The Simpsons Movie#Possible sequel

After finishing a concert at Lake Springfield, Green Day tries to engage the audience in a discussion about the environment, but they refuse to listen and throw garbage at them. The pollution in the lake erodes the band's barge, causing them to drown. During their memorial, Grampa Simpson has a spiritual experience and prophesies that a disaster will befall Springfield, which only Marge takes seriously. Concerned about the terrible state of the environment, Lisa and her new boyfriend Colin hold a seminar and convince the town to clean up the lake. Meanwhile, Homer and Bart engage in a dare contest, in which Homer dares Bart to skateboard to Krusty Burger and back naked. After Bart is caught by the police, Homer has Bart take the blame for the dare. At Krusty Burger, Homer adopts a pig to save it from being slaughtered by Krusty the Clown. When Homer brings the pig back home, Marge identifies the pig as a part of the prophecy and warns Homer to get rid of it, but he refuses and names him "Plopper". Homer's fawning over Plopper makes Bart, now fed up with Homer's carelessness, look to Ned Flanders as a father figure.

Marge orders Homer to dispose of an overflowing silo full of Plopper's feces (and some of Homer's own, as well). Rather than disposing of it safely, he becomes distracted after hearing that Lard Lad is giving away free donuts and hastily dumps the silo in the lake, critically polluting it. After a squirrel falls into the lake and becomes mutated, Russ Cargill, head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), informs President Arnold Schwarzenegger of Springfield's pollution crisis and presents him with five solutions. Schwarzenegger randomly picks the third option – sealing Springfield off from the rest of the world under a giant glass dome.

Being trapped under the dome causes mass hysteria in Springfield and when Homer's silo is discovered on the news, hundreds of townspeople arrive at the Simpsons' house in an attempt to lynch the family. They escape through a sinkhole hidden under Maggie's sandbox, which destroys the house. The family is furious at Homer for his blundering, but he convinces them to follow him to Alaska, where he had always planned to go if something like the incident happened. Homer wins a truck by riding a motorcycle around a globe of death and the family restarts their lives in a remote Alaskan cabin.

As Springfield begins exhausting its supplies, the townspeople eventually attack the dome and the city descends into chaos. Cargill, mad with the power he has over Springfield and outraged by their defiance, tricks Schwarzenegger into ordering the town's demolition. The Simpsons see Tom Hanks on television advertising a "new Grand Canyon" on the site of Springfield. Realizing that their hometown is in danger, the family vow to save it sans Homer, who refuses to leave Alaska and storms out. When he returns the next morning, he finds his family has left to save Springfield, with Marge taping a message over their wedding video to explain this to him. A distraught Homer is recovered by an Inuk shaman, who helps him come to an epiphany about his selfishness; he decides to save the town and his family. Meanwhile, Marge and the kids are captured by the EPA in Seattle and placed back inside the dome.

The EPA lowers a time bomb suspended by a rope through a hole at the top of the dome. While the townspeople attempt climbing the rope to escape, Homer returns to Springfield and descends the rope, knocking the escaping townspeople and the bomb off, inadvertently shortening its countdown and further provoking the town's ire. Refusing to give up, Homer reconciles with Bart and they use a motorcycle to travel up the side of the dome with the bomb. Bart throws the bomb through the hole seconds before it detonates, shattering the dome and freeing the town. Cargill attempts to murder Homer and Bart for foiling his plan, but Maggie knocks him out by dropping a rock on his head. The townspeople forgive and praise Homer before he rides into the sunset with Marge as Springfield begins restoration.

{{Main|List of The Simpsons characters|l1=List of The Simpsons characters}}

The production staff had considered a film adaptation of The Simpsons since early in the series.{{cite magazine|title=It's a cash cow, man!|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 10, 1991|url=https://ew.com/article/1991/05/10/simpsons-are-cash-cow/|access-date=November 2, 2008|first1=Mark|last1=Harris|first2=Anne|last2=Thompson|archive-date=October 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016071913/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,314297,00.html|url-status=live}} The show's creator, Matt Groening, felt a feature-length film would allow them to increase the show's scale and animate sequences too complex for the TV series.{{cite news|author=Edward Douglas|title=The Creators of The Simpsons Movie!|work=Comingsoon.net|date=July 24, 2007|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=22484|access-date=July 25, 2007|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065017/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/22484-the-creators-of-the-simpsons-movie|url-status=live}} He intended the film to be made after the show ended, "but that [...] was undone by good ratings". There were attempts to adapt the fourth season episode "Kamp Krusty" into a film, but difficulties were encountered in expanding the episode to feature-length.{{cite video|people=Groening, Matt; Al Jean, Mark Kirkland, David Silverman|year=2004|title=The Simpsons The Complete Fourth Season DVD commentary for the episode "Kamp Krusty"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} For a long time, the project was held up. There was difficulty finding a story that was sufficient for a film, and the crew did not have enough time to complete such a project, as they already worked full-time on the show.{{Cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/article/matt-groening-13984|title=Matt Groening|date=April 26, 2006|access-date=April 12, 2017|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065037/https://tv.avclub.com/matt-groening-1798209542|url-status=live}} Groening also expressed a wish to make Simpstasia, a parody of Fantasia; it was never produced, partly because it would have been too difficult to write a feature-length screenplay.{{cite video|people=Groening, Matt|year=2004|title=The Simpsons The Complete Fourth Season DVD commentary for the episode "A Streetcar Named Marge"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} At another point, it was briefly suggested to do an anthology-style Treehouse of Horror film, but such suggestion was never pursued.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/07/27/the-simpsons-movie-10th-anniversary|title=The Simpsons Movie: 10 stories on the 10th anniversary|first=Dan|last=Snierson|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=July 27, 2017|access-date=May 5, 2021|archive-date=November 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102100612/https://ew.com/movies/2017/07/27/the-simpsons-movie-10th-anniversary/|url-status=live}} Recurring guest performer Phil Hartman had wished to make a live-action film based on his character Troy McClure; several of the show's staff expressed a desire to help create it, and Josh Weinstein proposed to use the plot of the 1996 episode "A Fish Called Selma" for the film, but the project was canceled following Hartman's death in 1998.{{cite news | first = Olly | last = Richards | title = Life In Development Hell | page = 76 | work = Empire | date = May 24, 2007}}{{cite video|people=Oakley, Bill|year=2006|title=The Simpsons The Complete Seventh Season DVD commentary for the episode "Homerpalooza"|medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} The project was officially green-lit by 20th Century Fox in 1997, and Groening and James L. Brooks were set to produce the film.

The voice cast was signed on to do the film in 2001,{{cite news|author=Olly Richards|title=Homer's Odyssey|pages=72–78|work=Empire|date=May 24, 2007}} and work then began on the screenplay. The producers were initially worried that creating a film would have a negative effect on the series, as they did not have enough crew to focus their attention on both projects. As the series progressed, additional writers and animators were hired so that both the show and the film could be produced at the same time. Groening and Brooks invited Mike Scully and Al Jean (who continued to work as showrunner on the television series) to produce the film with them. They then signed series director David Silverman to direct the film. The "strongest possible" writing team was assembled, with many of the writers from the show's early seasons being chosen. David Mirkin, Mike Reiss, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder, and Jon Vitti were selected. Ian Maxtone-Graham and Matt Selman would also join later, with Brooks, Groening, Scully, and Jean also writing parts of the screenplay. Sam Simon did not return having left the show over creative differences in 1993. Former writer Conan O'Brien expressed interest in working with the Simpsons staff again, although he later joked that "I worry that the Simpsons-writing portion of my brain has been destroyed after 14 years of talking to Lindsay Lohan and that guy from One Tree Hill, so maybe it's all for the best."{{cite magazine|author=Dan Snierson |title=D'Oh! |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20035285_20035331_20046980,00.html |access-date=July 19, 2007 |date=July 18, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220215901/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20035285_20035331_20046980%2C00.html |archive-date=December 20, 2007 }} The same went for director Brad Bird who said he had "entertained fantasies of asking if [he] could work on the movie", but did not have enough time due to work on films like The Incredibles and Ratatouille. The producers arranged a deal with Fox that would allow them to abandon production of the film at any point if they felt the screenplay was unsatisfactory.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/movies/moviesspecial/06itzk.html|title=D'oh! They're Still Tinkering With Homer|access-date=May 5, 2007|author=Dave Itzkoff|date=May 6, 2007|work=The New York Times|archive-date=March 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326063443/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/movies/moviesspecial/06itzk.html|url-status=live}} Registration required

