‘The Simpsons’ fans devastated by Marge’s death: “Why couldn’t it be Patty or Selma?”

Fans of The Simpsons have reacted with dismay at the news that Marge dies in the show’s latest episode.

• READ MORE: Every time The Simpsons predicted the future – ranked in order of weirdness

In season 36 finale Estranger Things, the show flashes forward 35 years into the future to reveal that the Simpsons’ matriarch died before her husband Homer. The episode also deals with Lisa and Bart’s feelings around the loss, while showing Marge looking down on them from heaven.

While many have pointed out the death happens in the future, and so not in the current Simpsons timeline, the impact was felt by fans on X (formerly Twitter).

“You just ruined my day” one poster said, before adding: “I guess I’ll only watch the first 35 Seasons so Marge Simpson can live forever”.

I stopped watching the show a while ago but, that sucks dude!

You just ruined my day

I guess I’ll only watch the first 35 Seasons so Marge Simpson can live forever pic.twitter.com/qmXpaVGMcW

— Pat the Irishman (@Dad2Earthlings) June 25, 2025

Other reactions included: “OMG THEY KILLED MARGE it’s a sad day for us Simpsons lovers”, and “They done killed off Marge?? This world so unhinged”.

OMG THEY KILLED MARGE it’s a sad day for us Simpsons lovers

— jcruz. (@DecruzJemma) June 26, 2025

They done killed off marge?? this world so unhinged

— (@NiqueeTheDONN) June 26, 2025

One fan questioned: “Why couldn’t it be Patty or Selma?”, while another compared it to another animated comedy. “Taking a page out of Family Guy where they killed Brian” the user wrote.

Why couldn’t it be Patty or Selma?

— Malachi (@KingStaxx91) June 26, 2025

Taking a page out of family guy where they killed Brian

— CtrlAltDrew45 (@awesdrew45) June 25, 2025

Comic Book Guy was quoted in one tribute: “worst finale ever”.

In the words of comic book guy worst finale ever.

— Dan Tromp (@Dantromp_) June 26, 2025

Not everyone was upset about the decision, however. “All I can say about Marge Simpson’s supposed death is the Simpsons hasn’t been relevant since the 1990s” one user wrote. “We ALL watched in the 90s. No one has really paid attention to it since. The proof is EVERY quoted and memorable episode is from the 90s. It’s culturally irrelevant now”.

All I can say about Marge Simpson’s supposed death is the Simpsons hasn’t been relevant since the 1990s. We ALL watched in the 90s. No one has really paid attention to it since. The proof is EVERY quoted and memorable episode is from the 90s. It’s culturally irrelevant now.

— wwwocls12 (@wwwocls12) June 26, 2025

The beloved animated cartoon will pass its 40th anniversary with its latest series order, although writer and producer Matt Selman revealed future seasons will feature fewer episodes than before. “We used to do 22 a year. For the next four (seasons), we’re doing 17 a year,” he explained. “Fifteen that will premiere in America on Fox, and then two exclusives on Disney+. It’s still a full-time job”.

The post ‘The Simpsons’ fans devastated by Marge’s death: “Why couldn’t it be Patty or Selma?” appeared first on NME.