Summary
- The Simpsons should consider ending with a sequel to the successful original movie.
- Declining viewership and aging cast indicate it's time for the show to conclude.
- Audiences are ready for an epic and heartfelt ending, making The Simpsons Movie 2 a fitting choice.
Having debuted in 1989, The Simpsons has become the longest-running American animated series, sitcom, and scripted primetime show in history. With over 700 episodes, The Simpsons have become iconic characters worldwide, with some hilarious, emotional, and dramatic moments created along the way.
However, all good things must come to an end, and The Simpsons is no exception. While the show is signed on through 2025 to provide its 36th season, which will see it pass the 800-episode mark, it should also focus on how this iconic show will end. Although it has primarily been a television series, creating The Simpsons Movie 2 is actually the perfect way to wrap things up.
The Simpsons: 10 Best Episodes After Its Golden Age
The first ten seasons of The Simpsons were largely considered to be the show's "Golden Age." Here are the best episodes that aired after this period.
Why Now Is The Time To End The Simpsons
The Simpsons is a long way past its peak as a television show at this stage, both in terms of viewership and critical response. The ratings have been dropping as season 35 saw the show's average viewership drop to two million, down from five million in 2013's season 25. That figure alone is a drastic drop-off, especially compared to the 27.8 million it received in its debut season. Of course, how people consume television has changed, but the stats all point toward fewer people watching the show.
That's simply because it has been around for so long, and while that helps it to some degree, as audiences know the brand can be trusted to provide entertainment, it's impossible for it to ever feel fresh. There's nothing the writing team can do, and no amount of new characters or ideas that are able to change that as the show has been around for so long. The Simpsons can, and does, still provide quality episodes that entertain those who have stuck with it, but whenever a show is declining in popularity, the chances are that it's going to be brought to an end. No amount of nostalgia can save a show forever, and that's why it would be beneficial for The Simpsons to start planning for its end rather than being pulled and not be given the time to make it such a special moment.
On top of that, the cast themselves are starting to change. Pamela Hayden recently retired from her role on the show where she'd been voicing Milhouse Van Houten, among other characters. Meanwhile, Julie Kavner can no longer hit the high notes that her character, Marge Simpson, has been associated with throughout most of the series, proving that the time to start slowing down and thinking about the end would be wise.
The Original Movie Was A Hit
The Simpsons might be best known as a television show, but the beloved characters have appeared in various other forms, whether in merchandise, theme park rides, or short-form content. However, The Simpsons Movie was still a big risk, considering the stories are normally only told in short episodes. Despite that, the writing team did a terrific job of bringing all the joy and charm of The Simpsons into the movie format.
It was a blockbuster success that made an incredible $537 million at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing adult animated film of all time. It was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature and received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. The movie did a good job of balancing old characters while bringing in fresh ideas, and that's why people have been demanding a sequel ever since. One of the reasons why ending the franchise with another movie would be an ideal choice is because there's a genuine demand for it.
The Simpsons Movie 2 Is Something People Would Be Interested In
Whenever it is announced that The Simpsons is coming to an end, there is guaranteed to be mass interest because the show is engrained within pop culture at this stage. While that means that ending the show via a television episode would lead to good viewing figures, providing a sequel to The Simpsons Movie would get far more attention. There could be real focus and attention placed on another movie, with all of the promotion being geared towards this being the final time new content will be created from Springfield.
People would rush to the cinema to check it out and make an event due to how much the show has impacted their lives. Whether they're diehard fans who have seen every episode or someone who has dipped in and out of it, they would all want to see those classic characters one last time on the big screen. Plus, it would allow the writing team to provide a longer story that can tap into the emotional aspect of the moment in whatever way they choose to end the show.
It would feel like an event, and something as iconic and popular as The Simpsons deserves to go out in the biggest way it can, via a movie. The Simpson Movie 2 could become a love letter to the show, referencing moments and characters from the past, with the extra time allowing for lots of older characters or supporting roles to be given one last moment. The final season of The Simpsons television series could also be linked to it, with every episode building up toward the movie to ensure that both grip viewers.
Audiences are ready for The Simpsons to retire at this stage, but they want that moment to be epic and heartfelt, and nothing would top The Simpsons Movie 2. The success of the original, both critically and commercially, proves that the creators have the qualities to write and create a good movie. Therefore, doing it one more time to allow the show to go out with a bang would be an epic moment.
- Release Date
- December 17, 1989
- Network
- FOX
- Showrunner
- Al Jean
- Directors
- Steven Dean Moore, Mark Kirkland, Rob Oliver, Michael Polcino, Mike B. Anderson, Chris Clements, Wes Archer, Timothy Bailey, Lance Kramer, Nancy Kruse, Matthew Faughnan, Chuck Sheetz, Rich Moore, Jeffrey Lynch, Pete Michels, Susie Dietter, Raymond S. Persi, Carlos Baeza, Dominic Polcino, Lauren MacMullan, Michael Marcantel, Neil Affleck, Swinton O. Scott III, Jennifer Moeller
- Writers
- J. Stewart Burns, Michael Price, Brian Kelley, Bill Odenkirk, Dan Vebber, Kevin Curran, Stephanie Gillis, Dan Castellaneta, Deb Lacusta, Billy Kimball, Jessica Conrad, Cesar Mazariegos, Daniel Chun, Jennifer Crittenden, Conan O'Brien, Valentina Garza, Elisabeth Kiernan Averick, Christine Nangle, Broti Gupta, Loni Steele Sosthand, Megan Amram, Bob Kushell, David Isaacs, David Mandel
Cast
-
Dan CastellanetaHomer Simpson / Abe Simpson / Barney Gumble / Krusty (voice) -
Julie KavnerMarge Simpson / Patty Bouvier / Selma Bouvier (voice) -
Nancy CartwrightBart Simpson / Nelson Muntz / Ralph Wiggum (voice) -
Yeardley SmithLisa Simpson (voice)
