The Simpsons’ Top Five Most Quoted Movie Moments Revealed

For decades, The Simpsons has been a playground for pop culture, weaving countless movie nods into its animated universe. Whether it ’s a subtle background detail or a scene-by-scene homage, the show’s writers have made a sport out of referencing classic films. Thanks to a dedicated team of fans, we now know exactly which movies have left the biggest mark on Springfield ’s residents.

Citizen Kane: The Blueprint for Springfield’s Elite

Orson Welles’ masterpiece, Citizen Kane, stands as a pillar of cinematic influence, and The Simpsons’ writers have paid tribute time and again. The most memorable homage comes in the episode ‘Rosebud,’ where Mr. Burns’ longing for his childhood teddy bear mirrors Charles Foster Kane’s obsession with his sled. The episode’s structure and even its title are direct winks to Welles’ film. Throughout the series, Mr. Burns often channels Kane, from his bombastic campaign speeches to his lavish estate reminiscent of Xanadu. Even the infamous ‘Citizen Kang’ segment and a playful jab at the nonexistent cane in Citizen Kane show just how deep the references run.

Frankenstein: Horror Classics Reimagined in Yellow

James Whale’s 1931 adaptation of Frankenstein has inspired some of the show’s most memorable Halloween moments. In ‘Treehouse of Horror II,’ the segment ‘Homer’s Nightmare’ sees Mr. Burns transplanting Homer’s brain into a robot, a direct riff on the Frankenstein mythos. The show’s very first Halloween special even opens with Marge stepping out from behind a curtain, echoing Edward Van Sloan’s warning to audiences in the original film. Over the years, Frankenstein’s monster has become a recurring figure, especially in the annual ‘Treehouse of Horror’ episodes, cementing its place in the show’s DNA.

Psycho: Hitchcock’s Shadows Over Springfield

Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho has cast a long shadow over The Simpsons, with some of the series’ sharpest parodies and visual gags. The episode ‘Itchy & Scratchy & Marge’ delivers a near shot-for-shot recreation of the infamous shower scene, swapping in Homer and Maggie for Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins. Principal Skinner’s relationship with his mother, Agnes, is often played for laughs in a way that mirrors Norman Bates’ dynamic, especially in ‘Brother From the Same Planet.’ Even the town’s orchestra gets in on the act, playing the film’s iconic score as Homer spirals into paranoia. Hitchcock’s influence pops up elsewhere too, with nods to The Birds and other classics sprinkled throughout the series.

Star Wars and The Wizard of Oz: Pop Culture Giants

It’s no surprise that Star Wars has been a goldmine for Simpsons gags, given the writers’ love for the saga. From Homer accidentally spoiling the twist in The Empire Strikes Back to Mark Hamill’s unforgettable guest appearance in ‘Mayored to the Mob,’ the galaxy far, far away is never far from Springfield. The show’s references span both the original trilogy and the prequels, often poking fun at the latter’s mixed reception.

Meanwhile, The Wizard of Oz might seem like an odd fit, but its influence is everywhere. The show has riffed on the film’s dream sequences, iconic lines like “Fly, my pretties!”, and even recreated the Wicked Witch’s guards outside Mr. Burns’ mansion. Patty and Selma have been swept up in tornadoes, and Homer’s sugar pile meltdown is a direct echo of the Wicked Witch’s famous demise. These subtle and not-so-subtle nods prove just how deeply the film is woven into the fabric of The Simpsons.