Top 20 Saddest Power Rangers Moments

“Power Rangers Turbo” (1997)

When “Turbo” finally concluded, it ended on one of the darkest, most somber notes for the franchise. First of all, the Rangers barely made it out alive fighting a powerful monster -at the cost of their Zords and weapons. Next, the Rangers’ allies left to try and rescue Zordon, who’s been captured. To top it all off, Divatox unleashed a massive invasion on the Power Chamber, and although the Rangers fought valiantly, it was all in vain as their stronghold was reduced to rubble. We admit Turbo was a divisive season, but to end it in such a hopeless scenario is pretty shocking. And yet, it warmed our hearts to see that the Rangers didn’t give up after all that.

“Power Rangers Dino Fury” (2021-22)

Like the Rangers, Void Knight has been on his own quest to collect all the Sporix… but his intentions aren’t as nefarious as you’d think. He only wants the Sporix’s power to heal his wife, Santaura. Years ago, they were held hostage at Area 62 by the government along with their infant daughter. Santaura was fatally wounded and Tarrick had to give up his only child, leaving him all alone in a strange new world. He never wanted to destroy the Earth, all he wanted was to restore his wife and live in peace. Unfortunately, when Santaura was restored, she turned herself into the insidious Void Queen to make all of Earth suffer for the pain humanity caused her.

“Power Rangers Beast Morphers” (2019-20)

Despite being mostly a machine, Steel was a hero through and through and acted more human than robot. He became the big brother Nate never had. So when Evox’s master plan came into play, Steel didn’t hesitate to go after him to try and finish him off. Unfortunately, his plan failed and Evox fatally wounded him. Nate was forced to watch as his only brother faded out of existence. However, Steel’s sacrifice was not in vain as the rest of the Rangers didn’t back down and kept fighting until Evox was finally destroyed. For his courage and bravery, Steel was miraculously revived and rewarded with his fondest wish – to be fully human.

’
“Power Rangers Wild Force” (2002)

They may have been bumbling, but Jindrax and Toxica’s loyalty to the Orgs’ cause should never be put into question. They would give anything to the true master… including cutting off their own horns. To prove herself to Mandilok, Toxica did just that even though it severely weakened her. And how was her dedication rewarded? By Mandilok mocking her and using her as a shield against the Rangers. Not only did Jindrax lose his best friend that day, but he lost his faith in his own kind knowing that his and Toxica’s loyalty was greatly disregarded. Thankfully, Jindrax managed to bring Toxica back, and now they have a chance to carve out their own destiny.

“Power Rangers Dino Fury” (2021-22)

Zayto is determined to rid the Earth of the dreaded Sporix… but it turns out his connection to them runs a lot deeper than we realize. Millions of years ago, Zayto’s people, the Rafkonians, created the Sporix to help boost their defenses. Zayto’s closest friend, Aiyon, warned him that using the Sporix would be dangerous, but Zayto didn’t listen, and when the Sporix were unleashed… they went rogue and all but destroyed their planet. Even if he himself didn’t create these monstrosities, Zayto’s poor judgment played a part in his planet’s devastation. But the guilt he carries motivates him to make sure no one else shares the same fate.

“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” (1993-95)

As revenge on Tommy for defecting to the Rangers, Rita uses a magical candle that drains his powers as it burns. Despite Jason’s best attempt to retrieve the candle, he is unfortunately unsuccessful and the candle burns out, and with it the Green Ranger powers. In a last ditch effort to prevent his powers from falling into Rita’s hands, Tommy gives his power coin to Jason, ensuring his legacy will be protected. It’s a somber moment as Tommy’s powers slip away and he is forced to say goodbye to the friends he had just made, though there is a silver lining as he finally gets to express his feelings towards Kimbery. Of course we all know that Tommy would be back.

