Full Breakdown
Rick and Morty Season 9 Premiere: “There’s Something About Morty” Examined
5/25/2026, 12:12:52 PM
Premiere Episode Details
Season 9 premiered on May 24 2026 at 11 p.m. ET on Adult Swim with “There’s Something About Morty.” The episode shows a lonely Rick and a concerned Morty as Evil Morty returns, teams with Rick against the space-god villain The Collective, and ends with Evil Morty exploiting Rick’s clumsiness to win and continues the season’s mythology focus.
Background & Context
Evil Morty, first introduced in earlier mythology episodes, seeks to escape the multiverse of Ricks and previously helped defeat Rick Prime. His return marks the season’s first mythology-driven episode.
Key Figures & Groups
Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith, Evil Morty, and the antagonist The Collective drive the plot. Harry Belden voices both Morty and Evil Morty. Michael Ouweleen, Adult Swim president, oversees the season. The Collective is depicted as a space-god entity.
Criticism & Opposition
Reviewers praised the episode’s large-scale animation and the “Dragon Ball-style” nanobot battle, calling the spectacle a high-concept sci-fi display. Critics, however, faulted Evil Morty’s portrayal as “clingy” and “underwhelming,” questioning his narrative purpose and noting a misstep after Season 8.
Official Statements & Responses
Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen praised the new season, highlighting its ambitious storytelling, high production values, and the network’s commitment of considerable creative talent to each episode.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I know it’s my job to say that this show just keeps topping itself, but it also has the benefit of being true,” — Michael Ouweleen, President, Adult Swim
- “Rick and Morty Season 9 Spoiler-Free Review "It’s no easy task to keep any series fresh and exciting after nine seasons, but Rick and Morty pulls it off.” — Jesse Schedeen, IGN
- “ I'm not a huge fan of how Evil Morty is handled here.” — IGN reviewer
- “There's Something About Morty” thrives on the strength of its spectacle.” — IGN reviewer
Viewing Details & Distribution
The episode aired on Adult Swim at 11 p.m. ET. Next-day streaming on Hulu or HBO Max was not offered; the following day it was available on the Adult Swim site with a cable login, and episodes can be purchased digitally. A later report says Season 9 will appear on Hulu and HBO Max starting June 15 with weekly releases.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Source 4 says new episodes are not on Hulu or HBO Max the day after airing, while Source 5 reports a June 15 launch on those platforms, leaving the exact streaming schedule unclear.
Impact and Future Outlook
The episode’s large-scale animation and the debate over Evil Morty’s role illustrate the show’s effort to stay fresh after nine seasons. Critics praise the spectacle, but concerns about the character’s direction may shape future storytelling. Season 9 will continue weekly, providing further chances to evaluate the evolving mythology.
