If there is one thing the Power Rangers universe can do well, it’s a finale. Unsurprisingly for a franchise known for its nifty fight choreography and larger-than-life battles between monsters, giant mechs, and colorful heroes, Power Rangers can always be counted on to bring the never-ending battle between good and evil to a thrilling conclusion, regardless of whatever entry of the sprawling tokusatsu series fans happen to be watching at the time. That said, some Power Rangers finales are better than others.
With over 30 years of Power Rangers entertainment to choose from, narrowing down the list to the very best finales of the lot is a tall order. Shows such as SPD, RPM, and Jungle Fury all delivered exceedingly strong conclusions that deserve a commendation, for example. Still, they didn’t quite make the cut. When judged on how well they balance thrilling action with dramatic stakes and scope, as well as making the most of their season’s lore and characters, there are a range of Power Rangers finales that prove slightly better than the rest.
8
“Legendary Battle” Is a Celebration of Power Rangers History
Power Rangers Super Megaforce Episode 20
Power Rangers Megaforce isn’t widely regarded as one of the best Power Rangers seasons, but even its detractors can’t ignore the fan-pleasing thrills of its finale. As Megaforce marked the franchise’s 20th anniversary, Super Megaforce — the show’s second and final season — decided to go all out in its final episode. This time, the threat to the world was so great that every Ranger teamed up to take part in the battle. While most were simply performed by stunt performers in old costumes, the episode did squeeze in as many cameos from fan-favorites as possible. 11 legacy Rangers in total appeared in the episode, led by much-missed Power Rangers legend Jason David Frank.
The sheer volume of Rangers on display in Super Megaforce easily ranks it among the best Power Rangers crossover episodes, but it is exactly what makes “Legendary Battle” so enjoyable that costs it some points as a series finale. With so many Rangers squeezed into a single episode, there’s not a lot of time to spend with the actual Megaforce characters, which doesn’t help the ensemble’s reputation as being one of the more underwritten teams in the franchise. Regardless, “Legendary Battle” was undoubtedly as special a 20th anniversary celebration as Power Rangers fans could have asked for.
7
“The End” Wraps up Three Decades of Morphenomenal Entertainment
Power Rangers Cosmic Fury Episode 10
10 years after “Legendary Battle,” the Power Rangers franchise finally concluded its unbroken 30-year run. While it was heartbreaking for fans to see it go — and it remains frustrating, seeing as plans for a reboot keep stalling — at least the final season, Cosmic Fury, ended things on a high note. A follow-up to Dino Fury, the 10-part Cosmic Fury seemed determined to offer fans as many treats as possible before it ended. It introduced the first real female Red Ranger, Lord Zedd returned in a major way, and MMPR icon Billy Cranston served as the team’s mentor.
Simply titled “The End,” Cosmic Fury‘s finale brought the short, serialized season to a barnstorming conclusion. In contrast to Super Megaforce‘s finale, “The End” balances nostalgia with the current group of characters to great effect. It showcases the team dynamics — with a particular emphasis on the friendship between Zayton and Aiyon — alongside punch-the-air moments for fans, with legacy Megazords returning to help out in the final battle. If Power Rangers in its original form had to end, then at least Cosmic Fury delivered a worthy swan song for the series.
6
“Chase Into Space” Redeems an Infamous Season of the Franchise
Power Rangers Turbo Episodes 44 and 45
Turbo is often viewed as the weakest entry in the otherwise universally beloved Zordon era of the franchise, for a variety of reasons. There’s the goofier tone, the inclusion of the infamous kid Ranger Justin, and there’s the transitionary nature of the season as a whole — the OG MMPR cast are phased out halfway through. Credit where credit is due, though, Turbo does its best to rescue its reputation with an exciting two-part finale that not only sets up the most popular Power Rangers season of them all but also offers a bold subversion of the franchise’s formula.
“Chase Into Space,” as the title suggests, sees TJ’s Turbo Rangers leaving Earth to start exploring the galaxy, neatly setting the stage for the following series, Power Rangers in Space. The reason for the Rangers’ relocation is exactly why the finale is such a standout. Divatox, one of the sillier Power Rangers villains, proves her worth when she successfully destroys the Power Chamber, stripping the Rangers of their powers. Learning that Zordon has been captured, the Rangers are left to head into space with their tails between their legs. Turbo‘s confidence to leave the show on a dramatic cliffhanger, depicting the Rangers at their lowest, is still something that’s never quite been replicated.
5
“The End of the Power Rangers” Almost Did Exactly What It Promised
Power Rangers Wild Force Episodes 39 and 40
Though the franchise would eventually conclude with Cosmic Fury, for a minute there it looked like Wild Force was going to be the final Power Rangers show way back in 2002. As such, “The End of the Power Rangers” was envisioned to do just what the title says and serve as the finale of the whole Power Rangers universe. Quite rightly, instead of relying on nostalgia, Wild Force‘s finale focuses on bringing this season’s storyline to an intense, dramatic ending, and it certainly manages it.
