Power Rangersreleased dozens of seasons during the 1990s and the early 2000s, some of which have aged better than others. WhilePower Rangers’ latest seasonwas released in 2023, it is difficult not to associate the franchise with the late 1990s and the early 2000s. ThePower Rangersmania that began withMMPRin 1993 evolved into a multi-media franchise that would include multiple series based on several differentSuper Sentaishows.
MostPower Rangersseasonsfollow the same formula, which itself is based on the structure ofSuper Sentai. That said, some seasons managed to do things differently, either by raising the stakes of the story or making the characters more complex. There are also a fewPower Rangersseries, that, despite not doing anything innovative, still knew how to play the strengths of that format.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Cast
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers marks the beginning of the Power Rangers franchise, centering on a group of teenagers with attitude who transform into superheroes. They are tasked with defending Angel Grove from the evil witch Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd, Emperor of evil, along with their monstrous minions.
The originalPower Rangersseries holds up incredibly wellover 30 years later. There is a reasonMMPRis still the most famousPower Rangersseason, to the point the franchise continues to release new comic books, toys, and video games based on the original series.Mighty Morphin Power Rangersis just silly enough for it to work as aSuper Sentaiadaptation, with most of its humor landing. The characters are easy to connect with, and theZyurangericonography fits that world perfectly.
While the vast majority ofMighty Morphin Power Rangersepisodes are standalone adventures following a classic “monster of the week” formula, the show also has some great multi-episode arcs. This includes “Green With Evil,” which famously introduced Tommy Oliver as the evil Green Ranger, as well as “The White Light,” during which Tommy returned as the White Ranger.MMPR, particularly the first two seasons, are still funto watch.
Power Rangers Zeo
Power Rangers Zeo is the fourth season of the American television series, following the Power Rangers. The new season introduces the Zeo Crystal, which gives the Rangers new powers and Zords. Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa return, joined by the Machine Empire, in their quest to conquer Earth.
Power Rangers Zeohad the difficult mission of coming afterMighty Morphin Power Rangers, which was already a pop culture phenomenon. As successful as the original series was, there were only so many episodes thatPower Rangerscould have based onZyuranger. It was time for a newSuper Sentaiadaptation, meaning it was also for new costumes and Zords. However, most of theMMPRseason 3 cast returned, makingZeofeel like a proper sequel to the previous show.
What If Jason, Zack, And Trini Had Never Left The Power Rangers In Mighty Morphin Season 2
Power Rangers changed forever after Jason, Zack, and Trini left, and the show would’ve been very different had “The Power Transfer” never happened.
In many ways,Power Rangers Zeofeels like a more refined version ofMighty Morphin Power Rangers. While most of the Rangers are still in high school duringZeo, the characters feel slightly more three-dimensional and are given some fun arcs compared toMMPR.Zeodoesn’t have great villains, butseeing Tommy as a Red Ranger and Jason rejoining the team as the Gold Ranger is always a lot of fun,especially for fans of the original show.
Power Rangers In Space
Power Rangers In Space is the sixth season of the Power Rangers franchise, airing in 1998. The show follows the remaining Power Rangers, Andros, Carlos, Ashley, Cassie, and T.J., as they flee their home planet of KO-35 and attempt to find the legendary Phantom Ranger, Zordon, and Alpha 5.
WhilePower Rangers in Spaceis part of the Zordon Era and sees the return ofMMPRcharacters like Zordon, Rita Repulsa, and Lord Zedd, this was essentially the beginning of a new era for the show.In Spacewas the first timePower Rangersleft Angel Grove, at least partially, with most of the season taking place in outer space. Darker and more ambitious,Power Rangers in Spacewas unlike anything the show had done before.
Zhane
Silver Ranger
Keeping the new Turbo crew but adding a new, mysterious Red Ranger was a great way to makePower Rangers in Spacefeel fresh even though it was a direct sequel to the previous season. ThePower Rangersare on a mission to find Zordon and stop Dark Specter’s Alliance of Evil from taking over the world, meaning the stakes are higher than they have ever been. With a great theme song and some of the coolest characters on the show,Power Rangers in Spaceis a classic.
