Top 20 Simpsons Movie Spoofs

Lisas Pony

Now this is a gift Lisa couldnt refuse. Guilty over not buying her a reed for her saxophone, Homer decides to get Lisa a pony, which she discovers when she wakes up in the morning. The Godfather fans will instantly recognize the homage to this iconic scene in Francis Ford Coppolas film. There, Jack Holtz discovers the head of a horseand only the headat the foot of his bed. The Simpsons even uses the same Nino Rota score, albeit abridged. Fortunately, the pony is well and alive, though Homer has to take a second job in order to pay for it. What a wholesome homage to a gruesome scene.

Itchy & Scratchy & Marge

The screechy strings, the raised weapon, the dark liquid going down the drain This scene from The Simpsons is truly unforgettable. In this episode, Marge blames the The Itchy & Scratchy Show for promoting child violence after Maggie knocks Homer out with a mallet. Believing Maggie was imitating the cartoon, Marge forms a protest group, calling for the show to tone down the violence. Of course, this is an imitation of Psycho, specifically the famous black-and-white shower scene, down to the music and camera angles. The reference is all the more apropos, considering Psycho had also been subject to censorship attempts.

Treehouse of Horror IV

The old Treehouse of Horror episodes were really something special. In this fourth one, the Simpsons are invited to Mr. Burns spooky castle. There, Lisa and Bart find vampires in coffins in the basement, and one of them bites Bart. Homer eventually drives a stake through Mr. Burns, whom they believe is the head vampire. He is not, and the whole family become vampires. This segment is a parody of Francis Ford Coppolas 1992 Dracula, a more faithful adaptation of Bram Stokers novel than previous films. Mr. Burns is even garbed as Gary Oldmans Dracula. Sweet.

Treehouse of Horror X

Speaking of horror, here is another grisly homage to a genre classic. In this Treehouse of Horror special, Marge accidentally runs over Ned Flanders, killing him. When the family decides to cover it up, they find disturbing notes accusing them of murder. This turns out to be Flanders himself, who had survived but was bitten by a werewolf. This spoof is almost the same plot as this 1997 film, minus the werewolf bit. Directed by Jim Gillespie, this film follows a group of friends who find themselves stalked by a killer when they accidentally kill a pedestrian. Its a great homage.

Homer the Vigilante

Yes, The Simpsons has referenced this satiric film. In this episode, the people of Springfield find themselves besieged by a cat burglar, putting Homer, of all people, in charge. During the formation of the vigilante group, Herman Hermann shows Homer a military bomb meant for Beatniks, prompting the latter to fantasize about riding it to the ground. It is, in fact, just what Major T. J. King Kong did in the most iconic shot in Dr. Strangelove, cowboy hat, joyous hooting, and all. Its honestly something Homer would do, which makes the reference an inspired choice.

Treehouse of Horror XXVIII

Maggie must be the funniest Simpsons character for her physical comedy alone. The littlest Simpson also gets surprisingly grisly plotlines. In this Treehouse of Horror segment, a demon from a statue possesses Maggie, leading to the infants reign of terror. Maggies head spinning and levitation are direct references to the same demon possession in the seminal horror film, The Exorcist. But this spoof was also meant to promote Foxs contemporary, short-lived adaptation of William Friedkins classic. Ben Daniels even reprises his role as the exorcist, who successfully saves Maggies soul. The demon does switch hosts, but Bart proves too evil for him to handle.

Stark Raving Dad / So It's Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show

Homer is sent to a psychiatric hospital in the premiere of the second season. There, he meets several characters from One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, including Chief Bromden. But his most famous scene isnt recreated until the following seasons clip show episode. After Homer is hospitalized by a beer can explosion, he turns down a Duff that Moe and Barney bring him during their visit. Given Barneys own obsession with alcohol, he thinks that smothering Homer with a pillow is an act of mercy. Thankfully, Homer survives this recreation of One Flew Overs ending, while Barney busts out of the hospital with a water fountain. Maybe hes the one who needs help.

