Adult Swim experienced a remarkably strong year in 2025, marked by the debut of several successful new shows and critically acclaimed returning favorites. New series like Haha, You Clowns, Women Wearing Shoulder Pads, and the Emmy-nominated Common Side Effects were lauded by critics, with two already securing renewals. Beloved returning show, Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel's Smiling Friends, continued to be an audience favorite, achieving a 91% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes for its unexpected third and final season. However, the network's flagship series, Rick and Morty, remains a cornerstone of its programming.

Season 8 of Rick and Morty, which debuted last year, was widely regarded as a return to form for the series. It concluded with an emotional finale that depicted Rick making significant strides towards becoming more open and responsible in his relationships. As anticipation builds for Season 9, Adult Swim has released a series of images teasing further multiversal chaos between the mad scientist and his grandson. Despite Rick's personal progress, he still demonstrates a capacity for destructive behavior, as illustrated by images showing him drunkenly rampaging through a tiny village. While he faces new dangers, the pair also share quieter moments, such as camping together against an idyllic sunset, though another image depicts them in a heated conflict, with Rick attempting to restrain a furious Morty.

While exact plot details for the upcoming episodes remain scarce, the press release promises a season that is "bigger, bolder, and more ambitious than ever," emphatically stating it's not "AI slop" but rather "Grade A organic slop, made by real humans with real human traits like back hair and cysts." Adding to the excitement, it was confirmed that Season 9 will premiere sooner than anticipated, arriving on Sunday, May 24, almost exactly one year after the last season's debut, shortening the typical gap between seasons. Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen praised the hit sci-fi comedy's continuous evolution, calling its season-over-season improvement "kind of scary." He emphasized the show's status as the network's #1 program, with two Emmys to its name and a history as cable's #1 comedy from Season 3 through 6, asserting that it only gets better with time, driven by an "absurd amount of talent and brilliance."

The main voice cast, including Ian Cardoni, Harry Belden, Sarah Chalke, Chris Parnell, and Spencer Grammer, will reprise their roles for Season 9, with co-creator Dan Harmon and showrunner Scott Marder continuing to lead the creative team. Beyond the main series, the Rick and Morty franchise is set for a significant expansion with its first dedicated spin-off: President Curtis. Unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con last year, the series will center on the beloved guest star Keith David, who returns to voice U.S. President Andre Curtis. The show will follow Rick's on-and-off rival and reluctant ally as he navigates crises that often parallel or are caused by the interdimensional scientist, working with his advisors to protect the country from other realities, supernatural threats, and various phenomena. Stephanie Beatriz and Jim Rash are also set to join the cast, with the show expected to arrive later this year.

Rick and Morty Season 9 will premiere on Adult Swim on May 24 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. New episodes will be available for digital purchase the day after they air, and streaming in the U.S. will begin on August 31. The series will also be available in over 170 countries and 42 languages.