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Rick and Morty

Rick and Morty

Science makes sense, family doesn't.

2013–Ongoing12 seasons94 episodes~23 min/epTV-MAMidcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

Follows a sociopathic genius scientist who drags his inherently timid grandson on adventures across the universe.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Rick and Morty?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Rick and Morty streaming on HBO Max and Hulu and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about Rick and Morty?

Rick and Morty earns 8 badges, led by Top 1% of shows and Modern classic.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Content
  • Cast

Reception

Is Rick and Morty worth watching?

Rick and Morty's Midcredits score is the 99th percentile of all shows, from 757K ratings across 3 sources. 94% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

99th percentile

Better received than 99% of shows

99th percentile among Animation99th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)98th
Approval (how many liked it)98th

Acclaim

Universally Loved: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

88 /100

98th percentile of all shows

99th percentile among Animation98th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

Approval

How many liked it

94% liked it

98th percentile of all shows

99th percentile among Animation98th percentile among 2010s
94% rated it 7–106% rated it 1–6

Critics 91% · Audience 83%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Reach

How many have seen it

99th percentile

757K ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Animation99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 23% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

The show is a creatively ambitious sci-fi comedy that peaked in its early seasons but lost some of its inventive spark over time.

Fans praised

  • wildly imaginative sci-fi concepts and multiverse adventures
  • clever, layered writing blending dark humor with philosophical depth
  • strong character chemistry and development, especially Rick and Morty's dynamic

Detractors panned

  • sharp decline in writing quality and originality after season 3
  • later seasons feel formulaic, repetitive, and lacking emotional depth
  • post-Roiland seasons lack improvisational spark and voice acting authenticity

What stands out

CharactersDivisive70

deeply written early, later flanderization and shallow arcs

AtmosphereDivisive70

vibrant world-building and tone, but later seasons lose charm

Plot and storyDivisive65

inventive early arcs vs. later incoherent or rehashed stories

HumorDivisive65

sharp, dark wit early; later forced or shock-value jokes

OriginalityDivisive60

groundbreaking at launch, later seasons feel derivative

DialogueDivisive60

improvisational and witty early, later stilted and meta

ActingDivisive60

Roiland's dual voice work praised; post-Roiland felt flat

Emotional impactDivisive55

genuine pathos in early seasons, later feels forced or absent

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart
  • Critics vs users even
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Episodes

9 seasons

Season 9 · 2026 · 10 episodes · 7.9 average across 10 rated episodes

  • S9E1

    There's Something About Morty

    May 24, 202623 minTMDB rating 8.4
  • S9E2

    Ricks Days, Seven Nights

    May 31, 202623 minTMDB rating 8.3
  • S9E3

    Rick Fu Hustle

    Jun 7, 202624 minTMDB rating 7.6
  • S9E4

    A Ricker Runs Through It

    Jun 14, 202623 minTMDB rating 7.3
  • S9E5

    Jer Bud

    Jun 21, 202623 minTMDB rating 7.4
  • S9E6

    Erickerhead

    Jun 28, 202624 minTMDB rating 8.1

Watch experience

What is Rick and Morty like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Ironic, serious and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
AbsurdTenseMelancholic
Heaviest: throughout
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
Satirical · 5% of showsPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Case of the week plus an arcNew arc each season
ToneThe show plays its absurd and often dark material with a knowing, irreverent edge, undercutting emotional moments with humor.
The rideThe mood swings wildly between absurd slapstick, genuine tension, and moments of existential sadness, but the absurd register dominates most episodes.
StructureEpisodes follow a conventional three-act structure: setup, conflict, and resolution, typical for a case-plus-arc hybrid series.
Episode formatEarly seasons are mostly self-contained adventures with a loose serialized thread, but later seasons (especially season 5 onward) weave longer arcs into the episode-of-the-week format.
Season formatEach season typically introduces a new overarching conflict or character development (e.g., Evil Morty, Rick's backstory, the Smith family dynamics) while retaining the same core cast.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
FunThought-provoking
Why it leaves you this wayThe show leaves you grinning from its chaotic humor while the nihilistic subtext lingers, inviting reflection on existence.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterInvasion
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18% (this title): Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% (this title) · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Invasion: An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).

18% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe typical episode follows Rick and Morty confronting an external threat—often an alien invasion or a creation gone rogue—which they must outsmart or escape, fitting the overcoming_the_monster archetype.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% (this title) · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Self

PurposeFamily bonds
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Cosmic stakes: Consequences reach beyond the world.Dual lead
How it treats its themeRick's nihilistic hedonism and Morty's search for meaning in an indifferent multiverse are the show's philosophical engine, while the family dynamics provide the emotional grounding.
StanceThe show continually questions whether anything matters in an infinite multiverse, using Rick's nihilism as both a punchline and a genuine philosophical position.

The world

ContemporaryDomesticSuburbanOuter spaceAlternate dimensionScience fiction
ElectronicAmbientSupportive music · original score
SettingThe Smith family home in suburban Seattle, plus the infinite multiverse
MusicThe show's score blends synth-heavy sci-fi motifs with occasional licensed tracks, but is not composer-driven.

Content guide

Is Rick and Morty okay for kids?

TV-MA

Rick and Morty is rated TV-MA. As of October 5, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at severe (90/100), sexual content at intense (66/100), language at severe (91/100), drug and alcohol content at severe (84/100) and frightening material at intense (66/100). Overall it is heavier than 93% of TV-MA shows.

Ratings in 28 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada18+
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany16
  • France16
  • Ireland15
  • New Zealand16
  • South Korea19
  • Brazil16
  • Austria16
  • Czechia18+
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK16
  • Hungary16
  • IndiaA
  • MexicoB-15
  • Netherlands16
  • PortugalM/16
  • PRTV-MA
  • RO18
  • Russia18+
  • SingaporeR21
  • Spain16
  • Switzerland16
  • Taiwan18+
  • THน 18+
  • Türkiye18+
  • VITV-MA
Overall
Severe · all five categories
Heavier than 96% of all showsHeavier than 93% of TV-MA shows
Violence & Gore
Severe
heavy for a TV-MA show
heavier than 87%
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 73%
Profanity
Severe
heavy for a TV-MA show
heavier than 94%
Alcohol & Drugs
Severe
heavy for a TV-MA show
heavier than 89%
Frightening / Intense
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 61%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Heavy almost across the board: language, violence, drug and alcohol content, frightening material, and sexual content.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Rick and Morty have?

MovieCove's classifier found 11 depicted content warnings in Rick and Morty: Animal cruelty (severe), Animal death (severe), Gore or body horror (severe), Gun violence (severe), War atrocities (severe), Addiction or relapse (moderate), Child abuse (moderate), Domestic violence (moderate), Sexual violence (moderate), plus 2 withheld here because they would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

SevereAnimal crueltyAnimal deathGore or body horrorGun violenceWar atrocities
ModerateAddiction or relapseChild abuseDomestic violenceSexual violence

Cast and crew

Who is in Rick and Morty?

Cast

3 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen; 1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor; 2 award-winning performances in the cast.

Chris Parnell
as Jerry Smith
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Spencer Grammer
as Summer Smith
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Sarah Chalke
as Beth Smith
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Justin Roiland
as Rick Sanchez
Emmy win: Primetime Emmy — Outstanding Animated ProgramTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kari Wahlgren
as Jessica
Tom Kenny
as Gene
Established: A standing when this show came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Maurice LaMarche
as Abradolph Lincler
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Ryan Ridley
as Additional Voices
Emmy win: Primetime Emmy — Outstanding Animated Program
Ian Cardoni
as Rick Sanchez
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Harry Belden
as Morty Smith
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

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