Dog of Death

The Simpsons has made many references and homages to A Clockwork Orange. Its hard to pick just one, but this early Season 3 episode may just be the best. It features Santas Little Helper, who runs away from home. He gets captured by Mr. Burns, who brainwashes him to become a mean dog. This scene is a twist, of course, of Alexs iconic and disturbing violence-aversion therapy in the Stanley Kubrick film. Both scenes even feature Beethovens Ode to Joy. The Simpsons has many more spoofs of the classic from there, including the Treehouse of Horror segment A Clockwork Yellow.

Bart of Darkness

Dont be fooled by the title of this episode. This is less a Heart of Darkness homage than a Hitchcock one. In this episode, Bart finds himself bedridden after he breaks his leg. Bored, he does a James Stewart and spies on his neighbors through a telescopeincluding Stewart himself, who appears twice. The episode references the typical Hitchcockian score and camera angles. Unlike in the Hitchcock film, however, Barts amateur snooping leads him to mistakenly believe Ned Flanders had killed his wife. Maude is alive and well, at least until her controversial death many seasons later.

A Fish Called Selma

This parody was so beloved, it has now become a meme. After his relationship with Selma is discovered by the paparazzi, Troy McClure adds one more career to his list: A theater actor in the musical adaptation of Planet of the Apes. Of course, this adaptation neatly spoofs the original 1968 film, juxtaposing an intense sci-fi film with Broadway musical conventions to hilarious effect. It even keeps the famous twist at the end, to tuneful effect. And, as an even more layered reference, the musical also lampoons Rock Me Amadeus. We love legitimate theater.

Lisas Pony

The Simpsons has poked fun at 2001 on multiple occasions, referencing HAL 9000, the Star Gate, and the Starchild. This Season 3 episode most notably paid homage to the films Dawn of Man scene, as a man-ape version of Homer discovers the black monolith. Marking a significant turning point in human evolution, the other man-apes begin to discover tools. Homer, however, merely discovers a new napping spot. Despite being a dream sequence, this parody sums up Homer Simpson in a nutshell. Hes a primitive creature who will never fully evolve. Based on the way he sleeps, Homer could very well be the missing link between man and ape.

Sweet Seymour Skinners Baadasssss Song

Much like the previous entry, The Simpsons has referenced the Alien franchise multiple times. Santas Little Helper assumes the role of the alien here, causing mass hysteria upon breaking into Springfield Elementary Schools air ducts. Its up to Groundskeeper Willie to save the day while Principal Skinner monitors their activity via scanner. The visuals and music wonderfully mimic the claustrophobic suspense from Ridley Scotts original film. Of course, Barts lovable mutt isnt nearly as threatening as a xenomorph, so the greased Scotsman fortunately doesnt meet the same grim fate as Dallas. Superintendent Chalmers really shouldve made way for Willie, though.

A Streetcar Named Marge

Ayn Rand School for Tots is comparable to a POW camp for little Maggie and her fellow babies. After the firm daycare owner takes away her beloved pacifier, Maggie looks to The Great Escape for inspiration. Being a natural born leader, the youngest Simpson rallies her fellow babies to reclaim their pacifiers. A failed attempt lands Maggie in The Box, which is the playpen equivalent of the cooler from the World War II flick. Like Steve McQueens Cooler King, she at least has a ball to bounce against the wall. This parody wouldnt be complete without composer Elmer Bernsteins march theme from the 1963 film. The music makes Maggies antics all the more exciting and triumphant, especially when she finally snatches the keys to liberation.

22 Short Films About Springfield

In the vein of whats arguably Quentin Tarantinos magnum opus, this classic episode tells several short stories that occasionally intertwine. The episode literally turns into a Pulp Fiction parody following a conversation about fast food items. Chief Wiggum is still hungry after consuming his Krusty Burger with Cheese and Krusty partially gelatinated non-dairy gum-based beverage, prompting him to get some doughnuts. Matters take an unexpected turn when jailbird Snake crashes into the bumbling police chief. Like Butch and Marsellus Wallace, both men wind up at the mercy of a shady store owner. Before Zed can show up, however, the last person youd ever expect comes to the rescue. Way to get medieval on him, Millhouse!

