The Multiverse Expands: A Rick and Morty Feature Film is Officially in Development

For over a decade, Rick and Morty has defied the conventions of animated television, blending nihilistic science fiction, high-concept comedy, and a chaotic approach to canon that has kept audiences guessing since its 2013 debut. Now, the dimension-hopping duo is poised to make the leap from the small screen to the silver screen. Following years of rumors, false starts, and fan speculation, executive producers Scott Marder and Dan Harmon have officially confirmed that a Rick and Morty feature film is in active development.

The Confirmation: Bringing the Multiverse to Theaters

The confirmation came during an exclusive interview with the show’s creative leads ahead of the highly anticipated Season 9 premiere, scheduled for May 24, 2026, on Adult Swim. While the project has been whispered about in industry circles for some time, recent reports from Deadline pinning Jacob Hair as the film’s director finally gave the project a concrete identity.

Jacob Hair is a veteran of the Rick and Morty production pipeline, having directed several standout episodes of the series. Most notably, he helmed the fan-favorite "The Vat of Acid Episode," a Season 4 installment that was widely praised for its experimental narrative structure and emotional depth. His familiarity with the show’s unique visual language and tone makes him a logical choice to steer the transition to a theatrical format.

When asked to address the reports, series co-creator Dan Harmon maintained his signature irreverent humor, though he offered a clear confirmation. "We wouldn’t want anyone but Jacob Hair in that seat, so that’s easy to confirm," Harmon stated. "I mean, is it up to us? I don’t know. Who owns us? We’ll find out tomorrow. But yeah, Jacob is the guy for the job, and the rest would be conjecture. It’s just like philosophically, ‘and therefore this will probably happen.’"

Scott Marder, the show’s current showrunner and executive producer, was more direct: "We can confirm that it’s real."

A Chronology of a Long-Gestating Project

The journey toward a Rick and Morty movie has not been linear. For years, the creative team has batted around the idea of a cinematic expansion. Early discussions centered on a concept akin to the South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut model—a massive, high-stakes event that felt like a "super episode" of the television series.

However, progress was stalled by several industry-wide factors. The dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023 caused significant disruption across Hollywood, forcing many projects into a state of indefinite hiatus. During this period, the Rick and Morty movie was effectively shelved, with the creative team focusing their efforts on the grueling production cycle of the main series.

With the return of the show for its ninth season, the climate has shifted. The production team is now in a position to look beyond the television format, leveraging the show’s massive global popularity to justify a theatrical release. By securing a director and confirming the project’s reality, the studio has signaled that the film is now a priority rather than a hypothetical aspiration.

Designing the "Standalone" Epic: The Indiana Jones Philosophy

One of the most pressing questions regarding the film is how it will integrate into the show’s dense, lore-heavy narrative. Rick and Morty is famous for its complex continuity, but Dan Harmon has historically expressed a "galaxy brain" approach to canon, often mocking the idea that every detail must align perfectly across episodes.

Harmon’s vision for the film is surprisingly grounded in classic Hollywood storytelling. He has explicitly cited the Indiana Jones franchise as his primary point of reference for how to structure a Rick and Morty movie.

"I would be going for more of an Indiana Jones. If you look at Indiana Jones, it’s technically kind of a fake sequel to it," Harmon explained. "They started from the idea that Indiana Jones already existed as a franchise. We want to reward people for being into the universe, and yet, shockingly, we would want to have it be an incredible standalone, like totally accessible space epic."

This approach suggests that the creative team is consciously avoiding the "homework" trap—where viewers feel they need to watch hundreds of episodes of television to understand the plot of a two-hour film. By aiming for a standalone epic, the producers hope to capture a broader audience, including those who may have fallen off the show or only have a casual familiarity with the characters.

The Implications of a Theatrical Shift

The transition to film presents several unique challenges and opportunities for the Rick and Morty brand.

Creative Freedom and Budgetary Scope

Adult Swim has provided the Rick and Morty team with a level of creative latitude rarely seen in the animation industry. Moving to a theatrical feature likely implies a significantly higher budget, allowing for more ambitious animation sequences, expanded world-building, and potentially longer, more complex sequences that wouldn’t fit within the standard 22-minute runtime of a television episode.

Maintaining the "Rick and Morty" DNA

The show’s success is built on a delicate balance of dark humor, high-concept sci-fi, and family drama. A major concern for fans is whether a feature-length film might "dilute" the cynical, subversive energy of the series to appeal to a wider audience. However, given the team’s insistence on a standalone narrative that doesn’t rely on existing canon, it seems likely that they intend to retain the show’s subversive spirit rather than sanitizing it for a blockbuster release.

Canon vs. Chaos

Harmon’s preference for an Indiana Jones-style structure suggests a move away from the overarching serialized arcs that have dominated recent seasons. While the show has become increasingly plot-driven, the film may act as a "pressure release valve," allowing the writers to indulge in the kind of bizarre, self-contained madness that defined the show’s early seasons, free from the constraints of long-term character arcs.

What Fans Can Expect: The Path Forward

While plot details remain non-existent, the confirmation of the film’s development marks a pivotal moment for Adult Swim. For fans who have been following the series since its inception, the prospect of a high-budget, theatrical Rick and Morty adventure is the culmination of years of dedicated viewership.

The show continues to thrive, with Season 9 slated for a May 24, 2026 release at 11:00 PM ET. The success of this upcoming season will likely serve as a barometer for the studio as they continue to develop the film.

Ultimately, the Rick and Morty movie represents an evolution of the franchise. It is a testament to the show’s endurance that, after nearly a decade on air, the creators are still finding ways to innovate and expand their reach. Whether the film ends up being a grand space epic or a localized, character-driven disaster, it is clear that the project is no longer a "maybe." The multiverse is coming to the cinema, and if the creators have their way, it will be a ride that neither long-time fans nor newcomers will soon forget.

As the industry turns its eyes toward the May 2026 premiere of Season 9, the anticipation for further updates on the film’s production will undoubtedly continue to mount. Until then, the promise of "87 years" of Rick and Morty—and now, a feature film—suggests that the franchise has only just begun to scratch the surface of its potential.