Homer Simpson and the family are returning to the big screen after nearly two decades.
Disney has announced that a second Simpsons movie will hit theaters on July 23, 2027, marking the first cinematic outing for the iconic animated family in two decades.
The untitled feature is being developed under Disney’s 20th Century Studios banner and will occupy a release date once held by an unnamed Marvel project, which has now been removed from the studio’s calendar.
Its biggest competition will come from Warner Bros.’ animated musical Bad Fairies, slated for the same weekend.
The announcement was made Monday through the studio’s Instagram account, which teased fans with a poster featuring Homer lunging for a sprinkle-topped donut shaped into the number ‘2.’ The cheeky tagline: ‘Homer’s coming back for seconds.’
The first Simpsons Movie premiered in 2007 and became a surprise box-office juggernaut, grossing over $536million (£440m) worldwide on a $75m (£55.8m) budget.
Directed by longtime series animator David Silverman, the film centered on Springfield being sealed inside a giant dome after Homer pollutes the town’s water supply.
At the time, critics praised the effort for recapturing the wit of the show’s early seasons.
Talk of a sequel has surfaced periodically ever since, but production never materialized – until now.
The announcement comes as The Simpsons begins its 37th season, continuing its run as the longest-lasting primetime animated series in history.
First introduced in shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987, the Groening-created sitcom has since become a pop-culture touchstone.
It remains anchored by its original cast: Dan Castellaneta as Homer, Julie Kavner as Marge, Nancy Cartwright as Bart, and Yeardley Smith as Lisa.
The series has already been renewed through its 40th season, which will air in 2028–29.
Showrunner Matt Selman recently credited streaming with keeping the franchise alive and reaching new generations: ‘Being on Disney+ has been somewhat rejuvenating for us. Not that we realized we needed rejuvenation, but we appreciate it,’ he told Variety.
Details about the new film’s story are tightly under wraps. No director has been officially announced, and it’s unclear whether the project will connect to ongoing storylines from the series or stand alone as its predecessor did.
What is clear is that Disney is banking on Springfield’s enduring appeal to carry a summer box office slot usually reserved for Marvel blockbusters.
Fans may still have two years to wait, but if the Instagram teaser is anything to go by, Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie will be back in theaters with plenty of donuts to spare.
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