Matt Groening

Writing

Matt Groening

Born 1954-02-15 · Portland, Oregon, USA

Matthew Abram Groening (/ˈɡreɪnɪŋ/ GRAY-ning; born February 15, 1954) is an American cartoonist, writer, producer, and animator. He is best known as the creator of the television series The Simpsons (1989–present), Futurama (1999–2003, 2008–2013, 2023–present), and Disenchantment (2018–2023), as well as the comic strip Life in Hell (1977–2012). The Simpsons is the longest-running American primetime television series in history, as well as the longest-running American animated series and sitcom. Born in Portland, Oregon, Groening made his first professional cartoon sale, of Life in Hell, to the avant-garde magazine Wet in 1978. At its peak, it was carried in 250 weekly newspapers and caught the attention of American producer James L. Brooks, who contacted Groening in 1985 about adapting it for animated sequences for the Fox 21st Century variety show The Tracey Ullman Show. Fearing the loss of ownership rights, Groening created a new set of characters, the Simpson family. The shorts were spun off into their own series, The Simpsons, which has since aired 791 episodes. In 1997, Groening and former Simpsons writer David X. Cohen developed Futurama, an animated series about life in the year 3000, which premiered in 1999. It ran for four years on Fox, was picked up in 2008 by Comedy Central for another five years, and was finally picked up by Hulu for another revival in 2023. In 2016, Groening developed a new series for Netflix, Disenchantment, which premiered in August 2018. Groening has won 14 Primetime Emmy Awards, 12 for The Simpsons and 2 for Futurama, and a British Comedy Award for "outstanding contribution to comedy" in 2004. In 2002, he won the National Cartoonist Society Reuben Award for his work on Life in Hell. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 14, 2012. Description above from the Wikipedia article Matt Groening, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Acting credits

I Know That Voice poster
7.1

Filmmaker Lawrence Shapiro discusses voice-over acting with the talented people behind the characters.

I Know That Voice

2014

Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope poster
6.9

A behind-the-scenes look at San Diego Comic-Con, the world's largest comic book convention, and the fans who attend every year.

Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope

2011

Hair High poster
6.4

Rod and Cherri are the unmistakable king and queen of Echo High. When new kid Spud arrives, he makes a faux pas so bad that Rod forces him to be his girl's slave. What unfolds is the tale of Cherri and Spud's blossoming relationship behind Rod's back, and their untimely demise on the night of the prom. A tale of tragedy that could only be as irreverent and sensational through the pen (or pencils, if you will) of Bill Plympton.

Hair High

2004

A Grand Night In: The Story of Aardman poster
7.1

Julie Walters tells the story of how Morph, Shaun the Sheep and that cheese-loving man Wallace and his dog Gromit first came to life.

A Grand Night In: The Story of Aardman

2015

Comic Book: The Movie poster
5.7

Hugh Hefner, Stan Lee, Mark Hamill and Kevin Smith journey into the world of comic book fandom! Documentary filmmaker Donald Swan heads to the world's largest comic book convention where he encounters a culture of craziness that he's totally unprepared for.

Comic Book: The Movie

2004

The Story poster
5.0

Presents a story told by a young boy to his younger sister about various zoo animals. Records the spontaneous tale with all the interruptions, comments and reactions of the sister. The film was made by their father Homer Groening and features Matt, Lisa and little Maggie.

The Story

1969

Chuck Jones: Extremes and In-Betweens - A Life in Animation poster
7.1

This biography, shown on American television as part of the PBS "Great Performances" series, examines the life works of one of Hollywood's most celebrated animators, Chuck (Charles M.) Jones. He is best known for Warner Brothers cartoons featuring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, and Pepe LePew. Included are plenty of behind-the-scenes descriptions of how an animated film is made, and (best of all) many clips from Chuck's cartoons.

