Marge Simpson’s Death Shocks Fans in Season 36 Finale

The Episode: Estranger Things

The 36th season of The Simpsons just ended with Marge sharing a kiss with Ringo Starr. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/jia4ZCdh9b

— peter lane (@peterlanee) May 19, 2025

The twist was in the episode titled Estranger Things, the season finale of the long-running animated sitcom. Set 35 years in the future, the episode presents us with a glimpse of what the future holds for the Simpsons years and years down the line—and it is not pleasant.

The family in this future is fractured. Lisa is an unexpected commissioner of the NBA, and Bart runs a makeshift retirement home. Homer is an elderly man who lives there, seemingly isolated from the rest of the family. The children are in their early 40s, while Homer is well into his 70s.

And then the tragic tableau: Homer crouched beside Marge’s tombstone. The inscription on the headstone reads:

“Beloved wife, mother, pork-chop seasoner.”

To underscore the emotional mood, a somber version of Sarah McLachlan’s hit song is playing, with lyrics lovingly swearing, “Marge passed before Homer, if you can believe it.”

Marge’s Message from Beyond

Amid the darkness, the act includes a reconciliation scene. A recording of Marge’s voice is discovered by Lisa, which calls her and Bart to reconcile. They quickly do, giving the otherwise bleak setting an uplifting conclusion.

In a surreal twist, the final scene has Marge in heaven, married to Beatles legend Ringo Starr. Smiling at witnessing her kids reconcile, she says:

“I’m just so happy my kids are close again. I’m just so glad we’re allowed to marry different people in heaven.”

She then walks away with Ringo toward a “Heaven Buffet,” ending the episode on a quirky but heartfelt note.

Fan Reactions: From Shock to Sentimentality

Damn! So they just gonna kill off Marge Simpson after 36 seasons😪😪 pic.twitter.com/vSnb2iQuK9

— Goddess Yemoja (@DeeplyLovedSoul) June 26, 2025

The revelation caused a flood of reactions on social media. On Threads, one fan posted:

“I just saw the news about who died at the end of The Simpsons season 36 and I’m dying laughing. I cannot.”

Another fan commented:

“Omg now why on earth would they kill off Marge? I haven’t even watched The Simpsons in 10+ years but they really killed off MARGE?”

These ranged from laughter to shock, with some loyal watchers commenting on their fondness for the character who has been on TV since 1989.

What This Means for the Future of The Simpsons

Although the episode previewed a post-Marge future, the show is not set in the modern era. It’s a hypothetical flash-forward, and Marge is very much alive in the current timeline of the show.

But the emotional resonance of the episode has put audiences in anticipation about what’s to come for the series. With The Simpsons picked up through Season 40, the series is set to surpass 800 episodes and become one of the longest-running scripted TV shows.

Some viewers are curious about how many seasons the show will run:

“OK – Simpsons on till Season 40. The movie came out closer to the start of when the show began than our current time. Finish it in a landmark year, I beg you, before we lose more actors,” one tweeter wrote.

Another drew a tearful comparison:

“It’s like watching both your grandparents slowly and agonisingly die.”

Where to Watch The Simpsons

All of The Simpsons, including the season 36 finale, which is the most recent, are available to stream on Disney+. A 7-day free trial for new Disney+ subscribers is available.

Final Thoughts

While Marge’s “death” surprised audiences, it was part of a cleverly planned future narrative aimed at exploring family, aging, and reconciliation storylines. The program continues to be popular and emotionally engaging after more than three decades on television air.

Rest assured for now, folks: Marge Simpson won’t be disappearing… at least not yet.

Sources:

• Disney+ Streaming: The Simpsons
• The Independent Entertainment

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