Rick and Morty Season 8 Dethrones The Last of Us on Max: What’s Going On?

Introduction

Okay, so The Last of Us was sitting pretty as Max’s top show, right? Not anymore. On June 14, 2025, Rick and Morty Season 8 swooped in and knocked it off the throne, according to Flix Patrol data reported by CBR. This isn’t just some random shuffle—it’s a big deal in the streaming world. Rick and Morty’s perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and global domination in 11 countries outpaced The Last of Us, which slipped to second place. Why does this matter? Streaming charts aren’t just numbers; they show what’s grabbing viewers, what’s driving renewals, and what’s shaping pop culture. With The Last of Us Season 2 stirring up controversy and Rick and Morty riding high, this shift tells us a lot about what fans want. Let’s dig into why Rick and Morty pulled this off, what happened to The Last of Us, and what’s next for both. Buckle up—it’s a wild ride.

Why Did Rick and Morty Season 8 Take the Top Spot?

A Killer Premiere and Critical Love

Rick and Morty Season 8 hit Adult Swim on May 25, 2025, and by June 13, it was ruling Max’s TV show chart. How? For starters, it’s got a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, with critics raving about its sharp humor and bonkers sci-fi plots. CBR notes it outshone The Last of Us by 51 points on the charts. Fans on X are losing it over episodes like “The Rick, The Mort & The Ugly,” calling it a return to classic chaos. The show’s weekly Sunday drops keep the buzz alive, unlike The Last of Us’s seasonal release model.

Why It Matters: A strong debut sets the tone. High scores and fan hype drive viewership, which can secure renewals—Rick and Morty is already greenlit through Season 12.
How It’s Done: Deliver consistent quality, lean into what fans love (like Rick’s snark), and time releases for maximum chatter.
Common Mistakes: Changing too much risks alienating fans, as seen with Rick and Morty’s Season 7 dip to 77% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Consequences of Errors: A weak premiere can tank momentum, making it hard to recover mid-season.
Actionable Takeaway: If you’re a creator, nail the first episode with fan-favorite elements and promote it heavily on social platforms like X to spark buzz.

Global Reach and Multi-Platform Power

Rick and Morty didn’t just win in the U.S.—it topped Max charts in 11 countries, from Thailand to Brazil, while The Last of Us led in only five. Its availability on Adult Swim’s TV broadcasts and Max streaming gives it a wider net than The Last of Us, which relies on Max and HBO. The Wrap reports that Rick and Morty’s showrunners, Dan Harmon and Scott Marder, are pushing for faster streaming drops to close the gap between TV airings and Max availability, which could boost its global pull even more.

Why It Matters: Accessibility across platforms and regions maximizes viewers. About 60% of streaming users prefer shows available on multiple platforms, per Nielsen.
How It’s Done: Air on TV for live buzz, stream for on-demand fans, and market globally with localized promotions.
Common Mistakes: Limiting to one platform or delaying streaming releases can shrink your audience.
Consequences of Errors: You miss out on global markets and risk losing viewers to competitors.
Actionable Takeaway: If you’re distributing content, prioritize multi-platform releases and fast streaming availability to capture diverse audiences.

What’s Up with The Last of Us’ Slip?

Season 2’s Risky Moves

The Last of Us Season 2 premiered in April 2025 and started strong, topping Max’s charts. But by June, it fell behind Rick and Morty. Why? The season’s bold choices—like killing off Joel and Ellie and shifting to Abby (Kaitlyn Dever)—split fans. X posts show some viewers raging, with one saying the show “forgot what made it good” and citing a 49% Rotten Tomatoes score, though CBR confirms Season 1 still holds a 96%. Collider notes Season 2 faced review-bombing and trolling aimed at Bella Ramsey, which didn’t help. Still, it pulled 27,000 points on Max’s yearly charts, per Collider, showing it’s not down for the count.

Why It Matters: Fan backlash can dent viewership. About 30% of viewers abandon shows after major plot shifts, per a 2024 streaming study.
How It’s Done: Take risks, but ground them in character logic and foreshadowing to keep fans on board.
Common Mistakes: Ignoring fan expectations or rushing major changes can spark backlash, as seen here.
Consequences of Errors: You lose viewers and risk social media pile-ons, hurting long-term buzz.
Actionable Takeaway: Creators, test big plot twists with focus groups and tease changes gradually to soften fan shock.

Tough Competition on Max

Max isn’t just The Last of Us’s playground. Shows like Quiet on Set stole its top spot in 2024 with 1.3 billion minutes viewed, per Variety. Other hits like The White Lotus and The Pitt keep the pressure on, as The Wrap points out. Rick and Morty’s weekly releases give it an edge over The Last of Us’s binge model, which drops all episodes at once. Fans on X debate this, with some saying Rick and Morty’s humor and pacing feel fresher than The Last of Us’s heavy drama right now.

Why It Matters: A crowded platform means no show is safe. Max’s top 10 shifts weekly, reflecting viewer mood swings.
How It’s Done: Stand out with unique tone, consistent releases, and strong marketing to cut through the noise.
Common Mistakes: Relying on past success or weak promotion can let competitors sneak ahead.
Consequences of Errors: You drop in rankings, which can signal declining relevance to networks.
Actionable Takeaway: For showrunners, keep your show’s vibe distinct and market it aggressively during rival premieres.

What’s Next for The Last of Us?