Work continued on the screenplay from late 2003 onwards, taking place in the small bungalow where Matt Groening first pitched The Simpsons in 1987.{{cite news | author = Matt Groening | title = The 12 steps to making a Simpsons movie | pages = 84–85 | work = Total Film Issue 130 | date = Summer 2007}} The writers spent six months discussing a plot, and each of them offered sketchy ideas. On their first brainstorming session, Scully suggested a story in which Steven Spielberg (intended to be voiced by Spielberg himself) would try to blow up Springfield so he could shoot a film with Tom Hanks (who ultimately made a guest appearance voicing himself in the finished film). It was also on this same reunion that Groening introduced the idea of Homer adopting a pet pig, inspired by a pig-waste management story he had read in the news. Jean suggested the family rescue manatees, which became the 2005 episode "The Bonfire of the Manatees", and there was also a notion similar to that of The Truman Show where the characters discovered their lives were a TV show. Groening rejected this, as he felt that the Simpsons should "never become aware of themselves as celebrities", but the idea was later used in the video game The Simpsons Game. Groening read about a town that had to get rid of pig feces in their water supply, which inspired the plot of the film.{{cite magazine|author=Dan Snierson |title=Homer's Odyssey |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20035285_20035331_20047512,00.html |access-date=July 20, 2007 |date=July 20, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822173216/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20035285_20035331_20047512%2C00.html |archive-date=August 22, 2007 }} The decision for Flanders to have an important role also came early on, as Jean wished to see Bart wonder what his life would be like if Flanders were his father. Hank Scorpio, a character from the 1996 episode "You Only Move Twice", was originally meant to return as the main antagonist, but the staff dropped the idea and created Russ Cargill instead.{{cite video |people=Anderson, Mike B.; Dean Moore, Steven; Moore, Rich; Silverman, David |year=2007 |title=Audio Director's commentary |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}

Having eventually decided on the basic outline of the plot for the film, the writers then separated it into seven sections. Jean, Scully, Reiss, Swartzwelder, Vitti, Mirkin, and Meyer wrote 25 pages each, and the group met one month later to merge the seven sections into one "very rough draft". The film's screenplay was written in the same way as the television series: the writers sitting around a table, pitching ideas, and trying to make each other laugh. The screenplay was rewritten over 100 times, and at one point, the film was a musical. However, the songs were continually being shortened and the idea was dropped.{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/film/features/show-feature/3191/Matt_Groening-interview.html|title=Matt Groening: interview|author=Walters, Ben|year=2007|access-date=January 29, 2009|work=Time Out New York|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920120223/http://www.timeout.com/film/features/show-feature/3191/Matt_Groening-interview.html|archive-date=September 20, 2011|url-status=dead}} Groening described his desire to also make the film dramatically stronger than a TV episode, saying that he wanted to "give you something that you haven't seen before".{{cite news | author = Dave West | title = Groening: 'Simpsons Movie' will be emotional | work = Digital Spy | date = July 7, 2007 | url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a64419/groening-simpsons-movie-will-be-emotional.html | access-date = July 10, 2007 | archive-date = March 26, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210326063435/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a64419/groening-simpsons-movie-will-be-emotional/ | url-status = live }}

File:David Silverman in 2007-cropped.JPG looked at some of the television episodes he had directed for inspiration.]]

Animation for the film began in January 2006, with the Itchy & Scratchy short being the first scene to be storyboarded.{{cite video | people=Brooks, James L.; Groening, Matt; Jean, Al; Scully, Mike; Silverman, David; Castellaneta, Dan; Smith, Yeardley|year=2007|title=Audio commentary| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}} Groening rejected making either a live-action or a CGI film, calling the film's animation "deliberately imperfect" and "a tribute to the art of hand-drawn animation".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6273738.stm|title='Clumsy' Simpsons movie promised|access-date=July 5, 2007|date=July 5, 2007|author=Neil Smith|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=March 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326090640/https://secure-uk.imrworldwide.com/v51.js|url-status=live}} The film was produced in a widescreen 2.40:1 aspect ratio, to distinguish it from the then 4:3 fullscreen look of the television series at the time, and colored with the largest palette the animators ever had available to them. A lot of the animation was produced using Wacom Cintiq tablets, which allowed images to be drawn directly onto a computer monitor to facilitate production. Animation production work was divided among four studios around the world: Film Roman in Burbank, California; Rough Draft Studios in Glendale, California; and its division along with AKOM, in Seoul, South Korea, all of whom previously worked on the series. As with the television series, the storyboarding, character designs, background layout, general animation, and animatic parts of production, were done in America. The overseas studios completed the camera work, inbetweening, and digital ink and paint before shipping the animation back to the United States.

Director David Silverman said that unlike the TV series where "you [have] to pick and choose", the film gave them the opportunity to "lavish that attention [on] every single scene". The characters have shadows, unlike in the show. Silverman and the animators looked to films such as The Incredibles, The Triplets of Belleville, and Bad Day at Black Rock for inspiration, as they were "a great education in staging because of how the characters are placed". They also looked for ideas for a dream sequence, in Disney films such as Dumbo and the Pluto cartoon Pluto's Judgment Day and for crowd scenes in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Silverman looked at some of the Simpsons episodes he had directed, primarily his two favorites, "Homie the Clown" and "Three Men and a Comic Book".{{cite news|url=http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2280|title=Interview: 'Simpsons Movie' Director David Silverman Loves Making D'oh|access-date=July 31, 2007|date=July 31, 2007|author=Peter Brown|work=iF Magazine |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181153/http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2280 |archive-date = September 30, 2007}} Mike B. Anderson, Lauren MacMullan, Rich Moore and Steven Dean Moore each directed the animation for around a quarter of the film under Silverman's supervision, with numerous other animators working on scenes.{{cite video | people=Anderson, Mike B.; Dean Moore, Steven; Moore, Rich; Silverman, David|year=2007|title=Audio Director's commentary| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}

{{see also|List of The Simpsons cast members|l1=List of The Simpsons cast members}}

For inspiration for the crowd scenes in the film, the production staff referenced a poster featuring more than 320 Simpsons characters.{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/04/23/get-inside-scoop-simpsons-movie/|title=Get the inside scoop on The Simpsons Movie|date=April 23, 2007|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=April 12, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065014/https://ew.com/article/2007/04/23/get-inside-scoop-simpsons-movie/|url-status=live}} Groening said they tried to include every single character in the film, with 98 having speaking parts, and most members of the crowds being previously established characters instead of generic people. The series' regular voice actors: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer, as well as semi-regular performers Tress MacNeille, Pamela Hayden, Marcia Wallace, Maggie Roswell, Russi Taylor and Karl Wiedergott, reprised their roles. Joe Mantegna returned as Fat Tony,{{cite news|url=http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatures/hollywood-exclusive/jon-cryer-and-lisa-joyner-plan-june-wedding-joe-mantegna-pulls-eclectic-string-of-roles.html |title=Jon Cryer and Lisa Joyner Plan June Wedding/Joe Mantegna Pulls Eclectic String of Roles |access-date=April 11, 2007 |work=creators.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526171237/http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatures/hollywood-exclusive/jon-cryer-and-lisa-joyner-plan-june-wedding-joe-mantegna-pulls-eclectic-string-of-roles.html |archive-date=May 26, 2007 }} while Albert Brooks, who supplied many guest voices in episodes, was cast as the main antagonist Russ Cargill{{cite web|url=http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.html|title=About the DVD|work=The Simpsons Movie.com|publisher=20th Century Fox|access-date=November 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323034746/http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.html|archive-date=March 23, 2013}} From the main page, go to the Simpsons' house, click on Lisa's book, click on "About the DVD" then on "Production Notes". after he told the staff that he wanted to be part of the film. For "about a week", Brooks was to reprise the role of Hank Scorpio, but when the character was omitted from the film, he ended up voicing Cargill himself.

File:Simpsons angry mob.png

The cast did the first of three table readings in May 2005,{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2006/film/features/homer-going-to-bat-in-07-1117940840/|title=Homer going to bat in '07|access-date=May 19, 2007|date=April 2, 2006|author=Michael Fleming|work=Variety|archive-date=October 29, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029045609/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117940840.html?categoryid=14&cs=1|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://comingsoon.net/news/topnews.php?id=9902|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060906132609/http://comingsoon.net/news/topnews.php?id=9902|archive-date=September 6, 2006|title=Nancy Cartwright on The Simpsons Movie|access-date=May 7, 2007|date=June 5, 2005|work=ComingSoon.net}} and began recording every week from June 2006 until the end of production.{{cite news|url=http://www.girl.com.au/harry-shearer-simpsons-movie-for-your-consideration-interview.htm|title=Harry Shearer For your Consideration & Simpsons Movie Interview|access-date=July 7, 2007|author=Paul Fischer|work=Girl.com|archive-date=July 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729103531/http://www.girl.com.au/harry-shearer-simpsons-movie-for-your-consideration-interview.htm|url-status=live}} James L. Brooks directed them for the first time since the television show's early seasons. Castellaneta found the recording sessions "more intense" than recording the television series and "more emotionally dramatic".{{cite news|url=http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/news/comments/?entryid=398201|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610092447/http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/news/comments/?entryid=398201 |archive-date=June 10, 2008 |title=Castellaneta Does Double Duty on 'Simpsons Movie'|access-date=July 7, 2007|date=February 1, 2007|author=Scott Weinberg|work=Rotten Tomatoes}} Some scenes, such as Marge's video message to Homer, were recorded over one hundred times, leaving the voice cast exhausted.{{cite news|url=http://www.moviesonline.ca/movienews_12524.html |title=The Simpsons Movie Interviews |author=Roberts, Sheila |access-date=2009-02-10 |publisher=Movies Online |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104132905/http://www.moviesonline.ca/movienews_12524.html |archive-date=2009-01-04 }}

