The 10 Best ‘Simpsons’ Movie Moments

In the episode ‘Bart’s Friend Falls in Love,’ the opening sequence parodies the famous boulder scene from ’Raiders of the Lost Ark.’ In the scene, Bart carefully snags a cookie jar, just like Indy did the golden idol at the beginning of ’Raiders.' Then Bart has to escape as Homer, the big oaf, becomes the famous booby trap boulder.

‘The Simpsons’ offered their take on 'Pulp Fiction' in the episode, ’22 Short Films About Springfield.' Not only did the structure of the half-hour evoke the Tarantino smash hit, but in one of the scenes Lou and Chief Wiggum have a Jackson-and-Travolta-like discussion about the differences between McDonald’s and Krusty Burger.

In the episode ‘Lisa’s Pony,' 'The Simpsons' had some fun with the iconic and grusome horse head scene from the Oscar winning film ‘The Godfather.’ Luckily for Lisa the horse head she wakes up next to is still attached to the rest of its body. But, beyond that, nothing about having a pony works out like she thought it would

In the episode ‘Bart the Murder,’ Bart stumbles into the "Legitimate Businessman’s Social Club" and, thanks to his ability to handicap horses, becomes a part of Fat Tony’s crew. Elements of the episode mimic the Martin Scorsese film ‘Goodfellas,’ including the scene in which Bart shows the swanky new suit he got from his dirty mob money to a horrified Marge.

The 'Cape Fear' episode of ‘The Simpsons,’ which is generally considered one of the best, parodies a handful of movies, including ‘Friday the 13’ and ‘Psycho.’ But, as its title suggests, its main target is ‘Cape Fear,’ casting Sideshow Bob in the Max Cady role. Despite Bob’s new muscles and scary tattoos, Bart ends up outsmarting him as he always does.

The ‘Homer At Bat’ episode of ‘The Simpsons’ is most famous for the all-star roster of major leaguers (including Roger Clemens, Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs and Daryl Strawberry) who join the Springfield nuclear power plant’s softball team. But the show also has a pretty important movie reference, as Homer’s special bat is the ‘Wonder Bat,’ a clear nod to the lightening forged ‘Wonder Boy’ Robert Redford’s Roy Hobbs uses to great success in ‘The Natural.’

In the episode ‘Homer The Heretic,’ everybody’s favorite every-man decides he doesn't want to go to church. And what does he do instead of visiting his house of worship? Well, he has “the best day of my life," which includes sliding across the floor in socks and skivvies, much like Tom Cruise did in 'Risky Business.' Come on, you’re telling us you wouldn’t do that in your best day ever?

A running gag on ‘The Simpsons’ is the Arnold Schwarzenegger-inspired action hero Rainier Wolfcastle. Trailers for the movies of Woflcastle’s signature character McBain have long been a ‘Simpsons’ staple. A fan of the show cut these trailers together for a clever, if very unofficial, 'McBain: The Full Movie.'

One could say 'Citizen Kane' is to movies as 'The Simpsons' is to animated TV. And 'The Simpsons' have paid homage to the Orson Welles' classic on numerous occasions, most prominently in an episode titled 'Rosebud.' In it, we learn more about the life of Mr. Burns, including the power plant boss’ relationship with his Rosebud -- his childhood teddy bear Bobo.

The ‘Planet of The Apes' musical, from the episode 'A Fish Called Selma,' is most fans pick for the greatest musical number in the show's history. Phil Hartman lends his voice as Charlton Heston's marooned astronaut character, who hates all apes, from "Chimapan-A to chimpana-Z." (And who is finally made a monkey of.)