12 Best Rick And Morty Episodes Ranked

Ever since its premiere in December 2013, “Rick and Morty” has become a global pop culture sensation, leaving its mark on almost every facet of popular entertainment. Despite the lengthy intervals between each new season’s release, fans remain dedicated to this successful series. The show experienced a change in voice actors for Rick and Morty, with Justin Roiland having to be recast, but thanks to the consistently high-quality content it delivers, “Rick and Morty” continues to dominate ratings on Adult Swim.

The storyline in “Rick and Morty” is intricate and spans a wide range, yet it still includes standalone episodes. What sets this series apart is its witty self-mockery and insightful social commentary. Over the course of its seven seasons, it has produced some remarkable episodes that tackle diverse themes such as various dimensions, extraterrestrial life, family dynamics, and human existence itself.

The top “Rick and Morty” episodes can be identified by looking at their IMDb ratings, although personal opinions may differ. To refine our list to the 12 best out of the 71 episodes so far, we took into account both IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes scores, combining them to highlight the cream of the crop. These are considered the finest episodes created by the talented writers, animators, and voice actors during the show’s first seven seasons.

12. Season 4, Episode 8: The Vat of Acid Episode

The Vat of Acid Incident” showcases two intertwining plots: one revolves around Rick devising a scheme to elude gangsters by feigning immersion in a sham vat of acid, while Morty embarks on his own escapade. The acid proves harmless, and Rick’s plan is meticulously laid out; however, Morty remains nonchalant about it. Rick’s desire to be perceived as genius results in him providing Morty with a “resurrection point” gadget that lets Morty perish and revert back to a prior moment in time.

In a lengthy part of the story, Morty repeatedly uses the “reset” button, until he encounters a girl. They both survive a plane crash and Morty decides not to reset the game because it would take him back before they met and fell in love. After they’re rescued, Jerry (Chris Parnell) unintentionally presses the button, erasing their relationship and causing Morty great sorrow. When he discovers that the “reset” button didn’t actually go back in time but instead moved his consciousness into a different Morty from another dimension each time he perished, that’s when things become truly complex.

The “Vat of Acid Episode” showcases Rick’s extreme nihilism and carries a heavy, serious tone that sets it apart from typical “Rick and Morty” episodes filled with humor. Unlike other episodes, this one aims to impart a lesson to Morty without resorting to comedy. Remarkably, it succeeded in doing so, earning the Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding animated program in 2020.

11. Season 5, Episode 1: Mort Dinner Rick Andre

The fifth season of “Rick and Morty” opens with an intriguing character arc for Jessica (Kari Wahlgren), as portrayed in “Mort Dinner Rick Andre”. In this episode, after Rick passes out and their spaceship disintegrates, Morty contacts Jessica. With nothing left to lose, he confesses his feelings towards her. She responds by inviting him over to watch a movie. This encounter sparks Morty’s newfound resolve to survive, ultimately managing to guide their ship safely into the ocean.

Upon regaining consciousness, Rick panics and confesses that he’d stumbled into the realm of his old adversary, Mr. Nimbus (Dan Harmon), who governs the ocean and apparently, the local police as well. Immediately, Mr. Nimbus requests a meeting with Rick, and in the midst of this encounter, he casually tosses bottles of wine into a portal, causing them to rapidly age. It falls upon Morty to retrieve these bottles, but due to the extreme temporal distortions on the other side, entire generations can pass between each return visit.

In a turn of events, while Rick battles his arch-enemy, actions taken by Morty on the opposite side of the portal spur the society there to evolve into a technologically advanced civilization determined to vanquish him. They seize Jessica in the process. This unexpected development ruins Morty’s date plans and he concludes that remaining friends would be more appropriate. The standalone episode, brimming with creativity, did not delve into the season finale’s cliffhanger, instead presenting a unique narrative capable of thriving independently.

10. Season 1, Episode 5: Meeseeks and Destroy

Title “Meeseeks and Destroy”: This captivating duo presents two intertwining narratives that contribute substantially to each character’s growth. In one storyline, following a series of annoyances by Beth (Sarah Chalke), Summer (Spencer Grammer), and Jerry, Rick provides them with a Meeseeks box and demonstrates its use; when the button is activated, a Mr. Meeseeks (voiced by Roiland) emerges, exuberantly completes the requested task, then vanishes without a trace.