Rosebud

Charles Foster Kane and Charles Montgomery Burns have a great deal in common. Aside from being incredibly wealthy and sharing the same first name, both men were deprived of a proper childhood. Instead of a sled called Rosebud, Mr. Burns loss of childhood innocence is epitomized through a teddy bear named Bobo. Realizing how empty he is inside, Burns sets out to reclaim his long-lost teddy, which has come into Maggies possession. In addition to being a funny parody, this episode also encompasses the same poignant moral behind Citizen Kane: all the money and power in the world cant buy everything. Once Mr. Burns learns this valuable lesson, hes finally reunited with his beloved bear temporarily anyway.

Homer Loves Flanders

After years of loving thy neighbor, Ned Flanders finally wins over Homer Simpson. Neds friendly nature blows up in his face, however, as Homer gets too close for comfort. When it comes to spending time with his new best buddy, Homer is even more determined and unyielding than the T-1000. The Flanders family eventually makes a break for it, but that doesnt stop the oblivious Homer from pursuing them. With a couple of golf clubs substituting for liquid metal arms, he latches onto their car in the midst of a high-speed chase. This Terminator 2 reference goes by so quickly that you might not catch it at first. Thats part of what makes it such a brilliant parody, though.

You Only Move Twice

Hank Scorpio might be the nicest boss Homers ever had, but that doesnt excuse the fact that hes trying to conquer the East Coast with a doomsday device. Since Scorpio is essentially a Bond baddie, its only fitting that he has a nemesis named Mr. Bont. Taking a page from Goldfinger, Scorpio attempts to kill his archenemy with a laser. Mr. Bont naturally has a trick up his sleeve, liberating himself from his restraints with a coin. Hilariously unaware that hes working for a supervillain, Homer leaps into action and tackles the secret agent. Rather than wasting time with another deathtrap, Scorpio has his guards finish the job on the spot. Mr. Bont wont return.

Barts Friend Falls in Love

Much like the opening to Indys debut adventure, this parody slowly builds tension as Bart retrieves Homers jar of change. Then when trouble surfaces, its nothing but fast-paced action throughout. The Simpson household suddenly stands in for an ancient temple, with Homer acting as a giant boulder, Maggie firing darts, and the closing garage door nearly trapping our hero. In true Indiana Jones fashion, Bart narrowly escapes with both the treasure and his lucky hat. John Williams unforgettable musical score is the cherry on top of this priceless scene, which manages to be exhilarating, inventive, and hysterical all at once.

Cape Feare

This entire episode is a lampoon of Cape Fear and its 1991 remake, both of which center on a convicted criminal who stalks a family after being released from prison. Looking to get even with Bart once and for all, a tattoo-riddled Sideshow Bob begins to channel Max Cady. He confronts the Simpson family in a movie theater and hitches a ride under their car. Bob and Max also notably share the same theme music by composer Bernard Herrmann. Even if youre not familiar with Cape Fear, this Simpsons episode will still have you laughing every minute. With clever writing, sidesplitting slapstick, timeless characters and a killer musical number, it works as both an ingenious satire and a standalone comedy classic.

The annual Treehouse of Horror special always makes leeway for plenty of spooky satire. If we had to single out one segment as the absolute best, though, it would have to be this sendup of Stanley Kubricks psychological horror tour de force. Upon being hired as winter caretakers of Mr. Burns mountain lodge, Bart discovers that he possesses a power known as the Shining er, we mean Shinning. Meanwhile, the lack of TV and beer make Homer a dull boy. In other words, he has a mental breakdown. This segment has one great reference after another, from the blood in the elevator, to the creepy twins in the hallway, to the immortal line, Heres Johnny! With every passing second, the urge to laugh just keeps rising.

Which other films do you know got a terrific Simpsons spoof? Let us know in the comments down below!