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The Best Episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000

Every episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000!

Binge this in 11d 6hPeaking at 9.2/10

A stranded spaceship pilot captured by mad scientists survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals.

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 5 Episode 12 - Mitchell
    9.2/10(5 votes)

    #1 - Mitchell

    S5:E12

    In the theater, the crew watches as a drunken oaf of a cop bumbles his way through a murder investigation in "Mitchell" (1975). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Gypsy schemes to help Joel escape.

    Director:Kevin Murphy
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 10 - Robot Holocaust
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Robot Holocaust

    S1:E10

    The crew watches "Robot Holocaust" (1987). Cambot's sitcom simulator laugh track goes haywire.

    Director:Jim Mallon
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 3 Episode 21 - Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
    8.8/10(6 votes)

    #3 - Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

    S3:E21

    In the theater, the crew watches as a group of Martians, eager for their own Christmas back on Mars, abduct Santa and two children in "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" (1964). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Joel and the bots share essays about Christmas. This episode features the song "(Let's Have) A Patrick Swayze Christmas."

    Director:Jim Mallon
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 3 Episode 13 - Earth vs. the Spider
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #4 - Earth vs. the Spider

    S3:E13

    In the theater, the crew watches as teenagers and a science teacher attempt to exterminate the giant spider that's rampaging through their small town in "Earth vs. the Spider" (1958). Meanwhile, on the SOL, there's a surprise performance from the rock group, Spidorr. This episode features the short "Speech: Using Your Voice."

    Director:Jim Mallon
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 3 Episode 3 - Pod People
    8.6/10(8 votes)

    #5 - Pod People

    S3:E3

    In the theater, the crew watches as a little kid befriends a magic alien he calls Trumpy, while Trumpy's alien family go on a murder spree in "Pod People" (1983). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Trumpy's magic is causing chaos. This episode features the songs "Idiot Control Now" and "Clowns in the Sky."

    Director:Jim Mallon
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 3 Episode 1 - Cave Dwellers
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    #6 - Cave Dwellers

    S3:E1

    In the theater, the crew watches as blonde barbarian called Ator fights to protect the mighty "Geometric Nucleus" from falling into the hands of a power-hungry villain in "Cave Dwellers" (1984). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Joel teaches the bots the art of Foley.

    Director:Jim Mallon
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000

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  8. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 7 Episode 1 - Night of the Blood Beast
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #7 - Night of the Blood Beast

    S7:E1

    In the theater, the crew watches as an astronaut finds himself pregnant with alien embryos in "Night of the Blood Beast" (1958). Meanwhile, in Deep 13, Dr. Forrester is adjusting to his overbearing mother now living with him.

    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 7 Episode 5 - Escape 2000
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #8 - Escape 2000

    S7:E5

    In the theater, the crew watches as a street punk protects the Bronx from being razed by an evil corporation in "Escape 2000" (1985). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Crow accidentally lights several fires and Mike chokes Servo with cigar smoke.

    Director:Jim Mallon
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 9 Episode 10 - The Final Sacrifice
    8.5/10(11 votes)

    #9 - The Final Sacrifice

    S9:E10

    In the theater, the crew watches the story of a Canadian cult and a lost city unfold in "The Final Sacrifice" (1990). Meanwhile, on Earth and on the SOL, everyone but Mike gets a bad case of hockey hair. Mike instead comes down with Grizzly Old Prospector Syndrome.

    Director:Kevin Murphy
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 4 - Catalina Caper
    8.4/10(7 votes)

    #10 - Catalina Caper

    S2:E4

    The crew watches "Catalina Caper" (1967). TV's Frank botches his Tupperware sales pitch.

    Director:Jim Mallon
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 3 Episode 9 - The Amazing Colossal Man
    8.4/10(4 votes)

    #11 - The Amazing Colossal Man

    S3:E9

    In the theater, the crew watches as a military pilot is exposed to radiation that causes him to grow to an unmanageable size in "The Amazing Colossal Man" (1957). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Crow and Tom Servo make a fort to hide from Joel and get out of doing their chores.

    Director:Jim Mallon
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 5 Episode 7 - I Accuse My Parents
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #12 - I Accuse My Parents

    S5:E7

    In the theater, the crew watches as a young man gets involved in a crime syndicate and ends up blaming his downfall on his inattentive parents in "I Accuse My Parents" (1944). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Gypsy helps to re-enact the nightclub scene in the movie. This episode features the short "The Truck Farmer" (1954).

    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 10 Episode 1 - Soultaker
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #13 - Soultaker

    S10:E1

    In the theater, the crew watches as the souls of 4 teenagers are being hunted down in "Soultaker" (1990). On the SOL, Gypsy informs Mike that the ship is having serious malfunctions. Meanwhile, in Castle Forrester, Pearl, Bobo, and Brain Guy are playing Monopoly; a soultaker comes for Bobo's soul.

