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The Worst Episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000

Every episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000!

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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.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 8 - The Loves of Hercules
    7.2/10(330 votes)

    #1 - The Loves of Hercules

    S1:E8

    The far-fetched fight scenes and tangled plot lines of the breathy Jayne Mansfield saga nudge Jonah and friends one step closer to the edge.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Rebecca Hanson, Paul Chaplin, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Harold Buchholz, Lesley Kinzel, Paul Sabourin, Matt McGinnis, Tim Ryder, Seth Robinson, Storm DiCostanzo, Mary Robinson, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Felicia Day, Erik Marcisak, Zach Thompson, Ryon Day

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  2. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 3 - The Time Travelers
    7.3/10(444 votes)

    #2 - The Time Travelers

    S1:E3

    A botched experiment hurls a group of scientists into a bleak future full of mutants, androids and catty humans in this 1964 sci-fi romp.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Mario Weddell, Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Paul Sabourin, Matt McGinnis, Eugene Cordero, Russ Walko, Seth Robinson, Storm DiCostanzo, Matt Oswalt, Mary Robinson, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Erik Marcisak

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  3. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 5 - The Beast of Hollow Mountain
    7.3/10(393 votes)

    #3 - The Beast of Hollow Mountain

    S1:E5

    Saddle up for a trip to a Mexican ranch with a nasty secret in this part-Western, part-monster movie that's all torture for Jonah and the bots.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Paul Sabourin, Matt McGinnis, Seth Robinson, Storm DiCostanzo, Matt Oswalt, Mary Robinson, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Joshua Pruett, Kate Micucci, Grant Baciocco

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  4. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 13 - The Christmas That Almost Wasn't
    7.4/10(301 votes)

    #4 - The Christmas That Almost Wasn't

    S1:E13

    The gang gets in the holiday spirit with the tale of a plucky lawyer who sets out to save Santa Claus from the clutches of a spoilsport zillionaire.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Harold Buchholz, Lesley Kinzel, Paul Sabourin, Matt Conant, Storm DiCostanzo, Mary Robinson, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Joel McHale, Ashley Holtgraver, Tiffany Hartsell

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  5. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 14 - At the Earth's Core
    7.4/10(280 votes)

    #5 - At the Earth's Core

    S1:E14

    While gearing up for his big day, Jonah joins Doug McClure for a wild drill ride down to a lava-licked world ruled by tyrannical, telepathic beasts.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Harold Buchholz, Lesley Kinzel, Paul Sabourin, Storm DiCostanzo, Matt Oswalt, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Felicia Day, Erik Marcisak, Ernest Cline, Robert Lopez, Neil Casey

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  6. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 3 - Lords of the Deep
    7.4/10(291 votes)

    #6 - Lords of the Deep

    S2:E3

    Jonah and the bots join the star-crossed crew of an undersea lab for a psychedelic late-'80s adventure that boggles the mind -- in all the worst ways.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Rob Schrab
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 5 - Killer Fish
    7.4/10(254 votes)

    #7 - Killer Fish

    S2:E5

    Blood and betrayals abound in this messy Lee Majors horror movie featuring stolen jewels, piranhas and a tangled web of thieves.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Rob Schrab
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 7 - The Land That Time Forgot
    7.5/10(361 votes)

    #8 - The Land That Time Forgot

    S1:E7

    A motley group aboard a German U-boat discovers an island full of ancient beasts and evolutionary mysteries in this blustery 1974 adventure.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Matt McGinnis, Matt Conant, Seth Robinson, Matt Oswalt, Mary Robinson, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Ivan Askwith, Adam Ray, Larry Johnson

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  9. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 11 - Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II
    7.5/10(303 votes)

    #9 - Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II

    S1:E11

    The Mads turn up the heat with a sequel! This time, a has-been wizard and his gawky apprentice embark on their own mind-bending quest to quash evil.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Paul Chaplin, Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Paul Sabourin, Matt McGinnis, Seth Robinson, Storm DiCostanzo, Matt Oswalt, Mary Robinson, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Felicia Day, Bill Corbett, Mary Jo Pehl, Tiffany Hartsell

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  10. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 12 - Carnival Magic
    7.5/10(322 votes)

    #10 - Carnival Magic

    S1:E12

    Kinga drops a bombshell on Jonah before plunging him into a world of bare-chested carnies, talking chimps, brooding magicians and young love.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Paul Sabourin, Seth Robinson, Storm DiCostanzo, Matt Oswalt, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Erik Marcisak, Ashley Holtgraver, Nell Scovell

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  11. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 2 - Atlantic Rim
    7.5/10(359 votes)

