After nearly four decades of disappearing for the summer, Springfield is staying open all year. The timing could be risky, with The Simpsons Movie 2 arriving next year and facing the challenge of feeling like an event rather than just another trip to Springfield.
According to ScreenRant, the iconic animated series has entered a new era by releasing content throughout the year. The show once delivered 20–25 episodes a season. After industry strikes cut one season to 18 episodes, seasons 36 and 37 became shorter on Fox, with Disney+ adding exclusive episodes.
The shift has divided fans. Viewers without Disney+ can miss new material, but the specials have also ended the show’s traditional summer blackout. In 2026, Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition, Simpsley and Yellow Mirror arrived during the summer months.
Season 37 therefore stretched from September to September despite only 15 Fox episodes. The strategy keeps loyal viewers engaged year-round, but could leave traditional TV audiences behind.
And that creates the bigger gamble. With The Simpsons Movie 2 due next year, constant releases could drain some of the anticipation that once made a new Simpsons event feel special.
The question echoes the debate around the live-action Moana, where the idea of “too much Moana too soon” raised concerns about overexposure. Could The Simpsons face a similar problem by keeping fans constantly fed before its biggest cinematic return?
