Rick and Morty has become one of the most popular animated shows of the past decade. But many parents see colorful animation and think it might be okay for children. This is not the case. The show airs on Adult Swim, Cartoon Network’s late-night block for grown-ups. Season 9 is currently running as of May 2026. The show follows a mad scientist named Rick Sanchez and his good-hearted but easily scared grandson Morty on wild trips across space and different dimensions.
Before you let a young child watch this show, you need to know exactly what is inside. This guide breaks down the violence, language, sexual content, and other mature themes so you can make an informed choice.
The Official Age Rating for Rick and Morty
The show carries a TV-MA rating in the United States. This means it is made for mature audiences only, usually ages 17 and older. Some episodes have a TV-14 rating, but most are rated TV-MA. Here is how different countries classify the show:
- United Kingdom: Rated 15
- Australia, Ireland, Mexico, Sweden: Not recommended for children under 15
- Singapore: Rated M18
- Germany: Rated 12
- Canada: Rated 13+
- South Korea: Rated 18
Common Sense Media, a trusted group that reviews content for families, says the show is only appropriate for ages 16 and older.
Violence and Gore Happen in Almost Every Episode
The violence in Rick and Morty is constant and often very graphic. People and aliens get shot, blown up, cut in half, and dismembered regularly. Blood spurts out frequently. While the animation style makes it look less real, the actions themselves are extremely violent.
In Season 2 Episode 9, titled “Look Who‘s Purging Now,” a whole group of villagers gets slaughtered on screen. Rick pulls out Bird Person’s guts in another scene. In Season 3 Episode 1, Rick escapes from prison in a very bloody way that involves guards getting killed. Morty is shown dealing with PTSD in later seasons because of all the terrible things he has seen and done while traveling with his grandfather.
Children who are not used to this level of violence may get very scared or upset. The show treats death like a joke most of the time. Characters die and are replaced with versions from other universes. This casual attitude toward killing is not suitable for young minds.
Sexual Content and Nudity Are Common
Parents need to know that Rick and Morty includes a lot of sexual jokes, references, and some visual content. The show does not show full nudity often, but it comes very close. In one early episode, Morty dreams about a girl named Jessica showing him her breasts. The top half is visible. There are also many sexual situations throughout the series.
Season 8 Episode 4, titled “The Last Temptation of Jerry,” includes a graphic orgy scene. A weird Easter Bunny releases chemicals that make people engage in intimate activities with each other. Another episode shows a sx robot giving birth. In Season 1 Episode 7, Rick buys Morty a sx robot as a gift, which then has a baby.
There are constant jokes about private parts. One character is named Principal Vagina. Morty and his sister Summer talk about wanting to go to “Boob Land” in one episode. In another episode, Jerry thinks about donating his private part to save someone in another universe.
A lot of these jokes might go over a child’s head. But many are very direct and obvious. Parents who are not comfortable explaining sexual topics to young kids should keep them away from this show.
Rick‘s Drinking and Drug Use Is a Main Part of the Show
Rick Sanchez is an alcoholic. This is not a small detail. His drinking drives much of the plot. He is almost always seen with a flask or a bottle. He has a permanent wet spot on his lip from alcohol. His dangerous and wild behavior is often because he is drunk.
The show treats his alcoholism as funny. There are no serious talks about the dangers of drinking too much. Rick also smokes and takes other substances. Young viewers might think this behavior is normal or cool because the show never punishes him for it.
Strong Language Appears in Every Episode
The characters curse constantly. Words like “hell” and “damn” are in almost every conversation. Later seasons add much stronger words. The F-word, S-word, and other curses are used regularly. Characters call each other bad names all the time. This is not a show where a child will learn good manners or proper language.
Dark Themes and Emotional Abuse Are Central to the Story
Beyond the violence and s*x, Rick and Morty explores very heavy topics. Death, meaninglessness, and sadness come up again and again. Rick constantly emotionally hurts Morty. He yells at him, makes fun of him, and forces him to do dangerous things. The show presents this as comedy, but the relationship is very unhealthy.
There are also many frightening creatures and body horror scenes. Bodies get transformed into strange shapes. People turn into monsters. In Season 1 Episode 6, Rick accidentally turns almost every person on Earth into horrible-looking creatures. The family then moves to a different universe where those versions of themselves just died. They bury their own dead bodies in the backyard. This kind of dark content can be very disturbing for children.
What Real Parents and Kids Say About the Show
On Common Sense Media, hundreds of parents and kids have shared their thoughts. Many parents say the show is fine for mature teenagers around ages 13 to 15. But they add an important warning: parents need to watch with their teens and talk about what happens on screen.
Some parents say ages 12 and older is okay if the child is already exposed to mature content. Other parents strongly disagree. They say the show is not appropriate for anyone under 16 or 17. The kid reviews are interesting. Many teens rate the show highly. They say it is very funny and smart. But they also warn younger kids to stay away.
Here is what one young reviewer wrote:
“Obviously the show is on Adult Swim for a reason. However I think it’s be just fine for all kids 11+. Overall as a teenager most of the shows I watch are violent, include sexual jokes, and show smoking, drinking, and drugs so it‘s something I’m already used to. Overall the show is meant for older audiences so you shouldn‘t expect some sort of kiddy cartoon.”
Another teen reviewer gave a very detailed warning:
“For the later seasons there are constant uses of f–k, motherf–ker, bi–h, and a-s. For sex, there are constant innuendos… references to masturbation, a whole episode based on fighting off huge horse sperms, and once in a while you’ll come across some sexual situations, good amount of bare butts… Violence is pretty graphic (in a cartoon way) people are cut in half, have their heads chopped off, organs show, blood spurts“
Better Animated Options for Younger Kids
If you are looking for animated sci-fi or adventure shows that are safe for children, try these instead:
- Super Pets
- Nimona
- Elemental
- Farscape
- Quantum Leap
These shows offer fun stories without the graphic violence, sexual content, and strong language found in Rick and Morty.
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The Bottom Line for Parents
Rick and Morty is not made for kids. The TV-MA rating exists for good reasons. The show has constant graphic violence, regular sexual jokes and situations, an alcoholic main character, very strong language, and extremely dark themes like death and meaninglessness. Common Sense Media recommends it only for ages 16 and older.
Some mature teenagers around ages 14 to 16 may be able to handle the content. But parents should watch episodes first or watch along with their teens. Have open talks about what happens on screen. Never assume that just because something is animated, it is safe for children.
Season 9 of Rick and Morty is currently airing on Adult Swim as of May 2026. The show is also available to stream on multiple platforms. HBO Max carries the series in the United States. Viewers in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and many other countries can also access the show through various streaming services.
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