Animated sci-fi comedy Rick and Morty has gained a strong following in its over 10 years on the air, becoming one of the most well-known shows currently running. Following the interplanetary adventures of genius yet nihilistic scientist Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty Smith (both previously voiced by the now-fired Justin Roiland), the series has deeply explored many sci-fi concepts.
This ranges from comedic movie parodies to grander and more emotionally potent storylines about the characters’ interpersonal dynamics and Rick’s tragic backstory. Fans are often in discussion about the series’ highlights, with plot-driven episodes usually being fan favorites, making these audience-rated episodes the best on IMDb. Especially with the recent release of the eighth season, there’s no better time than the present to reminisce on the best that the series has to offer.
35
“The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy” (Season 3, Episode 5)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
One of the few episodes that explores the underrated dynamic between Rick and his embarrassingly inept godson, Jerry, “The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy” sees the duo on an easygoing vacation at the request of Morty, worried about his father’s mental health. However, as they attempt to have fun at this intergalactic resort where it is impossible to die, an enemy from Rick’s past attempts to coerce Jerry into helping him murder Rick.
The prominent hook in this episode is just how much it gives depth and layers to the aggressive relationship and dynamic between Rick and Jerry, giving meaning and understanding to their anger towards one another, and ending in a place of slight unexpected respect. It also helps that, as two of the most polar opposite characters in the main cast, they have a lot of comedic chemistry that is further amplified by the absurdity of the journey that they embark on.
34
“Big Trouble in Little Sanchez” (Season 2, Episode 7)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
While many people are quick to point to the comedic fun and goofy nature of Rick transforming himself into a teenager and proclaiming himself “Tiny Rick” in the episode “Big Trouble in Little Sanchez”, the real greatness of the episode comes from its B-plot following Beth and Jerry. In this side plot, the married couple travels to an intergalactic couples therapy resort designed to fix their relationship. However, it soon goes wrong when the physical manifestations of their perceptions of one another begin to destroy and take over the entire resort.
“Big Trouble in Little Sanchez” is arguably the greatest episode in the series when it comes to the examination and portrayal of Beth and Jerry’s troubled relationship. It doesn’t shy away from the toxicity and blatant misalignment that they have with one another, yet it simultaneously shows that their connection in a way transcends norms and critical thinking, and that love is much more than a hard science. It also helps that both Tiny Rick and XenoBeth are some of the best one-off villains that the show has ever seen, ironically, both appearing in the same episode.
33
“Ricksy Business” (Season 1, Episode 11)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
The first-ever season finale of the series, “Ricksy Business,” plays it much more relaxed compared to the season finale that would come, but simultaneously leaves on a compelling note that would have worked as an effective final moment if the series hadn’t been picked up for additional seasons. The episode sees Morty and Summer attempt to throw a house party while their parents are out of town, only to be one-upped by Rick attempting to throw an intergalactic party at the exact same time.
There’s a lot of inherent fun in the prospects of an unrestrained galactic house party and its constant clashes with a traditional high school party, even despite the various high schoolers seeming to be unfazed at the madness all around them. This only gets supercharged when the house ends up being transported to an alien planet. Also, many of the iconic members of Rick’s friend group make their debut in this episode, including fan-favorite characters like Birdperson and Squanchy.
32
“That’s Amorte” (Season 7, Episode 4)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
“That’s Amorte” is the perfect example of how the modern era of the show is still able to conjure up strange and deeply disturbing concepts for an episode that simultaneously leads the way to brilliant emotional moments that are only possible with such unrestrained creativity. The episode sees a foreign planet where humanity’s insides turn into spaghetti after they commit suicide. While Rick and Morty initially want to stop eating the spaghetti, the miraculous taste soon has them coming back for more, with the entire planet’s economy soon transforming to make mass profit out of their own suicidal populace.
There are several distinct strengths that make this episode a standout experience from the recent episodes, from the dark absurdity of its premise to the absolute dystopian extremes that it takes once the planet becomes aware of its own delicious corpses. However, the singular moment that amplified this into being a fan-favorite is the tearjerker final montage, seeing a man’s memory of his full life set to an exceptional cover of Oasis’s “Live Forever.” It’s one of the best moments in the entire series and almost single-handedly elevates the entire episode.
31
“Analyze Piss” (Season 6, Episode 8)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Annoyed by fighting an endless string of gimmick-themed villains, Rick voluntarily seeks therapy to understand why he attracts such attention in “Analyze Piss.” Rick tries to avoid encouraging more imitators, so when a urine-themed villain named “Pissmaster” shows up at the Smiths’ house, Jerry surprisingly gets involved to defend Summer’s honor. After Jerry wins the fight, he becomes a famous hero, leaving Rick to sort through his emotions about the shift of attention.
