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Entertainment • TV Series

Rick and Morty

Rick and Morty is an American adult animated science fiction sitcom created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon for Adult Swim.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rick and Morty is an American adult animated science fiction sitcom created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon for Adult Swim. The series follows the misadventures of scientist Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty Smith as they move between domestic life and interdimensional adventures. It premiered in 2013 and has expanded into a larger franchise with additional spin-offs and media.

Premise

The series centres on Rick, a cynical and often reckless scientist, and Morty, his anxious grandson. Episodes typically alternate between family life and adventures across alternate dimensions, planets, and realities.

Production and broadcast

Rick and Morty was created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon and premiered on Adult Swim in 2013. It has continued across multiple seasons and received a long-term renewal from Adult Swim.

Style and themes

The series blends science fiction with black comedy, satire, and surreal humour. Its stories often contrast emotional family conflict with absurd or violent interdimensional scenarios.

Franchise expansion

The success of the series led to a broader franchise including spin-offs, specials, comics, and other related media. The franchise has also included anime and other supplementary projects. The franchise includes spin-off and related projects, including animated and comic-book expansions, a pattern seen in other media franchises such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Stranger Things season 5, and Grey's Anatomy.

Distribution in Canada

Rick and Morty has been distributed in Canada through Adult Swim-related television and streaming availability, and it has a substantial Canadian audience as part of North American adult animation.

Key facts

  • The series is set around the relationship between Rick Sanchez, a scientist, and Morty Smith, his grandson.
  • It combines family sitcom elements with portal-based science-fiction adventures.
  • The show was created for Adult Swim, Cartoon Network's late-night programming block.
  • By 2024, the series had been renewed through at least a twelfth season.
  • The franchise includes spin-off and related projects, including animated and comic-book expansions.
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Canadian context

Rick and Morty has been distributed in Canada through Adult Swim-related television and streaming availability, and it has a substantial Canadian audience as part of North American adult animation.

Frequently asked questions

What is Rick and Morty about?
It follows scientist Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty Smith through domestic situations and dangerous interdimensional adventures.
Who created Rick and Morty?
The series was created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon.
When did Rick and Morty premiere?
It premiered on December 2, 2013 on Adult Swim.
What genre is Rick and Morty?
It is an adult animated science fiction sitcom with black comedy and satire.
How many seasons does it have?
The series had nine seasons in the source material provided.
Is Rick and Morty part of a larger franchise?
Yes. It has expanded into related spin-offs, comics, shorts, and other media.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_and_Morty
    Supports: Premise, creators, premiere date, genre, country of origin, and season count.
  2. The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction — https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/rick_and_morty
    Supports: Series description, creators, cast changes, episode count, and science-fiction framing.
  3. Rick and Morty Wiki — https://rickandmorty.fandom.com/wiki/Rick_and_Morty_(TV_series)
    Supports: Premise, original network, renewal history, and franchise expansions.