    Director:Kevin Murphy
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 10 Episode 7 - Final Justice
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #14 - Final Justice

    S10:E7

    In the theater, the crew watches as a Texas sheriff heads to Malta to clumsily pursue a killer in "Final Justice" (1985). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Crow and Tom are cruel to poor Goosio, Friend to Maltese Children Everywhere.

    Director:Kevin Murphy
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 12 - Godzilla vs. Megalon
    8.3/10(3 votes)

    #15 - Godzilla vs. Megalon

    S2:E12

    In the theater, the crew watches as the undersea nation of Seatopia sends the gigantic Megalon to destroy the world above while Godzilla and the size-shifting robot Jet Jaguar try to stop him in "Godzilla vs. Megalon" (1973). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Joel and the Bots host a stereotypical morning magazine show.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 13 - Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster
    8.3/10(3 votes)

    #16 - Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster

    S2:E13

    In the theater, the crew watches as a young man steals a boat to find his brother but ends up shipwrecked on a mysterious island inhabited by a giant sea monster and a slumbering Godzilla in "Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster" (1966). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Joel reads the Velveteen Rabbit and does all the voices.

    Director:Jim Mallon
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 5 Episode 6 - Eegah
    8.3/10(3 votes)

    #17 - Eegah

    S5:E6

    In the theater, the crew watches as a young woman and her singer boyfriend rescue her father from a giant caveman living in a California desert in "Eegah" (1962). Meanwhile, on the SOL, the bots alter Joel's face to resemble Arch Hall, Jr.

    Director:Joel Hodgson
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 5 Episode 17 - Beginning of the End
    8.3/10(3 votes)

    #18 - Beginning of the End

    S5:E17

    In the theater, the crew watches as the military struggles to stop a rampaging horde of giant grasshoppers in "Beginning of the End" (1957). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Servo performs a standup routine, but most of his jokes involve comparing grasshoppers to locusts.

    Director:Kevin Murphy
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 3 Episode 2 - Gamera
    8.2/10(2 votes)

    #19 - Gamera

    S3:E2

    In the theater, the crew watches as Japan comes under attack by Gamera, a giant, fire-breathing turtle monster, who also befriends a schoolboy in "Gamera" (1965). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Gamera pays a visit. This episode features the song "Tibby, Oh Tibby."

    Director:Jim Mallon
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 4 Episode 24 - Manos: The Hands of Fate
    8.2/10(9 votes)

    #20 - Manos: The Hands of Fate

    S4:E24

    In the theater, the crew watches as a vacationing family find themselves in the lair of a demon-worshipping cultist, his harem of brides, and his minion, Torgo, in "Manos: The Hands of Fate" (1966). Meanwhile, in Deep 13, Torgo shows up very late with a pizza delivery. This episode features the short "Hired! Part II" (1940).

    Director:Joel Hodgson
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 5 Episode 8 - Operation Double 007
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #21 - Operation Double 007

    S5:E8

    In the theater, the crew watches as a world-class plastic surgeon and lip-reader thwarts the plans of an evil crime syndicate in "Operation Double 007" (1967). Title was later changed to "Operation Kid Brother" due to copyright issues. Meanwhile, on the SOL, Joel hypnotizes Crow, but has less success with Servo.

    Director:Kevin Murphy
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 5 Episode 13 - The Brain that Wouldn't Die
    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #22 - The Brain that Wouldn't Die

    S5:E13

    In the theater, the crew watches as a scientist keeps his girlfriend's severed head alive in a pan while he tries to find her a new body in "The Brain that Wouldn't Die" (1962). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Mike and the bots are visited by Jan in the Pan, the bodiless lady in the film.

    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 9 Episode 11 - Devil Fish
    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #23 - Devil Fish

    S9:E11

    In the theater, the crew watches as a prehistoric ocean creature terrorizes the Florida coast in "Devil Fish" (1984). Meanwhile, on the SOL, dolphins attack from their highly-advanced spaceship.

    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 10 Episode 13 - Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders
    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #24 - Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders

    S10:E13

    In the theater, the crew watches as Merlin sells a spellbook to a rude costumer and a wind-up monkey toy terrorizes a family in "Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders" (1996). Meanwhile, on the SOL, Mike and the bots are disturbed by Ernest Borgnine's series of unsettling children's books.

    Writer:Unknown

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  26. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 1 - The Crawling Eye
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #25 - The Crawling Eye

    S1:E1

    The crew watches "The Crawling Eye" (1958). Joel treats the bots to RAM chips.

    Director:Jim Mallon
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Mitchell" is the best rated episode of "Mystery Science Theater 3000". It scored 9.2/10 based on 5 votes. Directed by Kevin Murphy and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/23/1993. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Robot Holocaust".