The Best Power Ranger Stories of All-Time

This is it! Tonight, the Power Rangers return to the Silver Screen.

Before Saban’s Power Rangers rolls its opening credits, Geeks is celebrating the best Power Rangers stories of all-time.

Warning! Spoilers are ahead.

#12: “Legacy of Power” (Power Rangers Dino Thunder; 2004)

While legendary Power Ranger, Dr. Tommy Oliver, is held against his will against Mesogog, the Dino Rangers learn about Tommy’s legendary history with various incarnations of the multi-colored team and their predecessors.

#11: “The Secret of the Locket,"/"Astronema Thinks Twice”/”The Rangers’ Leap of Faith”(Power Rangers in Space; 1998)

Power Rangers in Space dealt with numerous subplots including the kidnapping of Andros’ sister, Karone. Fans were shocked to learn that Andros’ sister was their greatest enemy: Astronema. Andros tried to rehabilitate her when she learned the truth, and the villainess faced the ultimate character test when she accidently leads the Rangers into a trap set by Astronema’s mentor: Dark Specter, the Grand Monarch of Evil.

#10: “Shift Into Turbo” (Power Rangers Turbo; 1997)

1997 marked a big year for the Power Rangers franchise. Tommy, Kat, Adam, Tanya, and Rocky graduated from Angel Grove High School, while Justin became the first pre-teen to join the team as the Turbo Blue Ranger. But it also met an end of an era as the writers wrote out Zordon and Alpha Five out of the story as supporting characters. Meanwhile, Divatox, the Intergalactic Pirate Queen of Evil, targeted the Turbo Rangers for revenge.

#9: “To the Tenth Power”/ “The Power of Pink” (Power Rangers Lost Galaxy; 1999)

When Trakeena and Deviot resurrected the Psycho Rangers from their data prison, the villains immediately kidnap the Galaxy Rangers and proved to be a real test to both Leo & Mike. With the help of Andros and the rest of the Space Rangers, they were able to free the Galaxy Rangers, stopped Trakeena, and destroy four of the Psychos. Sadly, Psycho Pink survived got her revenge by stealing the Savage Sword and took away Cassie’s powers. Kendrix, the Pink Galaxy Ranger, sacrificed her life to destroy the Savage Sword.

(Geek byte #1: Actress Valerie Vernon, who portrayed Kendrix, was written out of the series due to her leukemia diagnosis. She returned to the series in the season finale.)

#8: “Rangers of Two Worlds” (Power Rangers Zeo; 1996)

“Rangers of Two Worlds” marked the first time that the Zeo Rangers collaborated with their mentors, the Alien Rangers of Aquitar when both King Mondo and Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd unleash separate attacks on Angel Grove. Meanwhile, this marked the final physical appearance of the original Blue Ranger, Billy, who was forced to leave Earth due to his rapidly aging body.

(Geek byte #2: Actor David Yost, who portrayed Billy, quit Power Rangers Zeo near the end of the season because he was constantly harassed on the set by the crew because of his homosexuality. The Powers That Be used two different actors and archived footage to pay homage to the character.)

#7: “Ninja Quest” (Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Season Three; 1995)

The final season of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers showcased several times that Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd defeated the Rangers. Their first victory happened when Rita’s brother, Rito, arrived on the scene and challenged the Rangers to a battle that cost them both their Power Coins and the Thunder Zords. The Rangers were forced to venture to the Desert of Despair, where they met Ninjor, who gave them the Ninja Power Coins and the Ninja Zords to help them turn the tide against their war with evil.

#6: “Journey’s End” (Power Rangers Lost Galaxy; 1999)

Despite escaping the Lost Galaxy, Terra Venture ran out of fuel and found a new planet that the colonists could inhabit. Unfortunately, a deranged Trakeena (who merged with Deviot in the Cocoon), declared open season on Terra Venture, forced her army to become suicide bombers and ordered them to destroy everything in sight. While the Rangers saved the colonists and lost three zords in the process, Leo was forced to confront a mutated Trakeena on Terra Venture alone and was able to end her reign of terror kamikaze style.

#5: “The End of Time” (Power Rangers Time Force; 2001)

The three-part finale of Power Rangers Time Force was the culmination of the Time Force Rangers’ war with mutant warlord Ransik and his forces. When Time Force commander Alex forced Jen, Katie, Lucas, and Trip to retreat to the future, Wes had to face Ransik’s forces alone which came with catastrophic consequences.

#4: “Chase Into Space” (Power Rangers Turbo; 1997)

The second group of Turbo Rangers was dealt with four heavy blows in the two-part season finale. Dark Specter and his forces successfully kidnapped Zordon, a huge monster called Goldgoyle destroyed two megazords, and Divatox and her massive army discover the Power Chamber’s location and bulldoze it to the ground. The final blow came when Justin chose to leave the team on Earth as TJ, Ashley, Cassie, Carlos, and Alpha Six headed into space to stop Divatox.