The first episode, in particular, does a spectacular job of ratcheting up the stakes higher than ever before, as villain Master Org murders the Rangers’ Zords — which are living creatures in this series — one by one. Of course, the Zords are resurrected in the following episode through magic means, which is something of a cheat. Still, the scene in which this occurs, as the Rangers stand together against Org in the pouring rain, is epic enough to sell the moment. Thankfully, Disney ensured Power Rangers continued after this by shifting production to New Zealand, but if it hadn’t, then “The End of the Power Rangers” would not have been a bad way to go out.
4
“The Fate of Lightspeed” Rescues a Spotty Season With Its Bold, Dark Tone
Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue Episodes 39 and 40
There’s a lot to love about Lightspeed Rescue — the concept of a Power Rangers team that are essentially first responders is genius — but the season is somewhat let down by the lack of a single main villain throughout, as the Rangers instead battle various underlings who are awaiting the return of their mistress, Queen Bansheera. What this does mean, however, is that Bansheera’s eventual rise in the final episodes is all the more impactful. The Queen of the Demons immediately proves herself to be the Lightspeed Rangers’ toughest threat by far.
Fans could argue that the finale neglects the rest of the team, outside of Ryan, but the final confrontation between lion-hearted Red Ranger Carter and Bansheera is one of the finest in franchise history. Carter’s ultimate victory coming at the hands of Bansheera’s former henchman, Diabolico, is the icing on the cake. For the high stakes, showcasing one of the best Red Rangers, and wrapping its storyline up in a neat bow, “The Fate of Lightspeed” speeds into the upper half of this ranking.
3
The Final Battle of “Journey’s End” Can Never Be Topped
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy Episodes 43, 44, and 45
If this ranking was based on final boss battles alone, then Lost Galaxy might have found its way to the number one slot. Red Ranger Leo’s one-on-one face-off against Trakeena is legendary in Power Rangers fan circles, thanks to its kinetic choreography and surprisingly cinematic flavor. Leo morphing while falling out of a skyscraper window, using his Battlizer to drag Trakeena close so he can finish her at close range, and then emerging from the rubble to give his friends a thumbs-up are all moments that would feel at home in a blockbuster superhero movie.
If great-looking action is what fans are after, Lost Galaxy‘s finale is hard to beat, as the show makes the most out of the budget bump it received following the enormous success of In Space. While every Ranger not called Leo is somewhat sidelined, there is an enormously touching moment when Kendrix, the former Pink Ranger, returns to life. The character was only killed off earlier in the season due to actress Valerie Vernon’s diagnosis with cancer, so Kendrix’s return — after Vernon’s health improved — was powerful both on-screen and off.
2
“Countdown to Destruction” Closed Out the Zordon Era in Epic Style
Power Rangers In Space Episodes 42 and 43
“Countdown to Destruction” had perhaps the biggest task of any Power Rangers finale as it not only had to conclude its own season but also had to wrap up the entirety of what fans have come to call the Zordon era of the franchise — the interconnected run of shows comprising MMPR, Zeo, Turbo, and In Space. Somehow, it managed it, and In Space‘s truly epic climax has gone down as one of the Power Rangers universe’s finest hours, with its repercussions felt for years to come.
There’s so much to enjoy in these episodes that it’s hard to narrow it down. The galactic scale surpasses that of any other finale, with the battle being fought on multiple fronts across space, and the juggling of these different plot threads means that everyone gets a chance to shine. Even Bulk and Skull finally get an inspiring hero moment. Andros bringing his villainous sister Astronema back from the dark side is pleasingly Star Wars-ian and, of course, Zordon sacrificing himself to either destroy or purify every villain the Rangers have ever faced is unmatched in its awe-inspiring, lore-changing impact. It’s no surprise that the events of “Countdown to Destruction” were referenced again and again in subsequent seasons, all the way up to Cosmic Fury‘s own finale.
1
“The End of Time” Brings One of the Best PR Seasons to a Sensational Climax
Power Rangers Time Force Episodes 38, 39, and 40
“Countdown to Destruction” not ranking as the best Power Rangers finale may seem almost blasphemous to some fans, but the argument can be made that there is another ending to a Power Rangers season that’s just that bit better. While In Space‘s climax may be practically flawless, it could perhaps have benefited from another episode to give it a little extra room to breathe. Case in point, Time Force‘s three-part conclusion, “The End of Time,” makes the most of its extended runtime to bring fans everything they could ask for from a Power Rangers finale.
In terms of action, emotion, satisfying character development, drama, thrills, and any other metric, Time Force‘s finale is a perfectly constructed end to an exceptionally strong Power Rangers team. In particular, it sports an impressive command of tone that certain other Power Rangers finales can only dream of. Although there is plenty of epic action in the first two episodes, what really makes this finale pop is its stripped-back, character-focused nature.
The final conflict with Ransik is winningly small in scale and ends with a moving redemption for the mutant villain. And then, in an even rarer turn of events for this franchise, a long-running romance is actually concluded well, as Wes and Jen are forced to part ways in a heartbreaking ending to their relationship. Time will tell if any future iteration of Power Rangers can come up with a finale as powerful as “The End of Time,” but right now, it seems unlikely.
