impact of creator Matt Groening’s vision and the work of its talented voice actors.
The Fortnite x The Simpsons collaboration brings the fictional town of Springfield into Fortnite’s vibrant universe. Players will explore a stylized Springfield map, featuring landmarks like Moe’s Tavern, Kwik-E-Mart, and the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant.
Epic Games confirmed the limited-time event will feature a Treehouse of Horror twist, launching November 1, 2025, as part of Chapter 6’s mid-season update. It celebrates both Fortnite’s creative freedom and The Simpsons’ legacy in television series history.
The event introduces main characters such as Homer, Marge, Bart, and Lisa Simpson as playable video game skins. Each features unique emotes and animations inspired by their on-screen personalities. Bart Simpson rides a skateboard glider, while Marge Simpson wields a frying pan pickaxe — a nod to her motherly chaos.
Additional cast members like Ned Flanders and Maude Flanders also appear as NPCs. There’s even an Easter egg featuring Milhouse Van Houten hiding behind the Kwik-E-Mart shelves. These authentic touches come straight from long-time show consultants and Gracie Films supervisors, maintaining accuracy to the TV series canon.
To earn the Simpsons Fortnite Wrap, players can connect their Epic Games and Twitch accounts to collect limited-time Twitch Drops. This wrap mimics the aspect ratio and bright cel-animation style of the original episodes of The Simpsons, blending nostalgia with next-gen design.
Fans can also unlock bonus sprays featuring Chief Wiggum shouting “Open Fire!” or Homer Simpson dozing off at work inside the nuclear power plant. These cosmetics honor both real life references and the absurdity of the television show.
This crossover highlights Matt Groening’s creative adaptability — moving from the Fox Network to Disney Plus, then into gaming via Epic Games. The publication rights of The Simpsons are now part of 20th Century Fox Television, making partnerships like this possible under the Disney umbrella.
Writers like Wallace Wolodarsky and producers such as Al Jean reportedly advised on dialogue snippets for the crossover, ensuring the main cast kept their authentic tone. Even Yeardley Smith (voice of Lisa Simpson) teased her lines for an upcoming Fortnite trailer in a New York Times interview.
The Simpsons often uses the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant—where Homer Simpson works—as a symbol of bureaucratic negligence and corporate absurdity. While it’s exaggerated for humor, the series occasionally reflects real-life issues regarding nuclear energy, such as safety standards, human error, and environmental responsibility. Episodes like “Homer’s Odyssey” and “Homer Defined” parody workplace culture and the lack of oversight in energy production. Experts have noted that, despite its comedic tone, the television show sparked genuine discussions in the United States about how media can shape public perceptions of science and power. In that sense, The Simpsons has contributed to public awareness even as it entertained millions.
Meanwhile, Rocket League introduces a Springfield Arena, complete with the Simpsons Movie-style 3D background. Players can drive through the town of Springfield, passing landmarks from Krusty Burger to Evergreen Terrace, with a massive nuclear cooling tower overlooking the field.
Each car skin is themed after a main character: Homer’s pink sedan, Bart Simpson’s go-kart, and Marge Simpson’s station wagon. Even Lisa Simpson gets a music-powered trail that plays Danny Elfman’s score.
According to 20th Century Fox Games and Psyonix, this collaboration connects gaming fans and long-time viewers. Voice actors such as Dan Castellaneta and Nancy Cartwright recorded celebratory goal lines for Rocket League, bringing Springfield’s energy into the video game world.
This dual crossover strengthens The Simpsons’ footprint across different television programs, games, and streaming platforms like Disney Plus, ensuring the franchise continues evolving beyond traditional television shows.
The Simpsons has always reflected American life, politics, and humor with precision. Over decades, the animated series has mirrored evolving trends — from The Cosby Show and Mary Tyler Moore influences in early seasons, to its later rivalry with American Dad.
By bringing The Simpsons into Fortnite and Rocket League, Epic Games turns this television series into a participatory experience. Players aren’t just watching Homer shout “D’oh!” — they are Homer, navigating the nuclear power plant, or driving through Springfield in a Rocket League match.
This convergence symbolizes the seamless link between television history and modern video games — where the lines between television show and gameplay blur into interactive pop art.
Fans can stream full episodes of The Simpsons exclusively on Disney Plus, which hosts every season and The Simpsons Movie in high definition. The platform also includes classic Treehouse of Horror specials and newly released episodes from 20th Century Fox Television. Earlier, reruns aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company and FXX, but Disney’s acquisition of Fox centralized streaming rights under its own platform. Viewers in the United States can also watch select episodes through Hulu or purchase digital versions on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. With access to decades of television series history, streaming makes it easier than ever to revisit Springfield and its iconic residents.
The staying power of The Simpsons comes from its incredible Simpson Family voice actors. Dan Castellaneta gives life to Homer, Julie Kavner voices Marge, Nancy Cartwright masters Bart, Yeardley Smith embodies Lisa, and Hank Azaria handles multiple roles from Moe Szyslak to Chief Wiggum.
Additional creative energy flowed from Sam Simon, George Meyer, and directors like David Silverman, turning Springfield into a vivid reflection of the United States. Even in gaming form, their influence persists through faithful animation and character writing.
Ever since The Simpsons Movie in 2007 — which grossed over $500 million worldwide — the TV series continues delivering new episodes each season. The crossovers into Fortnite and Rocket League mirror that evolution, keeping Springfield alive in the digital age.
Al Jean recently hinted at more collaborations with Fox Network and Disney Plus, while creator Matt Groening confirmed ongoing development of a potential sequel film.
Critically, The Simpsons has been praised for its sharp writing, social satire, and influence on modern television programs. During its first ten seasons, critics hailed it as one of the greatest television series of all time, often compared to the golden age of Saturday Night Live. Outlets like the New York Times and Entertainment Weekly have described it as a cornerstone of popular culture, with its scripts by Sam Simon, Mike Reiss, and Jay Kogen shaping the DNA of comedy writing. Although some later seasons received mixed reviews, The Simpsons remains a beloved animated television series that continues to evolve — blending nostalgia, commentary, and innovation.
The Fortnite and Rocket League collaborations confirm that The Simpsons isn’t just television nostalgia — it’s an evolving ecosystem spanning television series, video games, and popular culture.
From Evergreen Terrace to the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, from John Swartzwelder’s scripts to Danny Elfman’s unforgettable music, every frame of the animated series remains part of our collective imagination. Now, with digital crossovers, that legacy expands beyond screens — inviting players to live, drive, and laugh inside Springfield itself.
The result is pure Springfield magic — a union of satire, creativity, and television history reborn for the gaming age.
Olivia Blake · Editor
Editor