The writers had written the opening concert scene without a specific band in mind. Green Day was cast in that role, having requested to guest star in the show. Tom Hanks also appears as himself in the film and accepted the offer after just one phone call. Everybody Loves Raymond creator Philip Rosenthal provides the voice of the father in the "new Grand Canyon" commercial with Hanks. Due to time restraints, several guests who had recorded parts were cut from the film. Minnie Driver recorded the part of a patronizing grievance counselor in a scene that ended up being cut.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1558514/20070501/story.jhtml|title=Movie File: 'Dark Knight,' Christian Bale, 'Simpsons Movie' & More|access-date=May 8, 2007|author1=Shawn Adler|author2=Larry Carroll|date=May 2, 2007|publisher=MTV|archive-date=May 4, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504022124/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1558514/20070501/story.jhtml|url-status=dead}} Edward Norton recorded the part of the man who gets crushed as the dome is implemented, performing a Woody Allen impression. The staff felt the voice was too distracting, so Castellaneta re-recorded Norton's dialogue with a different voice. Isla Fisher and Erin Brockovich also recorded cameos, but their scenes were cut.{{cite news|url=http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/fisher-cut-simpsons-121504032.html |title=Fisher: I was cut out of Simpsons! |agency=Press Association |publisher=Yahoo! Movies |access-date=December 1, 2012 |date=November 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019112238/https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/fisher-cut-simpsons-121504032.html |archive-date=October 19, 2014 }} Kelsey Grammer recorded lines for Sideshow Bob, who was to appear at several different points, but these scenes were also cut. Johnny Knoxville was also touted as a possible guest star.

Although he does not provide the voice, Arnold Schwarzenegger is president of the United States rather than the contemporary real-life incumbent George W. Bush, because according to Groening "in two years ... the film [would be] out of date".{{cite news|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/arts/film/the-simpsons-big-screen-test-7397044.html|title=The Simpsons' big screen test|author=Nick Curtis|access-date=April 2, 2012|date=July 12, 2007|publisher=London|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065050/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-simpsons-big-screen-test-7397044.html|url-status=live}} Brooks was nervous about the idea, noting that "[Schwarzenegger's] opinion polls were way down", and has said that they "were [hoping] he'd make a political comeback". The animators began by drawing an accurate caricature of Schwarzenegger, but one of the staff instead suggested an altered version of recurring character Rainier Wolfcastle as president. This idea was developed, with the design of Wolfcastle, himself also a caricature of Schwarzenegger, being given more wrinkles under his eyes and a different hairstyle.

Every aspect of the film was constantly analyzed, with storylines, jokes and characters regularly being rewritten. Although most animated films do not make extensive changes to the film during active production due to budget restrictions, The Simpsons Movie crew continued to edit their film into 2007, with some edits taking place as late as May, two months before the film was released. James L. Brooks noted, "70 percent of the things in [one of the trailers]—based on where we were eight weeks ago—are no longer in the movie." Matt Groening said that enough material for two more films was cut. Various new characters were created, and then cut because they did not contribute enough.

Originally Marge was the character who had the prophetic vision in church. The writers however considered this to be too dark and it was changed to Grampa. The role of Lisa's love interest Colin was frequently revised. He was previously named Dexter and Adrien, and his appearance was completely altered. One idea was to have Milhouse act as Lisa's love interest, but the writers realized "the audience was not as familiar with [his] long-standing crush on [Lisa] as [they had] thought". A car chase in which Homer throws flaming mummies out of a truck at the EPA was replaced with "more emotional and realistic" scenes at the motel and carnival that allowed for a change of pace. The scene of a naked Bart on his skateboard was Matt Groening's idea, who had always wanted to have Bart skateboarding naked, and Mike Scully had the idea of showing Bart's penis for two seconds. Storyboard artist Martin Archer was credited for devising the way to cover Bart's genitals with different things before they are exposed to the viewer. While the crew agreed that the gag would be funny, they wondered it if would mean an R-rating for the film, as they were happy with a PG-13 rating and that the gag was nonsexual and silly. They were ultimately able to get away with the joke because it wasn't live-action nor was it Homer's genitals.

Further changes were made after the March 2007 preview screenings of the film in Portland, Oregon and Phoenix, Arizona. This included the deletion of Kang and Kodos heavily criticizing the film during the end credits.{{cite book |last1=Reiss |first1=Mike |last2=Klickstein |first2=Mathew |title=Springfield confidential: jokes, secrets, and outright lies from a lifetime writing for the Simpsons |date=2018 |publisher=Dey Street Books |isbn=978-0062748034 |page=102|location=New York City}} A lot of people at the screenings found the original film too coarse, and some of Homer's behavior too unlikable, so several scenes were toned down to make him appear likable. Russ Cargill was redesigned several times, originally appearing as an older man whose speech patterns Albert Brooks based on Donald Rumsfeld. The older model was the one used by Burger King for the action figure.

Cargill's scene with Bart and Homer at the film's conclusion was added in to fully resolve his story, and the "Spider-Pig" gag was also a late addition. One excised scene, before the dome is put over Springfield, had Mr. Burns reminding viewers that it was the last point in the film that they could get a refund. Other deletions included Homer's encounter with a sausage truck driver, a scene with Plopper the pig at the end,{{cite news|url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/808/808965p1.html|title=SDCC 07: The Simpsons Panel|access-date=July 29, 2007|author=Eric Moro|date=July 28, 2007|work=IGN|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065015/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/28/sdcc-07-the-simpsons-panel|url-status=live}} and a news report, showing the dome's effect on daily life in Springfield in areas such as farming and sports, all of which were featured on the DVD, were cut because they did not fit the overall context of the film. Several musical numbers, at various intervals throughout the film, were cut. These included a song about Alaska, featuring music by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics. Jean said it "got pretty far along in the animation, and then we got scared that the movie began to drag in that section."{{cite magazine|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/07/23/simpsons-comic-con-season-23/|title=10 things we learned about 'The Simpsons' at Comic-Con|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|author=Snierson, Dan|access-date=August 16, 2011|date=July 23, 2011|archive-date=September 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908053258/http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/07/23/simpsons-comic-con-season-23/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.bullz-eye.com/music/interviews/2006/dave_stewart.htm|title=A chat with Dave Stewart|author=Harris, Will|work=Bullz-Eye.com|access-date=August 16, 2011|date=October 10, 2006|archive-date=July 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705000703/http://bullz-eye.com/music/interviews/2006/dave_stewart.htm|url-status=live}}

{{See also|The Simpsons Movie: The Music|l1=The Simpsons Movie: The Music}}

Producer James L. Brooks chose Hans Zimmer to compose the film's score, as they were good friends and regular collaborators.{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/07242007/entertainment/music/_simpsons__score_state_of_the_bart_music_maxine_shen.htm|title='Simpsons' Score State of the Bart|access-date=July 29, 2007|date=July 24, 2007|author=Maxine Shen|work=New York Post|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111131707/http://www.nypost.com/seven/07242007/entertainment/music/_simpsons__score_state_of_the_bart_music_maxine_shen.htm|archive-date=January 11, 2009}} Zimmer felt that the score was a "unique challenge", and he had to "try and express the style of The Simpsons without wearing the audience out".{{cite news|url=http://www.soundtrack.net/news/article/?id=1021|title=Hans Zimmer Bakes Up a Tasty Soundtrack for The Simpsons Movie|access-date=June 30, 2007|date=June 26, 2007|work=Soundtrack.net|archive-date=August 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822123035/http://www.soundtrack.net/news/article/?id=1021|url-status=live}} He used Danny Elfman's original opening theme, but did not wish to overuse it. He created themes for each member of the family. Homer's leitmotif was a major focus, and Zimmer also composed smaller themes for Bart and Marge.{{cite news | author = Edward Douglas | title = The One and Only Hans Zimmer! | work =ComingSoon.net | date = August 7, 2007 | url = https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=22980 | access-date = November 15, 2007 | archive-date = December 11, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071211081432/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=22980 | url-status = live }} Regular television series composer Alf Clausen was not asked to score the film, noting: "sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug".{{cite news|url=http://www.bullz-eye.com/television/interviews/2007/alf_clausen.htm|title=Alf Clausen interview, The Simpsons|access-date=November 16, 2007|date=September 26, 2007|author=Will Harris|work=Bullz-Eye.com|archive-date=July 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704215432/http://bullz-eye.com/television/interviews/2007/alf_clausen.htm|url-status=live}}

In addition to their appearance in the film, Green Day recorded its own version of the Simpsons theme, and released it as a single.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mmmmm-soundtrack-simpsons-team-effort-137222|title=Mmmmm, soundtrack: 'Simpsons' team effort|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=April 12, 2017|language=en|archive-date=March 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326063437/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mmmmm-soundtrack-simpsons-team-effort-137222|url-status=live}} Zimmer turned the Spider-Pig song into a choral piece, which was a joke he never intended to be put into the film. Zimmer also had to write foreign-language lyrics for the 32 dubbed versions of the song when the film was released internationally. He found translating the song into Spanish the hardest to write. The same choir learned to sing the piece for each of the foreign-language dubs.

File:Lisacolinappletree.png and the Garden of Eden.]]

