The Simpsons returns for its 38th season with a premiere that puts Homer Simpson in charge of a very unpredictable guest. Emma Thompson voices a British children’s book author who gets drunk at the airport bar, forcing Homer into a wild chase across Springfield. The season also brings a baby chimp adoption story and a Treehouse of Horror episode with parodies of Pet Sematary, Freaky Friday, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Season 38 Premiere: The Children’s Book Job
The season premiere, titled “The Children’s Book Job,” airs on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 8/7c on Fox. The episode focuses on Marge Simpson, who hopes to save Springfield Elementary from closing by inviting a reclusive British children’s author to appear at the school’s book fair.
Emma Thompson voices Constance Clavinger, described as a “saucy British writer” who turns out to be far more difficult than anyone expected. Homer is given the simple task of picking her up at the airport. That plan falls apart when Constance gets drunk at the airport bar. What follows is a desperate chase to get her to the school on time, with Homer trying everything to keep the situation under control.
“If you’re going to write a giant guest part, you want an icon, a bucket list person like Emma Thompson. And she threw herself into it with full gusto.” — Matt Selman, executive producer
Colin Jost also guest stars in the premiere, playing himself. He appears at Springfield Elementary to read his own children’s book to the students, who respond with complete indifference.
The episode also includes a daydream sequence where Springfield and its residents transform into characters from famous children’s books. Viewers will see references to “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” Richard Scarry’s world, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus,” “Captain Underpants,” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”.
Diary of a Chimpy Kid: Baby Chimp Chaos
The second episode of the season, “Diary of a Chimpy Kid,” airs on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 8/7c on Fox. The story follows Bart and Lisa Simpson as they adopt an abandoned baby chimpanzee. The two siblings quickly clash over their very different parenting styles.
The situation gets worse when the chimp is abducted by a private wild animal zoo, sending the family on a rescue mission. Homer Simpson is deeply conflicted about saving the ape. He is convinced the chimp will tear off his face and groin.
That fear leads to a bizarre dream sequence where Homer’s face is detached and monkey surgeons reattach it to his groin. The episode title is a reference to the popular book series “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”. The producers have jokingly warned that this episode will traumatize younger viewers.
Treehouse of Horror XXXVII Details
The annual Halloween special, “Treehouse of Horror XXXVII,” debuts on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The episode opens with a special stop-motion sequence animated by Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, the team behind Robot Chicken. This opening is a mashup with “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” featuring Simpsons versions of characters from the Disney film.
The episode contains three segments:
- Segment 1: Based on the British novel “The Husbands” by Holly Gramazio. Homer goes into the shed and comes out as a different husband for Marge each time. Marge sees alternate realities where she is married to Lenny and even the aliens Kang and Kodos. Tiffany Haddish guest stars as Marge’s best friend in one of these realities.
- Segment 2: A blend of Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary” and “Freaky Friday.” Homer accidentally kills Bart and the family dog, Santa’s Little Helper. He buries them, and they return from the dead, but their bodies have been switched. The segment includes an argument over whether Bart should be called “Bart Dog” or “Dog Bart”.
- Segment 3: Homer vanished years ago, and teenage versions of Bart and Lisa discover that evil witch versions of Patty and Selma Bouvier have trapped him in endless murderous driver’s education films.
A Jack in the Box promotion is also running alongside the episode. The fast food chain offers a “Munchie Meal of Horror” with special boxes and collectible cups featuring Simpsons characters. The packaging includes Easter eggs referencing classic Treehouse of Horror moments.
Release And Streaming Details
The Simpsons Season 38 premiered on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 8/7c on Fox in the United States. New episodes stream the next day on Hulu for viewers in the United States. In Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, Season 38 is available on Hulu on Disney+.
The season has a shorter broadcast run of 15 episodes on Fox, continuing the show’s recent trend of reduced network orders. Episodes air sequentially through the fall and winter months. The show remains in its longtime Sunday night slot, leading into Animal Control Season 5 and Universal Basic Guys Season 3.
For viewers in the UK and other international markets, Disney+ remains the primary streaming home for past seasons of The Simpsons. New Season 38 episodes are expected to arrive on Disney+ in these regions after their initial broadcast window.
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Other Guest Stars This Season
Season 38 features a long list of guest voices beyond Emma Thompson and Colin Jost. Confirmed guests include Gustavo Dudamel, Rachel Bloom, Jenna Ortega, Paul Dano, Henry Winkler, and Jennifer Aniston.
Henry Winkler spoke about his guest appearance at Televerse 26, a festival by the Television Academy, in August 2026. He said he was happy about appearing in the new season.
The San Diego Comic-Con 2026 panel also confirmed that Season 38 would feature new couch gags and additional guest stars. Three brand-new The Simpsons specials arrived on Disney+ in summer 2026 ahead of the season premiere, including “Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition,” “Simpsley,” and “Yellow Mirror”.
Fox renewed The Simpsons for four more seasons in April 2025, guaranteeing the show will run through its record-setting 40th season. A second Simpsons movie is also scheduled for a 2027 release.
Also Read: The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Menu at Jack in the Box Has Fans Saying I Need Everything
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