Since the release of Rick and Morty’s first season in 2013, the series has become nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. It follows the intergalactic adventures of genius scientist Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty and delivers devastatingly clever humour, absurdist storylines, and wild animated inventions (Hello, Cronenberg dimension!). Over the years, Dan Harmon’s co-creation has explored some thought-provoking themes and hasn’t shied away from its main characters’ darkness. The die-hard fanbase has loyally followed the series’ highs and lows for eight seasons, and it continues to expand, with new fans falling for the series’ endearing mix of humour and existentialist absurdity.
With Rick and Morty’s eighth season in the middle of its run until late July 2025, what better time to look back on the past seven seasons and see which are the best! Here is every season of Rick and Morty, ranked.
7. Season 5
Even though it has some memorable episodes, season 5 is the most lacklustre Rick and Morty season. There are plenty of witty jokes, mind-bending plot-lines, and praise-worthy episodes, but season 5 lacks a consistency in storytelling quality – often relying on shock value rather than cleverness to maintain our interest. However, even the worst season of Rick and Morty is still a pretty good show, so don’t let that stop you from getting schwifty with the fifth season, too.
- Best Episode: "Rickmurai Jack" (Season 5, Episode 10)
- Worst Episode: "Rickdependence Spray" (Season 5, Episode 4)
6. Season 7
While Season 7 brought all the quality visuals and intergalactic adventures we expect from Rick and Morty, it lacked the episodic structure and enthusiasm of previous seasons. It was the first season to air after the firing of co-creator (and voice of both Rick and Morty) Justin Roiland, and the series clearly took a hit while regaining its footing. That’s not to say the season was bad, but it didn't have the magic and wit of previous seasons.
- Best Episode: "Fear No Mort" (Season 7, Episode 10)
- Worst Episode: "How Poopy Got His Poop Back" (Season 7, Episode 1)
5. Season 6
After the lacklustre Season 5, Rick and Morty immediately returned to form with season 6. It focused largely on character development, which proved to be divisive amongst the fanbase, as it brought some distance between the core duo. Morty became more hardened and independent, while Rick had more adventures with Summer. It still suffers from pretty inconsistent episode quality, but the overall arc works well. In particular, the civilised alien dinosaurs and the return of Story Lord made this a very enjoyable season.
- Best Episode: "Solaricks" (Season 6, Episode 1)
- Worst Episode: "Bethic Twinstinct" (Season 6, Episode 3)
4. Season 4
Season 4 of Rick and Morty is a really solid season that places a special focus on the theme of death and resurrection. It brought back some fan-favourite characters, including the Galactic Federation agent Tammy and her reanimated ex-boyfriend, Bird Person. The series also introduced one of Rick’s most relatable finds, the Perfect Toilet, and released one of the series’ raunchiest episodes, ‘Claw and Hoarder: Special Ricktim’s Morty,’ which sees Rick soul-bond with a dragon.
- Best Episode: "The Vat of Acid Episode" (Season 4, Episode 8)
- Worst Episode: "Claw and Hoarder: Special Ricktim's Morty" (Season 4, Episode 4)
3. Season 1
Season 1 of Rick and Morty is where it all started, but it's also among the show's very best seasons ever. It introduces Rick Sanchez in full chaotic-genius form and established his co-dependent dynamic with Morty. Unlike a lot of comedy shows, Rick and Morty's first season doesn't need time to develop its tone, it's already the complete product – with each episode bringing a brilliant mix of crude humour, absurd adventures, and unpredictable outcomes.
The first season also introduced key aspects and characters the series periodically returns to, including interdimensional cable in "Rixty Minutes," interdimensional travel, unhealthy family dynamics, and Evil Morty. I may have named "Close Rick-Counters of the Rick Kind" as the best episode of the first season, but "Meeseeks and Destroy" and "Rick Potion #9" are also very strong contenders.
- Best Episode: "Close Rick-Counters of the Rick Kind" (Season 1, Episode 1)
- Worst Episode: "Pilot" (Season 1, Episode 1)
2. Season 2
Season 2 of Rick and Morty is beloved by fans and critics alike, and practically everybody agrees that it's one of the show's best seasons. It expands the show's chaotic world perfectly, diving into increasingly absurd adventures like "The Ricks Must Be Crazy" and "The Wedding Squanchers". We get to see an encounter with a deadly fart, saving the planet in an intergalactic song contest with the tune ‘Get Schwifty’ featuring Ice-T, and Beth and Jerry’s couple’s therapy gone terribly wrong.
This season also introduced some iconic Rick and Morty characters, including Bird Person and Mr. Poopybutthole. With so many great episodes from start to finish, it's a must-watch for fans of animated comedy and chaotic sci-fi adventures.
- Best Episode: "Total Rickall" (Season 2, Episode 4)
- Worst Episode: "Interdimensional Cable 2: Tempting Fate" (Season 1, Episode 8)
1. Season 3
Season 3 is without a doubt the pinnacle of Rick and Morty excellence. In fact, you could say it's the McDonald's Szechuan sauce of Rick and Morty seasons. It ramps up the absurdist adventures and crude, witty humour with episode such as "The Rickshank Rickdemption" while also taking the show into new, emotional territory.
Many of the episodes in season 3 explore deeper themes such as body positivity, self-esteem, traumatic memories, and family and romantic relationships. It also introduces important Rick and Morty lore that has a huge impact on later seasons – including the Citadel of Ricks and the reappearance of Evil Morty.
Season 3 contains one of the most memorable Rick and Morty episodes of all time, "Pickle Rick," in which Rick turns himself into a sentient pickle in order to avoid family therapy. Pretty much every episode in season 3 is top tier Rick and Morty, with the exception of "The ABCs of Beth," which is still a perfectly enjoyable episode.
- Best Episode: "The Ricklantis Mixup" (Season 3, Episode 7)
- Worst Episode: "The ABCs of Beth" (Season 3, Episode 9)
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