Season 3 of Rick & Morty is taking a break this week – wubba lubba dub dub!
Well, don’t worry, friend, I am here to heal your pain. With a long seven days before our next Rick & Morty fix, it’s time to satiate those urges elsewhere.
While no films on this list match the show’s joyous genre-hopping lunacy, these sci-fi classics should keep you squanch – for now.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams’ legendary series brought a universe filled with endless imagination and crushing futility. Sound familiar?
Hitchhiker’s is a collection of radio plays, books, TV shows and films, and has long been cited by Rick & Morty creators Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland as a major influence.
The 2005 film version sees everyone’s favourite everyman Martin Freeman travel across the universe with his alien comanions to find the meaning of life. While somewhat lacking the bite of Adams’ original scripts, the film boasts an incredible cast of Hollywood talent (Zooey Deschanel, Sam Rockwell, Mos Def) and British legends (Bill Nighy, Stephen Fry and Alan Rickman as the wonderful Paranoid Android).
If you’re in search of a Rick & Morty replacement, this is the best place to start.
Army of Darkness
I’M PICKLE ASHHHH!
Sorry. If you’re hankering for a cocky dimension-hopping lead violently ploughing through masses of monsters, then we have you covered.
Sam Raimi’s third instalment of the Evil Dead saga transports protagonist Ash to an alternate world of medieval horrors. With his trusty chainsaw strapped to his arm, he must make his way back home in the bloodiest way possible.
It’s ballsy, it’s shocking and it’s still a true classic.
Looper
Here’s a curveball for you. Not really a comedy, but if you want some truly mind-bending sci-fi, you could do worse than watching Rian Johnson’s Looper.
Set in a reality where people are sent back in time to be assassinated, hitman Joseph Gordon Levitt must hunt down his future self, played by Bruce Willis. Yes, it sounds like a something from Interdimensional Cable, but in practice it’s one of the best sci-fis of recent years.
Also, the Rick & Morty creators have consistently said they will never do a time travel episode, so you might as well get your fix from here.
Grabbers
If this low-budget Irish horror-comedy is unknown to you, you’re in for a treat.
The premise is simple, but brilliantly Ricky & Morty. Aliens invade a small island off the coast of Ireland, with the intention of eating the inhabitants. Their only weakness? They’re allergic to alcohol.
Cue 90 minutes of hilarity as the villagers must stay drunk to avoid being eaten. It’s wild, intelligent, and a real hidden gem.
Back to the Future
Ah, the alternate reality where Rick’s called Doc, Morty’s called Marty, and their relationship is rather more inexplicable (questionable?) than grandfather/grandson.
Rick & Morty started out as unofficial Back to the Future animated shorts from Justin Roiland, where most problems could be solved if Marty just sucked off Doc. Of course, the actual film series is time-hopping fun for the whole family (apart from the whole incest vibe in the first one)!
This is where the journey began, and this is where yours should end.
Until next week, obviously. Not suggesting you end yourself or anything.
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