<P> Since its debut on December 17 , 1989 , 639 episodes of The Simpsons have been broadcast . Its 29th season began on October 1 , 2017 . It is the longest - running American sitcom and the longest - running American animated program , and , in 2009 , it surpassed Gunsmoke as the longest - running American scripted primetime television series in terms of seasons and surpassed the Western in terms of episodes in 2018 . The Simpsons Movie , a feature - length film , was released in theaters worldwide on July 27 , 2007 , and grossed over $527 million . On November 4 , 2016 , the series was renewed for a twenty - ninth and thirtieth season , extending the show to May 2019 . </P>
<P> Since its debut on December 17 , 1989 , 639 episodes of The Simpsons have been broadcast . Its 29th season began on October 1 , 2017 . It is the longest - running American sitcom and the longest - running American animated program , and , in 2009 , it surpassed Gunsmoke as the longest - running American scripted primetime television series in terms of seasons and surpassed the Western in terms of episodes in 2018 . The Simpsons Movie , a feature - length film , was released in theaters worldwide on July 27 , 2007 , and grossed over $527 million . On November 4 , 2016 , the series was renewed for a twenty - ninth and thirtieth season , extending the show to May 2019 . </P>
when did the simpsons first air on television
when did the simpsons first air on television
December 17 , 1989
December 17 , 1989