The Simpsons just gave the punchline to a joke they started 20 years ago

The Simpsons finally answered a nearly two-decade-long joke.

The hit US sitcom is famed for its predictions and long-running jokes that have kept up with changing times. While The Simpsons writers have insisted that clairvoyance has nothing to do with it, it's incredibly impressive how many they seem to have under their belt so far.

A few that fans have picked up on so far involve comparing a beloved character to Elon Musk, while there are plenty regarding Donald Trump.

Some 'predictions' have some holes, but one that was more than likely intentional was when we'd expect a sequel to 2007's The Simpsons Movie.

The first film followed the cartoon family’s attempt to save Springfield after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encloses the town in a giant dome.

And now, after nearly 20 years, it was announced that The Simpsons would be returning to our movie screens once more.

The first Simpsons movie came out in 2007 (20th Century Fox)

A poster was shared on social media which showed Homer Simpson reaching for a doughnut with number two sprinkles all over it.

The tagline read: "Homer's coming back for seconds."

While there's not much out there about what the sequel will be about, it is known that the release date is set to be on 23 July 2027.

However, fans were quick to find that it was something that the show had previously hinted at, as in Season 19, episode ‘He Loves To Fly And He D’ohs,’ Bart is seen writing on his classroom's chalkboard: “I will not wait 20 years to make another movie.”

For those who can’t be bothered to count, it’s 20 years and two days after the first film premiered on 25 July 2007.

It made fans wait 20 years, even after promising not to (Disney)

And fans believe it was a deliberate decision, as one person said on social media: “Anyone else have a part of them feel like Matt Groening and The Simpsons crew deliberately waited based on this gag from their first episode post-movie to finally release a second film?”

Another added: “Did they actually wait on purpose to do this?”

Meanwhile, over on Reddit, someone else said: “Guess they weren’t lying after all.”

Another user added: “They kept their word, the film will release in July 2027, while this episode came out in September 2007. lol.”

Someone chimed in: “The prophecy is true…THE PROPHECY IS TRUE!”

Since the show's humble beginnings in 1989, The Simpsons has become a pop culture juggernaut and has already been renewed for a 40th season.