Summer and Beth manage the device effortlessly, even with their complex demands, whereas Jerry seeks help to reduce his golf score by two strokes. The Meeseeks multiply to tackle Jerry’s golf issue, yet unable to succeed, they decide to eliminate him instead. This results in a violent altercation at a restaurant, but it eventually resolves itself peacefully.

In the course of their journey, Rick and Morty find themselves on a planet inhabited by a colossal monster causing havoc in a settlement. Unfortunately, the giant accidentally perishes, leading to Rick and Morty being put on trial for manslaughter. Eventually, they are acquitted; however, Morty experiences an unpleasant and notorious incident with Mr. Jellybean (Tom Kenny), who attacks him in a public washroom. Upon their return from this escapade, Rick gifts Morty a voucher that lets him pick one out of every ten expeditions. This pattern continues throughout the series, and despite fan enthusiasm, Mr. Meeseeks only appears sporadically in the background.

9. Season 2, Episode 10: The Wedding Squanchers

In the popular show “Rick and Morty,” one recurring theme is that Rick’s past remains mysterious throughout much of the series. The episode titled “The Wedding Squanchers” marks one of the first instances where Rick’s history receives some exploration within a serialized storyline. When summoned to Birdperson’s (Harmon) wedding, Rick initially refuses but eventually goes, only to become drunk quickly. His behavior reflects his deep-seated disgust and disapproval towards marriage, though it primarily stems from the sorrow of losing a friend.

It sadly transpires that Birdperson’s recent spouse, Tammy (portrayed by Cassie Steele), is unveiled as an undercover agent for the Galactic Federation, targeting Rick and his companions. Consequently, a large-scale battle ensues, and due to Earth now being under Federation control, the Smith family are forced to relocate to a new residence. In their search for a suitable refuge, Rick discovers a secluded planet for them to inhabit: Dwarf Terrace-9, also known as Tiny Planet.

Ultimately, Rick surrenders to ensure the family’s safe journey back to Earth, and the story concludes with him being locked up in a high-security space penitentiary, facing charges for a multitude of offenses. This episode sheds light on various facets of Rick’s past, such as his involvement in rebellions and his status as an international fugitive. The episode also leaves many questions unanswered, piquing the curiosity of viewers as they eagerly await further revelations about Rick’s history across future seasons.

8. Season 1, Episode 6: Rick Potion #9

In the cartoon series, Morty is primarily Rick’s assistant and follows orders most of the time. However, in “Rick Potion #9,” Morty grows tired of his grandfather’s antics and decides to assert himself. He persuades Rick to help him brew a love potion for Jessica. Rick complies, assuring Morty that there would be no unwanted consequences. Unfortunately, Rick overlooked the fact that it was flu season, leading to complications.

The concoction proves effective, and Jessica falls deeply in love with Morty. However, she then sneezes, causing her affection for him to spread like an actual plague. Before long, the entire world develops feelings for Morty, and each time he asks Rick for a solution, the eccentric scientist casually comes up with a fix that only adds to the chaos. Initially, people transform into colossal praying mantis-like creatures, and when Rick attempts to rectify this, they turn into what Rick calls “Cronenbergs,” a term referencing renowned horror director David Cronenberg.

In the face of a frightening reality filled with genetically altered beasts, Rick devises a unique solution that he can employ just a handful more times. He locates a dimension where its original Rick and Morty have perished, allowing him to take their places. This move effectively erases his former universe from existence and transfers the series to this new one. Remarkably, this plot device is repeated in a later episode, emphasizing Rick’s remarkable indifference toward abandoning an entire world, even his own daughter. This act serves as a powerful symbol of Rick’s nihilistic character.

7. Season 2: Episode 6: The Ricks Must Be Crazy

The series ‘Rick and Morty’ delves into the idea of life’s pointlessness, particularly when it comes to the character Rick. In an episode, when Rick’s car fails to start, he resorts to an extraordinary measure – shrinking himself and Morty into the car battery to diagnose the problem. Here, it is revealed that Rick’s battery houses a miniature universe, or ‘microverse’, which provides power for his vehicle.

As they delve into the issue, they discover that a researcher known as Zeep (Stephen Colbert), within the microverse, has achieved the same feat (labeling it a “miniverse”), yet his invention appears to have disrupted Rick’s work. In response, Rick and Morty venture into the miniverse for examination, only to encounter another scientist engaged in a similar project. They then enter that power source. This universe is not fully formed, instead, remaining in its neolithic stage.

