The "Rise of Online Shopping (Amazon and the Like)" (Episode: "The Springfield Connection", 1997)

The Simpsons has earned quite the reputation for seemingly predicting the future. It’s actually a bit of a meme at this point, with fans pointing out how many things in the real world appear to have been "predicted" by the show, sometimes years in advance. While some of these predictions are purely coincidental or the result of broad satire, others do seem oddly prescient.

The "Rise of Online Shopping (Amazon and the Like)" (Episode: "The Springfield Connection", 1997)

• What happened: The show hints at the convenience of ordering goods online, which was revolutionary at the time.
• Reality: In the 2000s and 2010s, online shopping exploded, with Amazon leading the charge. People now commonly purchase everything from books to electronics to groceries through websites and apps, forever changing retail habits.