#3: “Green with Evil” (Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Season One; 1993)

Many Power Rangers fans consider “Green with Evil” story, one of the best story arcs in franchise history. This compelling five-part story introduced the Green Ranger to the Power Rangers universe. Rita Repulsa brainwashed Tommy Oliver into becoming the emerald warrior and under Rita’s dark influence, he went after the Power Rangers, Alpha Five, and Zordon. When the Rangers learned about the Green Ranger’s identity, they were successful in breaking Rita’s spell and convinced Tommy to join them in the fight against Rita and her forces.

#2: “Forever Red” (Power Rangers Wild Force; 2002)

“Forever Red” celebrated the Power Rangers’ tenth anniversary. To commemorate this landmark occasion, Cole joined forces with Jason, Tommy, TJ, Andros, Leo, Wes, and three other Red Rangers to stop the surviving faction of the Machine Empire from resurrecting Serpentera, Lord Zedd’s powerful zord, and using it to destroy the Earth.

Geek byte #3: The Machine Empire Generals’ costumes were from old Saban series: Big Bad Beetleborgs and Beetleborgs Metallix. Three of the generals were voiced by veteran Power Rangers actors Archie Kao (Power Rangers Lost Galaxy), Walter Jones (Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Seasons One & Two), and Catherine Sutherland (Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Season Three, Power Rangers Zeo, and Power Rangers Turbo).

Geek byte #4: Series writer Amit Bhaumik wrote on his Tumblr page that there were four versions of the episode that were written before the final product.

#1: “Countdown to Destruction” (Power Rangers in Space; 1998)

The Saban era that aired on FOX Kids from 1993 to 2002 is divided into two periods: the Zordon era and the post-Zordon era. The finale of the Zordon era was a two-part finale: “Countdown to Destruction.” Dark Specter ordered the United Alliance of Evil (Rita, Zedd, Divatox, the Machine Empire, and Astronema) to stage a massive attack on the Power Rangers universe. As many allies fell to the massive evil armadas, it was up to the Space Rangers to save their planet from the United Alliance of Evil. In the end, Zordon made the ultimate sacrifice as he commanded Andros to shatter his energy tube. Zordon’s energy destroyed the forces of evil, gave Rita, Zedd, Divatox, and Karone a second chance of life, and ended the first six years of the Power Rangers franchise.

Geek byte #5: “Countdown to Destruction” was originally suppose to end the franchise, but due to the success of Power Rangers in Space, Saban continued to expand on the Power Rangers universe.

#12: “Legacy of Power” (Power Rangers Dino Thunder; 2004)

While legendary Power Ranger, Dr. Tommy Oliver, is held against his will against Mesogog, the Dino Rangers learn about Tommy’s legendary history with various incarnations of the multi-colored team and their predecessors.

#11: “The Secret of the Locket,"/"Astronema Thinks Twice”/”The Rangers’ Leap of Faith” (Power Rangers in Space; 1998)

Power Rangers in Space dealt with numerous subplots including the kidnapping of Andros’ sister, Karone. Fans were shocked to learn that Andros’ sister was their greatest enemy: Astronema. Andros tried to rehabilitate her when she learned the truth, and the villainess faced the ultimate character test when she accidentally leads the Rangers into a trap set by Astronema’s mentor: Dark Specter, the Grand Monarch of Evil.

#10: “Shift Into Turbo” (Power Rangers Turbo; 1997)

1997 marked a big year for the Power Rangers franchise. Tommy, Kat, Adam, Tanya, and Rocky graduated from Angel Grove High School, while Justin became the first pre-teen to join the team as the Turbo Blue Ranger. But it also met an end of an era as the writers wrote out Zordon and Alpha Five out of the story as supporting characters. Meanwhile, Divatox, the Intergalactic Pirate Queen of Evil, targeted the Turbo Rangers for revenge.

#9: “To the Tenth Power”/ “The Power of Pink” (Power Rangers Lost Galaxy; 1999)

When Trakeena and Deviot resurrected the Psycho Rangers from their data prison, the villains immediately kidnap the Galaxy Rangers and proved to be a real test to both Leo & Mike. With the help of Andros and the rest of the Space Rangers, they were able to free the Galaxy Rangers, stopped Trakeena, and destroy four of the Psychos. Sadly, Psycho Pink survived got her revenge by stealing the Savage Sword and took away Cassie’s powers. Kendrix, the Pink Galaxy Ranger, sacrificed her life to destroy the Savage Sword.

(Geek byte #1: Actress Valerie Vernon, who portrayed Kendrix, was written out of the series due to her leukemia diagnosis. She returned to the series in the season finale.)

#8: “Rangers of Two Worlds” (Power Rangers Zeo; 1996)

“Rangers of Two Worlds” marked the first time that the Zeo Rangers collaborated with their mentors, the Alien Rangers of Aquitar when both King Mondo and Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd unleash separate attacks on Angel Grove. Meanwhile, this marked the final physical appearance of the original Blue Ranger, Billy, who was forced to leave Earth due to his rapidly aging body.

