How to fix The Simpsons aspect ratio on Disney Plus

How to fix The Simpsons aspect ratio on Disney Plus
(Image credit: Disney Plus)

If you’ve been watching The Simpsons on Disney Plus so far, you’ll have been forced to use the 16:9 aspect ratio that came in for new episodes from 2009 – even for older episodes created in the 4:3 ratio, resulting in botched visual gags and a viewing experience quite unlike what the creators intended. But no more!

Months after Disney Plus originally launched worldwide, the original 4:3 aspect ratio is now available for the first 19 seasons of The Simpsons (and the first half of season 20). We heard back in early April that Disney was aiming to implement this by the end of May, and while we would have wanted it by launch, it is now here for viewers to make use of.

For some uncertain reason, though, episodes originally broadcast in the 4:3 ratio still won't play that way automatically. That need you’ll need to manually edit the viewing settings in your Disney Plus app or browser in order to restore the show to its former glory. We're not sure why Disney is sticking by its 'remastered' ratio, but it's a pretty simple process to change it. Here’s how to go about it.

1. Open the Disney Plus app

disney plus

(Image credit: Disney Plus)

First, open Disney Plus on whatever device you want to watch The Simpsons on. That could be your laptop, smart TV, streaming stick, or games console, as preferred. (It’s pretty much everywhere these days.)

The one exception is if you’re watching on mobile devices – where old episodes will only play in the 4:3 format, without the option to switch to 16:9.

For any other device, you’ll need to make sure you head to the general The Simpsons content page, though, rather than going to an episode directly. If you’ve been watching recently, you can simply scroll down on the homepage to Continue Watching, or use the search function and select The Simpsons icon that features the eponymous family on a set of swings. (The Simpsons Collection, or The Longest Daycare, won’t take you where you need to go.)

The one exception is if you’re watching on mobile devices – where old episodes will only play in the 4:3 format, without the option to switch to 16:9.

2. Go to Details

(Image credit: Disney Plus)

Below the main header image on The Simpsons page, you should see a menu row that says Episodes, Suggested, and Details. Head to the last of these, and you’ll see a toggle button immediately below it that says “Remastered aspect ratio.”

If you haven’t touched it before, the toggle should be colored blue, which means all episodes will display in the widescreen format (16:9) automatically. If the toggle is gray, that means episodes originally broadcast in 4:3 will display as such – so if you’re tired of watching butchered animation, we suggest you set it to gray.

“Remastered” is a bit of a misnomer, so don’t worry about quality dropping if you deselect the remastered versions – you’re getting more, not less.

3. Watch The Simpsons

That’s it! You’re good to go. It’s worth noting that this toggle selection will influence streaming to any device with your Disney Plus account, so you won’t need to select this setting on every TV, laptop, and console that you need.

Haven't downloaded Disney Plus yet? You can sign up below:

Henry St Leger

Henry is a freelance technology journalist, and former News & Features Editor for TechRadar, where he specialized in home entertainment gadgets such as TVs, projectors, soundbars, and smart speakers. Other bylines include Edge, T3, iMore, GamesRadar, NBC News, Healthline, and The Times.

Latest in Disney Plus
A TV with the Disney Plus and Hulu logos displayed next to the words 'don't miss'
The Disney+ and Hulu bundle is back down to its awesome Black Friday price – perfect timing for Daredevil: Born Again and Moana 2
A collage image of Foggy Nelson sitting at a table and a close-up of Muse in Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil: Born Again viewers have two wild fan theories about Foggy Nelson and Muse after the Marvel TV show's debut, but I think there's only one that might be right
An animated girl holds up a paddle with a whale behind her
3 new movies and shows on Disney+ and Hulu that I can't wait to stream
Princess Tiana holding a frog in her hand and smiling in The Princess and the Frog.
Disney+ reportedly cancels plans to make an offshoot series of The Princess and the Frog, and that’s not the only streaming project it’s abandoning
Ncuti Gatwa as The Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who
The trailer for Doctor Who's new season promises new mysteries, creepy cartoons and musical madness
A collage of Daredevil in Daredevil: Born Again and Tom Holland's Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Far From Home
Daredevil: Born Again episode 2 just gave me hope that the titular hero will join forces with Spider-Man in the MCU, but it won't happen on Disney+
Latest in How Tos
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari waves to the crowd from the stage during F1 75 Live in the run up to the 2025 F1 season
How to watch F1 online: your guide to 2025 Formula 1 season
Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand plays a shot during an ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match in February.
India vs New Zealand live stream: How to watch ICC Champions Trophy final online
CARDIFF, WALES - FEBRUARY 22: Jamie Osborne of Ireland celebrates with team-mates after scoring a try ahead of the Ireland vs France Guinness Six Nations 2025 clash
Ireland vs France live stream: how to watch today's Six Nations game online, TV channels, broadcasters, team news
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal battles for possession with Tyrell Malacia of Manchester United
Man Utd vs Arsenal live stream: how to watch live Premier League football online
Matz Sels, the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper, takes a kick
Nottm Forest vs Man City live stream: How to watch the Premier League game online and on TV, team news
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates scoring a goal
Liverpool vs Southampton live stream: how to watch this riveting Premier League match online and on TV, team news