Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
A captive viewer and his wisecracking robot companions turn a mad scientist’s cinematic torture test into a gleeful battle of riffs against schlock science fiction.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- irreverent
- campy
- cult movie night
- comedy marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the big-screen adaptation thin and uneven but hilarious often enough to preserve the television show's irreverent comic energy.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mike and the robots deliver continuous jokes over the captive screening of This Island Earth.
The central ordeal depends on mocking the exaggerated science fiction plot, effects, and lobster-like creature of This Island Earth.
Mike's quick wit and the robots' riffing help preserve their sanity while Dr. Forrester controls their viewing experience.
The laboratory captivity narrative is intercut with the complete comic experience of watching This Island Earth.
Films like Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie, and why
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
meta-cinematic science fiction comedy built around irreverent commentary and genre parody
Galaxy Quest
cult science fiction spoof with broad jokes, audience participation energy, and affection for cheesy genre conventions
The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
comic reworking of a notoriously schlocky science fiction film through sustained parody
Movie Details
- Director
- Jim Mallon
- Release Date
- 1996-04-19
- Runtime
- 73 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (237)
Cast
- Michael J. Nelson
- Trace Beaulieu
- Kevin Murphy
- Jim Mallon
- John Brady
- Rex Reason
- Faith Domergue
- Jeff Morrow
- Lance Fuller
- Robert Nichols
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie about?
- A captive viewer and his wisecracking robot companions turn a mad scientist’s cinematic torture test into a gleeful battle of riffs against schlock science fiction.
- What is Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie.
- What did critics think of Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie?
- Critics generally found the big-screen adaptation thin and uneven but hilarious often enough to preserve the television show's irreverent comic energy.
- Which films are like Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie?
- Films with a similar feel include The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Galaxy Quest, and The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra.
- How long is Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie?
- Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie runs 73 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie?
- In United States, Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Fandango At Home.
In Ember's collections
Movies like Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
- Spaceballs1987
- Dark Star1974
- Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie2026
- The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension1984
- Mom and Dad Save the World1992
- Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy1996
- Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs2008
- Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe2022
- Galaxy Quest1999
- Futurama: Bender's Big Score2007
