Rick and Morty Season 3: Episodes, Dates, Streaming
Few TV seasons have launched with the kind of surprise that greeted the third season of Rick and Morty. On April Fools’ Day 2017, Adult Swim aired the premiere without any announcement, catching fans and critics off guard. This guide gives you the complete episode list, verified air dates, streaming options, and critical reception for a season that remains one of the show’s most talked-about.
Number of episodes: 10 ·
Premiere date: July 30, 2017 (surprise episode April 1) ·
Finale date: October 1, 2017 ·
Highest rated episode (IMDb): The Rickshank Rickdemption (9.1/10) ·
Network: Adult Swim ·
Critical score (Rotten Tomatoes): 96% Certified Fresh
Quick snapshot
- 10 episodes aired from April 1 to October 1, 2017 (TVmaze)
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 96% Certified Fresh (Rotten Tomatoes)
- IMDb season average: 9.1/10 (IMDb)
- Exact production budget per episode
- Detailed development timeline before the 2015 renewal
- Future availability on ad-supported free streaming services
Six key numbers sum up the season at a glance:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of episodes | 10 |
| First aired | July 30, 2017 (surprise episode April 1, 2017) |
| Last aired | October 1, 2017 |
| Network | Adult Swim (Cartoon Network) |
| Rotten Tomatoes score | 96% (Certified Fresh) |
| IMDb rating | 9.1/10 (season average) |
When was Rick and Morty Season 3 released?
Announcement and premiere date
- Adult Swim announced the renewal in August 2015 (Rick and Morty Wiki (Fandom)).
- After a long wait, the season premiered without prior warning on April 1, 2017, as part of the network’s April Fools’ tradition (Wikipedia).
- The episode, “The Rickshank Rickdemption,” aired at 11:30 p.m. ET on Adult Swim (TVmaze).
Broadcast schedule
- After the surprise, the remaining nine episodes followed a weekly schedule from July 30 through October 1, 2017 (Epguides).
- A one-week break occurred after Episode 4 (August 20), with Episode 5 airing on September 10 (Epguides).
The pattern: a split release kept viewers engaged across two separate windows.
How many episodes are in Rick and Morty Season 3?
Full episode list and air dates
- Season 3 contains 10 episodes (Epguides).
- Here is the complete list with original air dates (surprise episode marked separately):
| Ep. | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “The Rickshank Rickdemption” | April 1, 2017 |
| 2 | “Rickmancing the Stone” | July 30, 2017 |
| 3 | “Pickle Rick” | August 6, 2017 |
| 4 | “Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender” | August 13, 2017 |
| 5 | “The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy” | August 20, 2017 |
| 6 | “Rest and Ricklaxation” | August 27, 2017 |
| 7 | “The Ricklantis Mixup” | September 10, 2017 |
| 8 | “Morty’s Mind Blowers” | September 17, 2017 |
| 9 | “The ABC’s of Beth” | September 24, 2017 |
| 10 | “The Rickchurian Mortydate” | October 1, 2017 |
The pattern: a single surprise drop, then seven consecutive weeks of new episodes. The gap between Episode 4 and Episode 5 reflected production bottlenecks common to the series (Wikipedia).
Where can I watch Rick and Morty Season 3 online?
Streaming platforms
- Adult Swim’s website and mobile app offer full episodes with a cable login (Adult Swim).
- Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV include Adult Swim in their channel lineups (Hulu).
- HBO Max (now just Max) carries the complete series for subscribers (Max).
- As of 2025, Season 3 is not available on Netflix in the United States or most regions (Reddit (user reports)).
Purchase and rental options
- Digital purchase: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu (Amazon Prime Video).
- Physical DVD release: Season 3 DVD was released on May 22, 2018 (Amazon).
If you’re a streaming subscriber, Max is your best single destination. For one-time access, digital purchase on Amazon or iTunes avoids monthly fees.
The implication: streaming choices are robust, but require a subscription or rental fee.
What is the first episode of Rick and Morty Season 3?
Synopsis of “The Rickshank Rickdemption”
- The season opens with Rick Sanchez imprisoned in the Galactic Federation’s maximum-security facility (Rick and Morty Wiki (Fandom)).
- He engineers an elaborate escape using a mechanical roach and a series of holographic decoys.
- The episode also establishes the new status quo: the Federation leaves Earth, freeing Jerry and Beth’s marriage to resume.
The episode’s surprise airing on April Fools’ Day generated massive online buzz and remains one of the most memorable premieres in adult animation history.
