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!
The cult hit returns! Captured by mad scientists, new host Jonah survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals.
Top Episode Ratings Summary
The best episode of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" is "Experiment 1201: Mac and Me", rated 8.6/10 from 452 user votes. It was directed by Joel Hodgson, Rob Schrab and written by Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Lesley Kinzel, Matt Oswalt, Jonah Ray, Mary Robinson, Rebecca Hanson, Matt McGinnis, Jonathan Stern. "Experiment 1201: Mac and Me" aired on 11/22/2018 and is rated 0.4 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Cry Wilderness".
8.6/10 452 votes#1 - Experiment 1201: Mac and Me
Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 11/22/2018
A wheelchair-bound boy and his family and friends help to protect an alien creature that has accidentally been brought to Earth.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Rob Schrab
Writer: Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Lesley Kinzel, Matt Oswalt, Jonah Ray, Mary Robinson, Rebecca Hanson, Matt McGinnis, Jonathan Stern
8.2/10 526 votes#2 - Cry Wilderness
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/14/2017
Pearl Forrester, Bobo and Brain Guy pay an awkward visit to Moon 13 revealing fractured family dynamics. Jonah starts working on a space suit. Jonah and the bots riff on Cry Wilderness. Movie Plot: Bigfoot's ghost brings a boy to where his father and a hunter have mistaken Bigfoot for a Bengal tiger. Original film made in 1986.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Harold Buchholz, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Lesley Kinzel, Jonah Ray, Mary Robinson, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Felicia Day, Eric Fell, Rebecca Hanson, Patrick Maliha, Matt McGinnis, Opus Moreschi, Seth Robinson, Tim Ryder, Shaun Stewart
8.0/10 321 votes#3 - Wizards of the Lost Kingdom
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 4/14/2017
Max finds a mysterious key that unlocks a gigantic, powerful robot he befriends and names Reptilicus Metallicus. Jonah sings a poignant song to Tom Servo illustrating the responsibility of magic powers. Jonah and the bots riff on Wizards of the Lost Kingdom. Movie Plot: A drunken warrior helps the son of a slain wizard fight a wicked sorcerer in the land of Axeholme. Original film made in 1985.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Harold Buchholz, Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Lesley Kinzel, Matt Oswalt, Jonah Ray, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Matt McGinnis, Seth Robinson, Matt Conant, Dana Snyder
7.9/10 444 votes#4 - Avalanche
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 4/14/2017
Max ruefully considers his affection for Kinga while she openly declares her love for online soul mate, Neville LaRoy. Together they sing the hit song, “Our Love is On Wings (You Can’t See).” Jonah and the bots riff on Rock Hudson’s Avalanche. Movie Plot: Hanging over a new ski resort are charges of corruption and a big snow wedge that's been there for years. Original film made in 1978.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Harold Buchholz, Storm DiCostanzo, Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Matt Oswalt, Jonah Ray, Mary Robinson, Paul Sabourin, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Matt Conant, Jonathan Stern
7.8/10 332 votes#5 - Yongary
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 4/14/2017
The Mads invest heavily in a new brand of coffee by a rising entrepreneur named Todd Hitler. Jonah breaks down for Crow how to properly create a mix tape for listening to on space trips. Jonah and the bots riff on Yongary. Movie Plot: An earthquake from an atomic blast rouses an amphibious colossus, which then attacks South Korea. Original film made in 1967.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Matt Oswalt, Jonah Ray, Mary Robinson, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Matt McGinnis, Seth Robinson, Zach Thompson, Scott Chester, John Erler, Joe Parsons
7.8/10 254 votes#6 - Experiment 1204: The Day Time Ended
Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 11/22/2018
An extended family living in the desert has numerous encounters with alien creatures and time travel.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Rob Schrab
Writer: N/A
7.7/10 715 votes#7 - Reptilicus
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 4/14/2017
