Summary
- Rick and Morty is a TV show with goofy situations, deeper lessons, and dark moments that viewers can learn from.
- Fans waiting for season 8 of Rick and Morty can check out shows like Big Mouth, Mr. Robot, and Final Space.
- These shows offer similar humor, mind-altering scenarios, and intergalactic adventures to satisfy Rick and Morty fans' cravings.
Rick and Morty is a television series about, well, Rick and Morty. Rick Sanchez is a mad scientist who can travel through time, visit other dimensions, and battle against strange creatures — all while acting like he doesn't care by throwing back another drink. Morty, on the other hand, is his grandson who can be a bit timid at times but loves going on adventures with Rick.
Since this is an animated show, there are definitely some goofy situations and characters, but there is much more to it; there are deeper lessons, thought-provoking scenes, and even some dark moments that will make viewers learn something. All of this combined makes for a TV show that fans of all ages can enjoy! Rick and Morty season 7 has concluded, and while many fans are dying for more Rick and Morty goodness, here are 20 TV shows to check out while waiting on season 8.
Big Mouth
Big Mouth is an animated adult comedy that streams on Netflix and stars a cast of notable comedians like Nick Kroll, Maya Rudolph, Jordan Peele, and John Mulaney. The series is all about puberty and what it's like to be a teenager. Despite the premise, the series is mature and geared toward an older audience. It's crude, suggestive, and full of hilarious, but graphic, moments. It's the kind of show that would have been nice to grow up with, even if you did have to watch it in secret so your parents wouldn't catch you. The bracing honesty and hilarious yet oddly specific moments are entirely relatable.
Mr. Robot
Depending on what aspect of Rick and Morty most appeals to you, Mr. Robot may be an excellent fit. The series is much darker and less comedic in tone than the animated series, but it does deal with a lot of mind-altering scenarios and crazy twists. If you like the altered reality and odd quirks of Rick and Morty, then you should give Mr. Robot a chance. The series is what motivated Rami Malek to the A-list, and each season is very timely and thoroughly engrossing. It just wrapped its final season recently so you can binge the whole thing now without having to wait months between each season.
Final Space
Final Space is one of the most underrated series on this list and certainly one of the lesser-known options. It's an animated space opera comedy that airs on the Adult Swim block of Cartoon Network and TBS. The show follows Gary, an astronaut who becomes friends with an alien named Mooncake. The two form a bond but Gary is unaware of Mooncake's sinister origins. The comedy follows the two through an intergalactic adventure that will feel very familiar to Rick and Morty fans while offering a substantially different kind of humor.
Bojack Horseman
If you love the adult, nihilistic, and often shockingly realistic moments of Rick and Morty that make you feel like you just got punched in the gut, then you should absolutely watch BoJack Horseman. The humor is similar but BoJack has way less bathroom humor than Rick and Morty. For some, the crude fart jokes on the former show are a turnoff and BoJack rarely goes the way of scatological comedy. Instead, it focuses on a humanoid horse who used to be a sitcom star but has since become a washed-up has-been who dwells in a sea of self-hatred. It can be depressing at times but it's also very satirical and one of the best shows out there right now.
Gravity Falls
Gravity Falls is geared toward a much younger audience than the majority of other shows on this list, seeing as it debuted on Disney XD. But don't let that dissuade you from watching it. For a Disney Channel show, Gravity Falls boasts a surprising amount of dark comedy and adult humor. Plus, it's only two seasons with genius plotting, foreshadowing, and lots of clues. Creator Alex Hirsch told the story he wanted to tell and then ended the show before it could overstay its welcome.
Disenchantment
Disenchantment is an adult-animated sitcom that was created for Netflix by Matt Groening (who has a couple of shows on this list). It is set in a medieval fantasy kingdom with a rebellious princess named Bean. Like all good cartoons, there are sidekicks; an elf named Elfo and a demon named Luci. Like Rick and Morty, this Netflix show combines witty jokes, lovable characters, and silly settings in order to create made-for-adult entertainment.
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is Matt Groening’s best-known work and one of the most well-known shows out there. For those who do not know, this series is set in Springfield and focuses on the Simpson family: Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. The inner workings of this family are always entertaining, but there are also references to current events, celebrities, and people, which help it appeal to such a wide-ranging audience.
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 ran for seven seasons until it was canceled in 1996. Then, it had three more seasons before being canceled again in 1999. And finally, a crowdfunded revival was released on Netflix in 2017, with the next season following on November 22, 2018. The general premise is that a janitor was trapped by two mad scientists and forced to watch not-so-great movies. The janitor, Joel, and his robot friends make funny comments about each movie, so it seems like fans are watching along with them. This is a good blend of sci-fi and comedy, for those who like those genres.