Al Jean described the film's message as being "a man should listen to his wife". In addition, the film parodies two major contemporary issues, religion and environmentalism.{{cite news |author=Daniel Martin |date=July 5, 2007 |title=Breathe a sigh of relief, The Simpsons Movie is brilliant |url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/film/2007/07/breathe_a_sigh_of_relief_the_s.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625100111/http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/film/2007/07/breathe_a_sigh_of_relief_the_s.html |archive-date=June 25, 2008 |access-date=July 5, 2007 |work=The Guardian |location=London}} The theme of environmentalism is present throughout the film: in Homer's polluting of Lake Springfield, Green Day's cameo, Lisa's activism and her romance with Colin. The villainous Russ Cargill is head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Reviewer Ed Gonzalez argued the plot was a satire of the government's reaction to the effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans. Ian Nathan of Empire magazine criticized this focus, believing it gave the film an "overt political agenda [which] border[s] on polemic". James D. Bloom of Muhlenberg College commented on the "explicitness" of the film's "intellectual agenda", on this issue, shown particularly through Lisa. He wrote that the film's first post-opening credits scene, which sees Green Day fail in an attempt to engage their audience on the issue of the environment, "sets in motion a plot expressly built around cultural agenda-setting" and "reflection on timely 'issues'."{{cite book|page=174|title=Hollywood Intellect|author=James D. Bloom|year=2009|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0-7391-2924-1}}

Religion is focused on in Grampa's momentary possession, and Marge believing what he said to be a message from God. Groening joked the film "posit[s] the existence of a very active God", when asked if he believed it was likely to offend. Mark I. Pinsky, author of The Gospel According to The Simpsons, said the film "treats genuine faith with respect, while keeping a sharp eye out for religious pretension and hypocrisy of all kinds". Regarding the scene where the tenants of Moe's Tavern and the Church switch locations, he believed it took the "chance to unmask everyone's human fallibility." In analyzing the role of Ned Flanders, he wrote, "It is [the] willingness of The Simpsons to depict all the different sides of us [...] that makes it so rich and funny on our complicated relationship with religion."{{cite news|url=http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=24886 |title='The Simpsons Movie' – Does faith, religion hit 'Homer' in Springfield? |access-date=August 2, 2007 |date=August 1, 2007 |author=Mark I. Pinsky |work=Catholic Online |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929115323/http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=24886 |archive-date=September 29, 2007}} Trees are a motif in the film, and they were implemented in every important or emotional scene throughout the film. The animators inserted an apple tree behind Lisa and Colin during their initial meeting, which was a reference to the biblical figures of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden.

Many cultural references and allusions are made throughout the film. Green Day plays "Nearer, My God, to Thee" on violins as their barge sinks, in a sequence parodying the film Titanic.{{cite news|url=http://www.totalfilm.com/features/the-50-greatest-simpsons-movie-references/page:12|title=The 50 Greatest Simpsons Movie References|last=Ditum|first=Nathan|date=June 6, 2009|work=Total Film|access-date=August 30, 2011|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065018/https://www.gamesradar.com/totalfilm/|url-status=live}} When Bart is riding his skateboard naked, different passing objects are almost constantly covering his genitalia, a nod to similar techniques used in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. Homer and Marge's love scene parodies many Disney films, including Cinderella, with Disney-style animals helping them undress. Originally, the music from The Wizard of Oz was used in that scene, and the fawn had white spots; these were removed because the animators felt it resembled Bambi too clearly. Bart impersonates Mickey Mouse on the train, calling himself "the mascot of an evil corporation". Homer plays Grand Theft Walrus, an allusion to the video game series Grand Theft Auto. In the game, his character shoots a tap-dancing penguin in reference to the film Happy Feet. The "Spider-Pig" song is a parody of the theme song of the 1967 Spider-Man TV series, and the name of Lisa's lecture is An Irritating Truth, a play on Al Gore's film An Inconvenient Truth.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSL0535428620070705?feedType=RSS&rpc=22&sp=true|title=Simpsons movie targets church, environmentalists|access-date=July 6, 2007|date=July 5, 2007|author=Mike Collett-White|work=Reuters|archive-date=July 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708192428/http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSL0535428620070705?feedType=RSS&rpc=22&sp=true|url-status=live}} The bomb disposal robot was based on Vincent D'Onofrio's character Leonard "Pyle" Lawrence from the film Full Metal Jacket, who commits suicide in a similar way. At the end of the film, the crowd's celebration is similar to the conclusion of Return of the Jedi, with Carl performing exactly the same hand gestures as Lando Calrissian.

The $1,000 Homer received when entering Alaska is a reference to the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend.{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/20/business/NA-FIN-US-Alaska-Dividend.php |title=Alaska residents will get annual oil royalty dividend of $1,654 each |work=International Herald Tribune |date=September 20, 2007 |access-date=February 28, 2008 |agency=Associated Press |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430202004/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/20/business/NA-FIN-US-Alaska-Dividend.php |archive-date=April 30, 2008 }} As Homer leaves Eski-Moe's he grabs on to a passing truck and uses it to propel himself back to the house, a tribute to actor Buster Keaton, while the epiphany scene features homages to the film Brazil and the works of Salvador Dalí. Hillary Clinton appears as Itchy's vice president, while an Orc from The Lord of the Rings appears in the mob scene. A scene that was cut had Marge and the kids appear on the TV talk show The View to spread the news of Springfield's impending doom. Parts were written for the show's entire panel and the scene was planned to feature Russ Cargill having a gunfight with Joy Behar. Another dropped scene featured Moe describing Springfield's varying physical states inside the dome, one of which was the Disneyland ride Autopia. There are several references to events in previous TV episodes of The Simpsons. These include the wreckage of the ambulance from the episode "Bart the Daredevil" crashed into a tree next to Springfield Gorge. The Carpenters' song "(They Long to Be) Close to You" was used in Homer and Marge's wedding video and had also been used in several emotional moments between them in the TV series.

File:SimpsonsMarquee.jpg from the film's premiere, which took place in Springfield, Vermont]]

File:Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch at the premier of the Simpsons.jpg (right) and U.S. Representative Peter Welch (left) at the premiere]]

On April 1, 2006, 20th Century Fox announced that the film would be released worldwide on July 27, 2007.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4867252.stm|title=Simpsons film confirmed for 2007|access-date=May 7, 2007|date=April 1, 2006|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065025/https://secure-uk.imrworldwide.com/v51.js|url-status=live}} The film was released a day earlier in Australia and the United Kingdom.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,22137810-5007181,00.html |title=Simpsons in a new dimension |access-date=August 2, 2007 |date=July 26, 2007 |author=Erin McWhirter |work=News.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070918145024/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0%2C23663%2C22137810-5007181%2C00.html |archive-date=September 18, 2007 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.animated-news.com/2007/new-simpsons-one-sheet/|title=06/20/2007: "New Simpsons Movie one-sheet"|access-date=June 28, 2007|work=Animated News|date=June 20, 2007|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065016/https://animatedviews.com/2007/new-simpsons-one-sheet/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?nid=20893|title=Springfield Comes To London|work=Empire|access-date=August 29, 2011|date=July 25, 2007|archive-date=January 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118235242/http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?nid=20893|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/home/sky-news-archive/article/1280299 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712052132/http://news.sky.com/home/sky-news-archive/article/1280299 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |title=Simpsons Movie Piracy Thwarted In Oz |publisher=Sky News |date=August 17, 2007 |access-date=August 29, 2011 }} Little information about the plot was released in the weeks building up to the film's release. Groening did not feel that "people look in the TV section of the newspaper and think, 'I'll watch this week's Simpsons because I like the plot.' You just tune in and see what happens."

Fox held a competition among 16 Springfields across the United States to host the American premiere.{{cite news|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/03/09/simpsons-movie-to-premiere-in-springfield-but-which-one/|title=Simpsons movie to premiere in Springfield. But which one?|access-date=May 19, 2007|date=March 9, 2007|author=Anna Johns|work=TV Squad|archive-date=March 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317221554/http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/03/09/simpsons-movie-to-premiere-in-springfield-but-which-one/|url-status=live}} Each Springfield produced a film, explaining why their town should host the premiere, with the results being decided via a vote on the USA Today website. Springfield, Minnesota dropped out on May 31, 2007.{{cite news|url=http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2007/05/31/mn/05m.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707155607/http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2007/05/31/mn/05m.txt|archive-date=July 7, 2007|title=Springfield, Minn., to Simpsons: Drop dead|access-date=June 7, 2007|date=May 31, 2007|work=Winona Daily News}} The winner was announced on July 10 to be Springfield, Vermont.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6910174.stm|title=Simpsons launch hits Springfield|access-date=July 22, 2007|date=July 21, 2007|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=August 18, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818065152/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6910174.stm|url-status=live}} The town beat Springfield, Illinois by 15,367 votes to 14,634. Each of the other 14 entrants held their own smaller screenings of the film on July 26.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/simpsons-contest.htm|title='The Simpsons Movie' Hometown Premiere Contest|access-date=July 2, 2007|author=Cindy Clark|work=USA Today|archive-date=April 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425185314/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/simpsons-contest.htm|url-status=live}} Springfield, Vermont hosted the world premiere of the film on July 21 with a yellow carpet instead of the traditional red.