Jonah Heston is shanghaied during a space mission by Kinga, Dr. Forrester's ambitious daughter. Jonah does a major redesign on Gypsy. Tom Servo and Crow settle in with Jonah as they riff on Reptillicus! Movie Plot: Copenhagen is terrorized by a prehistoric beast that has regenerated itself from a recently discovered tail segment. Original film made in 1961.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Harold Buchholz, Paul Chaplin, Storm DiCostanzo, Tammy Golden, Dan Harmon, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Lesley Kinzel, Matt Oswalt, Jonah Ray, Mary Robinson, Justin Roiland, Paul Sabourin, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount
7.7/10 393 votes#8 - Starcrash
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 4/14/2017
Kinga and Max pitch several money-making ideas to big-time space venture capitalist Freak Masterstroke. The bots obsess over their newfound devotion to Starcrash character Akton. Jonah and the bots riff on Starcrash. Movie Plot: An outlaw smuggler and her alien companion are recruited by the Emperor of the Galaxy to rescue his son and destroy a secret weapon created by the evil Count Zarth Arn. Original film made in 1978.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Harold Buchholz, Paul Chaplin, Storm DiCostanzo, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Jonah Ray, Mary Robinson, Paul Sabourin, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Matt McGinnis, Seth Robinson, Erik Marcisak, Bill Corbett, Dana Gould, Mark Levy, Mary Jo Pehl
7.5/10 344 votes#9 - The Land That Time Forgot
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 4/14/2017
Jonah and the bots realize the Mads have been stealing their ideas for Invention Exchanges. The Satellite of Love attracts a giant space squid, and Kinga and Max debut a promotional ad for their new venture, Dinosaur BBQ. Jonah and the bots riff on The Land that Time Forgot. Movie Plot: A small group of survivors is taken in by a German submarine after the vessel has sunk their ship. When a struggle ensues between the German officers and their captives, the U-boat, which is running out of fuel, comes across an uncharted island. Unfortunately for the passengers and crew, dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures roam the land and everyone must fight to survive. Original film made in 1975.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Matt Oswalt, Jonah Ray, Mary Robinson, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Matt McGinnis, Seth Robinson, Matt Conant, Ivan Askwith, Larry Johnson, Adam Ray
7.5/10 291 votes#10 - Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 4/14/2017
Kinga seeks advice from Gramma Pearl but is rejected, and instead has to settle for Pearl’s clone, Synthia. Kinga’s new liquid medium, Kinga Chrome, continues to misfire while Jonah creates a training video with the bots for a grille and inn franchise. Jonah and the bots riff on Wizards of the Lost Kingdom 2. Movie Plot: A warrior, a boy and a wizard must unite three kingdoms of the future. Original film made in 1989.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Paul Chaplin, Storm DiCostanzo, Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Matt Oswalt, Jonah Ray, Mary Robinson, Paul Sabourin, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Felicia Day, Matt McGinnis, Seth Robinson, Bill Corbett, Mary Jo Pehl, Tiffany Hartsell
7.5/10 305 votes#11 - Carnival Magic
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 4/14/2017
Jonah and the bots are visited by the great space circus ring master, P. T. Mindslap, who wants to recruit the bots for his circus. A glitch in Kinga Chrome reveals a strange specter of another host with the bots. Jonah and the bots riff Carnival Magic. Movie Plot: A jealous lion-tamer kidnaps a magician's talking chimpanzee and hands the animal over for scientific experiments. Original film made in 1981.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Storm DiCostanzo, Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Matt Oswalt, Jonah Ray, Paul Sabourin, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Seth Robinson, Erik Marcisak, Ashley Holtgraver, Nell Scovell
7.5/10 344 votes#12 - Experiment 1202: Atlantic Rim
Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 11/22/2018
A squad of three giant mecha fight off giant sea creatures that are attacking the United States east coast.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Rob Schrab
Writer: N/A
7.5/10 202 votes#13 - Experiment 1206: Ator
Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 11/22/2018
The warrior Ator fights to rescue his lover from a spider-worshipping cult.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Rob Schrab
Writer: N/A
7.4/10 270 votes#14 - At the Earth's Core
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 4/14/2017
