Rick and Mortyhas continued to grow in recent years, having received new seasons, comics, and an anime, while a fresh spinoff was even announced. However, September 17 should excite the fan base for a completely different reason. WithRick and Morty season 8’s heartbreaking endingreminding fans of how emotional the series can be, it’s clear the franchise is still in a strong place.
Despite being impacted by the departure of Justin Roiland, the show hasn’t stopped taking risks, and while season 7 didn’t quite live up to expectations, season 8 bounced back to form. Most episodes stuck the landing and proved there are still plenty of great ideas among the creative team, giving viewers reasons to be encouraged about the show’s future.
Still, whileRick and Mortymay feature some more A-list guest starsand popular characters when season 9 rolls around, the next installment is likely a long way away. Fortunately, a brand-new series is hitting screens on September 19, and it is heavily influenced byRick and Morty, suggesting fans should have something different to look forward to.
Netflix’s Haunted Hotel Show Releasing In September Was Created By A Rick & Morty Writer
Haunted Hotel’s first trailer just dropped after being announced a few months ago, and it has plenty ofRick and Mortyconnections. Having worked as a writer on Adult Swim’s hit show since its second season, Matt Roller opted to put his creative vision to the test, hence creating his own animated series that could rivalRick and Morty.
Luckily, it looks like Roller will work on both shows simultaneously, as various otherRick and Mortyfigures are involved in the new Netflix comedy, including Dan Harmon. Harmon, Steven Levy, and Chris McKenna will act as executive producers, while Erica Hayes will take on director duties, highlighting just how much overlap there is between the projects.
With production complete, the animated show is set to premiere on September 19, makingHaunted Hotelthe idealRick and Mortyreplacementfor those waiting on season 9. The story and characters may be drastically different, but the similar creative teams indicate that these two franchises could draw comparisons for years to come.
Haunted Hotel’s Cast Doesn’t Feature Any Prominent Rick & Morty Actors (For Now)
WhileHaunted Hotelhasn’t been shy about expressing its connections toRick and Morty, the new show surprisingly hasn’t borrowed any of the hit franchise’s most prominent talent. Instead, it seems to be forging its own identity by recruiting voice-acting veterans such as Will Forte and Natalie Palamides, alongside rising stars like Skyler Gisondo.
Interestingly, there are currently no major actors fromRick and Mortyattached toHaunted Hotel, although Will Forte and Eliza Coupe have had one-off appearances in the Adult Swim series. Casting more familiar names would undoubtedly make the Netflix project more recognizable, but opting to go for a fresh group could be beneficial in the long run.
There is nothing preventing the stars ofRick and Morty’s castfrom making an odd appearance while establishing new voices for this fresh animated world, and it is anyone’s guess how this strategy will play out. That said, it certainly seems like Roller andHaunted Hotel’s other creatives are confident that the show can thrive on its own without relying on already established names.
Despite Connections, Haunted Hotel Will Be Different From Rick & Morty
Netflix’sHaunted Hotelmay share a lot of traits withRick and Morty, but it already looks like it will be completely different. Firstly, the setting suggests that most of the story will take place within the building or the nearby premises, a complete contrast toRick and Morty, which travels all over the multiverse.
Naturally,Haunted Hotelmay branch out into other venues for one-off episodes, but it looks like it will predominantly be set in the hotel itself. Additionally, with several recurring characters being ghosts, the Netflix series will lean more into paranormal elements, as opposed toRick and Morty, which is more sci-fi oriented.
The brand of comedy may be pretty similar, and the hotel aspect also allows for guest stars, since new characters can check in at any point. However, whileRick and Mortyhas some canon episodes, it mainly consists of one-off adventures that don’t often connect, whereasHaunted Hotel’s fairly restricted premise suggests it may have a more continuous story.
Overall, Matt Roller’s new show is bound to have some similarities withRick and Morty, but the early signs suggest it will also have numerous unique qualities, meaningHaunted Hotelshould stand out from the competition.
How Netflix’s Adult Animation Programming Keeps Getting Better
AddingHaunted Hotelto its catalog makes Netflix’s library of adult animated shows even better. It already features projects similar in tone, such asBig Mouth,Inside Job, andF is for Family, but the list of great animation doesn’t end here.
Arcane,BoJack Horseman,Cyberpunk: Edgerunners,Blue Eye Samurai, andLove, Death + Robotsare just some of the countless great animated hits suited for a more mature audience on the platform. WithArcanegetting spinoffs,Cyberpunkreceiving a new show, and a series from the creators ofBoJack Horsemanin the works, there is still plenty to get excited about.
Netflix has also had some great anime in 2025and will continue to expand the genre in the future. In addition, some of Netflix’s non-US subscriptions feature shows likeRegular Show,Adventure Time, and, of course,Rick and Morty, proving that the streaming service continues to grow its animated library, having previously been criticized for neglecting it.
Rick and Morty
Cast
Rick and Morty is an animated science fiction series that follows the eccentric scientist Rick Sanchez and his impressionable grandson Morty Smith as they embark on perilous adventures across space and alternate dimensions. The show explores the impact of these exploits on Morty’s tumultuous family life and personal challenges.
Haunted Hotel
Haunted Hotel follows a single mother managing a haunted hotel alongside her estranged brother, who has become one of the ghosts. Set to be released in 2025, the series explores their challenges and interactions with the spectral residents.
