Adult Swim broadcast the Season 9 finale of "Rick and Morty" on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 11 p.
m. ET.
The episode, titled "Field of Dreams," concluded a 10-episode run.
The 22-minute finale forced Morty Smith to face intense emotional truths during a multiversal journey with his grandfather, Rick Sanchez.
Morty meets alternate versions of his family, including a sober variant of Rick who retired from sci-fi chaos.
Morty ultimately pushes this healthy Rick back into alcoholism and portal travel, restoring their original dysfunctional dynamic.
Showrunners explained that forcing the lead characters into brutal scenarios remains essential for maintaining the core identity of the animated sci-fi comedy.
"If we stop putting him through [these situations], I guess there is a concern that the show becomes unrecognizable," showrunner Dan Harmon said in an interview with Polygon.
"Morty has been a 14-year-old boy for over a decade, and that decade has subjected him to hourly life trauma and a relationship with one of the most abusive people in the universe."
Harmon emphasized that Morty's core identity remains intact despite his traumatic multiversal experiences.
"I think we have organically grown Morty while still keeping the core of his identity," Harmon said. "He’s an idealist.
He believes in truth. He believes that there is a right way to do things."
Co-showrunner Scott Marder noted that the unhealthy cycle between the two leads drives the underlying narrative of the series.
"The finale actually examines it in a really cool way that Morty’s been corrupted by this relationship in a lot of ways, but he’s basically forced to corrupt Rick to get what he wants," Marder said.
The current voice cast features Ian Cardoni as Rick Sanchez and Harry Belden as Morty Smith, alongside Sarah Chalke, Chris Parnell, and Spencer Grammer.
Viewers without cable can stream the episode via DIRECTV and Sling, while streaming on HBO Max and Hulu follows on August 17 after a three-week delay.
Adult Swim has renewed the series through Season 12, ensuring its run through at least 2029.
A spinoff titled "President Curtis" premiered immediately after the Season 9 finale, and a feature-length film directed by Jacob Hair is in development.
