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Mystery Science Theater 3000

1989 – 1999Show10 seasons176 episodesTV-PG

ComedySci-Fi & Fantasy
85
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.6Metacritic818.9Rotten Tomatoes87%98%

A gloriously campy, nostalgic comedy series about pop culture and show business, with standout dialogue.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Skip it if you want dark or edgy material

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for brutality, scares or tears.

Shows with

Episodes

10 seasons · 176 episodes · best: S5E24 "'Manos' the Hands of Fate" 9.0

Episodes

6.6
7.0
7.4
7.8
7.9
7.9
7.6
7.8
7.9
8.0
7.8

Story

We've got Movie Sign!

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

Feels like

  • Cult Comedy Classic
  • Meta-Commentary on Bad Cinema
  • Witty & Sarcastic Riffs
  • Nostalgic 90s Charm
  • Absurd Sci-Fi Premise
  • Interactive Viewing Experience
  • Low-Budget Aesthetic
  • Iconic Robot Sidekicks
  • Parody of Genre Tropes
  • Wholesome Humor

Cast

16 of 16 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Jim Mallon, Kevin Murphy, Trace Beaulieu
Written by
Trace Beaulieu, Frank Conniff, Jim Mallon
Produced by
Joel Hodgson, Kevin Murphy

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

November 25, 1989 · September 12, 1999 · Ended

First aired
November 25, 1989
Last aired
September 12, 1999
Status
Ended
Length
10 seasons · 176 episodes
Age rating
TV-PG
Genres
Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
131 countries

Tropes

Fate Worse than Death, Asian Cleaver Fever, What Happened to the Mouse? +9

  • Fate Worse than Death
  • Asian Cleaver Fever
  • What Happened to the Mouse?
  • Celebrity Resemblance
  • "Groundhog Day" Loop
  • False Flag Operation
  • Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking
  • Your Head A-Splode
  • Foreign Remake
  • Ascended Extra
  • Robot Buddy
  • Rule of Funny

12 of 442 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Mystery Science Theater 3000?"

Questions about Mystery Science Theater 3000

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is Mystery Science Theater 3000 worth watching?

85
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 85 (IMDb 8.6, Rotten Tomatoes 87%, and Metacritic 81).

Does Mystery Science Theater 3000 get better after season 1?

Yes: season 1 has an IMDb average of 6.6, and season 10 peaks at 8.0. The highest-rated episode is 'Manos' the Hands of Fate (season 5, episode 24) at 9.0, and the lowest is Superdome (season 1, episode 15) at 6.3.

Is Mystery Science Theater 3000 okay for kids?

TV-PG

Yes: it's rated TV-PG in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

How long does it take to watch Mystery Science Theater 3000?

270 h

About 270 hours: 176 episodes in 10 seasons of about 92 minutes each, aired from 1989 to 1999.

Will Mystery Science Theater 3000 make me laugh?

Very funny

Yes, a lot: the humor is mostly sharp wit (10 of 10) and situational comedy (9 of 10).

Will I feel good after watching Mystery Science Theater 3000?

BleakHopeful

Yes, it's an uplifting series: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for hopefulness and 8 for wholesome.