The film was rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for "irreverent humor throughout";{{cite web|url=http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/news.php?id=6223 |title=Latest MPAA Ratings: #57 |access-date=May 30, 2007 |date=May 30, 2007 |work=Rope of Silicon |author=Brad Brevet |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070922055232/http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/news.php?id=6223 |archive-date=September 22, 2007 }} the production staff had expected this rating.{{cite news |url=https://usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-04-02-simpsons-movie_x.htm |title=Mmmm, popcorn: A 'Simpsons' film in '07 |access-date=April 2, 2006 |author=Scott Bowles |date=April 2, 2006 |work=USA Today |archive-date=March 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065017/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-04-02-simpsons-movie_x.htm |url-status=live }} However, the British Board of Film Classification passed the film as a PG with no cuts made.{{cite web|title=The Simpsons Movie (2007)|publisher=British Board of Film Classification|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/simpsons-movie-2007|access-date=January 4, 2019|archive-date=January 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105053121/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/simpsons-movie-2007|url-status=dead}} A BBFC spokeswoman said regarding Bart's brief nude scene, "natural nudity with no sexual content is acceptable in PG films".{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article2034139.ece|title=Bart shows fans the unexpected as Simpsons film beats censor with a yellow streak|work=The Times|date=July 6, 2007|author=Adam Sherwin|access-date=July 7, 2007|location=London|archive-date=May 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517042948/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article2034139.ece|url-status=dead}} The film was banned in Myanmar, not for the scene of nudity, but for the excessive use of the colors yellow and red, which is prohibited in the country.{{cite news |last1=Magnier |first1=Mark |date=April 1, 2013 |title=Myanmar's once-proud film industry a flicker of its former self |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-myanmar-film-20130402-dto-htmlstory.html |access-date=June 17, 2018 |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=March 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065018/https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-myanmar-film-20130402-dto-htmlstory.html |url-status=live }}

File:Kwik-e-mart-7-11.jpg store in Seattle transformed into a Kwik-E-Mart]]

The convenience store chain 7-Eleven transformed 11 of its stores in the United States and one in Canada into Kwik-E-Marts, at the cost of approximately $10 million.{{cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=4082c01a-a201-4b22-8c30-1f51e4a41a5a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012032601/http://eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=4082c01a-a201-4b22-8c30-1f51e4a41a5a|archive-date=October 12, 2007|title=Cowabunga! 7-Elevens Get Kwik-E Makeover|access-date=October 30, 2007|date=July 2, 2007|work=E! News|author=Josh Grossberg}} 7-Eleven also sold Simpsons-themed merchandise in many of its stores. This included "Squishees", "Buzz Cola", "Krusty-O's" Cereal, and "Pink Movie Donuts".{{cite news | title = 7-Eleven Becomes Kwik-E-Mart for 'Simpsons Movie' Promotion | publisher = Fox News Channel | date = July 1, 2007 | url = https://www.foxnews.com/story/7-eleven-becomes-kwik-e-mart-for-simpsons-movie-promotion | access-date = July 3, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070704143203/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C287578%2C00.html | archive-date = July 4, 2007 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }} This promotion resulted in a 30% increase in profits for the altered 7-Eleven stores.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/doh-fox-limits-tie-ins-141952|title=D'oh! Fox limits tie-ins for 'Simpsons Movie'|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=April 12, 2017|language=en|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065018/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/doh-fox-limits-tie-ins-141952|url-status=live}} Homer performed a special animated opening monologue for the edition of July 24, 2007 of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, as part of another promotion.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-simpsons-idUSN2335192720070724|title="Simpsons" filmmakers at odds on Homer's stupidity|work=Reuters|author=Tourtellotte, Bob|date=July 24, 2007|access-date=August 29, 2011|archive-date=January 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122221529/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-simpsons-idUSN2335192720070724|url-status=live}}

Promotions also occurred around the world. 20th Century Fox erected a giant pink donut in the town of Springfield in Canterbury, New Zealand, to celebrate being named Springfield,{{cite web | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/7201428/New-doughnut-for-Springfield | title=New doughnut for Springfield | publisher=Stuff.co.nz | date=July 1, 2007 | access-date=August 5, 2016 | archive-date=July 4, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704053556/http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/7201428/New-doughnut-for-Springfield | url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/1231760|title=Giant doughnut unveiled in Canterbury|access-date=July 19, 2007|date=July 15, 2007|work=One News|archive-date=July 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728142947/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/1231760|url-status=live}} while in London a double decker bus-sized floating inflatable Spider Pig was set up next to Battersea Power Station.{{cite news|url=http://www.taylorherring.com/blog/index.php/tag/spider-pig-battersea-power-station/|title=The Publicity Stunt Hall of Fame|date=January 26, 2009|access-date=June 25, 2010|publisher=Taylor Herring|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729160828/http://www.taylorherring.com/blog/index.php/tag/spider-pig-battersea-power-station/|archive-date=July 29, 2014|url-status=dead}} In Dorset, England, an image of Homer was painted next to the hill figure, the Cerne Abbas Giant. This caused outrage amongst local neopagans who performed "rain magic" to try to get it washed away.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6901543.stm|title=Wish for rain to wash away Homer|access-date=July 19, 2007|date=July 16, 2007|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=February 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214062912/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6901543.stm|url-status=live}}

McFarlane Toys released a line of action figures based on the film{{cite web|url=http://www.spawn.com/toys/series.aspx?series=347|title=The Simpsons Movie|access-date=May 8, 2007|work=Spawn|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903050406/http://www.spawn.com/toys/series.aspx?series=347|archive-date=September 3, 2014}} while EA Games released The Simpsons Game to coincide with the film's DVD release, although the plot of the game was not based on the film.{{cite news|url=http://www.ea.com/simpsons/news.jsp |title=EA's The Simpsons Game Unveiled Alongside The Simpsons 400th Episode |access-date=May 8, 2007 |publisher=EA Games |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090308093154/http://www.ea.com/simpsons/news.jsp |archive-date=March 8, 2009 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|url=http://gamesnews.virgin.net/Virgin/Lifestyle/Games/virginGamesNewsDetail/0,13470,2116591_technology,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822123820/http://gamesnews.virgin.net/Virgin/Lifestyle/Games/virginGamesNewsDetail/0%2C13470%2C2116591_technology%2C00.html |archive-date=August 22, 2007 |title=The Simpsons due in autumn |access-date=May 8, 2007 |work=Virgin Media |url-status=dead }} Samsung released The Simpsons Movie phone,{{cite news|url=https://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/hughes/8421|title="The Simpsons Movie" Phone|author=Gina Hughes|date=January 16, 2007|publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=July 12, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127160022/http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/hughes/8421|archive-date=January 27, 2007}} and Microsoft produced a limited edition The Simpsons Movie Xbox 360.{{cite news|url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/13465/The-Simpsons-Limited-Edition-Xbox-360-Picture/ |title=The Simpsons Limited Edition Xbox 360 Picture |access-date=May 11, 2007 |date=May 10, 2007 |author=César A. Berardini |work=TeamXbox.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070512154747/http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/13465/The-Simpsons-Limited-Edition-Xbox-360-Picture/ |archive-date=May 12, 2007 }} Ben & Jerry's created a Simpsons-themed beer and donut-flavored ice cream, entitled "Duff & D'oh! Nuts".{{cite news|url=http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/NEWS04/707190329/1024/NEWS04|title=Ben & Jerry's delivers Homerific ice cream|access-date=July 19, 2007|date=July 19, 2007|work=Rutland Herald|author=Gordon Dritschilo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012175438/http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070719%2FNEWS04%2F707190329%2F1024%2FNEWS04|archive-date=October 12, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Windows Live Messenger presented their users with the opportunity to download a free animated and static content for use within their conversations.{{cite news|url=https://www.dexigner.com/news/11191|title=Red Box Produce Global Launch Tie-in for the Simpson Movie|access-date=January 13, 2008|date=June 15, 2007|work=Dexigner|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065019/https://www.dexigner.com/news/11191|url-status=live}} Burger King produced a line of Simpsons toy figures that were given away with children's meals, and ran a series of Simpsons-themed television adverts to promote this. JetBlue Airways held a series of online sweepstakes to win a trip to the film's Los Angeles, California premiere. They also included a channel dedicated to The Simpsons on their planes' in-flight entertainment system.

File:Empire State Building yellow.jpg was illuminated yellow to promote the film's home video release.]]

