How The Simpsons Stayed Iconic for 36 Years

More than three decades after its debut, The Simpsons continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. At the Annecy International Animation Festival, the creators of the iconic series, Matt Groening, David Silverman, and Matt Selman, reflected on the show’s enduring appeal, now heading toward its 800th episode in 2026.

Despite declining ratings, the animated family remains a cultural mainstay, translated into 26 languages and broadcast in over 100 countries.

What makes the show timeless? A consistent character universe where no one ages, each episode acts as a self-contained narrative reflecting social absurdities rather than fleeting politics.

The creators emphasize their loyalty to character spirit over trend-driven content, a formula that has outlived countless cultural shifts.

While the internet jokes about the show’s “predictions,” from Trump’s presidency to global events, the writers attribute those moments to plausibility rather than foresight. In a recent experiment, they even asked AI to write the show’s ending, but it fell flat.

With no second movie in the pipeline for now, the creators are committed to the series’ evolution, not its conclusion. The Simpsons, they say, isn’t just staying relevant, it’s still doing things on its own terms.