The BEST seasons of Mystery Science Theater 3000

Every season of Mystery Science Theater 3000 ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best seasons of Mystery Science Theater 3000!

In the not-too-distant future, various test subjects are held captive by mad scientists and evil villains aboard the Satellite of Love, where they are forced to watch cheesy B-grade movies with the help of their robot friends: Cambot, Gypsy, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot.

Last Updated: 7/6/2025Network: GizmoplexStatus: Ended
Season 6
star
9.29
7 votes

#1 - Season 6

First Aired 7/16/1994

Season 6 of MST3K brought the works of Coleman Francis to the Satellite of Love, with RED ZONE CUBA and THE SKYDIVERS. Mike and the bots also suffer a ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE they won’t soon forget.

Season 5
star
9.14
7 votes

#2 - Season 5

First Aired 7/24/1993

MST3K changes hosts for the first time when Joel Robinson escapes and is replaced by Mike Nelson. Joel’s departure is marked by the iconic MITCHELL, and Mike enters the arena with THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE. Season 5 also includes Joel’s favorite episode, I ACCUSE MY PARENTS.

Season 10
star
9.00
8 votes

#3 - Season 10

First Aired 4/11/1999

In the final season of MST3K's original classic run, Pearl Forrester aspires to become an accredited mad scientist and imposes BOGGY CREEK II: AND THE LEGEND CONTINUES and GIRL IN GOLD BOOTS on Mike and the bots.

Season 9
star
8.71
7 votes

#4 - Season 9

First Aired 3/14/1998

In Season 9, Pearl, Bobo, and Brain Guy set up shop in Castle Forrester while Mike, Tom Servo, and Crow continue to suffer under the burden of riffing movies like THE PUMAMAN and WEREWOLF.

Season 8
star
8.38
8 votes

#5 - Season 8

First Aired 2/1/1997

Season 8 picks up 500 years after the last episode, as Mike and the bots are forcibly returned to the Satellite of Love, where Pearl Forrester, Professor Bobo, and Brain Guy are eager to inflict such gems as SPACE MUTINY and TIME CHASERS on our hapless heroes.

Season 4
star
8.33
6 votes

#6 - Season 4

First Aired 6/6/1992

MST3K shifts into high gear as the unforgettable MANOS: THE HANDS OF FATE makes its indelible mark on Joel, Tom Servo, and Crow. This season also includes THE DAY THE EARTH FROZE, although we never did find out what a Sampo is.

The Return: Season 1
star
8.04
26 votes

#7 - The Return: Season 1

First Aired 4/14/2017

Season 3
star
8.00
7 votes

#8 - Season 3

First Aired 6/1/1991

In season 3, Joel and the bots tackle all five original-run GAMERA episodes and the beloved classic POD PEOPLE.

Season 7
star
7.86
7 votes

#9 - Season 7

First Aired 2/3/1996

Season 7 encourages Mike, Tom, and Crow to leave the Bronx with ESCAPE 2000 – and they take the suggestion to escape very seriously in LASERBLAST, when the SOL crew transforms themselves into non-corporeal beings of pure energy to go play on the edge of the universe.

Season 12
star
7.77
13 votes

#10 - Season 12

First Aired 11/22/2018

Season 2
star
7.20
10 votes

#11 - Season 2

First Aired 9/22/1990

In Season 2, Joel Robinson’s torment continues as Dr. Forrester and TV’s Frank inflict such horrors as CATALINA CAPER and THE SIDEHACKERS.

Season 1
star
6.75
8 votes

#12 - Season 1

First Aired 11/19/1989

In season 1, trapped by mad scientists Dr. Forrester and Dr. Erhardt, Joel Robinson and his robot pals face off against movies like THE CRAWLING EYE and ROBOT HOLOCAUST.