Since its debut in 2013, Rick and Morty has delivered an outrageous blend of high-concept science fiction, biting satire, and emotional storytelling that’s made it a staple of adult animation. With over 70 episodes under its belt and no signs of slowing down, the show has produced countless standout moments that fans still quote and meme to this day.
In this article, we highlight the most popular and critically acclaimed episodes from each season—the ones that made us laugh, cringe, or stare at the screen in existential dread. Plus, we’ll dive into what’s coming next for Rick and Morty, including future seasons and spin-offs that are expanding the multiverse even further.
Season 1: Where It All Began
1. Meeseeks and Destroy (Episode 5)
The unforgettable introduction of Mr. Meeseeks—beings who only exist to fulfill a task and then disappear—gave fans one of the show’s earliest cult favorites. Combined with a violent fantasy B-plot, it perfectly showcased the show’s duality of absurdity and danger.
2. Rick Potion #9 (Episode 6)
In this episode, Morty’s desire to impress Jessica leads to a horrifying pandemic of “Cronenberg” mutations, ending with Rick and Morty abandoning their reality. It was a bold move that proved the writers weren’t afraid to disrupt continuity and set the tone for future multiverse antics.
Season 2: Escalating the Madness
1. Total Rickall (Episode 4)
This episode introduced memory parasites that fabricate new family members, leading to characters like Sleepy Gary, Pencilvester, and Reverse Giraffe. It’s fast-paced, hilarious, and quintessential Rick and Morty.
2. The Ricks Must Be Crazy (Episode 6)
Rick’s car battery houses a microverse… which houses a miniverse. This recursive sci-fi storyline digs into themes of exploitation and the narcissism of god-like inventors.
3. The Wedding Squanchers (Episode 10)
Tammy’s betrayal and Birdperson’s apparent death mark a tonal shift for the series. The finale leaves Rick in a rare vulnerable position, choosing to surrender to the Galactic Federation.
Season 3: A Cultural Phenomenon
1. The Rickshank Rickdemption (Episode 1)
Rick’s prison break, mind games, and the infamous Szechuan sauce rant made this premiere a pop culture event. It also introduced the concept of the Central Finite Curve.
2. Pickle Rick (Episode 3)
Arguably the show’s most famous episode. Rick turns into a pickle to avoid therapy, then fights his way through a gory sewer adventure. It’s ridiculous, sharp, and oddly introspective thanks to Dr. Wong’s observations.
3. The Ricklantis Mixup (Episode 7)
A deep, lore-driven exploration of the Citadel of Ricks. What starts as a throwaway Atlantis joke becomes a layered story that reintroduces Evil Morty and showcases the darker side of multiverse governance.
Season 4: High Concepts and Higher Stakes
1. The Vat of Acid Episode (Episode 8)
A brilliant sci-fi tale about Morty using a “save point” device, only for Rick to teach him a harsh lesson in consequences. The dark twist at the end is pure Rick and Morty cruelty at its best.
2. Rattlestar Ricklactica (Episode 5)
An absurd but clever story about time-traveling snakes, this episode embraces the chaos and leans into the classic sci-fi trope of paradox loops.
Season 5: Playing With Form
1. Mortyplicity (Episode 2)
A brilliant narrative experiment with decoy families and endless clone betrayals. The recursive plot structure keeps viewers guessing right up to the explosive end.
2. Rickternal Friendshine of the Spotless Mort (Episode 8)
A rare introspective episode where Rick ventures into Birdperson’s mind to save him. The emotional depth and visual creativity make it a standout of the season.
Season 6: Back to Emotional Depth
1. Night Family (Episode 4)
The Smiths create “Night People” to do chores in their sleep, leading to a creepy, philosophical battle for control. The episode’s horror vibe is a nice tonal shift that left fans disturbed in the best way.
2. Final DeSmithation (Episode 5)
Jerry is destined to… sleep with his mom? A ridiculous fortune cookie plot spirals into conspiracy and chaos, showing Rick and Morty still excels at escalation.
Season 7: A Return to Form
1. That’s Amorte (Episode 8)
Morty falls in love with a girl who literally eats people. What sounds like pure shock humor actually has real emotional beats and solid character development. Morty gets one of his better romantic arcs in the series here.
2. The Jerrick Trap (Episode 9)
Rick and Jerry are trapped in a trap-themed multiverse puzzle. The episode unexpectedly highlights Jerry’s growth and usefulness, showing how the show still finds new ways to evolve its core characters.
What’s Next: Season 8 and Beyond
Adult Swim has committed to Rick and Morty through at least Season 10, thanks to the monumental 70-episode renewal deal signed in 2018. With Season 8 currently in production and expected to air in late 2025 or early 2026, the series is showing no signs of slowing down—even after the departure of co-creator and voice actor Justin Roiland.
The show’s production team, led by Dan Harmon and a rotating group of talented new voice actors and writers, has managed to keep the tone consistent while expanding the series’ emotional and conceptual range.
According to recent interviews and Comic-Con panels, future seasons will dig deeper into long-term story arcs, including Evil Morty’s universe, the fate of Rick Prime, and more backstory about Beth and Space Beth.
Spin-Offs Expanding the Multiverse
The Rick and Morty universe is also growing beyond the flagship show. Here’s what fans can look forward to:
- Rick and Morty: The Anime (Coming in 2025)
Created by Takashi Sano, this 10-episode anime series promises a fresh animation style, new original stories, and a different tonal approach while staying true to the series’ themes. It will feature familiar characters in wildly different settings and emotional arcs. - The Vindicators Spin-Off: “The Vindicators 2”
A mini-series that gives fans more adventures with the dysfunctional superhero team introduced in Season 3. Featuring Supernova, Vance Maximus, and (of course) Noob-Noob, this spinoff adds a layer of parody to the superhero genre while fleshing out characters we barely got to know. - Shorts and Comics
Adult Swim has also released several Rick and Morty shorts, including anime-style one-offs that were huge hits with fans. The comic series published by Oni Press continues to expand the canon with multiversal hijinks and deeper dives into side characters like Krombopulos Michael and Mr. Poopybutthole.
Final Thoughts
Rick and Morty has proven to be more than just shock value and clever jokes. With each season, it continues to deliver unforgettable episodes that make us laugh, squirm, and sometimes even tear up. Whether you’re revisiting Cronenberg World, rewatching “The Vat of Acid Episode,” or eagerly awaiting Evil Morty’s next move, the series remains a landmark in adult animation.
And with spin-offs, shorts, and new seasons on the way, the Rick and Morty multiverse is only getting bigger, weirder, and more awesome.