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc worldwide on December 3, 2007, and on December 18{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/oYbKOv6|title=Image of The Simpsons Movie to own on DVD December 18|website=Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA)|access-date=January 21, 2020|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065018/https://imgur.com/oYbKOv6|url-status=live}} in the United States by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. It contains commentary tracks from both the producers and animators, six short deleted scenes, and a selection of material used to promote the film release.{{cite news|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=37652|title=Mmmm... Movie! The Simpsons Movie|access-date=September 26, 2007|date=September 25, 2007|work=Comingsoon.net|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065021/https://www.comingsoon.net/dvd/news/37652-mmmm-movie-the-simpsons-movie|url-status=live}} An unfinished deleted scene of the townspeople singing the Springfield Anthem was also included on The Simpsons The Complete Tenth Season DVD box set.{{cite video |year=2007|title=A Sneak Peek From The Simpsons Movie DVD — The Simpsons The Complete Tenth Season| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}

Promotions for the DVD release occurred across the United States. The Empire State Building was illuminated yellow, the first time the building had ever been used as part of a film promotion. In the United Kingdom, Fox launched a £5 million advertising campaign.{{cite news|url=http://www.brandrepublic.com/login/News/768975/|title=Simpsons DVD set for £5m Christmas ad blitz|access-date=December 30, 2007|date=November 23, 2007|author=Darren Davidson|work=Brand Republic|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065022/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/simpsons-dvd-set-5m-christmas-ad-blitz/768975|url-status=live}} They also signed a £1.6 million deal with the yogurt company Yoplait, to produce a The Simpsons Movie design for their brand Frubes.{{cite news|url=http://www.mad.co.uk/Logon/ArticleLogon.aspx?uiArticleID=699b5fd5-8a2e-4187-a2fe-08f83c031e60&uiNavigationItemID=&uiPageID=8453a00f-9d1a-404a-beda-339905b6b8b4&PipelinedPage=/Main/News/Articlex/699b5fd58a2e4187a2fe08f83c031e60/Frubes-in-16m-Simpson%e2%80%99s-tie-up.html&PipelinedQueryString=uiArticleID%3d699b5fd5-8a2e-4187-a2fe-08f83c031e60%26uiNavigationItemID%3dd8f9fd23-813a-47b2-9696-31d9ca23a265%26|title=Frubes in £1.6m Simpson's tie-up|work=Mad|access-date=December 30, 2007|date=November 23, 2007|author=Melinda Varley|archive-date=January 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103064205/http://www.mad.co.uk/Logon/ArticleLogon.aspx?uiArticleID=699b5fd5-8a2e-4187-a2fe-08f83c031e60&uiNavigationItemID=&uiPageID=8453a00f-9d1a-404a-beda-339905b6b8b4&PipelinedPage=/Main/News/Articlex/699b5fd58a2e4187a2fe08f83c031e60/Frubes-in-16m-Simpson%E2%80%99s-tie-up.html&PipelinedQueryString=uiArticleID%3D699b5fd5-8a2e-4187-a2fe-08f83c031e60%26uiNavigationItemID%3Dd8f9fd23-813a-47b2-9696-31d9ca23a265%26|url-status=live}} In its first week it topped the U.S. DVD chart, and generated $11.8 million in rental revenue.{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/simpsons-movie-dvd-sales-save-157849/|title='Simpsons Movie' DVD sales save world|access-date=December 30, 2007|date=December 28, 2007|work=The Hollywood Reporter|author=Thomas K. Arnold|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614053726/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/simpsons-movie-dvd-sales-save-157849/|url-status=live}}

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|87|7.50|220|consensus=The Simpsons Movie contains the hearty laughs, biting satire, and honest portrayal of an American family that makes the show so popular. And it boasts slicker animation and polished writing that hearkens back to the show's glory days.}}{{cite web|title=The Simpsons Movie|work=Rotten Tomatoes|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/simpsons_movie|access-date=April 1, 2025}} {{Metacritic film prose|80|36|ref=yes|access-date=1 April 2025}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.{{cite web|title=Home - Cinemascore|work=cinemascore.com|url=https://www.cinemascore.com/|access-date=April 1, 2025}}

British newspapers The Guardian and The Times both gave the film four out of five stars. The Times' James Bone said that it "boasts the same sly cultural references and flashes of brilliance that have earned the television series a following that ranges from tots to comparative literature PhDs".{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article2118613.ece|title=The Simpsons Movie – The Times review|access-date=July 25, 2007|date=July 22, 2007|work=The Times|author=James Bone|location=London|archive-date=September 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906144537/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article2118613.ece|url-status=dead}} The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw stated that it "gives you everything you could possibly want" and that he thought, "Eighty-five minutes [was] not long enough to do justice to 17 years of comedy genius".{{cite news|url=http://film.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/Critic_Review/Guardian_review/0,,2133231,00.html|title=The Simpsons Movie|access-date=July 25, 2007|date=July 24, 2007|author=Peter Bradshaw|work=The Guardian|location=London|archive-date=September 6, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070906040711/http://film.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/Critic_Review/Guardian_review/0,,2133231,00.html|url-status=live}} Ed Gonzalez praised the film for its political message, likening the Itchy & Scratchy cartoon at the beginning to President Schwarzenegger's situation later on, as well as the film's visual gags.{{cite news|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/film_review.asp?ID=3089 |title=The Simpsons Movie |access-date=July 25, 2007 |date=July 27, 2007 |work=Slant Magazine |author=Ed Gonzalez |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927182802/http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/film_review.asp?ID=3089 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }} Randy Shulman praised the cast, and described them as having "elevated their vocal work to a craft that goes way beyond simple line readings", and particularly praised Kavner who he said "gave what must be the most heartfelt performance ever".{{cite news|url=http://www.metroweekly.com/arts_entertainment/film.php?ak=2879 |title=Homer's Odyssey |work=Metro Weekly |access-date=July 26, 2007 |date=July 26, 2007 |author=Randy Shulman |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231021/http://www.metroweekly.com/arts_entertainment/film.php?ak=2879 |archive-date=September 26, 2007 }} Roger Ebert gave a positive review of three out of four stars, but admitted he was "generally [not] a fan of movies spun off from TV animation". He called it "radical and simple at the same time, subversive and good-hearted, offensive without really meaning to be".{{cite news|author=Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-simpsons-movie-2007|title=The Simpsons Movie (PG-13)|date=July 26, 2007|work=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=July 30, 2007|archive-date=June 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626230353/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-simpsons-movie-2007|url-status=live}} Richard Corliss of Time said that the film "doesn't try to be ruder or kinkier, just bigger and better".{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1647331,00.html|title=The Simpsons, Bigger and Better|access-date=July 30, 2007|author=Richard Corliss|date=July 26, 2007|magazine=Time|archive-date=December 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204050753/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1647331,00.html|url-status=dead}}

File:Julie Kavner 1974.JPG (pictured in 1974) was praised for her emotional performance as Marge and was nominated for an Annie Award for voice acting. To date it is her last performance in a feature film.]]

USA Today film critic Claudia Puig said that the story did "warrant a full-length feature, thanks to a clever plot and non-stop irreverent humor".{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2007-07-25-simpsons-review_N.htm|title='Simpsons' is timely good fun|access-date=July 27, 2007|date=July 26, 2007|work=USA Today|author=Claudia Puig|archive-date=February 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209193029/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2007-07-25-simpsons-review_N.htm|url-status=live}} Patrick Kolan believed that the film was "easily the best stuff to come [from the Simpsons] since season 12 or 13" and praised the animation, but also said that the appearances of characters such as Comic Book Guy and Seymour Skinner were "small and unfunny".{{cite news|url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/808/808138p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504203014/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/808/808138p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 4, 2010|title=The Simpsons Movie AU Review|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=July 5, 2007|author=Patrick Kolan|work=IGN}} Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter praised the film's good nature, stating that the laughs "come in all sizes", but also noted that, "little has been gained bringing the Simpsons to the screen."{{cite news|title=The Simpsons Movie|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/simpsons-movie/review/158977|access-date=July 25, 2007|date=July 25, 2007|work=The Hollywood Reporter|author=Kirk Honeycutt|archive-date=April 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412135559/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/simpsons-movie/review/158977|url-status=live}}

Variety's Brian Lowry called it "clever, irreverent, satirical and outfitted" but that it was "just barely" capable of sustaining a running time longer than a television episode.{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117934252.html?categoryid=31&cs=1|title=The Simpsons Movie|access-date=July 25, 2007|date=July 24, 2007|work=Variety|author=Brian Lowry|archive-date=September 15, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915041539/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117934252.html?categoryid=31&cs=1|url-status=live}} Lisa Schwarzbaum praised the voice cast but stated that the "'action' sequences sometimes falter".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20047960,00.html|title=The Simpsons Movie (2007)|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=July 24, 2007|author=Lisa Schwarzbaum|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-date=October 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016232427/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20047960,00.html|url-status=dead}} When comparing the film to the early episodes of the show, Stephen Rowley concluded that the film "has more going for it than the show in its later years, but is still a long way short of what made it so invigorating".{{cite web|url=http://www.cinephobia.com/simpsons.htm|title=The Simpsons Movie (David Silverman), 2007|access-date=September 14, 2007|author=Stephen Rowley|work=Cinephobia.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913222715/http://www.cinephobia.com/simpsons.htm|archive-date=September 13, 2009}} The Monthly critic Luke Davies echoed Lowry's concerns about the length: "everything moves with the whip-crack speed of a half-hour episode. And that's the paradox: it makes the film feel like three episodes strung together. We're in a cinema, and we expect something epic." He opined that "in the great arc that is the history of The Simpsons, this film will come to be seen as oddity rather than apotheosis."{{cite news|url=http://www.themonthly.com.au/film-luke-davies-ho-diddly-hum-david-silverman-s-simpsons-movie-618?page=0%2C1|title=Ho-Diddly-Hum: David Silverman's "The Simpsons Movie")|author=Luke Davies|work=The Monthly|access-date=November 22, 2009|archive-date=September 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911222150/http://www.themonthly.com.au/film-luke-davies-ho-diddly-hum-david-silverman-s-simpsons-movie-618?page=0%2C1|url-status=live}}

