Fans of Adult Swim’s hit animated series Rick and Morty have a reason to celebrate! The show is officially returning for its highly anticipated eighth season on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 11:00 PM ET/PT. The announcement, which arrived as part of Adult Swim’s annual April Fools’ Day special, has generated significant excitement among fans eager to see what chaotic adventures await the show’s beloved characters.

From its unique announcement strategy to its global reach, here’s everything you need to know about Rick and Morty Season 8.

April Fools’ Day Surprise: A Theatrical Twist

Adult Swim has built a reputation for pulling off creative April Fools’ Day stunts, and this year was no exception. Rather than a traditional trailer release, the network aired a 22-minute anthology special featuring Rick and Morty moments reimagined in live-action, theater-based genres.

The playful presentation delighted fans and added an unexpected twist to the announcement. Adult Swim President Michael Ouweleen even joked about the possibility of a Broadway version of Rick and Morty, saying:

“We hope you enjoyed our theater interpretations of ‘Rick and Morty,’ especially if you are well-off/impulsive and now want to back a Broadway version of the show. For the rest of you, we’re glad you now know when Season Eight is starting so you have time to stretch and get loose because the team has yet again made a totally great season of television.”

While a Broadway adaptation remains unlikely, this fun promotional approach has certainly set the stage for an exciting new season.

What to Expect in Season 8

Season 8 is poised to deliver more of the interdimensional escapades, outrageous humor, and sci-fi chaos that have made Rick and Morty a global sensation.

Returning Characters

Fans can expect to see all their favorite characters back in action, including:

• Rick Sanchez – The sociopathic genius scientist
• Morty Smith – His timid yet adventurous grandson
• Summer Smith – The rebellious older sister
• Beth Smith – The strong-willed mother
• Jerry Smith – The often clueless yet lovable father
• “Other Beth” (Space Beth) – The alternate version of Beth who thrives in space

The official description for Season 8 hints at plenty of unexpected twists:

“Rick and Morty is back for Season Eight! Life has meaning again! Anything is possible! Look out for adventures with Summer, Jerry, Beth, and the other Beth. Maybe Butter Bot will get a new task? Whatever happens, you can’t keep Rick and Morty down for long. People have tried!”

This suggests that Butter Robot, a fan-favorite character known for its existential crisis over being created solely to pass butter, may make a return with a brand-new purpose.

A Global Phenomenon: The Show’s Widespread Success

Since its debut in 2013, Rick and Morty has grown into one of the most successful animated series of all time. Over the years, it has:

• Ranked as the #1 comedy across all of cable during Seasons 3, 4, 5, and 6
• Won two Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Animated Program”
• Gained a massive international following, airing in over 170 countries and translated into 42 languages

With this kind of success, it’s no surprise that Season 8 is one of the most anticipated releases in animation this year.

How to Watch Season 8

Broadcast and Streaming

• Premiere Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 11:00 PM ET/PT on Adult Swim
• Digital Purchase: New episodes will be available for purchase from digital retailers the day after airing
• Streaming Release: Season 8 will be available for streaming in the U.S. starting September 1, 2025

International Release

Given its worldwide popularity, Rick and Morty Season 8 will be released in over 170 countries, ensuring that fans across the globe won’t have to wait long to enjoy the new episodes.

Watch the Season 8 Teaser

To build anticipation, Adult Swim has released a teaser trailer for Season 8, giving fans an early glimpse of the wild adventures to come.

The teaser offers a mix of classic Rick and Morty humor, sci-fi action, and intriguing plot teases that will undoubtedly leave fans speculating about what’s next.

A Season Worth the Wait

With its trademark blend of dark humor, sci-fi insanity, and emotional storytelling, Rick and Morty Season 8 is shaping up to be another must-watch installment of the series. The creative minds behind the show, including executive producers Dan Harmon and Scott Marder (who also serves as showrunner), have consistently delivered fresh, hilarious, and mind-bending episodes, and this season looks to continue that trend.

As the May 25 premiere date approaches, fans can only wonder: What new cosmic catastrophes will Rick and Morty face this time? One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be one hell of a ride.