Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Cancel your weekend plans. You have terrible movies to watch. Mystery Science Theater 3000 is finally back in our lives, and Netflix’s take on the classic cult series is everything you want it to be and more.
So far, MST3K: The Return has been generating great reviews. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of B-grade mockery and Turkey Day marathons or you’re a newbie to MST3K‘s delightfully snarky and song-filled world, the new Netflix series is a must-watch. However, the new series is a bit of a gamble. We know that Jonah Ray is hosting and Felicia Day and Patton Oswalt will be making appearances, but what movies does the new series cover? Will there be any notable guest stars? You have questions, and we have answers. Here’s your guide to Season 11 of Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Episode 1: ‘Reptilicus’
The Gist: And so it begins. This first episode of the Season 11 Netflix relaunch introduces us to our new, snarky movie-going heroes and their underlords. In the peanut gallery, we have Jonah Ray as Jonah Heston, Hampton Yount as Crow T. Robot, Baron Vaughn as Tom Servo, and Rebecca Hanson as Gypsy, all of which are robots. On the “evil” side of things, Felicia Day and Patton Oswalt finally reveal themselves as Kinga Forrester and TV’s Son of TV’s Frank, aka Max. But none of these things answer the episode’s central question: What is Reptilicus?
The 1961 movie follows a group of Danish coal miners who stumble upon the frozen tail of a giant reptile. However, some things are better left frozen. Once the giant monster thaws, it proceeds to wreck havoc upon Copenhagen. Fun fact: The English-language version of the film was called virtually unreleasable by American International Pictures.
Celeb Spottings: Get excited for guest appearance from nerd all-star Wil Wheaton and sci-fi legend Erin Gray. Also, the episode features a song composed by Paul and Storm.
Episode 2: ‘Cry Wilderness’
The Gist: It’s like E.T. but with bigfoot. Released in 1987, a young boy finds and befriends a bigfoot-like creature. However, Paul has to keep his new friend a secret from his park ranger father. There’s also an escaped tiger on the loose because this is a very busy town.
Celeb Spottings: There is a pop culture god, and it may be Netflix. Mary Jo Pehl (Pearl), Bill Corbett (Brain Guy), and Kevin Murphy (Professor Bobo) reprise their previous MST3K roles in this episode.
Episode 3: ‘The Time Travelers’
The Gist: We’re heading to the future in this 1964 sci-fi movie. When a group of scientists create a portal through time itself, they travel to the year 2071. However, they’re unprepared for the mutant-inhabited Earth that awaits them. This movie also features a cameo from Forrest J. Ackerman.
Celeb Spottings: The classic MST3K team keeps coming, and it’s glorious. You can expect appearances from Elliott Kalan and Joel Hodgson in this episode.
Episode 4: ‘Avalanche’
The Gist: This 1978 movie follows a group of vacationers whose relaxing getaway turns into a struggle for survival. Starring Mia Farrow and Robert Forster, this is a surprisingly big name disaster flick.
Celeb Spottings: Count Olaf is back, or at least the man playing him is. Neil Patrick Harris drops by for a Felicia Day duet.
Episode 5: ‘The Beast of Hollow Mountain’
The Gist: This Weird West horror movie was essentially made for Mystery Science Theater 3000. Released in 1956, this one follows an American cowboy who discovers his cattle are being eaten by dinosaurs. This was the first film to feature dinosaurs and cowboys in the same movie, so basically we have it to thank for Toy Story.
Celeb Spottings: Sadly, none.
Episode 6: ‘Starcrash’
The Gist: We’re going full sci-fi for this one. This late ‘70s movie follows an outlaw smuggler who, along with her alien sidekick, is recruited by the Emperor of the Galaxy. Starring David Hasselhoff, this Star Wars rip off is a perfect watch during Celebration.
Celeb Spottings: This episode features the reboot’s biggest celebrity drop-in so far — Jerry Seinfeld.
Episode 7: ‘The Land That Time Forgot’
The Gist: Set in World War I, this 1975 fantasy film follows a group of passengers whose only hope of survival from a German U-boat is boarding a submarine. However, one wrong turn leads our heroes to a land filled with neanderthals and dinosaurs.
Celeb Spottings: None.
Episode 8: ‘The Love of Hercules’
The Gist: This 1960 epic was an Italian and French production. When Hercules’ wife is murdered, the demi-god is out for revenge in this fantasy film. However, in the midst of this revenge, he must save his true love from an evil queen.
Celeb Spottings: None.
Episode 9: ‘Yongary: Monster from the Deep’
The Gist: It’s another disaster movie. Released in 1967, the world seems to be coming to an end when central Korea is ravaged by earthquakes. But things go from bad to worse when it’s revealed that all of these natural disasters are actually the work of a gasoline-eating monster called Yongary.
Celeb Spottings: None.
Episode 10: ‘Wizards of the Lost Kingdom’
The Gist: It wouldn’t really be MST3K without a multi-part sci-fi and fantasy epic. When evil runs rampant through the world and galaxies, one hero will rise to save everyone and everything. Released in 1985, this B-grade tale of good vs. evil features a drunken warrior, so that’s exciting.
Celeb Spottings: None.
Episode 11: ‘Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II’
The Gist: Things are getting even bigger in this sequel that was released four years later. Now that the three kingdoms have been overtaken by evil lords, the universe’s only hope is a teenage boy with magical powers. Will Tyor become the most powerful wizard in the land? Probably.
Celeb Spottings: None.
Episode 12: ‘Carnival Magic’
The Gist: Most of the time MST3K focuses on failed fantasy epics or bumbling and outdated disaster flicks. But sometimes you really just need an animated talking chimp. This 1981 children’s film follows a down-on-his-luck magician and mind-reader who partners with a talking monkey. The duo then has to protect themselves and their new carnival from an alcoholic lion tamer and an evil doctor.
Celeb Spottings: The force is strong with this cameo; Mark Hamill makes an appearance.
Episode 13: ‘The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t’
The Gist: Praise be to terrible holiday movies. This 1966 one follows Phineas T. Prune, an old, rich, and mean man who holds the deed to the North Pole. It seems his tenant Santa Claus has been behind on his rent. Will greed ruin Christmas, or will a group of optimistic kids change the miser’s heart and save the day?
Celeb Spottings: None.
Episode 14: ‘At the Earth’s Core’
The Gist: Another movie based on a Edgar Rice Burroughs’ story, this 1976 fantasy follows a group of Victorian scientists. After testing their drilling machine, they find a brand new land ruled by giant telepathic birds and filled with monsters and cavemen.
Celeb Spottings: Rejoice Community fans. The coolest nerd around, Joel McHale, makes an appearance.