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy is the seventh season of the Power Rangers franchise, airing in 1999. The series follows a new team of Galaxy Rangers, led by Leo Corbett, as they defend the galaxy from the evil Scorpius and his followers. Along the way, they encounter other powerful villains and unexpected allies in their quest to save the universe.
Power Rangers in Spaceshowed that the series did not have to be afraid of trying new things, setting the stage for seasons likePower Rangers Lost Galaxyto completely move away from the show’s original formula. The monsters of the week and the Megazord battles were still there, butPower Rangerswas no longer attached to Angel Grove and the heroes mentored by Zordon.Instead, we were following five brand-new characters.
Mike
Magna Defender
Power Rangers Lost Galaxyis considered the first season after the end of the Zordon Era, meaning it is a great pick for those who want a truly standalone series that doesn’t require context from previous episodes. Lost Galaxy features some of the darkest, mostmaturePower Rangersscenes, including but not limited to the death of a child and the death of a Power Ranger. A very well-written season with great characters,Power Rangers Lost Galaxyremains a fan-favorite decades later.
Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue
Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue is a television series that premiered in 2000, serving as the eighth season of the Power Rangers franchise. The show follows a team of five rescue workers who become superheroes known as the Lightspeed Rescue Power Rangers, tasked with saving the world from demonic forces led by the evil Diabolico.
Power RangersLightspeed Rescuemight not have been as popular as the series that came right before and after it, but it is one of the greatest seasons of the show. Rather than an intergalactic being recruiting teenagers to fight aliens,Lightspeed Rescuewas about a secret military operation putting together an elite team to become Power Rangers. While they were still fighting demons and giant monsters, the Rangers were often working as first responders, including during fires and accidents.
The fact thatPower Rangers Lightspeed Rescue’s characters were adults with jobswho were recruited to become Rangers due to their skills and experience was a nice change of pace for the show. For those who want to revisitPower Rangersbut might be tired of the “teenagers become superheroes” trope,Lightspeed Rescueis a great option. It also features one of thegreatest Red Rangers of all time, Carter Grayson.
Power Rangers Time Force
Power Rangers Time Force is a television series that aired in 2001, serving as the ninth season of the Power Rangers franchise. The show follows the adventures of four Time Force Rangers, led by Wesley “Wes” Collins, as they travel back in time to prevent the villainous Ransik from altering the course of history.
Great things happen whenPower Rangersmeets sci-fi, andPower Rangers Time Forceis a great example of it. The concept of time cops from the year 3000 who go back to the early 2000s chasing the leader of a crime syndicate could have been the backdrop of any sci-fi show from that era, yet it worked greatly forPower Rangers.Time Forcehas some of the best character arcs on the show, including that of reluctant Red Ranger Wes.
Alex Drake
First Red Ranger
Considered by many the bestPower Rangersseason,Time Forcehad funny moments but always treated its characters seriously.The Quantum Ranger arc and Eric’s character development are just some examples of how well-writtenTime Forcewas. Even the episodes that were just about defeating the monster of the week always had something else to offer. The series also included arguably thebest Pink Rangeron the franchise, Jen Scott.
Power Rangers Ninja Storm
Power Rangers Ninja Storm is a television series that follows the adventures of three teenage students, Shane, Tori, and Blake, who become the new generation of Power Rangers. Trained by Sensei Kanoi, they use their unique ninja skills to fight against the evil forces of Lothor, an alien warlord who seeks to conquer Earth.
The de facto beginning of the Disney era,Power RangersNinja Stormis a very self-contained seasonthat does not even include a crossover episode. Still, despite the different filming locations and the lack of connections to the previous seasons,Ninja Stormfelt likePower Rangers. This was the first time aPower Rangersteam began with three Rangers, adding a different character dynamic to the show.The civilian fight scenes inNinja Stormwere particularly impressive, a trend that would throughout the Disney era.