Bob's Burgers
Bob's Burgers is another animated sitcom, and this one is all about the Belcher family; Bob and Linda run a hamburger joint, and this family, along with their children—Tina, Gene, and Louise—are always getting into some sort of craziness. This show has a pretty big following, TV Guide even named Bob's Burgers as one of the top 60 Greatest TV Cartoons of All Time. It may not have all the scientific elements that Rick and Morty does, but the family dynamic makes for some relatable and for some really hilarious situations.
South Park
South Park is another super popular cartoon that is aimed at an older audience, though it does star four boys as the main characters: Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick. The topics covered in this series are mature, though, and all the satire may not be picked up on by fans who are the same age as these characters. Another thing that makes South Park so notable is the cutout technique that was first used and is now copied. The fact that each episode is written and produced in just a week keeps everything super relevant, as well!
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a science fiction-horror series on Netflix. A boy goes missing in a small town in Indiana in the 1980s, and then supernatural events start happening, too; like the appearance of a girl with psychokinetic abilities. The third season will be released on July 4, 2019, so anyone who has not watched this show needs to go binge the first two seasons real fast! It doesn't have as much comedy as Rick and Morty, but the sci-fi elements, the retro vibes, the soundtrack, the mystery, and the characters all make this one well worth the watch.
Lost In Space
Lost in Space is also a sci-fi Netflix series based on the 1965 series of the same name. This story is about a family of space colonists whose spaceship veers off course. That sounds exciting enough to many, but the series packs in so much into each episode, and stars some super lovable characters (and one who fans love to hate). Again, this is not a true comedy show like most of the cartoons on this list, but it does deal with scientific aspects. This family may not have it all together yet they still need each other big time.
Archer
Archer is about a dysfunctional group of secret agents. Each episode brings about a new setting, a new problem, and a new adventure to try and save the day. There are tons of humorous references in this fast-paced show, as well as a mid-century art style — both fun parts of this series. Those who have not seen this show... get on it now, and get ready for many laughs which will be caused by these zany characters.
Adventure Time
Adventure Time, a fantasy animated television series, focuses on a boy named Finn and his best friend/adoptive brother Jake, who is a dog that can change his shape and size. Princess Bubblegum, the Ice King, and Marceline the Vampire Queen are just a few of the other memorable characters from this award-winning show (which is actually made for children but is also beloved by teens and adults). Jake’s power and the fantasy setting of this show mean that anything can happen, just as Rick’s knowledge and the futuristic settings mean anything is possible there, too.
Futurama
Futurama is also from the great Matt Groening. In it, Philip J. Fry ended up in the 31st century, and sadly, his story ended in September 2013. There was an audio-only episode in 2017, but that is not the same! Fans love seeing the flying cars and non-human characters and crazy situations — just like in Rick and Morty. This is another one of TV Guide’s Greatest TV Cartoons of All Time, and there are many similarities between it and between the series starring Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith.
Invincible
Although Rick and Morty is a comedy, the series is also shockingly violent, something that can be seen in Invincible as well. Invincible is a superhero series that focuses on Mark Grayson, a young superhero who learns that his superhero father has some sinister plans. Although Invincible is more focused on its overarching story than Rick and Morty, the show's sci-fi and satirical bend are sure to pull some viewers in.
Krapopolis
Krapopolis is an adult-animated comedy series from FOX, with its style of humor and tone being incredibly similar to that of Rick and Morty. Rather than being a sci-fi series, however, Krapopolis is a historical fantasy, with it following an early Greek civilization as they are forced to deal with the Greek gods. The show was created by Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon, meaning that there is a lot of overlap between the two series.
Inside Job
Inside Job is another hilarious animated sci-fi series from Netflix, and while it was sadly canceled, it's a great choice for fans looking to fill the Rick and Morty-shaped holes in their hearts. The series focuses on a government organization that is tasked with covering up the world's conspiracies, leading to all kinds of humor.
Carol & The End Of The World
Rick and Morty may be an animated comedy, but it has some pretty existential moments. Luckily, existentialism can be found in spades in Netflix's Carol & the End of the World. The series is set in a world in which the apocalypse is inevitable, and while the rest of the world is set on accomplishing their dreams before their deaths, Carol doesn't know what she wants to do with her final days.
Solar Opposites
Created by Rick and Morty creator Justin Roiland, Solar Opposites is the series that has easily matched Rick and Morty when it comes to tone, humor, and high-concept sci-fi. Many fans of the Hulu series say that it is even better than Rick and Morty, and that's pretty high praise considering the quality of both shows. Solar Opposites has managed to recreate the massive success of Rick and Morty, which is why its a great series to watch while waiting on season 8.