Power Rangers Series Ranked: The #1 Pick Will Shock You!

Summary

Power Rangers series have surprisingly fleshed-out plots that resonate with both kids and adults.
Lightspeed Rescue and Lost Galaxy are standout series with detailed worldbuilding and captivating storylines.
Cosmic Fury sets up a grand finale for the franchise, balancing narrative depth and closure for fans.

Although primarily intended for children, the tales within the Power Rangers franchise display an unexpected depth and maturity that resonates with both kids and adults alike. It’s the gripping storylines from certain Power Rangers series that have contributed to their enduring popularity over the years. Despite needing to suspend disbelief while watching teenagers protect the world, the high level of detail invested in some of the series has only served to amplify the awesomeness of the Power Rangers team.

It’s fortunate that the show’s extensive background offers fans a wide range of themes, symbols, and plot points that various Power Rangers series have either emulated, acknowledged, or even flipped on its head. Among those seasons with the strongest narratives, which Power Rangers series truly excelled?

10. Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue

An Epic Introduction To A True Post-Zordon Era Power Rangers

Release Date: February 12, 2000

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In the captivating world of Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, I found myself immersed in a tale where demons lurking beneath Mariner Bay posed a significant threat to the people. Our fearless leader, Captain Mitchell, along with the innovative organization known as Lightspeed, enlisted ordinary individuals to safeguard the civilians and vanquish these malevolent entities. Unlike other seasons where magic or advanced science played a role in creating Power Rangers, this season showcased the incredible power of human ingenuity. While Lost Galaxy featured a new team with minimal Zordon influence, some traces of In Space still linked it to its Mighty Morphin Power Rangers origins. What made Lightspeed Rescue truly exceptional was its near-Zordon-independent approach to Power Rangers storytelling (excluding “Trakeena’s Revenge”), and it set a high standard for standalone series within the franchise.

The world-building in “Lightspeed Rescue” stands out for its time, showcasing a squad of emergency responders alongside mechanically created Zords, all fitting neatly within the rescue-themed season. Despite being surrounded by more epic seasons (like “In Space,” “Lost Galaxy,” and “Time Force”) and having some peculiarities (such as the Ranger suits and antagonist dynamics), “Lightspeed Rescue” offers intriguing narratives, including the enigma of Mariner Bay, Carter Grayson’s growth as a Red Ranger, and the ongoing betrayals among its villains.

9. Power Rangers Lost Galaxy

A Stellar Reconciliation Of Space Stories Despite Production Woes

Following the modest achievement of “In Space”, the narrative for “Power Rangers Lost Galaxy” unfolds when a band of teenagers from Angel Grove embark on a journey aboard the space colony Terra Venture, in search of worlds similar to Earth. However, an unexpected encounter with Quasar Sabers metamorphoses them into the Lost Galaxy Rangers – a crucial asset against the malevolent forces of the extraterrestrial Trakeena. Despite frequent production issues that might typically hinder a “Power Rangers” series, “Lost Galaxy” delivers one of the more mature and engaging seasons in the franchise’s history to date.

Despite a slightly peculiar title related to the season, “Lost Galaxy” offers some intriguing storylines within the Power Rangers series, notably delving into Trakeena’s true identity, unraveling the enigma behind Magna Defender, and exploring the destiny of its rangers. Remarkably, this space-themed season is based on the nature-oriented Japanese show, “Seiju Sentai Gingaman.” The blend of intense space combat with jungle-inspired scenes makes for an engaging watch due to this unique juxtaposition.

8. Power Rangers Beast Morphers

Hasbro’s Charged Introduction In A Post-Saban Era

In the sci-fi series Power Rangers Beast Morphers, when a sentient computer virus called Evox made it nearly impossible for machines and humans to fight, the Grid Battleforce agency resorted to an unconventional method. They used a unique substance called Morph-X combined with animal DNA to generate their warriors: the Grid Battleforce Rangers. When Evox began producing sinister duplicates of its top two Ranger prospects, Grid Battleforce had no choice but to transform two fresh cadets into Rangers. This unexpected move made the already precarious battle to save Earth even riskier.

Despite being considered an “extra” season of the Sentai series, Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, Hasbro skillfully elevated the storyline to offer a cohesive narrative for the characters. Now, all the Rangers have deep motivations – Battleforce Blue Ravi is driven to save his girlfriend Roxy after she was turned evil, Battleforce Yellow Roxy aspires to regain her standing after being demoted from cadet status, Battleforce Gold Nate seeks to reconnect with sibling love, and Battleforce Silver Steel explores the concept of “human” identity. Furthermore, Beast Morphers manages to tie up some plotlines from other Power Rangers series, notably a surprising link to RPM.

