The Simpsons Movie
Despite a considerable budget of $75.0M, The Simpsons Movie became a massive hit, earning $527.1M worldwide—a remarkable 603% return.
1 BAFTA Award5 wins & 34 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Simpsons watch an Itchy & Scratchy movie together at the theater, establishing their typical dysfunctional family dynamic where Homer is oblivious and self-centered.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Homer dumps a silo of pig waste into Lake Springfield despite Marge's warnings, creating a toxic crisis that triggers an immediate EPA response and puts the entire town in danger.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 20% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to The Simpson family escapes through a sinkhole in their backyard and actively chooses to flee Springfield for Alaska, abandoning their home and community rather than facing the consequences of Homer's actions., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 40% of the runtime—significantly early, compressing the first half. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Marge records a video message declaring she's leaving Homer because he refuses to help save Springfield, revealing his selfishness has cost him his family - a false defeat that forces Homer to confront his greatest fear., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (60% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Homer and the family are captured by the EPA just as they attempt to save Springfield. Cargill reveals the bomb countdown has begun. The town condemns the Simpsons to die with everyone else, representing complete rejection and the "death" of Homer's place in his community., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 65% of the runtime. Homer realizes he can use his motorcycle to ride up the outside of the dome to throw the bomb out through the hole at the top - synthesizing his love for his family with self-sacrifice for the community., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Simpsons Movie's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Simpsons Movie against these established plot points, we can identify how the filmmaker utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Simpsons Movie within its genre.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Simpsons watch an Itchy & Scratchy movie together at the theater, establishing their typical dysfunctional family dynamic where Homer is oblivious and self-centered.
Theme
Grampa has a prophetic vision in church warning about environmental disaster and calling out "the chosen one" who brings destruction - foreshadowing Homer's role and the theme of personal responsibility for collective consequences.
Worldbuilding
Springfield is introduced in crisis: Lake Springfield is heavily polluted. Lisa becomes an environmental activist and meets Irish love interest Colin. The EPA monitors the town. Homer adopts Spider-Pig, establishing his pattern of selfish, impulsive decisions without considering consequences.
Disruption
Homer dumps a silo of pig waste into Lake Springfield despite Marge's warnings, creating a toxic crisis that triggers an immediate EPA response and puts the entire town in danger.
Resistance
The EPA, led by Russ Cargill, convinces President Schwarzenegger to place a giant dome over Springfield, trapping all residents. An angry mob discovers Homer caused the pollution and surrounds the Simpson house. The family debates their options as the town turns against them.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Simpson family escapes through a sinkhole in their backyard and actively chooses to flee Springfield for Alaska, abandoning their home and community rather than facing the consequences of Homer's actions.
Mirror World
In Alaska, Marge and Homer experience a brief romantic reconnection while the family finds temporary peace in their new wilderness home, representing the relational healing Homer needs to prioritize over selfish impulses.
Premise
The Simpsons explore their new life in Alaska with Homer working at a logging company and the family attempting to build a new normal. Meanwhile, back in Springfield under the dome, conditions deteriorate and Cargill convinces the President to escalate to "Plan AA" - destroying Springfield entirely.
Midpoint
Marge records a video message declaring she's leaving Homer because he refuses to help save Springfield, revealing his selfishness has cost him his family - a false defeat that forces Homer to confront his greatest fear.
Opposition
Homer initially pursues his family but gets sidetracked by selfish motivations. Inside the dome, Bart bonds with Flanders as a father figure. The EPA prepares to destroy Springfield with a bomb. Homer has an epiphany via spiritual vision, finally understanding he must change and save the town.
Collapse
Homer and the family are captured by the EPA just as they attempt to save Springfield. Cargill reveals the bomb countdown has begun. The town condemns the Simpsons to die with everyone else, representing complete rejection and the "death" of Homer's place in his community.
Crisis
Trapped and seemingly doomed, the family processes their darkest moment. They face execution by angry townspeople before Maggie saves them. Homer must convince his family to help save the very town that wants them dead.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Homer realizes he can use his motorcycle to ride up the outside of the dome to throw the bomb out through the hole at the top - synthesizing his love for his family with self-sacrifice for the community.
Synthesis
The family executes the plan: Bart and Homer ride the motorcycle up the dome while Lisa and Marge destroy the dome supports. Despite EPA interference and personal danger, Homer completes the heroic act, throwing the bomb through the hole where it detonates safely outside, destroying only the dome and saving Springfield.
Transformation
Springfield is free and rebuilding. The townspeople cheer the Simpsons as heroes. Homer and Marge share a kiss on their rebuilt rooftop, mirroring the opening but now showing Homer as someone who puts family and community before himself.