(Geek byte #2: Actor David Yost, who portrayed Billy, quit Power Rangers Zeo near the end of the season because he was constantly harassed on the set by the crew because of his homosexuality. The Powers That Be used two different actors and archived footage to pay homage to the character.)

#7: “Ninja Quest” (Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Season Three; 1995)

The final season of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers showcased several times that Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd defeated the Rangers. Their first victory happened when Rita’s brother, Rito, arrived on the scene and challenged the Rangers to a battle that cost them both their Power Coins and the Thunder Zords. The Rangers were forced to venture to the Desert of Despair, where they met Ninjor, who gave them the Ninja Power Coins and the Ninja Zords to help them turn the tide against their war with evil.

#6: “Journey’s End” (Power Rangers Lost Galaxy; 1999)

Despite escaping the Lost Galaxy, Terra Venture ran out of fuel and found a new planet that the colonists could inhabit. Unfortunately, a deranged Trakeena (who merged with Deviot in the Cocoon), declared open season on Terra Venture, forced her army to become suicide bombers and ordered them to destroy everything in sight. While the Rangers saved the colonists and lost three zords in the process, Leo was forced to confront a mutated Trakeena on Terra Venture alone and was able to end her reign of terror kamikaze style.

#5: “The End of Time” (Power Rangers Time Force; 2001)

The three-part finale of Power Rangers Time Force was the culmination of the Time Force Rangers’ war with mutant warlord Ransik and his forces. When Time Force commander Alex forced Jen, Katie, Lucas, and Trip to retreat to the future, Wes had to face Ransik’s forces alone which came with catastrophic consequences.

#4: “Chase Into Space” (Power Rangers Turbo; 1997)

The second group of Turbo Rangers was dealt with four heavy blows in the two-part season finale. Dark Specter and his forces successfully kidnapped Zordon, a huge monster called Goldgoyle destroyed two megazords, and Divatox and her massive army discover the Power Chamber’s location and bulldoze it to the ground. The final blow came when Justin chose to leave the team on Earth as TJ, Ashley, Cassie, Carlos, and Alpha Six headed into space to stop Divatox.

#3: “Green with Evil” (Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Season One; 1993)

Many Power Rangers fans consider “Green with Evil” story, one of the best story arcs in franchise history. This compelling five-part story introduced the Green Ranger to the Power Rangers universe. Rita Repulsa brainwashed Tommy Oliver into becoming the emerald warrior and under Rita’s dark influence, he went after the Power Rangers, Alpha Five, and Zordon. When the Rangers learned about the Green Ranger’s identity, they were successful in breaking Rita’s spell and convinced Tommy to join them in the fight against Rita and her forces.

#2: “Forever Red” (Power Rangers Wild Force; 2002)

“Forever Red” celebrated the Power Rangers’ tenth anniversary. To commemorate this landmark occasion, Cole joined forces with Jason, Tommy, TJ, Andros, Leo, Wes, and three other Red Rangers to stop the surviving faction of the Machine Empire from resurrecting Serpentera, Lord Zedd’s powerful zord, and using it to destroy the Earth.

Geek byte #3: The Machine Empire Generals’ costumes were from old Saban series: Big Bad Beetleborgs and Beetleborgs Metallix. Three of the generals were voiced by veteran Power Rangers actors Archie Kao (Power Rangers Lost Galaxy), Walter Jones (Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Seasons One & Two), and Catherine Sutherland (Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Season Three, Power Rangers Zeo, and Power Rangers Turbo).

Geek byte #4: Series writer Amit Bhaumik wrote on his Tumblr page that there were four versions of the episode that were written before the final product.

#1: “Countdown to Destruction” (Power Rangers in Space; 1998)

The Saban era that aired on FOX Kids from 1993 to 2002 is divided into two periods: the Zordon era and the post-Zordon era. The finale of the Zordon era was a two-part finale: “Countdown to Destruction.” Dark Specter ordered the United Alliance of Evil (Rita, Zedd, Divatox, the Machine Empire, and Astronema) to stage a massive attack on the Power Rangers universe. As many allies fell to the massive evil armadas, it was up to the Space Rangers to save their planet from the United Alliance of Evil. In the end, Zordon made the ultimate sacrifice as he commanded Andros to shatter his energy tube. Zordon’s energy destroyed the forces of evil, gave Rita, Zedd, Divatox, and Karone a second chance of life, and ended the first six years of the Power Rangers franchise.

Geek byte #5: “Countdown to Destruction” was originally suppose to end the franchise, but due to the success of Power Rangers in Space, Saban continued to expand on the Power Rangers universe.

Zordon's death at the end of "Power Rangers in Space" marked the end of an era. (Video property of Saban Brands & FOX)