The Simpsons' original 4:3 aspect ratio gets May release date on Disney Plus

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Watch The Simpsons the way it was originally intended later this month

(Image credit: Disney)

Disney Plus is giving us The Simpsons in its original 4:3 aspect ratio, starting May 28, the streaming service. 

That's a big deal for Simpsons fans. The series switched from 4:3 to 16:9 back in 2009, but Disney Plus streams every episode in the latter aspect ratio, meaning consequential visual cues from earlier episodes have been cropped out. That can make jokes confusing and even muddle certain story details. Here's a good example:

Fortunately, Disney heard the collective cries of Simpsons fans everywhere and is making the first 19 seasons of Simpsons stream in 4:3. Seasons 20 and onward will still stream in 16:9 as intended. It's been six months since the streaming service acquired the rights to the cartoon and began streaming episodes, but better late than never, right?

Another big boon for the Disney-owned streaming service is The Mandalorian, and the news that Timothy Olyphant is joining season 2 rocking Boba Fett's iconic armor. That followed equally compelling reports that Rosario Dawson would be playing Ahsoka Tano, filling out the series already excellent cast with even more big-name talent.

While you wait for The Simpsons to return to its former 4:3 glory, here are the best Disney Plus movies and shows to stream right now.

Jordan Gerblick
Jordan Gerblick

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.