Power Rangers’ Greatest Mystery Has Remained Unsolved For 26 Years And Might Never Be Answered
The most important Power Rangers battle happened 26 years ago, yet the show never explained the Mighty Morphin team mystery that came with it.
Ninja Stormwas also the firstPower Rangersseason in which all the main characters had civilian powers. Between the arguably improved fight choreography, the civilian powers, and the initial lineup consisting of three Rangers instead of five,Ninja Stormis a great pick for those who feel nostalgic overPower Rangersbut want a slightly more refined take on the franchise.The additional Rangers were also great, with the team eventually consisting of six compelling, well-developed characters.
Power Rangers Dino Thunder
Power Rangers Dino Thunder is a television series that premiered in 2004, serving as the 12th season of the Power Rangers franchise. The show follows three high school students who become superheroes known as the Dino Thunder Power Rangers, tasked with saving the world from the evil Dr. Tommy Oliver and his minions.
One of thoseseasons everyMighty Morphin Power Rangersfan should watch,Dino Thunderwas a return to formula for the franchise. After space stations, underwater facilities, and time machines, the Rangers were now back in high school. Between the dinosaur motif and the school setting,Dino Thunderoften feels like a modern version ofMMPR. Of course,the fact that Jason David Frank returned as Tommy Oliver madeDino Thundereven more of a legacy sequel toMMPR.
Trent Fernandez
White Ranger
Featuring some of the coolest costumes in the franchise,Dino Thunderis a greatPower Rangersthat works even when you take nostalgia out of the equation.The series echoesMighty Morphin Power Rangers’ best moments but with a modern touch, with a great example being the evil White Ranger arc and its similarities to “Green With Evil.”
Power Rangers S.P.D.
Power Rangers S.P.D. is a 2005 television series and the thirteenth season of the Power Rangers franchise. The show takes place in the year 2025 and follows the adventures of the Space Patrol Delta (S.P.D.) team, a group of Rangers tasked with protecting the galaxy from evil forces.
Set in the distant future of 2025,Power Rangers S.P.D.brought back the idea of Power Ranger being a job title.With a great underdog story about how the B-Squad rose to the occasion and becamePower Rangers,S.P.D.has some of the best characters in the whole show. While some of those characters might seem unlikely at first, it is all part of their development. Not even the Red Ranger was quite ready to be a leader but evolved throughout the show.
For those who like worldbuilding,Power Rangers S.P.D.’s lore is very fun and continues to be revisited in comic books and video games to this day. The fact that the show’s distant future is now our present makes it even more fun to watch it in 2025.Power Rangers S.P.D.also has great villains and some surprising twists, including Rangers changing colors and taking on new positions within the team.
Power Rangers R.P.M.
Power Rangers R.P.M. is the 17th season of the Power Rangers franchise, set in a dystopian future where the evil Venjix Computer Virus has taken over the world. The remnants of humanity have retreated to the domed city of Corinth, where a group of teenagers are recruited to become the Power Rangers RPM, tasked with defending the city from Venjix’s robotic armies and searching for a way to restore the planet.
Power RangersR.P.M.is another example of how wellPower Rangersand sci-fi go together. Set in a dystopian future where artificial intelligence has gone rogue and taken over the world,R.P.M.isPower Rangers’ version of Terminator.The Rangers are survivors of the apocalypse living in one of the last known human citiesin the world and have to prevent the machines from assimilating everything.
WhileR.P.M.is very different from what one would expect from aPower Rangersshow, it is one of the best seasons of the show.Power RangersR.P.M.has aged well over 15 years later, and while the concept of evil AI taking over has been done in multiple movies and TV shows, seeing this story in thePower Rangersuniverse is interesting. The last entry in the Disney era,Power RangersR.P.M.sadly didn’t get the love it deserved when it came out, but it has since been more appreciated.
