The Best Mr. Burns Episodes of 'The Simpsons'

Ranker TV
Updated April 30, 2024 30 items
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1.4K votes
289 voters

Dive into the fascinating world of Springfield and recount the eerie charm, witty jokes, and unique storylines featuring the series' quintessential character - Charles Montgomery, aka "Mr. Burns." Our compilation captures a treasury of episodes from The Simpsons, each distinctly echoing Mr. Burns' eccentric personality and forging an unforgettable comedic narrative.

Aided with an audience-chosen ranking, our list chronicles the episodes that brought Mr. Burns' character to life: the affluent power-monger with a soft spot for his devoted assistant, Waylon Smithers. From his misadventures in "Burns' Heir" to his memorable lines in "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" our litany provides an in-depth exploration of the episodes displaying the finest of Burns' attributes.

Delve into the heart of each episode and consider the brilliance of the plot, its significance in the overarching series narrative, and the impact it had on viewers. Understand how the creators masterfully twisted Burns' callous exterior to expose a surprisingly humorous, albeit thoroughly misunderstood character.

Whether it's the thrill of unraveling the mystery in "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" or the joy of watching the hilariously unlikely father-son bonding in "Burns, Baby Burns," each episode in our ranking serves as a testament to the show's remarkable storytelling prowess. 

So whether you're a die-hard Simpsons fan or a curious viewer ready to dive into the iconic universe of Springfield, our compilation is sure to entertain and enlighten. Each episode offers a glimpse into the nuanced character of Mr. Burns and showcases how these seemingly menial episodes contribute significantly to the legacy of The Simpsons. Fasten your seatbelts for this animated journey, a ride filled with laughter, nostalgia, and Mr. Burns' unforgettable "excellent" exploits.

  • 1
    49 VOTES

    Last Exit to Springfield

    Last Exit to Springfield
    Photo: FOX

    Homer becomes a union leader to get the power plant's dental plan back. All the workers go on strike until their conditions are met. 

    49 votes
  • 2
    81 VOTES

    Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One)

    Mr. Burns continually forgets Homer's name, destroys the retirement home, and plans on blocking out the sun. He gets shot, and everyone's a suspect. 

    81 votes
  • 3
    51 VOTES

    Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two)

    As Mr. Burns fights for his life, everyone in Springfield tries to figure out who shot him. Once Mr. Burns come to, he announces that Maggie was the culprit. 

    51 votes
  • Mr. Burns sends Smithers on vacation. Homer assumes his duties for the time being.

    76 votes
  • 5
    60 VOTES
    Burns' Heir
    Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use

    After a near-death experience, Mr. Burns wants to find an heir. Bart must choose whether he wants the fortune or if he should stand by his family.

    60 votes
  • Mr. Burns hires professional baseball players for an upcoming game against the Shelbyville power plant team. Homer worries he won't get a chance to play, but each of the players end up meeting a terrible fate. 

    77 votes
  • Abe Simpsons and Mr. Burns are the remaining two surviving members of a World War II squad known as the Flying Hellfish. Mr. Burns hires an assassin to take out Abe. 

    51 votes
  • 8
    95 VOTES

    The Springfield Files

    An alien terrorizes Springfield. Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully go to investigate with Homer by their side.

    95 votes
  • Mr. Burns runs for governor. Homer supports his boss, but Marge knows he's up to no good. 

    49 votes
  • Mr. Burns sells the power plant to wealthy German investors. The new owners end up firing one employee: Homer. 

    34 votes
  • The Old Man and the Lisa
    Photo: YouTube

    After some bad investments, Mr. Burns loses all of his money. He pleads with Lisa to help him build his empire back up. 

    34 votes
  • 12
    71 VOTES
    Homer's Enemy
    Photo: user uploaded image

    Frank Grimes is the newest employee at the power plant. He goes crazy after being filled with resentment over Homer's undeserved successes. 

    71 votes
  • Santa's Little Helper has a huge litter of puppies. Mr. Burns tries to buy the puppies for clothing, but when his offer is rejected, he steals them. 

    42 votes
  • 14
    44 VOTES
    A Star Is Burns
    Photo: FOX

    Marge holds a film festival that Mr. Burns is determined to win. She gets Jay Sherman, famous film critic, to serve on the judging panel.

    44 votes
  • 15
    44 VOTES
    King-Size Homer
    Photo: FOX

    Homer gets himself to weigh over 300 pounds, so he can go on disability. Due to his laziness, the power plant goes under peril, and only he can stop it. 

    44 votes
  • 16
    29 VOTES

    $pringfield (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling)

    Mayor Quimby and Mr. Burns build a new casino. While Mr. Burns becomes a Howard Hughes-esque hermit, Marge develops a gambling addiction. 

    29 votes
  • 17
    23 VOTES

    Bart saves Mr. Burns' life by giving him a blood transfusion. Homer, thinking they'll get a lot of money for the favor, is furious when the family only receives a thank-you card. 

    23 votes
  • Marge gets a job at the power plant after Mr. Burns takes a liking to her. Marge rejects his advances, so he threatens a lawsuit.

    23 votes
  • Mr. Burns meets his long-lost son. At first, he's ecstatic to have a son, but over time, his boorishness becomes too much. 

    24 votes
  • Bart gets hit by Mr. Burns' car. The Simpsons take Mr. Burns to court but end up exaggerating the story to try to get more money. 

    21 votes
  • Mr. Burns goes to the Mayo Clinic after worrying about his health. He gets the Simpsons to watch his mansion while he's away. 

    20 votes
  • Mr. Burns wants everyone in Springfield to love him. However, all of his antics end up annoying people more than anything else. 

    18 votes
  • 23
    18 VOTES

    Lisa publishes a newspaper at Springfield Elementary. After Mr. Burns by all of the other news outlets in town, The Red Dress Press becomes the only paper willing to tell the truth about him. 

    18 votes
  • Homer gets in trouble with the FBI after bungling his taxes. An agent makes Homer investigate Mr. Burns to find the trillion-dollar bill. 

    17 votes
  • A Hunka Hunka Burns in Love
    Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use

    Mr. Burns starts going out with a much younger woman. He employs Homer to be his youthful advisor so that he seems hip to her. 

    20 votes
  • Homer's dad and Marge's mom begin a relationship. However, Mr. Burns steals her away from Abe. 

    20 votes
  • Homer vs. Dignity
    Photo: IMDb

    Mr. Burns enlists Homer to be his personal prank monkey. The pranks gradually get more and more degrading, causing Homer to have a change of heart.

    32 votes
  • Lisa joins a convent to try to get Maggie back, who was accidentally stolen by nuns. While there, Lisa learns of a valuable jewel that Mr. Burns and Smithers are also trying to retrieve. 

    15 votes
  • Mr. Burns tries to be more like Mark Cuban and have fun at local Springfield basketball games. Although he fails, he wants to build a luxury sports arena where a greenhouse filled with bees is supposed to be built, putting him at odds with Lisa. 

    16 votes
  • Homer starts taking medicinal marijuana. Later, Homer and Smithers have to turn Mr. Burns into a marionette so that he can get through a shareholders meeting. 

    18 votes