“Power Rangers Time Force” (2001)

It turns out that Frax –Ransik’s robotic henchman- was once a human scientist named Dr. Fericks, who showed kindness and compassion towards Ransik when he was sick. The mutant criminal showed his “gratitude” by setting the good doctor’s lab ablaze and leaving him to die. While Fericks survived, he rebuilt himself into the robot scientist we know today –forcibly pulled into his master’s cycle of hatred and vowing vengeance right under his nose. What’s even more tragic is that when he finally tries to break the cycle in the season finale, Ransik reprograms him into a fully loyal slave, snuffing out the very last trace of Frax’s humanity –hopefully now Fericks can find peace.

“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” (1993-95)

It was hard saying goodbye to the Dinozords in season two; but the Rangers got new, more powerful Thunderzords that couldn’t possibly be destroyed, right? If only it were true, but one day, the Thunderzords found themselves in an ambush led by Rita’s brother, Rito Revolto. The monsters pushed the Zords to their limit until they couldn’t stand it anymore and were destroyed in the most gruesome way. Having the Rangers lose a fight this intensely was hard enough, but to see them literally fall to pieces it just gut-wrenching, more so when we saw the Rangers react so helplessly as their most trusted weapons collapsed before their eyes.

“Power Rangers Samurai” (2011-12)

It’s been said that someone can willingly trade their humanity to become a Nighlok. How do we know this? Because we’ve seen it happen to Deker and Dayu. Long ago, they were a happily married human couple; but when disaster struck, Dayu begged anyone to save her beloved from dying. The insidious Serrator answered her call, saying that he could save Deker if Dayu gave up her humanity. Dayu agreed and Deker was saved…. But to live a cursed life as a half-Nighlok with no memory of Dayu or the love they once shared. Worst of all, Dayu remembered everything and was forced to carry the torment of having her former life stolen from her.

“Power Rangers RPM” (2009)

The final battle against Venjix takes a grim turn when the Rangers learn that the tyrannical computer virus can delete anything and anyone out of existence. He prepares to delete two of the Rangers, but Gem and Gemma push them to safety and take the hit instead. The twins then de-morph and slowly fade away, saying their goodbyes to their dearest friends before completely dissipating. It’s always tragic to see a Ranger pass on, but for the two fun-loving pyromaniacs to be snuffed out protecting their fellow Rangers is just heartbreaking. Thankfully, the Twins don’t stay gone for long, and make a miraculous comeback to put an end to Venjix’s rule over Corinth for good.

“Power Rangers S.P.D.” (2005)

You ever wonder why Sky desperately wanted to be the Red Ranger? It all goes back to his father, one of the earlier Red S.P.D. Rangers – he put himself on the line every day to protect those in need –he was the kind of hero Sky aspired to be like. However, one day it happened – Officer Tate went toe-to-toe with a dangerous criminal named Mirloc… and didn’t make it out alive. This became Sky’s saddest memory to date, and it motivated him to train even harder so that he could follow his father’s footsteps; while he didn’t get his way at first, his time in Red would come sooner than he thought.

“Boom Studios’ Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” (2016-)

In the Boom Studios “Shattered Grid” arc, Tommy and Kimberly just finished an awkward date, and she’s hesitant to kiss him. But before they can remedy that mistake, Tommy gets a fatal surprise – Lord Drakkon. This diabolical counterpart stabs Tommy in the back to steal his power and leaves him for dead. Tommy slowly passes on in Kimberly’s arms while she tearfully begs him not to go… but it’s far too late. This moment is even more tragic considering how Tommy’s actor, Jason David Frank, tragically passed away in 2022; but while Tommy in the comics could be revived… the same sadly cannot be said for the real one.

“Power Rangers Lost Galaxy” (1999)

Long ago, the Magna Defender was a seeker of justice and a loving father; but when his son Zika was maliciously murdered, he became obsessed with revenge against those who have wronged him –going so far as to use Leo’s brother Mike as a host, and endangering the colony Terra Venture in desperation. But upon seeing the rangers willing to risk their lives to prevent one of the colony’s mountains from exploding, Zika appears to him, telling him that it's never too late to redeem himself. And so the Magna Defender heads into the mountain’s core to make the ultimate sacrifice and save the colony … with the spirit of his son by his side.

