After the town of Springfield is sealed under a giant glass dome because of terrible pollution, Homer Simpson must overcome his own selfishness to save everyone. The 2007 film ends with a heroic act that breaks the dome and mends the Simpson family, all while staying true to the show’s classic satirical style. Here is a simple breakdown of what really happened.
The Dome Comes Down on Springfield
The main problem in The Simpsons Movie is that Lake Springfield becomes critically polluted. While the entire town has a history of treating the lake as a dump, the final straw comes from Homer Simpson. After adopting a pet pig, he needs to get rid of a full silo of pig waste. Distracted by the promise of free donuts from Lard Lad, he dumps the entire silo directly into the lake.
This single act causes a major environmental crisis. The head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Russ Cargill, presents the problem to President Arnold Schwarzenegger. The president randomly chooses a solution from a list: to imprison the entire town of Springfield under a massive, impenetrable glass dome. The town quickly discovers Homer is to blame, and an angry mob forces the Simpson family to flee through a sinkhole in their backyard.
Homer’s Journey to Redemption
The family ends up in Alaska, trying to start a new life. However, Homer remains focused on himself and refuses to take responsibility for the situation back home. This causes Marge, Bart, and Lisa to leave him. Alone and finally confronted with his actions, Homer has a turning point.
He experiences a “vision quest” with the help of an Inuit shaman, which helps him realize how his selfishness has hurt his family and endangered his friends. He decides to return to Springfield to make things right. This journey is the core of the movie, showing Homer’s growth from a careless individual into someone willing to be a hero.
The Bomb and the Final Showdown
Back in Springfield, the situation has become even more dangerous. Russ Cargill, now “mad with power,” tricks the president into approving a plan to destroy the entire town with a time bomb. Just as the bomb is lowered into the dome, Homer returns.
In the final climax, Homer reconciles with his son, Bart. Together, they use a motorcycle to ride up the curved side of the dome. Their goal is to get the bomb through the one small hole at the top before it explodes.
Homer has a fire lit under him, and he goes back to Springfield, just as things go from bad to catastrophic.
In a classic father-son team-up, Bart successfully throws the bomb through the hole seconds before detonation. The explosion from the bomb shatters the glass dome, freeing the town. In a final confrontation, the villain Cargill is defeated when baby Maggie drops a rock on his head.
What Happened After the Dome Broke
With the dome destroyed and the town saved, the people of Springfield immediately forgive Homer and hail him as a hero. The ending shows the town quickly returning to its normal, dysfunctional self, acting as if the disaster never happened.
For the Simpson family, the ending is more meaningful. Homer and Marge repair their relationship. Bart, who had often been frustrated with his father, gains a new respect for him after their successful mission. While the town may not have learned a lasting lesson, the Simpson family emerged stronger and more united.
In a post-credits scene, Maggie Simpson is heard saying her first word: “Sequel?” This has now become a reality, as a second The Simpsons Movie has been officially announced for release in 2027.
Also Read: The Simpsons Movie 2 Officially Announced for 2027 Release
