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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(339 votes)

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

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  2. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 3 - The Time Travelers
    7.3/10(454 votes)

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

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  3. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 5 - The Beast of Hollow Mountain
    7.3/10(406 votes)

    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:Robert Cohen, Joel Hodgson
    Writers:Elliott Kalan, Matt McGinnis, Matt Oswalt, Mary Robinson, Storm DiCostanzo, Tammy Golden, Joel Hodgson, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Paul Sabourin, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Seth Robinson, 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
    7.3/10(309 votes)

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

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  5. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 12 - Carnival Magic
    7.4/10(332 votes)

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

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  6. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 14 - At the Earth's Core
    7.4/10(291 votes)

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

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  7. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 2 - Atlantic Rim
    7.4/10(368 votes)

    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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  8. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 3 - Lords of the Deep
    7.4/10(299 votes)

    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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  9. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 5 - Killer Fish
    7.4/10(264 votes)

    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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  10. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 7 - The Land That Time Forgot
    7.5/10(369 votes)

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

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  11. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 11 - Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II
    7.5/10(311 votes)

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

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  12. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 6 - Ator
    7.5/10(225 votes)

    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(745 votes)

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

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  14. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 6 - Starcrash
    7.7/10(419 votes)

    S1:E6

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

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

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  15. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 4 - The Day Time Ended
    7.7/10(277 votes)

    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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  16. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 9 - Yongary
    7.8/10(353 votes)

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

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  17. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 4 - Avalanche
    7.9/10(476 votes)

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

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  18. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 10 - Wizards of the Lost Kingdom
    7.9/10(345 votes)

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

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  19. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 1 Episode 2 - Cry Wilderness
    8.2/10(553 votes)

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

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  20. Mystery Science Theater 3000 Season 2 Episode 1 - Mac and Me
    8.6/10(496 votes)

    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 339 votes. Directed by Robert Cohen, Joel Hodgson and written by Harold Buchholz, Elliott Kalan, Felicia Day, Matt McGinnis, Mary Robinson, Storm DiCostanzo, Rebecca Hanson, Joel Hodgson, Baron Vaughn, Hampton Yount, Paul Chaplin, Paul Sabourin, Lesley Kinzel, Erik Marcisak, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Tim Ryder, Seth Robinson, 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".