<P> Since its debut on December 17 , 1989 , 622 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 . 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 of 22 episodes each , extending the show to 2019 . </P>
<P> Since its debut on December 17 , 1989 , 622 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 . 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 of 22 episodes each , extending the show to 2019 . </P>
when did the first episode of the simpsons come out
when did the first episode of the simpsons come out
December 17 , 1989
December 17 , 1989