7. Power Rangers SPD

It’s Men-In-Black Meets Power Rangers

Series	Power Rangers SPD
Episodes	38
Airing Date	February 5 to November 14, 2005

In the not-so-distant future, humanity navigates uncharted territories alongside extraterrestrial beings and superhumans. The responsibility of maintaining peace throughout the cosmos falls upon Space Patrol Delta. The narrative of this saga unfolds as a fresh B-Squad is thrust into the spotlight following the disappearance of their A-Squad counterparts. In an unexpected turn of events, the inexperienced team is placed under the command of the wayward Jack Landors rather than Sky Tate, who is now assigned as SPD Blue Ranger. This early setup positions Power Rangers SPD as a detective-like series, where the B-Squad employs their extraordinary abilities to crack cases and morph into SPD Rangers when trouble persists.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I must say that the ongoing feud between Jack and Sky never fails to captivate me, and it’s even more exciting when they manage to set their disagreements aside. What makes this series stand out is the abundance of additional Rangers we get to see in action, a rarity indeed! This season introduces the time-traveling Omega Ranger (a rather enigmatic ball of light), the formidable Shadow Ranger under the command of Anubis Kreuger, and even our resident scientist stepping into the limelight as the Kat Ranger. For long-time fans like myself, unraveling the fate of the A-Squad is a thrilling journey, especially with the way SPD keeps us on the edge of our seats as it brings this arc to a suspenseful close.

6. Power Rangers Dino Charge

A Breath Of Fresh Prehistoric Air From The Controversial Neo-Saban Era

In the storyline of Power Rangers, it wasn’t just an asteroid that caused dinosaurs to become extinct; rather, they were casualties from a battle between the guardian responsible for safeguarding the mystical Energems and the interstellar outlaw Sledge. After being imprisoned in deep space, Sledge reappears on Earth in the present, prompting the guardian to seek out teenagers who possess the Energems to train them as the Dino Charge Rangers. This intricate background story is what made Power Rangers Dino Charge one of the more distinguished Neo-Saban entries within the franchise.

Watching Dino Charge is highly engaging for fans seeking a balance between a well-structured storyline and humor, as the show has a knack for delivering witty remarks without going excessively comedic. Fans who enjoy seeing multiple Rangers in action will find Dino Charge particularly appealing, as it boasts the largest Ranger team in a single season beyond the sixth Dino Charge Gold Ranger.

The season is also noteworthy for its thoughtful character development, particularly in shaping the dynamic between the primary Rangers and their adversaries, the introduction of the sixth Ranger, the arrival of additional Rangers, and a captivating transformation arc for one specific villain from rival to ally.

5. Power Rangers RPM

Ending Disney’s Run With The Terminator’s Worst Case Scenario

Series	Power Rangers RPM
Episodes	32
Airing Date	March 7 to December 26, 2009

Instead of continuing with the Power Rangers franchise, Disney opted for a surprising change in direction with Power Rangers RPM, which features a post-apocalyptic theme as opposed to its previous racing motif. In this story set in the city of Corinth, human operators known as the RPM Rangers fight against an evil AI named Venjix to prevent world domination. The team initially consists of military-trained Scott Truman, Flynn, and Summer, but later adds humorous character Ziggy, enigmatic Dillon, and the twin sisters Gem and Gemma to their ranks.

Although it has a grim plotline, Power Rangers RPM enthralls fans with a well-structured narrative and robust character progression. Each cast member has their own personal investment in the story, which is skillfully incorporated into the larger narrative. The advanced tools (and intriguingly explained meta aspects like explosions and oddly animated mecha in a barren setting) of Doctor K are connected to Venjix’s transportation system, while the dynamic between amnesiac Dillon and villain Tenaya is more complex than it seems. RPM, despite its brief storyline and sophisticated theme, is an underappreciated addition to the series that’s worth exploring.

4. Power Rangers In Space

A Fitting Closer To The Zordon Era

Initially conceived as the final Power Rangers series due to the poor ratings of Power Rangers Turbo, Power Rangers in Space is now recognized as the conclusion of the “Zordon Era” in the franchise. Similar to early versions of Power Rangers, In Space significantly departs from its source material, Megaranger, and forges its own path. The story picks up directly after Turbo’s events, with the rangers embarking on a journey into space to save Zordon from the clutches of the United Alliance of Evil. Reluctantly, Andros invites the former Turbo Rangers to join him as Space Rangers and together they aim to thwart the new Evil Princess, Astronema.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the captivating twists and turns that define “Power Rangers In Space.” Despite its familiarity with unexpected plot developments, it offers more than enough compelling storylines to enthrall both fresh and seasoned fans, reminding us all of what truly makes this franchise legendary.

