What To Watch If You Love 'Rick and Morty'

Jonathan H. Kantor
Updated July 27, 2024 165.2K views 15 items
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Vote up the shows that will help tide you over until Rick and Morty returns.

Fans of Rick and Morty have found themselves in an unenviable position: the series is on hiatus, and there won't be any new episodes for some time. Granted, this doesn't come as a surprise to anyone who has avidly been watching the series. The creators often take up to 18 months between seasons to make the show, and for the most part, it's worth it. The series is, objectively and scientifically, amazing. And while the long breaks between seasons have been attributed to creative issues in writing and animation, the ultimate result is a restless fandom that spends an inordinate amount of time crafting Rick and Morty fan theories and buying schwifty merchandise.  

So while the show is off the air, fans find a gap in their beloved programming schedule, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel! While Rick and Morty is certainly a unique offering from the minds of Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland, mixing real science with speculative fiction, there are similar animated (and live-action) series fans can watch in the meantime.

Odds are, if you are a fan of Rick and Morty, you will definitely enjoy most of these shows. Some have been off the air for years, so you may have seen them already. But, if you're lucky, you missed them entirely and are about to find some new programs you can enjoy for hundreds of hours of excellent television.

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  • Futurama
    1
    Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio
    815 votes
    • Premiered: March 28, 1999

    Futurama, a product of Matt Groening, is a popular animated series that aired from 1999 to 2013. The series is set in the 30th century and revolves around a motley crew at Planet Express, an interstellar delivery service. The central characters include Fry, who's a delivery boy from the 20th century and got cryogenically frozen, Leela, a one-eyed ship captain, and Bender, a nonconformist robot. Together, they engage in cosmic deliveries, space battles, and humorous encounters with various alien species.

    Fans of Rick and Morty would likely find Futurama appealing due to its mix of science fiction and comedy, similar to their favorite show. Both series are known for clever humor, adventures beyond the stars, and memorable characters, creating a natural overlap in appeal. Furthermore, Futurama has a reputation for witty writing and innovative storylines, which resonate with fans of Rick and Morty who enjoy complexity and depth in their animations. Therefore, those yet to experience Futurama should consider adding it to their must-watch list, as it offers another layer of intelligent and entertaining animated content.

  • Gravity Falls
    2
    Jason Ritter, Kristen Schaal, Alex Hirsch
    831 votes
    • Premiered: June 15, 2012

    Gravity Falls, a supernatural mystery animated series, was created by Alex Hirsch and aired on Disney Channel and Disney XD. The plot centres around Dipper Pines and his twin sister Mabel who are sent to spend their summer break with their Great Uncle Stan in the peculiar town of Gravity Falls. Throughout their stay, the twins unravel the town’s paranormal mysteries and partake in numerous adventures. Although the series concluded after two seasons and 40 episodes, Hirsch has expressed that he remains open to potentially reviving the series in the future.

    Fans of Rick and Morty might find Gravity Falls appealing due to shared creative influences, as well as some thematic overlaps. Throughout both series, viewers can identify occasional crossovers and shared elements, particularly within their own respective eccentric characters and dark, mysterious themes. As such, Gravity Falls adds another facet to the intriguing blend of comedy, adventure, and supernatural mysteries, which will likely resonate with fans of Rick and Morty.

  • BoJack Horseman
    3
    Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie
    628 votes
    • Premiered: August 22, 2014

    BoJack Horseman, created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, is an American animated comedy-drama set in a world where humans coexist with anthropomorphic animals. The series follows its main character BoJack, a washed-up actor known for his '90s sitcom "Horsin' Around", as he navigates his way through personal and professional struggles in Hollywoo. Voiced by Will Arnett, BoJack is a complex character dealing with alcoholism, depression and the fallout from past abuses. Other notable characters include Amy Sedaris as Princess Carolyn, Alison Brie as Diane, Aaron Paul as Todd, and Paul F. Tompkins as Mr. Peanutbutter.

