Adult Swim has confirmed that its flagship animated series Rick and Morty will return later this spring with the premiere of its ninth season. The long-running sci-fi comedy is scheduled to debut its new episodes on Sunday, May 24 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT, continuing the interdimensional adventures of the eccentric scientist Rick Sanchez and his easily overwhelmed grandson Morty Smith.
According to the network, the upcoming season aims to deliver an even larger scale of storytelling, with more ambitious concepts, deeper character moments, and the kind of chaotic humor that has made the series a defining title for Adult Swim.
Since its debut, Rick and Morty has built a reputation for blending high-concept science fiction with irreverent comedy, frequently exploring alternate realities, bizarre alien civilizations, and philosophical themes while maintaining its signature comedic tone.
The upcoming ninth season promises to continue that formula while pushing creative boundaries even further. Adult Swim executives have suggested that the new episodes will feature particularly bold ideas and inventive storytelling approaches, maintaining the show’s reputation for unpredictability.
“I know it’s my job to say that this show just keeps topping itself, but it also has the benefit of being true,” said Michael Ouweleen, president of Adult Swim.
“It’s kind of scary what this show unit is doing season over season, just pouring an absurd amount of talent and brilliance into these episodes. From the first frame, you’re going to see great high-concept insanity with some of the best character writing ever done. Again, it’s my job to say that, but it’s also true.”
The official description for the new season also leans into the series’ trademark humor and self-aware style:
Rick and Morty is back, baby! Season Nine is all certified bangers. No AI slop! Just Grade A organic slop, made by real humans with real human traits like back hair and cysts. Please watch, or we’ll have neglected our families for nothing.
Alongside the announcement, Adult Swim revealed that first-look images from Season Nine have already been released, offering fans an early glimpse at the new episodes. Additionally, a preview clip from the upcoming season will debut on Adult Swim’s official social media platforms on March 12, giving audiences their first look at the latest chapter in the show’s multiverse-spanning storyline.
Rick and Morty remains one of Adult Swim’s most successful and recognizable programs. During its third, fourth, fifth, and sixth seasons, the series ranked as the number one comedy across all of cable television, demonstrating its continued popularity among audiences.
The voice cast for Season Nine includes Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden, who portray the central characters Rick and Morty, alongside returning cast members Sarah Chalke as Beth Smith, Chris Parnell as Jerry Smith, and Spencer Grammer as Summer Smith.
Behind the scenes, the series continues to be led by executive producer Dan Harmon, the co-creator of the show and a key creative force behind its distinctive voice and storytelling approach. Scott Marder also returns as executive producer and showrunner, overseeing the production and guiding the direction of the new season.
Over the years, Rick and Morty has grown into a global cultural phenomenon. Its mix of sci-fi storytelling, dark humor, and pop culture satire has attracted a broad international audience and inspired a wide range of merchandise, games, and cross-media collaborations. The franchise’s popularity has also helped solidify Adult Swim’s position as a major player in adult animation.
Season Nine will continue that global reach, with the new episodes set to premiere in more than 170 countries and available in 42 different languages. This wide distribution reflects the show’s strong international following and its status as one of the most widely recognized animated series currently on television.
For viewers in the United States, the new episodes will first air weekly on Adult Swim beginning May 24. Following each broadcast, episodes will also become available for purchase through digital retailers the next day. Fans who prefer streaming will be able to watch the full season when Rick and Morty Season Nine arrives on streaming platforms in the U.S. starting August 31.
With its ninth season on the way, Rick and Morty continues to demonstrate remarkable longevity for an animated comedy series. The upcoming episodes are expected to build on the show’s legacy of blending outrageous humor with imaginative science fiction, offering fans another round of unpredictable adventures across the infinite possibilities of the multiverse.