Chuck Jones: Extremes and In-Betweens - A Life in Animation

2000

Olive, the Other Reindeer poster
6.7

After mis-hearing a radio broadcast about Santa canceling his Christmas trip due to an injured reindeer, Olive the dog decides to travel to the North Pole and volunteer to be a replacement. Unfortunately, Olive must deal with an evil postman who's tired of handling all the extra Christmas mail. Will Martini the penguin be able to help Olive realize her dream?

Olive, the Other Reindeer

1999

The Devil and Daniel Johnston poster
7.7

This 2005 documentary film chronicles the life of Daniel Johnston, a manic-depressive genius singer/songwriter/artist, from childhood up to the present, with an emphasis on his mental illness and how it manifested itself in demonic self-obsession.

The Devil and Daniel Johnston

2006

The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special - In 3D! On Ice! poster
6.9

The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special – In 3-D! On Ice! is a documentary special that examined the "cultural phenomenon" of the American animated television series The Simpsons.

The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special - In 3D! On Ice!

2010

Emily @ the Edge of Chaos poster
NR

Emily @ the Edge of Chaos interweaves Emily Levine’s live performance with animation, appearances by scientists, and animated characters. The film uses physics, which explains how the universe works, to explain our metaphysics – the story of our values, our institutions, our interactions. Using her own experience and a custom blend of insight and humor, provocation and inspiration, personal story and social commentary, Emily takes her audience through its own paradigm shift: from the Fear of Change to the Edge of Chaos.

Emily @ the Edge of Chaos

2021

Dreadtown: The Steel Pulse Story poster
NR

They have raged on for forty years, cutting a swath across continents and lighting the fuse of revolutionary thought. From the pressure-cooker ghettos of England to the mighty gates of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, one band has forged an enduring legacy. This is their story.

Dreadtown: The Steel Pulse Story

Tales of the Rat Fink poster
5.9

This is an interesting look at the Life and Times of car customizer/cartoonist Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. Through the use of many graphically enhanced photographs and "talking" cars, it is a loving look at the car culture in Southern California from the Early 50's to Ed's Passing in 2001.

Tales of the Rat Fink

2006

The Simpsons: America's First Family poster
10.0

The Simpsons: America's First Family is a 50 minute program which features the production of The Simpsons, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the series.

The Simpsons: America's First Family

2000

The Magical World of Chuck Jones poster
8.0

Documentary on animator Chuck Jones.

The Magical World of Chuck Jones

1992

20 years of Simpsons poster
NR

A short French documentary to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the show.

20 years of Simpsons

2009

The Revenge of the Dead Indians poster
7.0

This is a full-length documentary honoring the life and work of American composer and artist John Cage. Cage is considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. This documentary features interviews with various personalities from different fields as they introduce us to the life and work of this great American artist.

The Revenge of the Dead Indians

1993

Beauty Is Embarrassing poster
7.3

Raised in the Tennessee mountains, Wayne White started his career as a cartoonist in NYC. He quickly found success as one of the creators of the Pee-wee's Playhouse TV show which soon led to more work designing some of the most arresting and iconic images in pop culture. Recently his word paintings featuring pithy and and often sarcastic text statements finely crafted onto vintage landscape paintings have made him a darling of the fine art world. The movie chronicles the vaulted highs and crushing lows of an artist struggling to find peace and balance between his professional work and his personal art. This is especially complicated for a man who struggles with the virtues he most often mocks in his art...Vanity, ego and fame.

Beauty Is Embarrassing

2012

Theory of Obscurity: A Film About the Residents poster
6.7

Theory of Obscurity tells the story of the renegade sound and video collective known as The Residents…a story that spans 40 years and is clouded in mystery. Many details surrounding the group are secret, including the identities of its members. They always perform wearing masks and costumes, which is part of their magic. At its heart, this story is about perseverance and chasing your dream. The Residents never caved to convention. They never compromised. They’ve followed their muse for decades and thousands of fans have hung on for the ride. Along the way they’ve also inspired many people to be weird, take chances and find their own voice.