“Power Rangers RPM” (2009)

The entire setting for “RPM” is a gigantic tragedy – a world enslaved by a sentient computer virus, and so many innocent lives lost in the crossfire –some for the safety of others. So how did this all start? When Doctor K was a child, she was abducted by the corrupt government agency Alphabet Soup and deceived into creating new technology for them. They robbed her of her childhood, so she created the Venjix virus as payback… but it ended up spreading worldwide and conquering Earth. From then on, K will have to live with the pain knowing she doomed the world, now doing whatever she can to make amends for her mistake.

“Power Rangers Zeo” (1996)

For the first three years, Tommy and Kimberly seemed like the perfect pair – fighting side-by-side as Rangers and as the series’ first major power couple. However, one year after Kimberly’s departure, a bombshell drops on Tommy’s life… in the form of a Dear John letter. The former Pink Ranger has apparently met someone else and asks in her letter for forgiveness –obviously knowing how heartbroken Tommy would be. The “Pink” comic miniseries adds an even more gloomy feeling to the letter by suggesting that there IS no someone else and that she broke it off with Tommy feeling like they’ve grown too far apart –which sadly CAN happen with some long-distance relationships.

“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once and Always” (2023)

In the 30th anniversary special, Billy tries to restore the fallen Zordon… but he ends up bringing back something worse – Rita Repulsa. In her new robot form, this time she is out for blood. She makes that clear when she fires a deadly spell at Billy… but Trini swoops in and takes the blast for Billy, dying instantly. By now, we all know how Trini’s actress, Thuy Trang, tragically passed away in 2001, so the show had to address it at some point; but to have Billy carry the guilt over his friend’s sacrifice is just heartbreaking. Thankfully, Trini’s heroism wasn’t in vain, and the Sabertooth Tiger legacy is in good hands with her only child, Minh Kwan.

“Power Rangers Wild Force” (2002)

Raised in the jungle as a baby, Cole hopes to find his long-lost parents, Richard and Elizabeth Evans. What he finds instead breaks his heart – a news article announcing their presumed death… and their graves. There’s a faint glimmer of hope that they may be alive, but the sad truth is later confirmed – Master Org –who was once a human and their close friend- murdered them in cold blood for “betraying” him. While Cole will never get to see his family again, what he CAN do now is honor their memory by continuing their dream of helping save the Earth –and not seeking revenge like their so-called friend.

“Power Rangers in Space” (1998)

The main storyline for “In Space” was the ongoing search for Zordon, the original mentor who was abducted by the United Alliance of Evil at the end of “Turbo”. When Andros finally found Zordon, the situation was grim – the Alliance had nearly conquered the universe. Knowing that there was not much left to do, Zordon ordered Andros to shatter his energy tube –which would kill the old sage, but unleash a wave powerful enough to destroy the evil forces. For six years, Zordon had helped so many Rangers grow into young warriors, but he willingly sacrificed himself for the safety of the universe –as well as giving several villains a second chance.

“Power Rangers Lost Galaxy” (1999)

We’ve talked about this one so many times and yet it STILL gets the tear ducts flowing. In part two of the “In Space” and ”Lost Galaxy” team-up, a deadly storm caused by Psycho Pink threatens to not only destroy Cassie’s powers… but also the colony of Terra Venture. Kendrix manages to silence the storm… but gets disintegrated by the backlash –making her the first main Ranger to die in the line of duty. Kendrix’s actress was undergoing chemotherapy at the time, so it felt proper to write her character out as the hero more than willing to die for her home and the people she loves –however, never rule out an unexpected miracle.

“Power Rangers Time Force” (2001)

With all the mutants and Ransik incapacitated, the Time Force Rangers’ mission is complete… and the four Rangers of the future must say goodbye to Wes. After a long journey –growing from reluctant teammates to partners in crime, Jen and Wes tearfully confess their love for each other, wanting nothing more than to stay together… but they know they can’t as they are from two different time periods, so they reluctantly part ways without a single kiss. The sad truth is that no Ranger season lasts forever, and it’s painfully tragic to see a team split up after all they’ve accomplished together –not just as heroes, but as a family.