For those looking to experience the franchise in its entirety, watching the series in its original release order is both the simplest and most comprehensive method. This approach ensures a seamless progression as the universe evolves and expands. Attempting to navigate the series’ complex timelines, including alternate futures, can otherwise be a daunting endeavor. To truly appreciate the Power Rangers saga, following the release order—including movies and special episodes—is highly recommended.

Beginning with “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” the series grows alongside its audience, at least narratively. The franchise’s tone remains fairly consistent throughout. Initially, only the original five Rangers, later joined by Tommy Oliver, wield powers granted by their mentor Zordon. As they battle evil, some Rangers depart while others continue, sometimes in supporting roles. “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” spans three seasons, with “Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers” serving as a bridge to “Power Rangers Zeo.”

• “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” (1993-1995)
• “Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers” (1996)
• “Power Rangers Zeo” (1996)
• “Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie” (1997)
• “Power Rangers Turbo” (1997)
• “Power Rangers in Space” (1998)
• “Power Rangers Lost Galaxy” (1999)
• “Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue “(2000)
• “Power Rangers Time Force” (2001)
• “Power Rangers Wild Force” (2002)
• “Power Rangers Ninja Storm” (2003)
• “Power Rangers Dino Thunder” (2004)
• “Power Rangers S.P.D.” (2005)
• “Power Rangers Mystic Force” (2006)
• “Power Rangers Operation Overdrive”(2007)
• “Power Rangers Jungle Fury” (2008)
• “Power Rangers R.P.M.” (2009)
• “Power Rangers Samurai” (2011)
• “Power Rangers Samurai: Clash of the Red Rangers” (2011)
• “Power Rangers Super Samurai” (2012)
• “Power Ranger Megaforce” (2013)
• “Power Rangers Super Megaforce”(2014)
• “Power Rangers Dino Charge” (2015)
• “Power Rangers Dino Super Charge” (2016)
• “Power Rangers Ninja Steel” (2017)
• “Power Rangers HyperForce” (2017)
• “Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel”(2018)
• “Power Rangers: Beast Morphers” (2019-2020)
• “Power Rangers Dino Fury” (2021-2022)
• “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always” (2023)
• “Power Rangers Cosmic Fury” (2023)

Subsequent Power Rangers seasons typically feature self-contained arcs with occasional crossover episodes, such as “Forever Red” in “Power Rangers Wild Force” and the “Clash of the Red Rangers” special in “Power Rangers Samurai,” which links to “Power Rangers RPM.” Watching the series in release order enhances these crossovers, providing context for the return of familiar Rangers.

Some series, like “Power Rangers S.P.D.,” set in 2025 but released in 2005, explore future settings, while others stay in the present. Despite this, the narrative flow benefits from watching “S.P.D.” between “Power Rangers Dino Thunder” and “Power Rangers Mystic Force.” Similarly, “Power Rangers RPM,” though set in an alternate timeline, connects with “Samurai” and continues in “Power Rangers Beast Morphers,” making its inclusion in the viewing sequence important.

After that, most Power Rangers shows tackle one-and-done season-long arcs that feature occasional crossovers with previous Power Ranger groups. A great example of this is “Forever Red” during “Power Rangers Wild Force,” as well as the “Power Rangers Samurai” special “Clash of the Red Rangers,” which crosses over with “Power Rangers RPM.” This is partially why release order offers the best viewing experience, as the return of old Rangers is best understood in the context of their respective seasons.

Despite that, some Power Rangers shows take place in the future or in alternate timelines, while others take place in contemporary times. “Power Rangers S.P.D.,” for instance, was released in 2005 but was set 20 years later in 2025. However, the “futuristic” setting doesn’t change the fact that you should watch “S.P.D.” between the present-day set “Power Rangers Dino Thunder” and “Power Rangers Mystic Force.” Likewise, “Power Rangers RPM” is set in an alternate dimension (and thus technically outside the main continuity), but because the series interacts later with “Samurai” and its plot is followed-up on in “Power Rangers Beast Morphers,” it’s an important to watch it beforehand.

That’s part of the beauty of Power Rangers. Just because something takes place chronologically before something else, doesn’t mean you have to wait until later to watch it. While many of the show’s early installments (the “Zordon Era”) are necessary viewing to build details on top of each other, most of the later Power Rangers shows — especially during the Disney Era that ran from 2002 to 2009 and the neo-Saban Era of 2011 to 2018 — are one-and-done, self-contained stories with main casts that are constantly changing. They can be enjoyed solely on their own, so if you prefer to just watch, say, “Power Rangers Dino Thunder” by itself, you absolutely could.

There are five main eras of Power Rangers that can help you divide and conquer. With these distinctions in mind, it may help make your Power Rangers viewing a bit more manageable. Here are the five eras below:

• Saban’s Zordon Era (1993-1998)
• Saban’s Post-Zordon Era (1999-2001)
• Disney Era (2002-2009)
• Neo-Saban Era (2011-2018)
• Hasbro Era (2019-2023)

If you’ve been paying close attention to our list of complete Power Rangers material to view, then you noticed that while we included specials like “Clash of the Red Rangers” and “Once & Always,” we omitted the two most popular Power Rangers feature films entirely from the viewing order. That’s because both 1995’s “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie” and 2017’s “Power Rangers” exist outside of the main timeline and continuity of the overall franchise, with little-to-no crossover at all.

Despite the similar name, “MMPR: The Movie” directly contradicts the events of the yet-to-air third season of “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.” Sure, many of the original “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” cast members return for the film, but it’s set outside of the main timeline, which confused many of us upon its initial release. It’s a real shame too, because Ivan Ooze (Paul Freeman) is an amazing antagonist.

Likewise, 2017’s “Power Rangers” film takes the same characters that we were originally introduced to in 1993 and completely rebrands (and recasts) them. As a reboot, it begins anew the conflict between Zordon (Bryan Cranston) and Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks), putting these updated “teenagers with attitude” into the spotlight. Just don’t be fooled by the ending. There was never a sequel, meaning it offers yet another superhero post-credits scene that doesn’t pay off. Still, if you’re looking for some fun one-and-done Power Rangers material that doesn’t consist of 20-to-40-something episodes to binge through, then both “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie” and 2017’s “Power Rangers” will be right up your alley.