    Much like Rick and Morty, BoJack Horseman is lauded for its seamless blend of comedy, drama, and philosophy. Fans of Rick and Morty may find themselves drawn to BoJack Horseman due to its smart writing, well-developed characters, and its tackling of serious themes with humor. Just like Rick and Morty deals with existentialism amidst its sci-fi adventures, BoJack Horseman delves into deep philosophical discussions amidst Hollywood satire. This unique combination of elements in BoJack Horseman is sure to appeal to fans who appreciate the blend of silliness and seriousness in Rick and Morty.

  • Adventure Time
    4
    Jeremy Shada, John DiMaggio, Hynden Walch
    550 votes
    • Premiered: April 5, 2010

    Adventure Time is an animated series that explores the incredibly imaginative Land of Ooo, filled with a wide range of absurd and fantastical characters. The show follows the travels of Finn and his adoptive brother, Jake, a dog who possesses magical powers enabling him to change size and shape at whim. Throughout their journey, they encounter an array of wonderful characters, such as the sagacious Princess Bubblegum, the troubled Ice King, and the enigmatic rocker Marceline the Vampire Queen. Since its inception, Adventure Time has aired over 250 episodes.

    Fans of Rick and Morty would likely enjoy Adventure Time due to its imaginative world-building, eccentric characters, and underlying narrative complexity - all familiar elements present in their favorite show. The Land of Ooo, like the many alien and alternate landscapes in Rick and Morty, stretches the boundaries of conventional reality. Additionally, the humor, often derived from the incongruity between the characters' mundane lives and their extraordinary circumstances, would appeal to fans of Rick and Morty's own blend of the mundane and supernatural. With over 250 episodes to binge, Adventure Time could satisfy the longing for new content during the hiatus of Rick and Morty.

  • Archer
    5
    H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Chris Parnell
    524 votes
    • Premiered: January 14, 2010

    Archer is an animated comedy series centered around its titular character, Sterling Archer, and his peculiar coworkers who operate a spy agency under the supervision of his overbearing mother. Astoundingly incompetent, Archer is known for his propensity for alcohol, womanizing habits, and intense mother-son issues. Other colorful characters in the agency add to the hilarity, with the show’s strength lying in their clever interactions and witty banter. Delivering its narrative with phenomenal writing, the series boasts an impressive cast that brings life to these unique characters.

    Fans of Rick and Morty may find themselves drawn to Archer due to a plethora of elements that resonate with their beloved show. Notably, both shows provide an ensemble of well-developed characters navigating fantastical settings. In Archer, the continuously evolving storyline from season to season mirrors the dynamic narrative progression seen in Rick and Morty. Furthermore, Archer's string of uproarious misadventures, despite being situated in a wildly different context, echoes the chaos riddled journeys of Rick and Morty. Thus, the comedic nuances, intertwined with a touch of underlying drama in Archer, will likely appeal to fans who relish the blend of humor and depth in Rick and Morty.

  • Regular Show
    6
    J.G. Quintel, William Salyers, Sam Marin
    610 votes
    • Premiered: September 6, 2010

    Regular Show, an animated series that ran for eight seasons on Cartoon Network, follows the adventures of two groundkeepers, Mordecai the blue jay and Rigby the raccoon. Set in a park, these two working-class characters often find themselves in surreal and supernatural situations that quickly escalate beyond their control simply from attempting to complete mundane tasks. Renowned for its impressive voice acting cast that includes Mark Hamill, William Salyers, and Roger Craig Smith, Regular Show amassed 261 episodes, each around 11 minutes long, offering viewers an immersive watching experience.

    Fans of Rick and Morty would likely appreciate Regular Show thanks to its similar narrative approach where regular scenarios rapidly turn into unexpected, outsized predicaments. This shared narrative style could provide Rick and Morty enthusiasts with a familiar yet refreshing alternative during the series' hiatus. Moreover, Regular Show's surreal happenings and engaging characters, coupled with high-caliber voice acting, offer an appealing blend of improbable situations and nuanced character interactions – a mix that Rick and Morty fans are sure to enjoy.