The multiverse thatRick and Mortyhas created is subversive, hilarious, unexpected, and occasionally disturbing – but we’re not complaining because we love it. The show arrived on Adult Swim in 2013 with no warning whatsoever and has stuck around enough for it to continue with ahighly anticipated eighth season. Which means now is the perfect time to revisit the first seven seasons and rank them from worst to best.
The adult animated series redefined the medium of storytelling by making a deranged yet delightful promise to fans. It explored the unique bond between the two leads – the brilliant but alcoholic scientist Rick Sanchez, and his awkward, anxiety-ridden grandson, Morty. Together, they ventured into the depths of the multiverse, encountered bizarre alien civilizations, dodged catastrophes, and indulged in all sorts of illegal adventures.
Rick and Morty
The result? A goofy, outrageous, sci-fi-heavy series that also offered social commentary.Rick and Mortysubverted the traditional family sitcom format and settled for an absurd one that is knee-deep in themes of existential dread and genuine pathos. Without much ado, here is our ranking of all 7 seasons ofRick and Morty.
7Season 5 (2021)
Rick and MortySeason 5wastes no time sending viewers back into the absurdity the show is known for. It opens with “Mort Dinner With Andre,” where Rick’s longtime nemesis, Mr. Nimbus makes a grand entrance – but does not stick around for long. The season is packed with high-concept sci-fi elements and total disarray. For instance, Morty’s doomed romance with Planetina in “A Rickconvenient Mort,” and the accidental monster created in “Rickdependence Spray,” one of the worst and most controversial episodes of the season. While the show tries to stay true to its ridiculous tendencies, it does so at the cost of narrative coherence.
Wildly Ambitious but Uneven
The fifth season is definitely experimental and boastssome of the most creative episodesof the series, but it struggles with consistency. The humor is crude and some episodes feel more like fillers than meaningful additions to the lore and continuity. That said, the season finale, “Rickmurai Jack,” is a game-changer. It reveals Rick’s backstory and the reason why he invented his portal gun to venture into the multiverse. It also focuses on Evil Morty and shakes up the status quo in a way that left fans looking forward to Season 6.
Reception-wise, Season 5 was obviously divisive. It holds a 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes and 89 on Metacritics. Points were made about its uneven pacing and the mixed bag of episodes that range from sublime to perplexing. While it has unforgettable and wildly imaginative moments, Season 5 ranks lower than Season 6 solely due to its inconsistency.
6Season 6 (2022)
After the explosive Season 5 finale,Rick and MortySeason 6kicks off with a much-needed lighter tone by diving into the consequences of Evil Morty’s escape and the destruction of the Citadel. The season focuses on Rick’s vulnerabilities more than ever, peeling back layers of his past, his choices, and the aftermath of Rick Prime killing his wife, Diane, and his daughter, Beth. Morty continues to grapple with creating an identity out of his grandfather’s shadow. The Smith family also gets involved in the chaos, with Beth and Space Beth’s dynamic stealing the spotlight in “Bethic Twinstict,” and Summer proving her action-hero skills in “Rick: A Mort Well Lived.”
A Season of Growth
Season 6 is definitely not the best one, but it stands out because it is willing to evolve. Rick’s character development is more pronounced than ever; turns out, there are subtle cracks in his otherwise god-like personality. Episodes like “Full Meta Jackrick” play with the show’s own narrative structure by venturing beyond the fourth wall, which is to say that the humor is sharp as ever. Season 6 was also well-received by critics, who showered praise for its balance of humor and introspection.
With an 86 Metascore, a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and strong audience reviews, it is considered an improvement over Season 5. The absurd humor and social commentary are thorough, but sometimes, it leans too heavily into serialized storytelling.
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5Season 4 (2019)
In the fourth season ofRick and Morty, the first episode, “Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat,” is a mind-bending one because it plays with fate and alternate realities and sets the tone for an installment that oscillates between dizzying absurdity and sheer brilliance. Rick’s arrogance reaches new heights and Morty becomes increasingly independent, which only lands him in the most reckless situations of all time. The season’s standout episodes include “The Vat of Acid Episode” and “Rattlestar Ricklactica,” both of whichare hilarious and genius at the same time.
A Season of Wild Lows and Wilder Highs
Season 4is again a mixed bag, but it’s not as bad as Season 6 because some episodes deliver clever satire, like “One Crew Over the Crewcoo’s Morty,” where a heist expert snatches a huge prize from under their noses when Rick and Morty are on a treasure-seeking expedition. The season’s biggest strength lies in the fact that it is not afraid to venture into something new, even if the gamble doesn’t always pay off. Rick’s character does not undergo major changes, but Morty’s character shows hints of frustration and a desire to break out of his shell.
Critics gave Season 4 solid reviews. Itboasts a near-perfect 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a consensus that describes it as “both an exciting progression and a delightful return to form that proves more than worth the two-year wait.”