    #11 - Atlantic Rim

    S2:E2

    This bro-tastic ripoff of Guillermo del Toro's "Pacific Rim" boasts cheesy dialogue, barely scientific mech suits and some very creative geography.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Rob Schrab
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 6 - Ator
    7.5/10(215 votes)

    #12 - Ator

    S2:E6

    After plunging the frazzled crew into a world of prophecies, gnarly spiders and scantily clad warriors, Kinga unveils her next diabolical plan.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Rob Schrab
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 1 - Reptilicus
    7.7/10(732 votes)

    #13 - Reptilicus

    S1:E1

    After falling into a trap on the dark side of the moon, Jonah Heston befriends a trio of robots and braves a slime-spewing Danish monster flick.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Paul Chaplin, Tammy Golden, Dan Harmon, Joel Hodgson, Justin Roiland, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Harold Buchholz, Lesley Kinzel, Paul Sabourin, Storm DiCostanzo, Matt Oswalt, Mary Robinson, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount

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  14. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 6 - Starcrash
    7.7/10(408 votes)

    #14 - Starcrash

    S1:E6

    Perms, skimpy battle outfits and cheap effects abound in this 1978 "Star Wars" knockoff with David Hasselhoff and Christopher Plummer.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Paul Chaplin, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Harold Buchholz, Paul Sabourin, Matt McGinnis, Seth Robinson, Storm DiCostanzo, Mary Robinson, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Erik Marcisak, Bill Corbett, Dana Gould, Mary Jo Pehl, Mark Levy

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  15. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 9 - Yongary
    7.8/10(345 votes)

    #15 - Yongary

    S1:E9

    Rockets, quakes and reptiles, oh my! Jonah and the bots dive into a South Korean monster film that's long on rampages and short on sensible behavior.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Matt McGinnis, Seth Robinson, Matt Oswalt, Mary Robinson, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Zach Thompson, Joe Parsons, Scott Chester, John Erler

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  16. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 4 - The Day Time Ended
    7.8/10(267 votes)

    #16 - The Day Time Ended

    S2:E4

    As Jonah and pals suffer through endless stop-motion sci-fi mayhem in the California desert, an old acquaintance drops in on Kinga and Max.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Rob Schrab
    Writer:Paul Sabourin

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  17. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 4 - Avalanche
    7.9/10(465 votes)

    #17 - Avalanche

    S1:E4

    While Jonah and crew dig into a schlocky ski-resort disaster flick starring Rock Hudson and Mia Farrow, Kinga connects with her long-distance lover.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Harold Buchholz, Paul Sabourin, Jonathan Stern, Matt Conant, Storm DiCostanzo, Matt Oswalt, Mary Robinson, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount

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  18. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 10 - Wizards of the Lost Kingdom
    7.9/10(336 votes)

    #18 - Wizards of the Lost Kingdom

    S1:E10

    A boy magician, a boozy hero and a furry ... something-or-other team up to save a kingdom from a nefarious sorcerer in this 1985 cheesefest.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Harold Buchholz, Lesley Kinzel, Matt McGinnis, Matt Conant, Seth Robinson, Matt Oswalt, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Dana Snyder

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  19. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 2 - Cry Wilderness
    8.2/10(544 votes)

    #19 - Cry Wilderness

    S1:E2

    Stock footage, a sketchy Bigfoot costume and creepy fits of laughter make this 1980s tale of boy, beast and park ranger ripe for wisecracks.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen
    Writers:Rebecca Hanson, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Shaun Stewart, Harold Buchholz, Lesley Kinzel, Eric Fell, Patrick Maliha, Matt McGinnis, Tim Ryder, Seth Robinson, Mary Robinson, Opus Moreschi, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Felicia Day

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  20. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 1 - Mac and Me
    8.6/10(481 votes)

    #20 - Mac and Me

    S2:E1

    The gang kicks off a marathon of movie torture with a suspiciously "E.T."-like flick featuring a homely baby alien with a serious soda habit.

    Directors:Joel Hodgson, Rob Schrab
    Writers:Rebecca Hanson, Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Lesley Kinzel, Matt McGinnis, Jonathan Stern, Matt Oswalt, Mary Robinson

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Loves of Hercules" is the worst rated episode of "Mystery Science Theater 3000". It scored 7.2/10 based on 330 votes. Directed by Joel Hodgson, Robert Cohen and written by Rebecca Hanson, Paul Chaplin, Joel Hodgson, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Harold Buchholz, Lesley Kinzel, Paul Sabourin, Matt McGinnis, Tim Ryder, Seth Robinson, Storm DiCostanzo, Mary Robinson, Elliott Kalan, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Felicia Day, Erik Marcisak, Zach Thompson, Ryon Day, it aired on 4/14/2017. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Time Travelers".