It’s Always Sunny Season 18 Just Got a Big Release Date and Episode Count Update
Rob McElhenney just delivered the clearest update yet—It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 18 now has a return window and an episode count, with production revving up on the long-running hit.
After a very long run of chaos and CharDee MacDennis, the gang is suiting up again. Literally. Season 18 of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is rolling cameras, and there are a couple of meaningful updates worth flagging: when it’s likely to hit and how many episodes we’re getting this time.
Cameras are up, tuxes are back
On February 11, Rob McElhenney said production on Season 18 had officially started and shared a new photo of himself with Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton in matching tuxedos. It’s a visual echo of the trio’s 2005 early-days look, down to the vibe. His caption nailed the mood:
"Great news, the tux still fits. Season 1 -> Season 18."
Fans did what fans do, zeroing in on the details (and the facial hair) with reactions like: "THE BEARD????????? MAC WAS RIGHT GOD MIGHT BE REAL."
Episode count: finally more than eight
One viewer asked McElhenney point-blank if Season 18 would run longer than eight episodes. Mac’s answer was simple and delightful:
"yep."
No exact number yet, but it’s the first sign of a bump since Season 15 kicked off a run of eight-episode orders back in December 2021. For context: Seasons 8 through 14 ran 10 episodes each, Seasons 2 through 7 bounced between 10 and 15, and the very first season had seven. The network has stayed quiet on why the recent orders were shorter, and McElhenney didn’t spell out how much longer this season will be beyond confirming the increase.
Who’s back, and what they left hanging
Set photos confirm McElhenney, Day, and Howerton are in the mix, with Kaitlin Olson and Danny DeVito also set to appear. The Season 17 finale teed up a wonderfully oddball thread: Frank planned to marry Sam (Carol Kane) after the two popped up on The Golden Bachelor. Kane’s participation for Season 18 remains unconfirmed.
When to expect it
A premiere date remains unannounced. Recent history points to summer drops, with the last two seasons landing in summer 2023 and summer 2025. The series was already renewed through Season 18 back in 2020, and filming is underway now.
- Production started February 11; tuxedo callback to the show’s 2005 beginnings
- Episode count will top eight this season ("yep"), exact number still under wraps
- Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito are in
- Frank’s would-be wedding to Carol Kane’s Sam is still dangling; Kane’s return unconfirmed
- Launch date TBD; the last two seasons arrived in the summer
Also, yes, people are already begging for more episodes. One fan plea summed it up: "Pleeeeeeease say we’re getting more than 8 episodes this time!" For once, Mac’s got an answer everyone likes.