David Farnor | On 17, Jan 2023

Netflix is getting the Power Rangers back together for an anniversary special.

The hit franchise, which first premiered in 1993, began with the tale of five teens who become a team of super fighters recruited by an intergalactic wizard – called Zordon – to fight the evil Rita Repulsa. Mixing nonsensical action with dubbed clips from a Japanese TV show called Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger, the result was a pop culture phenomenon that spawned toys, action figures and other merchandise, not to mention a host of other TV shows and films.

In 1995, a live-action feature film – Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, directed by Bryan Spicer – brought the show to the big screen, while series have ranged from Power Rangers Ninja Steel to Power Rangers Beast Morphers.

Netflix is no stranger to the franchise, with Power Rangers Dino Fury and Power Rangers Cosmic already finding a home on the platform. In 2021, the streamer inked a deal with eOne – which acquired Hasbro a few years back – to build a Power Rangers universe, shepherded by Jonathan Entwistle.

“It’s not just one show, it is shows followed by films, some kids’ programming. We have found a great writing partner for him, they are off. Knock on wood, Netflix is excited, we’re excited, we hope to have some news soon,” said Michael Lombardo, the head of Hasbro’s TV arm.

Now, the first results of that partnership are emerging, beginning with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always — a scripted, stand-alone 30th anniversary special. It will reunite some of the franchise’s most beloved Rangers, including original stars David Yost, Walter E. Jones, and Barbara Goodson, aka the voice of Rita Repulsa. It will premiere on Netflix on 19th April.

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