To help us provide you with free impartial advice, we may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site. Learn more

How to watch The Simpsons: Return to Springfield with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie

Watch over 30 seasons and 600 episodes of The Simpsons - only on Disney Plus

Disney Plus is the only streaming service that lets you watch over 600 episodes of The Simpsons instantly on any device. The streaming service – which has more than 50 million subscribers worldwide – costs £5.99/mth or £59.99/yr.

Subscribe to Disney Plus


Currently in its 31st season and already renewed for the 32nd, The Simpsons is the longest-running American sitcom and the longest-running American scripted primetime television series – both in terms of seasons, and in terms of episodes. Its first episode was broadcast on 17 December 1989.

When Disney Plus launched in the US late last year and in the UK this March, eagle-eyed subscribers were baffled as to why some episodes of The Simpsons looked awry on their TV screens, and they weren’t wrong.

Disney Plus released episodes from the first 19 seasons of the show (and some from the 20th) in a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, which is basically a cropped-in version of the original 4:3 aspect ratio. Episodes from the 20th season and beyond are only available in the widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio.

The service now gives you the option to watch over 19 seasons of the show in its original aspect 4:3 aspect ratio, as opposed to the default, remastered 16:9 aspect ratio. However, this setting is not enabled by default.

How to watch The Simpsons in its original aspect ratio

  • To watch the show in its original aspect ratio, go to Disney Plus on your PC browser or mobile/console/TV app.
  • Click the Search tab at the top, search for “The Simpsons” and select the right suggestion that appears.
  • Next, click the Details tab below the series summary. You’ll notice that the Remastered Aspect Ratio slider is turned on by default (see screenshot).
  • Click the slider to turn it off and watch the show in its original aspect ratio.

READ NEXT: An in-depth review of Disney Plus

How to watch The Simpsons anywhere in the world

If you live a country that has Disney Plus, but your Disney Plus library doesn’t have The Simpsons, then the best way to access the Disney Plus US or UK library is to use a VPN. A VPN basically lets you virtually browse from any location in the world that you want. So, for example, you can watch HBO in the UK, or indeed watch Disney Plus abroad. There are several VPN services, but only a few of these will let you stream Disney Plus US or UK without any issues with regard to speed.

READ NEXT: Best VPN services

ExpressVPN: Among all the VPN services we’ve tried, ExpressVPN reigns supreme as number one because it has the best balance of servers, speed and security. All plans come with a 30-day moneyback guarantee and there’s 24/7 customer in case you need help connecting to a specific Disney Plus library anywhere in the world.

Buy ExpressVPN now


NordVPN: Second to ExpressVPN is NordVPN, which can be used on six devices at the same time. It also has a 30-day moneyback guarantee and 24/7 customer support. The interface has a globe, so just connect to the US and UK and Nord will choose the best server to let you stream Disney Plus and watch The Simpsons, regardless of which country you’re browsing from.

Buy NordVPN now


After installing the VPN you want on your PC or mobile device, open the app, then select the US or UK as your destination. Next, open the Disney Plus website or app and create an account or log in to your existing one. Now search for The Simpsons to get instant access to all 30 seasons and 600 episodes.

Read more

In-Depth