‘It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’ Season 18 Achieves Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score

Twenty-one years is a remarkable milestone for any sitcom, especially one centered around morally questionable antics and increasingly outrageous behavior from its five main characters. Yet, ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ continues to demonstrate that longevity and quality can coexist, with its latest season prompting critics to reach for high praise once again.

The Gang returned to Paddy’s Pub on August 17 with a two-episode premiere that kicked off the show’s eighteenth season, marking its longest run since 2019 with a total of ten episodes. Filming for this season commenced in February 2026 and concluded that April.

Now that the reviews are in, Rotten Tomatoes has revealed that Season 18 boasts a flawless 100% rating on the Tomatometer, based on eight reviews. This achievement marks the ninth season of the series to receive a perfect score, a rare accomplishment for any comedy at this stage in its run.

Critics have noted the unusual consistency of the show. The first six reviews listed on the platform all praised the season’s premiere, commending the series for addressing topical issues while maintaining its signature irreverence.

CBR’s review described Season 18 as one of the strongest in the show’s history, highlighting standout performances from Glenn Howerton and Kaitlin Olson across ten episodes that delve into political satire and outrageous schemes. The season addresses topics such as the unhoused crisis, workplace culture, and ADHD, all presented through the show’s unique blend of dark comedy and character-driven chaos.

Other outlets echoed this enthusiasm, noting the series’ ability to reinvent itself while staying true to its core identity. One reviewer remarked that the most striking aspect of the series in 2026 is its confidence, suggesting that the writers and cast prioritize what makes them laugh above all else, a philosophy they’ve adhered to for a generation.

While most reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, not all feedback has been universally glowing. Metacritic’s aggregated reviews indicate that the season has significantly more hits than misses, a rarity for a comedy with such a long run. However, one dissenting opinion suggested that the season plays it a bit safer than its immediate predecessors, relying on familiar beats rather than introducing fresh momentum, even as it remains consistently funny.

The premiere also featured one of the show’s more shocking narrative twists in recent memory. The trailer hinted at the death of Carol Kane’s character Sam, the wealthy poultry heiress and fiancée of Danny DeVito’s Frank Reynolds, culminating in a “Weekend at Bernie’s”-style wedding sequence that marks a forty-year on-screen reunion between Kane and DeVito.

Guest stars are also expected to make appearances throughout the season, with the McPoyle family set to reunite with the Gang, alongside returning faces such as Guillermo del Toro, Jimmi Simpson, Nate Mooney, David Hornsby, and Sandy Martin.

For a show that has been on the air since 2005, achieving a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score this deep into its lifespan is an accomplishment that most series never come close to, even in their prime.

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