Rick and Morty is one of the most beloved Adult Swim animated series of the 2010s. Created by Dan Harmon, this comedic science-fiction series has received universal acclaim, with numerous award nominations and wins. The offbeat, often crude, yet unique brand of humor, combined with unique characters and artistic animation is what makes this show the best of its kind.
Since the series has recently been renewed for a sixth season, it is important to commemorate the legacy it has amassed. Here are some of the best episodes ofRick and Morty, ranked:
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
8 S2/E10 - The Wedding Squanchers
Warner Bros. Television Distribution
First up on the list is the iconic season 2 finale. Directed by Wes Archer and with a title that plays on the 2005 comedy film The Wedding Crashers, this episode brings all the emotions to the forefront, as in the words of Rick, weddings are just “funerals with cake.” Rick, who is so far considered the greatest jerk in the whole universe, gets to show the audience and his family that he has a heart deep down under all the madness. The Smiths receive a wedding invitation to the wedding of Birdperson and Tammy, which Rick adamantly refuses to attend. However, when the invitation parcel magically transports Jerry to Planet Squancher, where the wedding is supposed to be held, Rick reluctantly agrees to take the rest of the family there, too.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 S3/E1 - The Rickshank Redemption
Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Directed by Juan Meza-León, this season premiere takes chaos to a whole new level. With the title serving as homage to the 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption, this episode serves as the inception of the popular Szechwan Sauce meme that boosted McDonald’s sales due to the fandom going ballistic in its pursuit. A Galactic Federation agent tells Rick that he has been sent to gather information from his mind, which will liquefy his brain. Rick sets out to revisit his memories one last time. When Summer and Morty discover him missing, they travel between dimensions to find him, only to keep running into various different versions of him.
6 S1/E5 - Meeseeks and Destroy
Directed by Bryan Newton, this episode serves as the introduction to Mr. Meeseeks, one of the most lovable alien creatures introduced in the show. With the episode title being a wordplay on the phrase “Seek and Destroy,” the episode serves as a cautionary tale on themes of excess, complacency, and mortality. After a particularly traumatic adventure leaves Morty shaken up, he refuses to accompany Rick on any new adventures, to which Rick strikes a bet with him. When the rest of the family annoys him over menial tasks, Rick introduces them to a box full of Mr. Meeseeks, creatures who perform tasks and then vanish from existence. He warns the family to keep the tasks simple, but his warnings go unheeded.
Rick and Morty: The Anime: What to Expect From the Spinoff
5 S2/E2 - Mortynight Run
Directed by Dominic Polcino, this episode references the movie “Midnight Run,” which Jerry once watched with the costumed Beth at the daycare center. Chock-full of musical references and homages, this episode is a fun, fast-paced romp across the inter-galaxies. Rick sells his gun to an alien assassin so that he can have the money to spend an entire afternoon at the arcade. When Morty finds out about this dire situation, he goes on a trip across the inter-dimensions to apprehend the assassin.
4 S3/E7 - The Ricklantis Mixup
Also known as Tales from the Citadel, this episode is directed by Dominic Polcino. With references ranging from Back to the Future to Harry Potter, this episode lives up to the wordplay on Atlantis in its title, opening up an entirely new dimension of Ricks. Rick and Morty are visited by themselves from a different dimension. Discovering information about the Citadel of Ricks, the two set off on a journey to Atlantis to see the place for themselves; with chaos and adventure following closely on their tails.
3 S3/E8 - Morty’s Mind Blowers
Directed by Bryan Newton, things get heated in this episode as past events and decisions threaten to engulf the characters in a bizarrely hilarious emotional confrontation that highlights Rick’s sociopathic tendencies. With references to Disney’s Inside Out and Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, this episode perfectly represents the show in a nutshell. Rick gets more than he bargained for when he shows Morty the room of memories that he had asked Rick to wipe for him. Upon Morty’s request, he starts their restoration, only to realize that the task is easier said than done, and repressed memories have a habit of becoming insanely vicious.
The Philosophy of Rick and Morty: Existentialism, Nihilism, and Absurdism
2 S2/E4 - Total Rickall
At number two is an elaborate homage to the 1990 film Total Recall. Directed by Juan Meza-León, this episode offers the audience and the characters with a dose of the good old existential crisis. Once again highlighting the best of Dan Harmon’s absurdist humor, the episode has become a favorite of both fans and critics. When a parasite that implants fake memories into people’s heads also attacks the Smiths, the family is forced to battle the malevolent creature amid constant struggles with the question: are any of them real or not?
1 S3/E3 - Pickle Rick
With the episode title being the inception of the longest-running meme of the show, Pickle Rick is undoubtedly the greatest episode on this list. Directed by Anthony Chun, this odd little pre-mid-season episode turned out to be the show’s heaviest episode to date. Diving deep into Beth and Rick’s psyches, the episode tackled the subject of mental health in a way that no animated show has ever had before. In an attempt to avoid going to family therapy, Rick turns himself into Pickle Rick. However, the joke is only funny for a little while, until Rick realizes that he’s stuck this way and now has to resort to every means possible to return to his original form.