Theory of Obscurity: A Film About the Residents

2015

No artwork available
NR

An American Dissident: un tributo a Frank Zappa is an Italian documentary that aired on the Videomusic channel on January 7, 1994. It includes footage from Zappa's Universe, Video From Hell, Does Humor Belong In Music?, Baby Snakes, The True Story Of 200 Motels, The Late Show, Zappa's May 17, 1988 show at Palacio de Deportes in Barcelona, Spain, The Dub Room Special, various other interviews and performances.

An American Dissident: un tributo a Frank Zappa

1994

I Thought I Told You To Shut Up!! poster
5.0

This documentary short tells the story of cartoonist David Boswell and his greatest creation: Reid Fleming, World's Toughest Milkman. In the late '70s, David Boswell birthed Reid Fleming, a counterculture icon in the form of a comic book anti-hero. Fast forward to the '80s, Warner Brothers aimed for a Hollywood film. Today, three decades later, Reid Fleming remains stuck in a contractual quagmire. Jonathan Demme, Academy Award-Winner (The Silence of the Lambs, Stop Making Sense), narrates "I Thought I Told You To Shut Up!!" This documentary blends stop-motion animation with interviews from Boswell, Hollywood cohorts, and fans, exploring the enduring allure of the indomitable Reid Fleming, the World's Toughest Milkman.

I Thought I Told You To Shut Up!!

2015

No artwork available
NR

A primetime special celebrating The Beatles and exploring the lasting impact on pop music of Beatles innovations like stadium concerts, music videos, and the idea of rock album as art form. The filmmakers were provided rare, previously unseen footage from the Apple archives, and afforded complete access to their recorded music and film library.

The Beatles Revolution

2000

It Came From Aquarius Records poster
8.0

IT CAME FROM AQUARIUS RECORDS tells the story about the San Francisco based independent record store, Aquarius Records. Having closed in 2016 after 47 years, this small apartment-sized store championed local, underground, independent, and challenging music to the masses - most memorably with their infamous bi-weekly, college essay-length, new-release lists. Six years in the making, interviewing collectors, musicians, and store owners, the film has a very personal angle, with lots of behind-the-scenes footage (and drama) that shows both the joy and excruciating stress that comes with running — and closing — a store like this, helped in no part by the changing city around them.

It Came From Aquarius Records

2022

The MAD World of Harvey Kurtzman poster
NR

Bursting from the immigrant streets of 1920s Brooklyn, Harvey Kurtzman ignited a creative revolution reshaping comics, satire, and popular culture. Through rare archives, unseen interviews, handcrafted animation, and an original jazz score, this documentary reveals the man who created MAD Magazine and helped redefine American humour and visual storytelling forever.

The MAD World of Harvey Kurtzman

2026

Behind the camera

The Simpsons Movie poster
7.0

After Homer accidentally pollutes the town's water supply, Springfield is encased in a gigantic dome by the EPA and the Simpsons are declared fugitives.

The Simpsons Movie

2007

The Simpsons Movie poster
7.0

After Homer accidentally pollutes the town's water supply, Springfield is encased in a gigantic dome by the EPA and the Simpsons are declared fugitives.

The Simpsons Movie

2007

May the 12th Be with You poster
5.2

It's Mother's Day and Marge Simpson joins the moms of Disney+ on a special holiday outing that turns into an epic galactic adventure filled with heroes, villains, and Stewie from Family Guy.

May the 12th Be with You

2024

Maggie Simpson in "The Force Awakens from Its Nap" poster
6.6

In a daycare far, far away… but still in Springfield, Maggie is on an epic quest for her stolen pacifier. Her adventure brings her face-to-face with young Padawans, Sith Lords, familiar droids, Rebel scum, and an ultimate battle against the dark side, in this original short celebrating the Star Wars galaxy.

Maggie Simpson in "The Force Awakens from Its Nap"

2021

The Good, the Bart, and the Loki poster
7.2

Loki is banished from Asgard once again and must face his toughest opponents yet: the Simpsons and Springfield’s mightiest heroes. The God of Mischief teams up with Bart Simpson in the ultimate crossover event paying tribute to the Marvel Cinematic Universe of superheroes and villains.