4Season 7 (2023)
Season 7marks a significant shift in tone forRick and Morty, as Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden take over voice duties for the two main characters, Rick and Morty, respectively,after Justin Roiland’s departure from the showas both creator and voice artist. Despite the change, the season retains its best parts and fans couldn’t agree more. The overarching plot finds Rick pursuing Prime Rick for revenge, ending with “Unmortricken,” where he confronts his nemesis and beats him to death.
A New Era with Familiar Tropes
Season 7 also delivers some genuinely enjoyable self-contained gems, like “Wet Kuat Amortican Summer,” where summer camp tropes are parodied to no end, and “Fear No Mort,” which takes a deep dive into Morty’s fears. But what makes Season 7 so good in comparison is that it strikes the perfect balance between laughter-inducing and thought-provoking moments. It explores existential themes and offers biting commentary, proving it has found a way to be both zany and remarkable at the same time.
The season’s reception tells a different story, and the 77% Rotten Tomatoes score is backed by critics’ reviews that call the transition of the voice cast seamless. Of course, some would miss Roiland’s iconic delivery, but the storytelling and amusing arcs make up for the change and make sure the series does not lose its edge.
3Season 1 (2013)
This is where it all began.Season 1ofRick and Mortywas a completely unexpected addition to Adult Swim’s lineup of shows. It introduces audiences to Rick Sanchez and his grandson, Morty Smith. From the very first episode, titled “Pilot,” the show was determined toset the tone with its dark humor, existential dread, quirky characters, and mind-bending sci-fi elements. Rick with his reckless experiments and Morty with his identity issues; they traveled across dimensions and graced TV with episodes like “Meeseeks and Destroy” and “Rick Potion #9.”
The Captivating Birth of Madness and Genius
Season 1 also introduced fans to the Smith family – Beth, Jerry, and Summer, as they each struggled with their own dysfunctions the more Rick’s presence affected their lives. The debut is truly amazing because it establishes a whole new world thanks to the mind of Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon. From the setting to the use of the multiverse and surreal dimensions, the pacing to the sharp humor, the emotional beats to the themes the show would later go on to explore, it’s all there in bits and pieces in Season 1.
It was an inexperienced installment, which made it a sleeper hit. Season 1 ofRick and Mortyearned an approval rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. It quickly gained a cult following and eventually became the most popular adult animated series. The later seasons only refined the formula, but this one remains special for introducing it.
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2Season 3 (2017)
Season 3ofRick and Mortyopens with “The Rickshank Rickdemption,” an episode where Rick escapes the Galactic Federation after an incredible display of manipulation. The season is all about Rick’s arrogance and nihilism. For instance, the episode “Pickle Rick” finds him transforming himself into a pickle just to avoid his therapy and deal with his emotions. Morty and Summer, on the other hand, are growing to be more ruthless by taking control of their fate.
The Darkest and Most Subversive of All Seasons
A meta-fictional season that plays around with its own format while still staying hilarious from start to finish, Season 3 is whereRick and Mortyfully embraces its dark themes. Rick’s god complex is at an all-time high and Morty’s desire to be independent forms some of the show’s most intense moments. Another standout part of the season is Beth’s arc, which is explored with care in “The ABCs of Beth.” She realizes that she is very much like her father and begins questioning her identity.
With a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and reviews that describe it as “the series’ most consistently entertaining and ambitious season yet,” Season 3 stands out because of itsbold narrative choices, crazy plot twists, wry social commentary, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of the animation medium to its extremes.
1Season 2 (2015)
Undoubtedly the best,Season 2takes everything great about Season 1 and amplifies it to the point where it still remains unparalleled. The season delivered some of the show’s best episodes. It starts with “A Rickle in Time,” an intriguing episode that takes Rick and Morty on an adventure that fractures reality and concludes with Albert Einstein creating the famous mass-energy formula just to spite Rick. Another one, aptly titled “Auto Erotic Assimilation,” dives into Rick’s relationships and his romance with Unity, an ex-lover, only to reveal that he’s inherently lonely on the inside.
Bigger, Bolder, and More Existential
Season 2 is whereRick and Mortystarts questioning its own absurdity. It explores Rick’s sensitive side more than ever. It is complex but also necessary to the show’s progression. Morty, on the other hand, is still struggling to understand his place in his grandfather’s world. Episodes like “The Ricks Must Be Crazy” present a miniature universe that exists inside Rick’s car battery and acts as a space where he has full control. The season finale, “The Wedding Squanchers,” is a punch in the gut because it forces Rick to make a huge decision.
Holding an impressive approval rating of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, Season 2 is undisputedly ranked as the best season ofRick and Morty. It is proportionate when it comes to humor and sci-fi, has the right notes of wackiness and substance, and thrives on its darker undertones. Compared to Season 1, it is more polished, more innovative, and more consistent.