In a startling revelation, Zeep learns that his purpose is to fuel a heartless scientist’s vehicle. Enraged, Zeep assaults Rick, but they both become trapped when the small-scale scientist takes his own life. Over time, they manage to ascend through different dimensions back to the microverse, where Rick brutally beats up Zeep. Upon their return to the normal world, Rick’s car starts. He clarifies that if it hadn’t, he would have discarded the battery. This revelation causes Zeep to halt his own experiments.

6. Season 3, Episode 3: Pickle Rick

Among the many episodes of “Rick and Morty,” it is “Pickle Rick” that stands out as a timeless classic, leaving a lasting impression due to its intriguing plot summarized in its title. The story unfolds when Rick transforms himself into a pickle under mysterious circumstances, promising to reverse the transformation once the family departs for therapy. However, Beth’s intervention and several close calls with death force Pickle Rick to confront and overcome formidable challenges such as rats and a group of Russians he encounters during his escape through a toilet.

In a creative process using animal components, Rick acquires the ability to move around freely and hones remarkable parkour techniques, which he employs ruthlessly to take down one Russian soldier after another. This violent streak triggers the appearance of Jaguar (played by Danny Trejo), a man in prison who is forced to eliminate Pickle Rick in exchange for his daughter’s release. Eventually, Rick and Jaguar reach an accord, allowing Rick to break free and reunite with his family, albeit briefly, before attending a counseling session together.

As a gamer, I’ll put it this way: In the world of Rick and Morty, I’d confess to turning myself into a pickle to dodge therapy sessions, revealing another layer to my character. Showrunner Dan Harmon likened “Pickle Rick” to the RV breaking down in the desert episode of “Breaking Bad,” and it earned “Rick and Morty” its first Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding animated program. Clearly, it made an impression because Pickle Rick merchandise is still a hit among fans.

5. Season 1, Episode 10: Close Rick-Counters of the Rick Kind

Season 1 introduces only small aspects of Rick’s past, but the episode “Close Rick-Counters of the Rick Kind” provides some insights. In this installment, wicked iterations of Rick and Morty slaughter a different Rick and abduct his Morty. Shortly after, representatives from the Council of Ricks, who unexpectedly appear at the Smith household during breakfast via a portal, apprehend our Rick. They take Morty to the Citadel of Ricks, a multidimensional gathering place for Ricks and Mortys that our Rick, known as Rick C-137, strongly despises.

In essence, it appears that Rick’s portal gun has been linked to multiple murders of other Ricks, causing him and Morty to flee through various dimensional portals. Simultaneously, other Ricks occupy the Smith residence, using it as a base to track down and apprehend Rick C-137. As Rick and Morty delve into the mystery behind the killings, they uncover a malevolent Rick who disguises himself by tormenting countless Mortys, a technique referred to as “Morty camouflage,” which serves to mask his own actions.

In my gaming world, I’m known as “The One True Morty,” and let me tell you, I took down evil Rick! But here’s the twist – the eyepatch-wearing version of yours truly was the mastermind behind all the chaos. It turns out, the story we thought we knew about Rick wasn’t the whole truth.

This episode gave us a peek into the past life of Rick C-137, showing him bonding with an infant me, which contradicts our initial belief that he was just an absentee dad and grandpa. It also opens up a series of upcoming adventures that delve deeper into Rick’s real role in the multiverse.

4. Season 2, Episode 4: Total Rickall

In ‘Total Rickall,’ Rick initially slays Jerry’s brother, only to discover that he was an extraterrestrial parasite. This species manipulates memories, infiltrating individuals’ lives and yearning to infect fresh planets. Rick encloses them within the home’s protective security system. The story unfolds as a series of eccentric characters make their entrance, starting with the enigmatic Mr. Poopybutthole, a longtime family friend previously unknown to viewers. As Rick strives to manage the predicament, every reference to a memory brings forth another outlandish character, causing the infestation to escalate rapidly.

In “Total Rickall,” an unusual clip show appears, a common theme in Dan Harmon’s TV writing. As the parasites persistently urge Rick to lower his shields, Morty realizes that the only recollections he has of the parasites are positive ones. Simultaneously, he is plagued by numerous negative memories of his family. This realization sparks a solution for their predicament: if the Smiths have nothing but good memories about someone, they’re likely a parasite, so they begin eliminating them forcefully.