More negative reception came from the magazine Empire, where reviewer Ian Nathan compared the film to New Coke, saying that "it utterly failed".{{cite news|url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=11196|title=The Simpsons Movie (PG)|access-date=July 25, 2007|author=Ian Nathan|work=Empire|archive-date=September 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930185143/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=11196|url-status=live}} Phil Villarreal believed that there were "too few laugh-worthy moments" and that "instead of stretching to new frontiers, the film rests on the familiar".{{cite news|url=http://www.aznightbuzz.com/stories/193320.php |title='Simpsons Movie' nothing special|access-date=June 13, 2010|date=July 26, 2007|author=Phil Villarreal|work=Arizona Daily Star |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080412001854/http://www.aznightbuzz.com/stories/193320.php |archive-date = April 12, 2008}} Sheila Johnston criticized the pacing of the film and its joke level saying that "the overall momentum flags at times" and that it was "a salvo of comic squibs, some very funny, others limp".{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/24/nsimpsons124.xml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011204548/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2007%2F07%2F24%2Fnsimpsons124.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 11, 2007|title=Review: Big screen stretching it for Simpsons|access-date=July 25, 2007|date=July 25, 2007|author=Sheila Johnston|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}} David Edwards agreed with this, writing that although "there's a great half-hour show rattling around...the rest is padding at its very dullest", concluding that it "isn't a terrible film, just a terribly disappointing one."{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/tv-film-news/the-simpsons-movie-493722|title=Review: The Simpsons Movie|access-date=April 2, 2012|date=July 28, 2007|author=David Edwards|work=Daily Mirror|archive-date=April 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416032027/http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/tv-film-news/the-simpsons-movie-493722|url-status=live}} Cosmo Landesman believed, "the humour seem[ed] to have lost its satirical bite and wit" and that "much of the comedy is structured around the idiocy of Homer".{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article2141198.ece|title=The Simpsons Movie-Sunday Times Review|access-date=July 29, 2007|date=July 29, 2007|author=Cosmo Landesman|work=The Sunday Times|location=London|archive-date=June 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615112148/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article2141198.ece|url-status=dead}} This assessment was shared by Carina Chocano of the Los Angeles Times, who felt that "once the movie wanders into its contemplation of mortality and meaning, the trenchancy kind of creaks and falls off." She negatively compared it to South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999), a film similarly adapted from an animated television series, saying that, in terms of satire, it offers "nothing we don't hear every night on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart."{{cite news|author=Carina Chocano|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-27-et-simpsons27-story.html|title=Where's the fire?|date=July 27, 2007|access-date=September 3, 2011|archive-date=January 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111143309/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jul/27/entertainment/et-simpsons27|url-status=live}} Bruce Newman criticized the fleeting appearances of many of the show's secondary characters, and found the film to be "a disappointment".{{cite news|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/movies/ci_6461922|title=Doh! 'Simpsons Movie' is more boohoo than woohoo|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=July 25, 2007|author=Bruce Newman|work=San Jose Mercury News|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185725/http://www.mercurynews.com/movies/ci_6461922|url-status=live}} Registration required

The film earned $30,758,269 on its opening day in the United States making it the 25th-highest, and fifth-highest non-sequel opening day revenue of all time.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/days/?page=open&p.htm|title=Top Single Day Grosses|access-date=July 28, 2007|work=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=May 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508214451/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/days/?page=open&p.htm|url-status=live}} It grossed a combined total of $74,036,787 in its opening weekend on 5,500 screens at 3,922 theaters, reaching the top of the box office for that weekend.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2007&wknd=30&p=.htm|title=Weekend Box Office July 27–29, 2007|access-date=July 29, 2007|work=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818223657/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2007W30/|url-status=live}} This made it the tenth-highest revenue of all time, for an opening weekend in July, and highest among non-sequels, and the highest animated TV adaptation of all time, surpassing The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/month/?mo=07&p=.htm|title=Top Opening Weekends By Month|access-date=July 29, 2007|work=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=August 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830125640/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/month/?mo=07&p=.htm|url-status=live}} This outperformed the expectations of $40 million that Fox had for the release.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN2737409820070729|title="Simpsons" the first family at theaters|author=Dean Goodman|date=July 29, 2007|access-date=July 29, 2007|work=Reuters|archive-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010102730/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/07/29/us-boxoffice-idUSN2737409820070729|url-status=live}}

It set several American box office records, including highest grossing opening weekend for a non-CG animated film and for a film based on a television series, surpassing Mission: Impossible 2. It was also the third-highest grossing opening weekend for an animated film.{{cite magazine|last=Rich|first=Joshua|title=Simpsons Movie shatters records|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/07/30/simpsons-movie-shatters-records/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=April 30, 2022|date=July 30, 2007|archive-date=October 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005071757/https://ew.com/article/2007/07/30/simpsons-movie-shatters-records/|url-status=live}} It opened at the top of the international box office taking $96 million from 71 overseas territories, including $27.8 million in the United Kingdom, the second-highest UK opening ever for a 20th Century Fox film.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSN2936859520070730|title="Simpsons Movie" rules foreign box office|access-date=July 30, 2007|date=July 29, 2007|author=Frank Segers|work=Reuters|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818223653/https://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSN2936859520070730|url-status=live}} It contributed to over half of the record 5.5 million people attending British cinemas that weekend.{{cite news | title = Simpsons film tops record weekend | publisher = BBC News | date = July 31, 2007 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6923830.stm | access-date = August 2, 2007 | archive-date = March 5, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220305064401/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6923830.stm | url-status = live }} In Australia, it grossed $13.2 million, the third-highest opening weekend in the country, and the highest for an animated film.{{cite news | author = Patrick Kolan | title = Simpsons Movie Breaks Records | work = IGN | date = July 30, 2007 | url = http://movies.ign.com/articles/809/809446p1.html | access-date = July 31, 2007 | archive-date = September 7, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070907110512/http://movies.ign.com/articles/809/809446p1.html | url-status = live }} The United Kingdom is the highest-grossing country for the film outside in the United States with a $78.4 million gross overall, with Germany in second place with a $36.3 million gross overall.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=simpsons.htm|title=The Simpsons Movie (2007) International Box office Results|access-date=March 3, 2008|work=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=August 6, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806144630/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=simpsons.htm|url-status=live}} The film closed on December 20, 2007, with a gross of $183.1 million in the United States and a worldwide gross of $536.4 million. It was the eighth-highest-grossing film worldwide and the tenth-highest grossing in the United States of 2007.

{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by The Simpsons#Awards for The Simpsons Movie|l1=List of awards and nominations received by The Simpsons Movie}}

The Simpsons Movie won the award for Best Comedy Film at the British Comedy Awards,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7129639.stm|title=British Comedy Awards: winners' list|access-date=June 13, 2007|date=December 6, 2007|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=February 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219225818/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7129639.stm|url-status=live}} Best Animation at the inaugural ITV National Movie Awards,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7019374.stm|title=Potter wins film awards hat-trick|access-date=September 29, 2007|date=September 28, 2007|author=Fiona Pryor|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=February 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203162640/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7019374.stm|url-status=live}} and Best Movie at the UK Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, beating Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, and Shrek the Third.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a78143/in-full-nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-uk-winners.html|title=In full: Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards UK winners|author=Nick Levine|date=October 20, 2007|access-date=October 28, 2007|work=Digital Spy|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422232007/https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a78143/in-full-nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-uk-winners/|url-status=live}} The film's trailer won a Golden Trailer Award in the category Best Animated/Family Film Trailer at the 8th Annual Golden Trailer Awards.{{cite news|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20746|title=The 8th Annual Golden Trailer Awards Winners!|access-date=June 9, 2007|author=Edward Douglas|date=May 31, 2007|work=Comingsoon.net|archive-date=October 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017053144/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=20746|url-status=dead}} Forbes named the film the third best of the year, based on its box office takings and Metacritic critical response score.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/02/19/hollywood-movies-forbesies-biz-media-cx_jb_0220forbesies.html|title=The True Best Pictures Of The Year|access-date=February 23, 2008|author=John Burman|date=February 20, 2008|work=Forbes|archive-date=May 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523225736/http://www.forbes.com/2008/02/19/hollywood-movies-forbesies-biz-media-cx_jb_0220forbesies.html|url-status=live}} The film's website received a Webby Award at the 12th Annual Webby Awards in the category "Best Movie and Film Website".{{cite web|url=http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?season=12#webby_entry_movie |title=Webby Awards '08 Winners |access-date=May 19, 2008 |work=Webby Awards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926024111/http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?season=12 |archive-date=September 26, 2010 }}

