After being on the air for 32 seasons, there’s a good chance that The Simpsons would predict a thing or two about the future, just by sheer luck or coincidence.
The thing is, they haven’t predicted a thing or two, but a whole hatful of events and bits that have come to pass in the real world – some of them extremely specific, with names and everything.
If you’ve heard about this phenomenon but aren’t exactly sure what was predicted when, we’ve got 9 pretty crazy jokes that turned out to be very real reality a decade or more later.
9. The Apple iPod, 5 years early.
In 1996, The Simpsons unveiled a device that closely resembles the first generation iPod, and was also mean to communicate messages and play music.
Image Credit: Fox
8. This aired in 2000.
A full 16 years before it came to pass – and yes, they predicted he would not only run, but win.
Image Credit: Fox
7. Spoiler alert!
The Simpsons knew the big twist in Season 8 of Game of Thrones before anyone else – and certainly before those of us still waiting for GRRM to finish the books.
Image Credit: Fox
6. Lady Gaga’s flyover at the Super Bowl.
She performed the same trick in Springfield 6 years earlier, and even the outfit wasn’t too far off.
Image Credit: Fox
5. The Shard Building in London.
In the episode “Lisa’s Wedding” a building that wouldn’t appear for 14 years appears in the distance. The shape and location are exactly correct!
Image Credit: Fox
4. The fall of the World Trade Center.
In 1997 the Simpsons planned a trip to New York, and Lisa holds up a magazine that shows the Twin Towers next to a big number 9. Conspiracy theorists are having a heyday right now!
Image Credit: Fox
3. That Ebola wasn’t over.
Marge knew Bart might need to have the details about how to combat Ebola way back when.
Image Credit: Fox
2. Eating horse meat.
In 2003, there was a huge scandal in Ireland when authorities found horse DNA in over 1/3 of the beef burger samples from supermarkets.
In 1994, lunch lady Doris from Springfield enjoyed using “assorted horse parts” when preparing student meals.
Image Credit: Fox
1. The financial crisis in Greece.
Maybe they have someone from the UN on call, because The Simpsons were putting Greece on eBay back in 2012.
Image Credit: Fox
It really is a bit strange when you think about it, right?
What’s your favorite Simpsons prediction? If it’s not on this list, share it with us in the comments!
