Wubba Lubba Dub Dub. If you’re anything like the rest of the Adult Swim faithful, those words probably trigger a mix of excitement and genuine impatience. We’ve been through the long droughts before—the infamous gaps between the early seasons that felt like they lasted for actual eons. But things changed. The production machine behind the show got more efficient, and yet, here we are again, staring at our screens and wondering when will the next Rick and Morty season come out as the rumor mill spins out of control.
It's been a wild ride. Following the massive 70-episode renewal years ago, Dan Harmon and the crew promised us a more consistent rollout. For a while, they actually hit that mark. One season a year. It felt like a miracle. But animation is a beast. It’s a slow, methodical process involving thousands of individual frames, complex voice acting transitions, and scripts that have to be funny enough to keep a cynical fanbase happy.
The Current State of Season 8 and Beyond
Let’s get the big question out of the way first. Season 8 is the immediate target. If you've been tracking the production cycle, you know that the writers' room for Rick and Morty usually operates about two seasons ahead of what we’re actually seeing on TV. This is a bit of a safety net. It means that while we were watching Season 7 wrap up, the team was already deep into the animatics and voice recording for the next batch of episodes.
The official word from Adult Swim and the production team has pointed toward a 2025 release window, but as we move deeper into the calendar, the specifics are finally hardening. Historically, the show loves a late-year premiere. Think October or November. This aligns with the "spooky season" vibes they occasionally lean into, and it captures that prime winter viewing audience.
Wait. There’s a catch.
The 2023 industry strikes—both the writers (WGA) and the actors (SAG-AFTRA)—threw a wrench into basically everything in Hollywood. Even though Rick and Morty has a streamlined pipeline, they weren't totally immune. Scripts were delayed. Recording sessions had to be pushed. Because of that, the gap between Season 7 and Season 8 has stretched longer than the "one season per year" cadence we briefly enjoyed.
Why the Delay Actually Matters for the Quality
Honestly? A delay might be the best thing for the show. When Season 7 premiered, there was a massive cloud hanging over the series due to the high-profile exit of co-creator Justin Roiland. The show had to find its new voices—literally. Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden stepped into the roles of Rick and Morty, and while they did a phenomenal job, the transition was a huge undertaking for the production staff.
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They had to prove the show could survive its own creator.
They did. Season 7 was received surprisingly well, with episodes like "That's Amorte" reminding fans that the show’s dark, existential humor was still very much intact. But that effort takes a toll. The team needed time to settle into this new era. Season 8 represents the first time this new creative structure gets to build a season from the ground up without the immediate chaos of a casting crisis.
The Animation Pipeline
You have to realize how many people touch a single episode of this show. It’s not just drawing. It's:
- The initial "room" where Harmon and the writers break the story.
- The "circle" method of storytelling Harmon is famous for.
- Storyboarding, which takes months to ensure the visual gags land.
- Lead animation, often handled by Bardel Entertainment.
- Post-production, color grading, and sound design.
If one of those gears slips, the whole release date shifts. When we ask when will the next Rick and Morty season come out, we’re really asking when a group of about 200 people will finish a marathon.
What We Know About the Plot of Season 8
The showrunners are notoriously tight-lipped. That’s just how they roll. However, based on the Season 7 finale, "Fear No Mort," we saw a massive shift in Morty’s character development. He finally stepped out of Rick's shadow in a meaningful way, conquering his own fears in the Fear Hole.
We should expect Season 8 to lean into this "New Morty." He’s not just the stuttering sidekick anymore. He’s becoming a person.
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Then there’s the Rick Prime of it all. With that major series-long antagonist finally out of the way, the show is at a crossroads. Does it find a new Big Bad? Or does it return to the "adventure of the week" format that many old-school fans miss? Scott Marder, the showrunner, has hinted that the "Lore" isn't going away, but they want to make sure the show stays fun.
Don't be surprised if we see more of:
- Space Beth and her ongoing dynamic with the family.
- The return of Evil Morty, who is currently chilling in his own peaceful dimension (until Rick inevitably ruins it).
- More experiments with "meta" storytelling that breaks the fourth wall.
The 70-Episode Deal: Where Do We Stand?
Back in 2018, Adult Swim made a massive gamble by ordering 70 episodes. It was unheard of for an animated comedy. At the time, it seemed like enough content to last a decade.
If you do the math, Season 7 brought us to the halfway point of that deal. Season 8, 9, and 10 are all guaranteed. This is why the question of when will the next Rick and Morty season come out is so persistent—fans know the episodes are coming; they just don't know the day.
There is zero chance of cancellation in the near future. The show is a cash cow for Warner Bros. Discovery. It’s the crown jewel of Adult Swim. Even as cable television struggles, Rick and Morty dominates streaming charts on Max (formerly HBO Max).
Technical Hurdles and the 2026 Outlook
Looking ahead to 2026, the goal is to get back on that annual track. If Season 8 drops in late 2025, Season 9 would likely follow in late 2026. This is the "Goldilocks" zone for the creators. It keeps the show in the public eye without burning out the animators.
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The complexity of the show is actually increasing. If you look at the background art and the "alien" designs from Season 1 compared to Season 7, the difference is staggering. The world is denser. The lighting is more cinematic. All of that adds time.
Rumors vs. Reality
You’ll see a lot of clickbait headlines claiming a "surprise drop" or "leaked episodes." Ignore them. Adult Swim has a very specific marketing playbook. They usually announce the date about two months in advance with a high-energy trailer.
If there isn't a trailer on the Adult Swim YouTube channel, there isn't a confirmed date.
How to Stay Occupied While Waiting
The wait is a drag, I get it. But the Rick and Morty universe is bigger than just the main show now.
Rick and Morty: The Anime was a polarizing addition to the franchise, but it showed that the IP is willing to take risks. Even if the anime didn't hit the same notes for you as the original, it’s proof that the "multiverse" concept allows for infinite side projects.
There are also the comics published by Oni Press. These often fill in the gaps between seasons and explore backstories that the show doesn't have time for. If you’re dying for content, the "Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons" crossover is actually high-quality writing that feels like it belongs in the show.
Actionable Steps for the Dedicated Fan
Since we are playing the waiting game for Season 8, here is how you can stay ahead of the curve and ensure you don't miss the premiere.
- Monitor the Official "Development Meeting" – Adult Swim used to stream these, and while they are less frequent now, their social media clips often feature "pencil tests" or early sketches of upcoming seasons.
- Check the Max "Coming Soon" Section – Often, the streaming platforms get the metadata for new seasons before the public announcement goes wide. If you see a placeholder for Season 8, the release is usually within 90 days.
- Rewatch with Audio Commentaries – If you have the Blu-rays or certain digital versions, listen to the commentaries. Harmon and the writers often drop hints about plot points they "saved" for the next year.
- Watch the Creative Team's Other Projects – Following writers like Heather Anne Campbell or producers like Steve Levy on social media can give you a "vibe check" on where they are in the production process. If they start posting about being "wrapped," a trailer is imminent.
The reality of when will the next Rick and Morty season come out is that we are likely looking at a late 2025 premiere for Season 8, followed by a much more stable 2026 for Season 9. The era of three-year waits is over. We’ve entered the era of refined, scheduled chaos. Keep your portal guns charged; the wait is almost over.