Don't cry for me, I'm already dead.
Welcome to WatchMojo.
Here are our picks for Top 10 Simpsons Moments That Will Make You Cry.
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Do you want to get unexpectedly sad?
Join us on this journey as we take a look
at the most genuinely poignant moments from this legendary cartoon.
However, we will only be counting scripted, in-episode moments.
Also, spoilers ahead.
All right, let's get to it.
Happy homemaker and mom supreme Marge Simpson just wants
one thing for Christmas: a nice family photo.
This year, however, Bart's got a bigger reason
for not wanting to be part of the family portrait: he was caught shoplifting.
When Marge finds out, her positive view on her mischievous son is broken.
Bart, feeling adrift, decides to show them just what sort of person he really is.
Returning home, it seems he's disappointed his mother again
until he reveals what he's done.
It's such a surprisingly thoughtful moment that it's hard not to feel moved.
This later-seasons episode has a real classic feel.
Following a storm, a whale washes up on shore at Springfield Beach
and idealistic Lisa tries to lend assistance.
When the town can't help, she tries reading to the marooned mammal
and stays with it throughout the night
certain that things will be all right in the end.
But by morning, there is nothing more she can do
and despite her dreams, poor Lisa finds the whale has died in the night.
The well-meaning and innocent Lisa learns a hard lesson
that despite hope and good intentions, nature is cruel.
Throughout this flashback episode
we see that when Lisa was first born, Bart hated her.
Jealous of the attention the new baby was getting
Bart did everything he could to get rid of her.
Finally, little Bart decides to run away.
That is until Lisa says her first word: "Bart"
Bart is excited.
Then we flash-forward, after an episode of Homer getting teased by his kids
and Maggie says her first word "Daddy",
making for a one-two punch of adorableness.
The Flanders crew was always the perfect foil to the unruly Simpsons.
Squeaky clean and good-natured to a fault
Ned seems like the happiest guy on Earth.
But during a day at the raceway
Maude is struck by a barrage of t-shirts, thrown from the bleachers
and dies as a result of the freak accident.
While she was always something of a secondary character
she was still the first truly major death in the series
and it shakes Ned's faith to the core.
There's something so sad about seeing
the unflappable Flanders and his kids brought so low.
The Springfield Film Festival is all anyone can talk about in this episode
and everyone wants a chance at the grand prize.
Most entries are either silly or over-the-top.
When local souse Barney Gumble's film comes up
the audience assumes it will be more of the same.
However, his entry is a surprisingly poetic musing on his life
as an alcoholic with comedic elements.
Comic relief aside, alcoholism is an immensely serious affliction
one that impacts thousands of peoples' lives.
This black-and-white short film humanises an otherwise punchline of a character
and manages to signal that he is not just a joke.
It's no surprise that Bart is not a world-class student
but when Mrs Krabappel tells him he's got to pass the next test
or repeat the fourth grade, he begins to get serious.
For once in his life, and despite all temptations, he studies hard.
After the test, Mrs K thinks this is business as usual and marks the paper on the spot.
Bart finds out that even with his best efforts he still failed.
His sincere hurt and disappointment is nothing short of heartbreaking.
It becomes a great moment of character for both Bart and Mrs K
but first, it's just a ten-year-old kid crying his eyes out.
Lisa has always been the odd one out in the Simpsons household.
Although brainy and independent, Lisa lacks a certain confidence
and, as she sees it, also a male role model she can truly look up to.
When her teacher is out sick
Mr Bergstrom seems like the mentor she has always craved.
But as a substitute teacher, it's not long before it's time for him to leave.
Devastated, she asks him not to go.
In a final lesson, he hands her a note that he promises will help.
The simple message has resonance for lonely kids everywhere.
After consuming deadly fugu or blowfish
Homer is told he only has one day left to live.
He tries to live his last day to the fullest
making a checklist and trying to get it all done.
He's waylaid and doesn't get to do everything
including spending more time with his kids.
The real heartbreak occurs at night.
After spending what he thinks is a last moment with his loving wife
he goes from room to room saying goodbye to his children.
He then goes off to face his impending death alone.
Fortunately, Homer lives to see another sunrise.
In this flashback episode about why there are no pictures of Maggie at home
we see that Homer had actually made it in life.
He managed to land his dream job and quit his gig at the nuclear plant.
But when Marge became pregnant with Maggie, he's forced to return to the power plant.
Gloating, Mr Burns writes a sign for him to stare at:
"Don't Forget: You're Here Forever."
However, we see at the end that Homer has covered it with pictures of little Maggie
so that it reads instead, "Do it for Her."
It's sudden, sweet moment that will have you reaching for the tissues.
Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honourable mentions.
Homer thought his mother was dead for most of his life.
When he unexpectedly gets her back, he learns the truth:
that she loved him, but was on the run from the law.
The pair are looking forward to making up for lost time
but no sooner is Mother S. back, then she's forced to leave again.
Homer gets her out in time but must say goodbye once more.
After she is gone, Homer sits sadly on the hood of his car, staring at the stars.
The stillness and reflection of the moment as the credits begin to roll
makes this one of the most poignant, tear-jerking scenes in the entire series.
#Do it for her, guys.
Anyway, if you want to cheer yourself up, check out these related videos.
I promise, they're not as sad.