‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ Season 18 Episode 4 Release Date, Time and Where to Watch

The Gang’s tenth trip around Paddy’s Pub is settling into its rhythm, and fans are already circling the calendar for the next new episode. Season 18 premiered on August 17, 2026, and this time fans are getting 10 episodes, two more than the eight episodes released in each of the previous three seasons.

With a full slate of episodes to look forward to, ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ has settled into a familiar weekly pattern that should feel comfortable to longtime viewers. Episode 4 is next up, and there is now a confirmed date, a known cast lineup, and a synopsis that gives a solid sense of where the Gang is headed this time.

Season 18 Episode 4 Release Date and Time

Episode 4 of ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ Season 18 is set to release on August 31, 2026. That places it exactly one week after episode 3, which continues the show’s established habit of dropping one new episode every Monday rather than releasing the season all at once.

Season 18 premieres on FXX at 9 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. PT, and that same time slot has carried through the season so far. Episode 3 arrived the Monday following the two episode premiere, keeping the show on its familiar weekly cadence rather than dropping the whole season at once, and episode 4 is expected to follow that identical pattern.

Following the premiere, one new episode airs weekly through October 12, which puts episode 4 comfortably in the middle of that run. Viewers who have been tuning in live each Monday night should not need to adjust their routine at all for the fourth installment.

It is worth noting that FX has been somewhat cautious with its official communications this season. The network has not yet published a complete official episode by episode schedule with all titles and dates, so viewers should treat unofficial listings with a degree of caution even as the weekly pattern has held steady so far.

Where to Watch ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ Season 18 Episode 4

US viewers can watch Season 18 on FXX, FX and Hulu, with the premiere set for 9 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. PT. That same three way availability has applied to every episode released so far this season, and there is no indication that episode 4 will break from it.

For those who prefer streaming over a traditional broadcast, episodes have same night availability on the FXNOW website and on Hulu, which means episode 4 should be ready to stream shortly after it airs live on FXX and FX. That immediacy has become one of the more convenient aspects of how FX has handled the show’s rollout in recent seasons.

International audiences have their own path to the season as well. Disney+ has listed Season 18 for international viewers, with the August 17 premiere date shown on its official release page, though streaming times and availability can differ by country, so viewers outside the US should check their local Disney+ service.

The show’s long tail catalog remains a draw for newcomers catching up before diving into the new episodes. Seasons 1 through 17 are available to stream right now, alongside Season 18 episodes as they drop, on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers.

What to Expect in the Episode 4 Preview

The official synopsis for episode 4 describes the Gang’s RV breaking down en route to a Jamiroquai concert, leaving them to fend for themselves in a dangerous wasteland of junkies and street people. It is a classic ‘Sunny’ setup, stranding the core cast somewhere uncomfortable and letting their worst instincts take over from there.

The episode’s cast list confirms the full core Gang returning, including Danny DeVito as Frank Reynolds, Charlie Day as Charlie Kelly, Kaitlin Olson as Deandra ‘Sweet Dee’ Reynolds, Rob McElhenney as Mac, Glenn Howerton as Dennis Reynolds, and David Hornsby as Cricket, with Mary Elizabeth Ellis also appearing as the Waitress.

This episode arrives on the heels of a season that has already leaned into music heavy chaos and characters getting stranded in bad situations, so a broken down RV headed toward a concert fits comfortably within the tone the writers have set. The specific mention of a wasteland populated by junkies and street people also suggests the kind of fish out of water premise that has defined some of the show’s most memorable episodes over the years.

Episode 3, titled ‘The Gang Gets Tested,’ had already shown the season is willing to dig into personal territory, with Dennis and Dee getting diagnosed with ADHD while Mac notably does not receive the same diagnosis. Episode 4 looks to shift gears entirely, trading a classroom setting for a stranded vehicle and an unpredictable environment.

How Season 18 Fits Into the Show’s Longer Run

This season carries some added significance for the franchise’s overall history. Season 18 premiered simultaneously on FXX and FX on August 17, 2026, consisting of ten episodes, and stars Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito as the Gang. The jump to 10 episodes marks the first time since season 14 that the show has returned to a longer episode order after three straight eight episode seasons.

Critical reception so far has been notably strong. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season currently holds an approval rating of 100 percent based on eight reviews with an average score of 7.6 out of 10. That kind of consistency this deep into a series run is not something every long running comedy manages to sustain.

Filming for the season began in February 2026 and wrapped that April, giving the production a relatively quick turnaround compared to the gaps between some of the show’s more recent seasons. The extended episode count also appears to be giving the writers room to stretch storylines further than they have in years, based on how the season has unfolded so far.

With episode 4 promising a stranded RV, a canceled concert, and an unfamiliar and dangerous corner of the city, it feels like exactly the kind of setup that could go anywhere once Charlie, Mac, Dennis, Dee and Frank start making decisions. What do you think the Gang’s chances are of actually making it to that Jamiroquai concert in one piece?