The Good, the Bart, and the Loki

2021

The Simpsons in Plusaversary poster
6.4

The Simpsons host a Disney+ Day party and everyone is on the list… except Homer. With friends from across the service and music fit for a Disney Princess, Plusaversary is Springfield's event of the year.

The Simpsons in Plusaversary

2021

The Simpsons: O C'mon All Ye Faithful poster
7.0

The residents of Springfield search for Christmas cheer.

The Simpsons: O C'mon All Ye Faithful

2024

Maggie Simpson in "Playdate with Destiny" poster
7.4

When Maggie Simpson is rescued by a cute young baby from playground peril, it's girl meets boy, girl loses boy, guess what happens next?

Maggie Simpson in "Playdate with Destiny"

2020

Maggie Simpson in "Playdate with Destiny" poster
7.4

When Maggie Simpson is rescued by a cute young baby from playground peril, it's girl meets boy, girl loses boy, guess what happens next?

Maggie Simpson in "Playdate with Destiny"

2020

The New Simpsons Movie poster
NR

The sequel to the 2007 film. Plot TBA.

The New Simpsons Movie

2027

Maggie Simpson in "Rogue Not Quite One" poster
5.7

On their way to daycare, Homer loses track of Maggie who hops in Grogu's hovering pram for a hyperspace-hopping adventure across the galaxy. Facing a squadron of Imperial TIE fighters, Maggie brings the battle to Springfield in this epic short celebrating all things Star Wars.

Maggie Simpson in "Rogue Not Quite One"

2023

When Billie Met Lisa poster
5.2

Lisa Simpson is discovered by chart-topping artists Billie Eilish and FINNEAS while searching for a quiet place to practice her saxophone. Billie invites Lisa to her studio for a special jam session she’ll never forget.

When Billie Met Lisa

2022

Welcome to the Club poster
6.2

Heart set on becoming a princess, Lisa Simpson is surprised to learn being bad might be more fun.

Welcome to the Club

2022

Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare" poster
7.0

Maggie must navigate an eventful first day in daycare. At the Ayn Rand School for Tots, Maggie is diagnosed with average intelligence. Barred from the gifted children, she longs to escape from her glue-guzzling classmates. But when a lonely caterpillar befriends her, she makes it her mission to save it from a ruthless butterfly smashing toddler.

Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare"

2012

Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare" poster
7.0

Maggie must navigate an eventful first day in daycare. At the Ayn Rand School for Tots, Maggie is diagnosed with average intelligence. Barred from the gifted children, she longs to escape from her glue-guzzling classmates. But when a lonely caterpillar befriends her, she makes it her mission to save it from a ruthless butterfly smashing toddler.

Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare"

2012

The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror poster
6.0

Includes the following episodes from the Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror V, Treehouse of Horror VI, Treehouse of Horror VII, and Treehouse of Horror XII.

The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror

2003

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year poster
5.3

Sideshow Bob teams up with the most infamous villains of Disney+ to share the true meaning of the Halloween season. Filled with music, mayhem, and madness, this short from "The Simpsons" is simply to die for.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2024

A Terrifying Message from Al Gore poster
NR

Al Gore attempts to promote his film, An Inconvenient Truth (2006).

A Terrifying Message from Al Gore

2007

The Simpsons | Balenciaga poster
5.5

When Homer forgets to buy Marge a birthday present, he contacts Balenciaga begging for help in supplying an extravagant gift which leads to all the inhabitants of Springfield being flown to Paris to take part in modeling at Fashion week.

The Simpsons | Balenciaga

2021

Drugs: Killers or Dillers? poster
NR

This unforgettable anti-drug yarn, inspired by the educational films screened in high school health class, was made by Smith and Matt Groening in tandem, with Groening appearing on-screen.

Drugs: Killers or Dillers?

1972

The Simpsons - On Your Marks, Get Set, D'oh! poster
8.1

No synopsis available yet.

The Simpsons - On Your Marks, Get Set, D'oh!

2004