It is Kinga’s wedding day and she coerces the Manager of the Hive Mind to fill the seats at Moon 13 with guests. Max, disheartened, receives a manly pep talk from Doug McClure. An unexpected guest officiates the wedding. Jonah and the bots riff on At the Earth’s Core. Movie Plot: An English scientist has invented a massive drill that can dig deep into the earth. Joined by his adventure-seeking American backer, he accidentally discovers an underground civilization of primitive humans who live in fear of telepathic flying monsters. Original film made in 1976.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Harold Buchholz, Storm DiCostanzo, Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Lesley Kinzel, Matt Oswalt, Jonah Ray, Paul Sabourin, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Felicia Day, Erik Marcisak, Neil Casey, Ernest Cline, Robert Lopez
7.4/10 274 votes#15 - Experiment 1203: Lords of the Deep
Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 11/22/2018
A group of scientists studying underwater habitation suffer several losses after an undersea earthquake and attacks from stingray-like creatures.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Rob Schrab
Writer: N/A
7.4/10 240 votes#16 - Experiment 1205: Killer Fish
Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 11/22/2018
A jewel heist goes awry when a hurricane traps the thieves and other people in waters filled with deadly piranha.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Rob Schrab
Writer: N/A
7.3/10 427 votes#17 - The Time Travelers
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/14/2017
Jonah introduces a series of new robots to Tom and Crow with unexpected results. The Satellite of Love receives visitors Larry and Dr. Varno. Jonah and the bots riff on The Time Travelers. Kinga and Max celebrate the 200th episode of MST3K. Movie Plot: Research scientists experimenting with time warps are accidentally propelled forward into an unbearable future. Original film made in 1964.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Storm DiCostanzo, Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Matt Oswalt, Jonah Ray, Mary Robinson, Paul Sabourin, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Matt McGinnis, Seth Robinson, Eugene Cordero, Erik Marcisak, Russ Walko, Mario Weddell
7.3/10 380 votes#18 - The Beast of Hollow Mountain
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 4/14/2017
Crow and Tom don mysterious costumes inspired by the film and perform an unnerving parade. Jonah and the bots discuss how other popular movies could benefit from dinosaur attacks. Jonah and bots riff on The Beast of Hollow Mountain. Movie Plot: A Mexican cattleman's dispute with a rancher is settled by a tyrannosaur from the local swamp. Original film made in 1956.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Storm DiCostanzo, Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Matt Oswalt, Jonah Ray, Mary Robinson, Paul Sabourin, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Matt McGinnis, Seth Robinson, Grant Baciocco, Kate Micucci, Joshua Pruett
7.3/10 281 votes#19 - The Christmas That Almost Wasn't
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 4/14/2017
Kinga has decided to marry Jonah as a ratings stunt and asks Pearl to give her away. Jonah puts the finishing touches on his space suit. Jonah and the bots riff on The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t. Movie Plot: Children unite to help Santa Claus and his wife, whose heartless landlord wants the rent. Original film made in 1966.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Harold Buchholz, Storm DiCostanzo, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Lesley Kinzel, Jonah Ray, Mary Robinson, Paul Sabourin, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Matt Conant, Tiffany Hartsell, Ashley Holtgraver, Joel McHale
7.2/10 315 votes#20 - The Loves of Hercules
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 4/14/2017
The bots subject Jonah to a Herculean trial as the defendant in “Court of Axe Appeal.” When Jonah introduces another new bot, M. Waverly, Tom and Crow make their feelings known. Jonah and the bots riff on The Loves of Hercules. Movie Plot: An evil Amazon wants Hercules to think she's the same queen he freed from between two trees. Original film made in 1960.
Director: Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
Writer: Harold Buchholz, Paul Chaplin, Storm DiCostanzo, Joel Hodgson, Elliott Kalan, Lesley Kinzel, Jonah Ray, Mary Robinson, Paul Sabourin, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Felicia Day, Rebecca Hanson, Matt McGinnis, Seth Robinson, Tim Ryder, Erik Marcisak, Ryon Day, Zach Thompson