The Ultimate Ranking of Power Rangers Movies, From Worst to Best

Article Overview

Power Rangers has seen a wide range of releases, including movies, TV specials, and TV shows, with some being better than others.

Some Power Rangers films, like Clash of the Red Rangers and The Legendary Battle: Extended Edition, are actually compilations of TV specials.

Regarded as the pinnacle of Power Rangers nostalgia, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie stands as the ultimate Power Rangers film, providing a high-budget expedition that marked a significant milestone in the franchise.

Starting with the 1993 release of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the Power Rangers franchise has experienced a range of movies, TV specials, and other releases across various media. While not all of these movies align with the Power Rangers' chronological timeline, each one holds significance within the franchise.

Over the past 30 years, the Power Rangers' successful formula of merging Super Sentai shows with original scenes has allowed the saga to explore beyond its original format. The first Power Rangers movie hit screens in 1995, and since then, the franchise has witnessed everything from TV movies that compile episodes into a single release to blockbuster hits. Most recently, a new Power Rangers film was debuted in 2023.

Note: Amy Jo Johson and the late Jason David Frank are the only actors to have appeared in all three theatrical Power Rangers movies.

6. Power Rangers: Clash of the Red Rangers

2011

Clash of the Red Rangers is not a feature-length movie like the other Power Rangers releases, but rather a combination of two episodes from Power Rangers R.P.M, Power Rangers Operation Overdrive, and Power Rangers Samurai. This 50-minute-long special, based on two different Super Sentai films, initially aired as a TV movie and later became available on DVD. The storyline of Clash of the Red Rangers follows the traditional Power Rangers team-up episodes, with the only notable difference being its broadcast method.

5. The Legendary Battle: Extended Edition

2014

Unlike Clash of the Red Rangers, The Legendary Battle: Extended Edition is not a full-length feature film. However, it was released as a movie for home video. The Legendary Battle: Extended Edition combines two Power Rangers Super Megaforce episodes, "The Wrath" and "Legendary Battle," into a 55-minute long special, which also includes new scenes. While the extended Legendary Battle scenes enhanced the original episodes, they were unable to overcome the disappointment of the Power Rangers' 20th-anniversary special. The Legendary Battle: Extended Edition brought attention to the flaws in the crossover episode, which failed to meet the high expectations for what a legendary battle in Power Rangers would look like.

4. Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie

1997

While Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie aimed to bring the Power Rangers to the big screen for the very first time, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie could have easily been a direct-to-video release. In fact, it only made $8 million at the box office before being released on VHS. Unlike the initial Power Rangers movie that told a separate story, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie was seamlessly integrated into the TV show's canon. It served as the bridge between Power Rangers Zeo and Power Rangers Turbo, essentially functioning as the "episode 0" of the latter.

Interestingly, despite being the only piece of Power Rangers canon that explains the shift into Turbo ahead of the new show, the Turbo movie lacks elaboration on why the Power Rangers had to change their powers. Although the Zeo Crystals were once considered some of the most powerful artifacts in the universe, Zordon suddenly requested that the Power Rangers utilize new morphers and Zords. Aside from the unanswered questions surrounding the lore, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie feels more like an extended episode of the Power Rangers rather than a full-fledged film. Nonetheless, the inclusion of the Zeo cast in a higher-budget production, along with the return of Kimberly and Jason, added value to the Turbo movie.

3. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always

2023

Once & Always, a 50-minute-long special titled Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, deviates from both the format of a feature-length film and a regular Power Rangers episode. With its unique nature, this one-off special bears more resemblance to the Power Rangers movies rather than the typical episodes. Notably, Once & Always sets itself apart from the TV show by employing terms like "died" and "killed," which were never used in the series. Beyond the beloved nostalgia of Mighty Morphin, this special manages to captivate viewers with an entertaining and emotionally impactful storyline that truly encapsulates the essence of Power Rangers.

The cast of The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always featured several original Power Rangers actors, including Billy Cranston (played by David Yost) and Zack Taylor (played by Walter Emanuel Jones), who portrayed first-generation Rangers. Billy had not made an appearance in any Power Rangers show or movie since Zeo, while Zack did not return to the franchise after Mighty Morphin season 2. However, Once & Always had a bittersweet touch as it dedicated the story to Thuy Trang and included a tribute to Jason David Frank in the ending credits. To commemorate the 30-year anniversary of Power Rangers, Power Rangers: Once & Always served as a fitting celebration.

2. Power Rangers

2017

The release of Power Rangers (2017) marked a significant milestone for the franchise, as it had been nearly two decades since the last proper Power Rangers film. Serving as both an expansion of the series and the beginning of a new Power Rangers movie saga, the 2017 reboot took inspiration from the iconic Mighty Morphin, incorporating familiar characters and costumes. However, it is important to note that the film stood on its own, independent from the TV show. In a compelling twist, the movie introduced fresh iterations of beloved characters such as Jason, Billy, Trini, Zack, and Kimberly, while also reimagining key Power Rangers elements. The strikingly different new Power Rangers costumes showcased in the film further reinforced its distinctiveness from the TV series, setting it apart as a unique entity.

Comparing a theatrical Hollywood movie with a TV show or with films designed for TV may not be fair; however, it is important to acknowledge the superior writing and character development of the 2017 Power Rangers. The movie successfully grounded one of the most fantastical television franchises and made each of the core Mighty Morphin Power Rangers relatable. Nonetheless, the main drawback of 2017's Power Rangers was its lack of "Ranger action." It is evident that the movie could have benefited from a larger budget, as only Red Ranger Jason was equipped with one of the iconic Power Rangers weapons. The fight sequences were disappointingly short, and the Rangers' morphing moments were limited.

1. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie

1995

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie is the ultimate fusion of classic Power Rangers TV elements and the grandeur expected from a cinematic experience. This film stands out as the pinnacle of Power Rangers movies. As the popularity of the Mighty Morphin series soared on television, it was only a matter of time before the Power Rangers made their way onto the silver screen. However, to simplify matters, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie was developed as a standalone narrative. Despite featuring familiar actors and characters from the TV show, this movie exists outside the official canon of the series. Hence, Power Rangers: The Movie didn't feel obligated to provide explanations for the larger Command Center or the new armor worn by the Rangers.

Although not considered canon, Power Rangers: The Movie is undeniably one of the most captivating stories from the Mighty Morphin series. The talented ensemble, led by Jason David Frank, Amy Jo Johnson, and David Yost, was joined by fresh faces like Johhny Yong Bosch, Karan Ashley, and Steve Cardenas. The movie surpassed the TV show in both scale and excitement, delivering a high-budget Power Rangers experience that Mighty Morphin could never match. The iconic 1990s villain, Ivan Ooze, has earned instant recognition, despite some dated visual effects. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie remains a cherished emblem of Power Rangers nostalgia.

Editor's P/S

As a Power Rangers fan, I have mixed feelings about the ranking of the Power Rangers movies. On the one hand, I am excited to see that Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie is considered the best of the bunch. This movie was a huge part of my childhood, and I still remember the excitement of seeing it in theaters. The movie captured the essence of the TV show, and it was a lot of fun to see the Rangers in action on the big screen.

On the other hand, I am disappointed to see that Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie is ranked so low. This movie was also a big part of my childhood, and I have fond memories of watching it on VHS. While it is true that the movie is not as well-made as some of the other Power Rangers movies, I still think it is a fun and enjoyable film.

Overall, I think the ranking of the Power Rangers movies is a fair one. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie is a classic, and it deserves its place at the top of the list. However, I think Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie deserves a little more credit. It is a fun and enjoyable film that is sure to please fans of the Power Rangers franchise.