Fans of America’s favorite yellow family can officially mark their calendars. The Simpsons are heading back to the big screen for a brand-new movie adventure. Disney’s 20th Century Studios has confirmed that an all-new “The Simpsons Movie” is set for release on July 23, 2027, nearly 20 years to the day after the first film hit theaters.
The announcement was made with a playful first-look poster featuring Homer Simpson grabbing a pink donut with sprinkles arranged in the shape of the number “2,” accompanied by the tagline, “Homer’s coming back for seconds.” This new sequel takes a spot on the Disney release calendar that was previously held by an untitled Marvel project.
What We Know About the New Movie
Plot details for the new film are being kept tightly under wraps. The studio has not yet shared what kind of trouble Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie will get into this time. Similarly, no director has been announced for the project.
However, the announcement confirms the involvement of the show’s creator, Matt Groening, who illustrated the first poster. The film will be produced by 20th Century Studios. The original voice cast, including Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Julie Kavner (Marge), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), and Yeardley Smith (Lisa), is expected to return, though official casting has not been confirmed.
Looking Back at the First Movie
The original “The Simpsons Movie” was released on July 27, 2007, and was a major box office success. It earned over $536 million at the global box office. The story centered on Homer polluting Springfield’s water supply, which led to the Environmental Protection Agency encasing the entire town in a giant dome. The film was both a critical and commercial hit, praised for capturing the show’s classic humor on the big screen.
The first movie ended with a post-credits scene where the baby Maggie, known for rarely speaking, picked up a locket and said a single word: “Sequel?” Fans have been waiting nearly two decades for that promise to be fulfilled.
Why It Took 20 Years for a Sequel
The long gap between films is not due to a lack of interest but rather the immense effort required to produce the first movie while the television series was still in production.
The first movie killed us. We don’t have a ‘B team’; we did the movie and continued doing the series at the same time.
Matt Groening previously explained the challenge, noting the team had a “Simpsons death clock” on the wall counting down to their deadline. The intense schedule made the team hesitant to immediately jump into another film project.
Fan Excitement and Reactions
The official announcement posted on social media was met with widespread excitement and disbelief from fans. Many long-time viewers expressed their joy at the news, with one fan on Facebook noting the clever timing.
Dude!!! I swear this has always bothered me every time I’ve watched it! Because when Maggie said it in the credits I thought… Sweet! Little did I know…We only had to wait 20 years for Maggie to finally come through.
Another fan pointed out a fascinating piece of timing.
The time gap from the very first Simpsons short to the first movie is the same as the first movie is to the upcoming second movie.
The Simpsons Enduring Legacy
The Simpsons television series first premiered in December 1989 and is currently airing its 37th season. The show has already been renewed through to its 40th season. Created by Matt Groening, and developed with James L. Brooks and Sam Simon, the series began as a series of shorts on “The Tracey Ullman Show” in 1987.
It has since become the longest-running animated series and American sitcom in history, with nearly 800 episodes. The show’s ability to remain culturally relevant for over three decades sets high expectations for how the new movie will tackle modern themes and entertain both loyal fans and a new generation.