Rick and Morty always manages to subvert expectations, making an episode with a title like “Analyze Piss” into one of the more emotionally profound entries of the series. Rick demonstrates growth by empathizing with the Pissmaster, and after relating to the pain in the villain’s life, finds satisfaction from (almost) anonymously redeeming him in the eyes of the public. A mixture of absurd and tragic, “Analyze Piss” takes a ridiculous concept and humanizes it with a complicated exploration of pride. —Brad LaCour
30
“Look Who’s Purging Now” (Season 2, Episode 9)
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Rick and Morty make a pit stop in a quaint town just in time for the planet’s night of consequence-free violence and mayhem in “Look Who’s Purging Now.” Rick’s decision to stay and watch a little bit of purging causes the pair to get involved when Morty demands they intervene to save a cute female alien. After their help backfires and leaves them stranded, Rick calls in a weapon upgrade from Summer that brings out a new and violent side of Morty.
Morty is usually the one operating from a moral high ground, so seeing him quickly transform from frightened victim to a blood-lust-crazed murderer is even surprising to Rick. “Look Who’s Purging Now” is an action-packed episode that uses its The Purge-inspired plotline to move quickly while exploring the corruption of a ruling class and the alternative chaos without its existence. The B-plot involving Jerry has some bright spots as well, especially when it’s revealed why he wants to spend time with Summer. —Brad LaCour
29
“Auto Erotic Assimilation” (Season 2, Episode 3)
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Rick runs into an old flame when he answers a distress call with Morty and Summer in “Auto Erotic Assimilation.” Rick’s ex, Unity (Christina Hendricks), is a hive-mind organism who has assimilated an entire planet into its consciousness after an emotionally wrought breakup with Rick. The two quickly pick up their romance where they left off, leaving Morty and Summer to question the morality of a hive mind while Rick and Unity go on a bender of drugs and sex.
There are hints at Rick’s self-destructive behavior as a symptom of a deeper psychosis, but “Auto Erotic Assimilation” is the first time the viewer sees how deeply depressed and unhappy the smartest man in the universe is. Rick uses chaos as a form of distraction from his pain, but the same tendencies prevent him from establishing the bond he needs to heal from the death of his wife. The plot of “Auto Erotic Assimilation” is effective emotional sleight of hand, directing the audience towards all the outlandish comedy before revealing insight into toxic relationships and loneliness. —Brad LaCour
28
“Solaricks” (Season 6, Episode 1)
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
The Season 6 opener, “Solaricks,” dives right into the fallout from the Season 5 finale, showing viewers how Rick and Morty are able to leave the fallen citadel without portal technology. In the process of resetting his portal fluid, Rick sends himself, Morty, and Jerry back to the original dimensions. While Summer works with both Beths to send out a beacon Rick can use for a return, Rick sees the opportunity for long-awaited revenge.
In a series known primarily for consisting of standalone episodes, the decision to resolve lingering plot threads was necessary and gave weight to the stakes the duo faced. “Solaricks” puts one more piece of the Rick and Morty mythos puzzle into place, explaining why this particular Rick “returned” to Beth and set up shop in her garage. “Solaricks” pushes the narrative forward in a meaningful way, answers a few lingering questions, and gives the Smiths an adventure that, for once, bonds them instead of driving wedges. —Brad LaCour
27
“Night Family” (Season 6, Episode 4)
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Rick finds a new device that solves one minor problem but causes an internal rebellion in the Season 6 episode, “Night Family.” Rick allows the family to use a device called the “Somnambulator,” which enables the user to assign unwanted tasks to their sleeping bodies. Quickly, the Smith family passes on all their unwanted chores to their sleeping selves, known as the “Night People,” but when the balance of power isn’t respected, unrest turns into rebellion. As the Night People version of the family attempts to take control of their lives, the waking version of the Smiths must rely on Rick to swallow his pride.
Where a majority of Rick and Morty episodes take cues from science-fiction tropes, “Night Family” has a decidedly more horror vibe, especially in the presentation of the Night People. Summer gets her moment to shine as the leader of the Night People uprising, which gives viewers an insight into how Summer subconsciously feels about the power dynamic in the waking world. Rick and Summer both have strong personalities, and it’s apparent in the events of “Night Family” that, with more confidence, Summer would pose a challenge to Rick. —Brad LaCour
26
“Rixty Minutes” (Season 1, Episode 8)
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Also known as Interdimensional Cable, “Rixty Minutes” goes away with the classic adventure-style format and instead acts as Rick and Morty’s take on a clip show, with the duo sitting down and watching television from across the multiverse. Each channel has its own blend of strange and chaotic humor as they look into what television and advertisements are like in different dimensions. At the same time, the prospect of a universe where Jerry is an acclaimed Hollywood actor ends up creating a crisis between Jerry and Beth, scouring through the multiverse to look at their “perfect universe”.
The clip show Interdimensional Cable gimmick is enough to make this a highly beloved episode, especially with such iconic moments and gags as Gazorpazorpfield, Ants in My Eyes Johnson, and the movie trailer, Two Brothers. However, what elevates the episode above the other times that Interdimensional Cable has been brought back is the emotional core and strength of Jerry and Beth’s characters, being one of the first episodes to truly delve into the struggles of their marriage yet uncompromising love for one another.
