As we step into the new year, fans of The Simpsons are buzzing with interpretations of some of Matt Groening’s most eccentric storylines.
For a long time, enthusiasts of the animated series have claimed that its creator has foreseen some of the most unexpected events on the global stage, such as Donald Trump’s presidency and the Covid-19 outbreak.
Boasting an impressive 37 seasons and approximately 800 episodes, The Simpsons has predicted numerous events with surprising accuracy. Whether this is due to Groening’s foresight or sheer coincidence, we are curious about what 2026 might bring.
Last year, viewers attributed the show with forecasting the decline of the notorious Labubu dolls, which resemble eerie gremlins. These dolls were said to have been inspired by Pazuzu, a mythological demon from ancient Mesopotamia, well-known for its role in The Exorcist.
This connection to The Simpsons arises from an episode in the ‘Treehouse of Horror’ Halloween series, which aired in 2017.
However, that was in 2025. Now, let’s shift our focus to what 2026 has in store.
Many fans believe The Simpsons have also predicted the recent outbreak of the flu variant H3N2, from subclade K. This variant is responsible for most illnesses in the US, as confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The episode Marge in Chains, which originally aired in 1993, depicted the ‘Osaka Flu’ pandemic sweeping through Springfield.
While the episode has been linked to predicting the coronavirus pandemic, some assert that it specifically foreshadows this current outbreak, which according to the CDC, has affected around 11 million people, resulting in 5,000 deaths and 120,000 hospitalizations.
In the 12th installment of The Simpsons‘ ‘Treehouse of Horror’ series, which debuted in 2001, Homer upgrades the family home with futuristic technology. However, the house becomes infatuated with Marge and attempts to kill Homer after a gypsy places a curse on him.
Fast forward to 2026, advanced technology has made smart homes a reality, with smart fridges and devices like Alexa plugs that can be instructed to control lighting.
In season six, episode 19 titled ‘Lisa’s Wedding,’ Lisa’s fiancé, Hugh Parkfield, visits Moe’s Tavern with Homer and Bart.
Upon learning Hugh is British, Moe remarks, “we saved their a** in WW2,” to which Hugh retorts, “Well, we saved your a**e in WW3.” Moe concedes: “That’s true.”
Whether this prediction comes true now, in the distant future, or never at all, we can only speculate, but The Simpsons have certainly spoken.
Finally, there’s a prediction from season 23, episode 17 – ‘Them, Robot,’ which aired in 2012.
The episode’s synopsis reveals that Mr. Burns fires most of his employees and replaces them with robots, which eventually malfunction and turn on Springfield.
This storyline mirrors the current job market, where AI is increasingly utilized for positions previously held by humans.
In fact, Geoffrey Hinton, a former Google employee known as the ‘Godfather of AI,’ is actively working to raise awareness about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence.
Hinton, aged 77, left Google in 2023 to warn the public about AI, which he perceives as a significant threat to humanity.