Season 3 Hopes and Hints

Craig Mazin, The Last of Us’s co-creator, is already teasing Season 3, promising more on Abby’s journey and new stories. CBR reports filming for Season 2 wrapped in August 2024, and Season 3 is in development, possibly eyeing a 2026 premiere. The cast—Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Catherine O’Hara—keeps fans curious, despite Season 2’s mixed reception. Season 1’s finale drew 8.2 million viewers in 2023, per CBR, so there’s still a huge base to rebuild from. X posts show fans hopeful for a comeback, with one saying, “Season 3 better fix this Abby mess.”

Why It Matters: A strong next season can erase doubts. Renewals often hinge on future potential, not just current rankings.
How It’s Done: Tease upcoming arcs, engage fans on social media, and deliver on promised improvements.
Common Mistakes: Vague teasers or ignoring fan feedback can kill hype before it starts.
Consequences of Errors: You lose momentum, and fans may jump to rival shows.
Actionable Takeaway: Drop clear, exciting teasers early and address fan concerns transparently to rebuild trust.

How Does Rick and Morty Keep Winning?

Fan Loyalty and Smart Risks

Since 2013, Rick and Morty has built a cult following with its dark humor and sci-fi insanity, created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland. Despite Roiland’s 2023 exit, new voice actors Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden have won over most fans, with Season 8’s 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes proving it. Collider’s Jasneet Singh gave it a 7/10, praising its “ludicrous arcs” and heart. The show’s renewed through Season 12, per The Wrap, so it’s not slowing down. Fans on X love its back-to-basics vibe, with one calling it “the best since Season 3.”

Why It Matters: Loyalty keeps shows alive. About 70% of Rick and Morty’s viewers are repeat fans, per Nielsen.
How It’s Done: Stick to core strengths (like Rick’s chaos) while tweaking just enough to feel fresh.
Common Mistakes: Straying too far from roots or botching recasts can lose fans, as Season 7 risked.
Consequences of Errors: You dip in ratings and give competitors an opening.
Actionable Takeaway: Listen to fan feedback on X and balance nostalgia with innovation to keep them hooked.

The Streaming Wars: What’s the Big Picture?

Max’s Packed Lineup

Max is a battleground. Rick and Morty and The Last of Us are just two players in a crowded field. Creature Commandos, The White Lotus, and The Pitt are pulling viewers too, per The Wrap. Even Netflix’s 3 Body Problem and Prime Video’s Road House outranked The Last of Us in 2024, CBR notes. This churn shows no show is untouchable, and platforms need diverse slates to survive. Max’s 2025 lineup is stacked, keeping the pressure on both shows.

Why It Matters: Variety fuels platforms. Max’s 40% market share in premium streaming relies on hits across genres, per Samba TV.
How It’s Done: Offer comedies, dramas, and docs to hit every taste, and promote them relentlessly.
Common Mistakes: Betting on one flagship show risks collapse if it falters.
Consequences of Errors: You lose subscribers to rivals like Netflix or Hulu.
Actionable Takeaway: Platforms, spread your bets across genres and hype each release to keep viewers engaged.
Internal Link: “Why Streaming Platforms Need Diverse Shows”

FAQs About Rick and Morty Dethroning The Last of Us

Why did Rick and Morty Season 8 dethrone The Last of Us on Max?

Rick and Morty Season 8 grabbed the top spot on June 13, 2025, with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and viewership in 11 countries, per CBR. Its weekly Adult Swim airings and Max streaming kept buzz high, while The Last of Us Season 2’s polarizing plot lost steam. The comedy’s 51-point lead on Flix Patrol sealed the deal. Fans on X praised its return to classic humor, giving it an edge.

What made Rick and Morty Season 8 so popular?

It’s got a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, killer writing, and global appeal, topping charts in 11 countries. Weekly releases on Adult Swim drive hype, and fans on X love episodes like “Valkyrick.” Despite Justin Roiland’s exit, new voice actors Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden deliver, earning an 89% audience score. Collider calls it “consistent” with “clever arcs.”

Can The Last of Us reclaim Max’s top spot?

Maybe. Season 3, teased by Craig Mazin, could rebound by focusing on Abby and new arcs, per CBR. Season 1’s 8.2 million finale viewers show its strength. But Max’s crowded slate—The White Lotus, The Pitt—and Rick and Morty’s weekly buzz make it tough. Fans on X are split, with some hopeful for a 2026 comeback.

How does Max stay competitive in streaming?

Max diversifies with hits like Rick and Morty, The Last of Us, and Creature Commandos. The Wrap says its 2025 lineup keeps it strong. Shows like Quiet on Set (1.3 billion minutes viewed) prove variety works. Multi-platform releases and global marketing help too. Max holds 40% of premium streaming, per Samba TV, by balancing genres.

What’s next for Rick and Morty after Season 8?

It’s renewed through Season 12, per The Wrap. Season 8 ends July 27, 2025, with episodes like “Hot Rick.” A spin-off, Rick and Morty: The Anime, drops in 2024. Showrunners Dan Harmon and Scott Marder aim for faster Max streaming drops to grow viewers. Fans on X expect more interdimensional chaos.

So, Rick and Morty Season 8 dethroning The Last of Us on Max is more than a chart flip—it’s a snapshot of what fans crave in 2025. Rick and Morty’s 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, weekly drops, and global reach gave it the crown, while The Last of Us stumbled with Season 2’s bold swings. Both shows are Max heavyweights, but The Last of Us needs Season 3 to win back fans, and Rick and Morty must keep its edge. Streaming’s a brutal game, and Max’s diverse slate keeps it in the fight. Got a side in this showdown? Drop a comment or subscribe for more TV scoops.