In simpler terms, they declutter the home while Rick takes off protective barriers, however, it’s Beth who shoots Mr. Poopybutthole, causing him serious harm. He eventually heals, but the event leaves a deep impact on Beth and intensifies the rift between the Smith family and their friend.

3. Season 3, Episode 1: The Rickshank Rickdemption

Rick and Morty’s Season 3 begins with ‘The Rickshank Redemption,’ starting from where Season 2 ended on a suspenseful note, as Rick is locked up in a Galactic Federation prison. In his cell, he appears to be in a Shoney’s restaurant, being questioned by Cornvelious Daniel (portrayed by Nathan Fillion), who seeks to learn the mystery behind Rick’s portal gun. Concurrently, the Smith family struggles without Rick amidst a world dominated by the Federation, and the children are finding it hard to adjust.

In a twist of events, they devise a strategy to save Rick, but it turns out that Rick is making his own arrangements for an escape. As Daniel accompanies him, Rick guides him through his past experiences, unveiling his background and the development of portal technology. However, what actually occurs is that Rick concocts a virus designed to commandeer the brainalyzer machine, which he surreptitiously installs in Daniel’s system. As a result, he seizes control over Daniel’s body. By jumping from one body to another, he eventually orchestrates the teleportation of Rick’s Citadel on top of the Federation prison. Furthermore, he manipulates the Federation’s currency value to nullify its worth.

In this episode, we see the Federation seemingly dismantled, but by its conclusion, things essentially revert to their original state. Contrary to initial assumptions, Rick didn’t aim to demolish the Citadel or the Federation; instead, they were simply tools for eliminating Jerry, who ultimately splits from Beth following Rick’s homecoming. Towards the end, it’s made clear that the backstory presented about Rick in this episode is accurate, contrary to his persistent denials.

2. Season 3, Episode 4: Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender

Vindicators 3: Worldender Returns” – In this installment, Morty takes charge of an exciting journey that unfolds following a summons from the Vindicators, a new team of explorers yet to be seen. Rick initially refuses to collaborate with them, citing his past experiences with them, preferring to explore fresh territories. However, Morty admires the Vindicators as heroes and persuades them to join in. Reluctantly, Rick consents to their participation.

The Vindicators are on a quest to vanquish Worldender, yet Rick seems uninterested, preferring to drink excessively and create chaos instead. When they reach Worldender’s lair, it turns out that a drunken Rick had already defeated Worldender and laid dangerous traps reminiscent of the “Saw” movies as a demonstration that the Vindicators are merely replaceable heroes. Morty manages to disarm these traps, resulting in a showdown between the remaining Vindicators and Rick and Morty.

As a gaming enthusiast diving into the latest Vindicator episode, I have to say that what truly caught my eye was the abundance of nods to past Vindicator team-ups – team-ups that surprisingly never happened on the screen. It seems that these collaborations didn’t resonate with Rick, but fans got a chance to delve deeper into their history thanks to the “Rick and Morty Presents: The Vindicators” comics, which provided some much-needed backstory. To top it off, a prequel of short films titled “Vindicators 2: Last Stand Between Earth and Doom” dropped in 2022, offering a glimpse into the group’s past adventures.

1. Season 3, Episode 7: The Ricklantis Mixup

Title “The Ricklantis Mixup”: This standalone episode from Season 3 focuses less on Rick and Morty but offers a variety of Ricks and Mortys instead. As our primary characters embark on an adventure in Atlantis, viewers are treated to various scenes that reveal the aftermath of Rick C-137 merging the Citadel with the Federation prison.

In the Citadel, despite its persistence, society has deteriorated into chaos as Mortys and Ricks clash violently, set against the backdrop of a democratic election. The narrative is rich with cultural references, particularly a significant nod to “Stand By Me.” However, the main storyline follows a Morty police officer joining forces with a Rick on an expedition, which underscores their purposeless life and the Citadel’s inherent flaws. Simultaneously, an evil Morty launches a presidential campaign, eventually winning the election, only to later unveil his sinister intentions at the end of Season 5. The episode predominantly explores the concept of existence, which is a recurring theme in “Rick and Morty.

In 2018, “The Ricklantis Mixup” was honored with the Annie Award for exceptional writing excellence, a recognition it truly earned. Unlike most episodes, this one deviated from the usual character lineup by introducing new characters apart from Evil Morty, characters we hadn’t seen before. Remarkably, even without its regular cast, the show managed to expand its narrative, making this episode stand out as the series’ finest so far.

2025-02-09 15:31