What are the episode titles of Rick and Morty Season 3?
Complete episode guide with summaries
- All 10 titles are listed above in the episode table.
- Notable entries: “Pickle Rick” (Episode 3) – Rick turns himself into a pickle and survives a rat-infested sewer; “The Ricklantis Mixup” (Episode 7) – a Citadel-centric anthology that fans often call the season’s best (IMDb).
- Other highlights: “Morty’s Mind Blowers” (Episode 8) reveals erased memories; “The ABC’s of Beth” (Episode 9) delves into Beth’s childhood and her relationship with Rick.
The implication: Season 3 diversified its storytelling—anthology episodes, character studies, and high-concept sci-fi—while maintaining the show’s trademark irreverent humor.
Production delays between Seasons 2 and 3 pushed back the release, but the creative payoff was strong: the season won an Emmy for “Pickle Rick” and a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Animated Series.
The pattern: despite delays, the creative ambition paid off in accolades.
Timeline signal
- August 2015 – Adult Swim announces Season 3 renewal (Rick and Morty Wiki (Fandom))
- April 1, 2017 – Surprise premiere: “The Rickshank Rickdemption” (Epguides)
- July 30, 2017 – Episode 2: “Rickmancing the Stone” airs regularly (TVmaze)
- August 6 – August 20, 2017 – Episodes 3–5 air weekly (Wikipedia)
- September 10, 2017 – Episode 7: “The Ricklantis Mixup” (after one-week break) (Epguides)
- October 1, 2017 – Season finale: “The Rickchurian Mortydate” (Wikipedia)
The timeline confirms the irregular broadcast schedule.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- All episode titles and air dates verified by TVmaze
- Streaming availability on Adult Swim, Max, Amazon, iTunes (Adult Swim)
- Rotten Tomatoes score of 96% Certified Fresh (Rotten Tomatoes)
- IMDb season rating of 9.1/10 (IMDb)
- Emmy win for “Pickle Rick” – Outstanding Animated Program (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact production budget per episode
- Specific development timeline before the 2015 renewal
- Future availability on free ad-supported streaming services
The table delineates known and unknown aspects of the season.
“We wanted to challenge the audience and explore the consequences of Rick’s actions.”
Dan Harmon, co-creator, on the darker tone of Season 3 (Esquire (entertainment magazine))
“Season 3 continues the series’ blend of sci‑fi and emotional depth, with standout episodes like ‘Pickle Rick’.”
Rotten Tomatoes critical consensus (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
Season 3’s ambitious narrative structure—anthology episodes, multi-layered plots—came at the cost of longer production cycles and a two-year gap between Seasons 2 and 3. For fans, the wait paid off in awards and critical acclaim; for Adult Swim, it meant a more irregular release calendar.
Season 3 of Rick and Morty remains a high-water mark for the series, blending absurdist humor with genuine emotional stakes. For any viewer looking to catch up or revisit, the season is widely available on streaming and digital platforms. For fans in the United States, the most reliable option is a Max subscription: no ads, no cable login, and the entire series in one place. For those outside the US, check local availability on Netflix or Amazon—but don’t expect to find it on free ad-supported services anytime soon.
Fans who missed the surprise April Fools premiere can still catch up on the full season 3 episode list and streaming options.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rick and Morty Season 3 on Netflix?
In most regions, including the United States, Season 3 is not available on Netflix. It streams on Max (formerly HBO Max) and can be purchased on Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play.
What is the best episode of Season 3?
Fan favorites include “Pickle Rick” (Emmy winner), “The Ricklantis Mixup” (also called “Tales from the Citadel”), and “The Rickshank Rickdemption.” On IMDb, “The Rickshank Rickdemption” holds the highest rating at 9.1/10.
Who voiced Pickle Rick?
Justin Roiland voiced both Pickle Rick and regular Rick. Roiland was the original voice of Rick and Morty until his departure from the show in 2023.
How long did Season 3 take to produce?
Production on Season 3 began after the August 2015 renewal, but the exact timeline is not publicly available. Delays between seasons were partly due to the complex writing and animation process described by co-creator Dan Harmon in interviews.
Did Season 3 win any Emmys?
Yes. “Pickle Rick” won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program in 2018.
Why was there a hiatus between Season 2 and 3?
Co-creators Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland cited the need for more writing time and the pressure to maintain quality. The network also renegotiated contracts, contributing to the nearly two-year gap.
Can I buy the Season 3 DVD?
Yes. The Season 3 DVD was released on May 22, 2018, and is available on Amazon and other retailers.
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