At the 35th Annie Awards the film was nominated in four categories: Best Animated Feature, Directing in an Animated Feature Production, Writing in an Animated Feature Production, and Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production for Julie Kavner. All four awards were won by Ratatouille.{{cite web|url=http://annieawards.org/foryourconsideration.html |title=For Your Consideration |access-date=February 9, 2008 |work=Annie Awards.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217224351/http://annieawards.org/foryourconsideration.html |archive-date=February 17, 2009 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117980588.html?nav=news&categoryid=1983&cs=1|title='Ratatouille' nearly sweeps Annies|access-date=February 9, 2008|date=February 8, 2008|work=Variety|author=Peter Debruge|archive-date=May 24, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524113040/http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117980588.html?nav=news&categoryid=1983&cs=1|url-status=live}} It was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the 65th Golden Globe Awards, the BAFTA for Best Animated Film, and the Producers Guild Award for Animated Theatrical Motion Picture.{{cite news|url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/year/2007 |title=Nominations & Winners (2007) |access-date=January 14, 2008 |date=December 13, 2007 |publisher=Hollywood Foreign Press Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524113041/http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/year/2007 |archive-date=May 24, 2012 }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7191143.stm|title=Bafta Film Awards 2008: The winners|access-date=February 10, 2008|date=February 10, 2008|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=January 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110155545/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7191143.stm|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/awards/pga-avoids-credit-limit-1117979406/|date=January 28, 2008|title=PGA avoids credit limit|access-date=November 22, 2009|work=Variety|author=Dave McNary|author-link=Dave McNary}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/movies/04arts-PRODUCERSGUI_BRF.html|title=Producers Guild Honors 'No Country'|access-date=February 5, 2008|date=February 4, 2008|work=The New York Times|author=Lawrence Van Gelder|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422232008/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/movies/04arts-PRODUCERSGUI_BRF.html|url-status=live}} It also received nominations for the Satellite Award for Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature, the Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Feature, and the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Feature.{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=awardcentral&jump=news&articleid=VR1117976747|title=Satellite nominations announced|access-date=December 13, 2007|author=Libby McCarthy|date=November 30, 2007|work=Variety|archive-date=December 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203225923/http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=awardcentral&jump=news&articleid=VR1117976747|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=awardcentral&jump=article&id=news&articleid=VR1117977840|title=Satellite Award winners announced|access-date=December 22, 2007|date=December 17, 2007|work=Variety|author=Erin Maxwell|archive-date=December 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219191841/http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=awardcentral&jump=article&id=news&articleid=VR1117977840|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagofilmcritics.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=58|title=Chicago Film Critics Awards – 1998-07|access-date=January 2, 2008|publisher=Chicago Film Critics Association|archive-date=May 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515203059/http://www.chicagofilmcritics.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=58|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.bfca.org/NomineesWinners.asp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20051214145236/http://www.bfca.org/NomineesWinners.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 14, 2005|title=Nominees and Winners 2007 |access-date=January 9, 2008|publisher=Broadcast Film Critics Association}}

Before its release, the film received a nomination at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards for "Best Summer Movie You Haven't Seen Yet", with the award ultimately won by Transformers,{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/ma07/vote.jhtml?categoryId=best_summer|title=2007 MTV Movie Awards | Best Summer Movie You Haven't Seen Yet|access-date=June 9, 2007|publisher=MTV|archive-date=May 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503132847/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/ma07/vote.jhtml?categoryId=best_summer|url-status=dead}} and lost the Teen Choice Award for "Choice Summer Movie – Comedy/Musical", which was won by Hairspray.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/26/AR2007082601514.html|title='Pirates,' Sophia Bush Top Teen Awards|access-date=December 22, 2007|date=August 27, 2007|author=Michael Cidoni|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=June 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604144338/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/26/AR2007082601514.html|url-status=live}} It was also nominated for Favorite Movie Comedy at the People's Choice Awards, losing to Knocked Up.{{cite news|url=http://www.pcavote.com/pca/history.jsp?year=2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305214257/http://www.pcavote.com/pca/history.jsp?year=2008|archive-date=March 5, 2008|title=People's Choice Awards Past Winners: 2008|access-date=January 9, 2008|publisher=CBS}}

In 2014, Brooks stated that he had been approached by Fox and that they had requested a second film. He added that there were no immediate plans, stating, "We've been asked to [develop it], but we haven't. We're doing a lot of other stuff".{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/james-l-brooks-talks-simpsons-738213|title=James L. Brooks Talks 'Simpsons' Sequel, New Film Projects (Exclusive Video)|first=Tim|last=Appelo|date=June 10, 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111211827/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/james-l-brooks-talks-simpsons-738213|url-status=live}} In December 2014, just prior to the broadcast of the twenty-sixth season episode "The Man Who Came to Be Dinner", Jean wrote on Twitter that the episode (which had been produced in 2012 and was originally set to air in May 2013) had been held back by himself and Brooks because it was being considered for adaptation into a sequel film as the episode was "cinematic".{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AlJean/status/550368001590308864|title=Al Jean on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=January 8, 2015|archive-date=November 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122084147/https://twitter.com/AlJean/status/550368001590308864|url-status=live}} Jean later expanded that there was the fear of the potential film being considered "not canonical" with the TV series{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Snierson|date=January 14, 2015|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2015/01/14/simpsons-movie-idea/|title=This idea could have been the next 'Simpsons' movie|work=Entertainment Weekly's EW.com|access-date=January 15, 2015|archive-date=January 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115060837/http://insidetv.ew.com/2015/01/14/simpsons-movie-idea/|url-status=live}} and the potential backlash of overcoming it by using a "memory wipe".{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/article/weird-simpsons-episode-was-almost-weird-simpsons-m-213868|title=Weird Simpsons episode was almost weird Simpsons movie|work=avclub.com|date=January 15, 2015|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=May 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511021725/http://www.avclub.com/article/weird-simpsons-episode-was-almost-weird-simpsons-m-213868|url-status=live}}

In July 2017, Silverman and Jean said that the sequel was in the early stages of development and stressed the toll production of the first picture took on the entire staff. On August 10, 2018, it was reported that a sequel was in development.{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/the-simpsons-movie-2-development-fox/|title=The Simpsons Movie 2 Reportedly in Development at Fox|first=Kevin|last=Burwick|work=movieweb.com|date=August 10, 2018|access-date=August 10, 2018|archive-date=March 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326063441/https://movieweb.com/the-simpsons-movie-2-development-fox/|url-status=live}} On July 22, 2019, Groening stated that he had "no doubts" that The Walt Disney Company, which acquired 21st Century Fox early that year, would likely produce a sequel one day.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/tv/matt-groening-confirms-sequel-simpsons-movie-2531250|title=Matt Groening confirms 'The Simpsons Movie' sequel|first=Nick|last=Reilly|work=NME|date=July 22, 2019|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722071533/https://www.nme.com/news/tv/matt-groening-confirms-sequel-simpsons-movie-2531250|url-status=live}} In July 2021, Jean stated that discussions for the potential sequel had stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-simpsons-movie-sequel-al-jean-update-plans-future/|title=The Simpsons Showrunner Confirms Movie Sequel Was Being Discussed Prior to Pandemic|first=Patrick|last=Cavanaugh|date=July 7, 2021|access-date=July 8, 2021|publisher=comicbook|archive-date=July 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707233543/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-simpsons-movie-sequel-al-jean-update-plans-future/|url-status=live}} In May 2024, Jean expressed his hopes for a sequel: "I want to see the animation business completely returned to what it was before the pandemic. And then, I think if that was the case, it would make sense to do The Simpsons theatrically."{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/the-simpsons-movie-2-al-jean-response-hopeful-wait/|title=The Simpsons Movie 2 Chances Get Hopeful Response From Co-Showrunner 17 Years Later (With 1 Caveat)|first=Grant|last=Hermanns|date=May 11, 2024|access-date=May 11, 2024|publisher=Screen Rant}}

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{{The Simpsons}}

{{Matt Groening}}

{{Gracie Films}}

{{Film Roman}}

{{Rough Draft Studios}}

{{20th Century Studios theatrical animated features}}

{{20th Century Fox Animation}}

{{James Brooks}}

{{David Silverman}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpsons Movie}}

Category:2007 American animated films

Category:2007 comedy films

Category:2007 films

Category:2007 directorial debut films

Category:20th Century Fox animated films

Category:20th Century Fox Animation films

Category:20th Century Fox films

Category:Film Roman films

Category:Fox Television Animation films

Category:Gracie Films films

Category:Rough Draft Studios films

Category:Animated films based on animated series

Category:Animated films based on animated television series

Category:Animated films set in the United States

Category:Animated buddy films

Category:2000s adventure comedy films

Category:American adventure comedy films

Category:Films based on television series

Category:The Simpsons

Category:Films about dysfunctional families

Category:Films directed by David Silverman

Category:Films produced by James L. Brooks

Category:Films produced by Matt Groening

Category:Films produced by Richard Sakai

Category:Films set in 2007

Category:Films scored by Hans Zimmer

Category:Films with screenplays by James L. Brooks

Category:Films with screenplays by John Swartzwelder

Category:Films with screenplays by Matt Groening

Category:Films with screenplays by Mike Reiss

Category:2000s English-language films

Category:Animated films about father–son relationships

Category:Films with screenplays by Jon Vitti

Category:Cultural depictions of Arnold Schwarzenegger

Category:English-language adventure comedy films

Category:Films set in Alaska