In this series, Andros steps up admirably in the absence of a mentor like Zordon, balancing his role as leader with that of an intergalactic tour guide, delving deeper into the cosmic lore of “Power Rangers.” Furthermore, “In Space” boasts an unexpected crossover with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (courtesy of Saban’s own “Turtles: The Next Mutation,” which was airing concurrently). Last but not least, it introduces the first genuine evil Ranger counterpart – the Psycho Rangers.

Without a doubt, “In Space” stands as irrefutable evidence that the Power Rangers franchise can continue to thrive even with an entirely new team of Rangers taking up the mantle.

3. Power Rangers Cosmic Fury

A Cosmic Level Up For A Franchise Finale (So Far)

The success of Power Rangers Cosmic Fury is significant, given its role as a 10-episode “franchise conclusion” before the Power Rangers series went on an indefinite break. Originally intended as an unofficial third season of Dino Fury, Cosmic Fury serves as both a tribute to Power Rangers and a sneak peek into its potential future developments. The story unfolds shortly after the events of Dino Fury, with Lord Zedd’s return and Zayto’s demise compelling Amelia Jones to give up her Pink Dino Fury Ranger identity and assume the role of Red Cosmic Fury Ranger. She embarks on a mission against time, with the fate of the entire Morphin Grid hanging in the balance.

As a devoted movie buff, I must say that while the suits might not have been as spectacular and the pacing could’ve been smoother, “Cosmic Fury” is an undeniable leap forward since the series’ comeback after RPM. The compact runtime effectively eliminated a lot of superfluous content, escalated the tension, and provided much-needed resolution for storylines initiated in Dino Charge and even dating back to MMPR. This season seemed to focus on enhancing the narrative richness, reflecting its long-standing legacy and pushing boundaries in storytelling – notably through the intensely developed characters of Javi, Zayto, and Amelia, who all stepped into significant roles.

2. Power Rangers Time Force

A Riveting Adaptation Of An Equally Mature Sentai Series

Beyond Ohranger, fans often view Timeranger as one of the more mature tales in Super Sentai. Correspondingly, Power Rangers Time Force is a fittingly serious portrayal of this series. This show is set in a distant future where the Time Force Rangers safeguard the world from time-related dangers. The Pink Ranger, Jen Scotts, heads the team in a struggle against the clock as criminal mastermind Ransik moves to the 21st Century with plans to establish a stronghold on Earth, ensuring his escape from future capture. Unlike other leaders who might be driven by duty alone, Jen is after Ransik because he was responsible for killing her fiancé, Alex Drake – also known as the Red Ranger.

In their journey into the past, she encounters Wesley Collins, a far-off relative of Alex’s, who hesitantly takes on the mantle as the Red Time Force Ranger.

In the very first episode, Alex’s death might be a surprising and emotional blow for “Power Rangers” fans, as they’re not accustomed to such tragic events in the series. It’s also worth noting that Jen taking charge of the team marks a significant milestone in the franchise, since no one other than a Red Ranger has ever led a Ranger team before. Throughout the show, tensions among the characters are often explored, including Alex’s struggle to balance his new role as the Red Ranger with his complex friendship with Eric Myers, who eventually becomes the Quantum Ranger.

1. Power Rangers Dino Thunder

A True Spiritual Successor To Mighty Morphin

In comparison to other anniversary celebrations, none quite match the tribute to the series’ origins that is found in “Power Rangers Dino Thunder”. This series unfolds in the town of Reefside and brings together three unlikely individuals – athlete Conner, rockstar Kira, and intellectual Ethan – into the midst of a battle against Mesogog and his ambition to turn Earth back into a dinosaur era. Armed with the power of the Dino Gems and the mentorship of paleontology professor Tommy Oliver (Tommy), the Dino Thunder Rangers embody a newer generation of the “Mighty Morphin” teenagers, each exhibiting their unique attitudes.

Unlike other seasons, “Dino Thunter” focuses on a compact team of four, later five, Rangers, allowing for extensive character growth. Each Dino Thunder Ranger conceals personal issues that are gradually resolved within the series. Meanwhile, viewers enjoy a nostalgic trip with an older Tommy and a rehabilitation narrative centered around Trent Mercer’s White Dino Ranger.

2025-05-19 18:36