Michael J. Nelson

Michael J. Nelson

Michael J. Nelson is the former host and writer of the Emmy-nominated, Peabody Award-winning Mystery Science Theater 3000. Since that time, he has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows, penned a regular column for TV Guide, and authored best-selling books for both HarperCollins and Abrams. His first book, Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese, thrilled critics, including Richard Schickel of Time Magazine, who said of Mike, "He's more fun than a barrel of Val Kilmers... Smarter than a roomful of Patrick Swayzes... and almost as hilarious as Keanu Reeves." Mike's laugh-out-loud follow-up, Mind Over Matters, prompted Kirkus Reviews to enthuse, "From someplace called Minnesota comes a Nelson funnier than Ozzie, Ricky, Lord or Half," and even dared to compare him to another legendary writer, saying of his Serious Speech to Business People, "[It] could easily precede [Robert] Benchley's immortal Treasurer's Report." And Kirkus Reviews loved his novel, Death Rat!, saying, "Fast-paced, outrageous and funny, first-novelist Nelson's mockery of media mendacity is as biting as La Dolce Vita or Network--only funnier!" Nelson speaks all over the country, is a frequent guest on radio and television, and along with fellow former MST3K writers/performers Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy operate a podcast called RiffTrax, which, in a similar vein to MST3K, targets more mainstream films.

  • Title: Michael J. Nelson
  • Popularity: 1.205
  • Known For: Writing
  • Birthday: 1964-10-11
  • Place of Birth: St. Charles, Illinois
  • Homepage: http://www.rifftrax.com/riffer/mike-nelson
  • Also Known As: Mike Nelson
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Michael J. Nelson Movies

  • 1996
    imgMovies

    Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

    Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

    6.6 1996 HD

    Dr. Clayton Forrester figures he can rule the world if he deadens his subjects' brains by making them endure terrible movies. Exploiting his access...

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  • 2021
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    RiffTrax Live: Hobgoblins

    RiffTrax Live: Hobgoblins

    8 2021 HD

    At an abandoned old movie studio, security guards keep getting mysteriously murdered. The mystery: Why are there so many security guards for an...

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  • 2021
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    RiffTrax Live: Amityville - The Evil Escapes

    RiffTrax Live: Amityville - The Evil Escapes

    9 2021 HD

    There’s still evil up there at the old Amityville house. A group of priests gathers to quell the demon that has long plagued this lovely...

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  • 2013
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    RiffTrax Live: Night of the Living Dead

    RiffTrax Live: Night of the Living Dead

    9.667 2013 HD

    This classic 1968 horror film is where it all began. No, not the cronut trend, we’re talking about the omnipresent zombie craze! 28 Weeks...

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  • 2012
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    RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of Fate

    RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of Fate

    8.8 2012 HD

    For those who missed it in theaters, this is a completely new riff of “Manos” The Hands of Fate, the Texas-fertilizer-salesman-directed...

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  • 2009
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    RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space

    RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space

    8.8 2009 HD

    The stars of MST3K riff the worst movie of all time in RiffTrax Live - Plan 9 From Outer Space. Live from the historic Belcourt Theater in Nashville!...

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  • 2007
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    Max the Hero

    Max the Hero

    6 2007 HD

    Animated comedy about a super hero who is kind of a jerk. His roommate decides to become his arch-enemy.

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  • 2017
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    RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who – The Five Doctors

    RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who – The Five Doctors

    9 2017 HD

    Someone is taking the Doctor's past selves out of time and space, placing them in a vast wilderness – a battle arena with a sinister tower at...

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  • 2023
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    RiffTrax Live: RAD

    RiffTrax Live: RAD

    8 2023 HD

    Teens! Bikes! Feathered Hair! Love and revenge! Leotards and acid-washed denim! It’s all here in the legendary Eighties BMX-racing...

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  • 2013
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    Rifftrax Live: Starship Troopers

    Rifftrax Live: Starship Troopers

    10 2013 HD

    Starship Troopers is the tale of young trooper Johnny Rico, played by Casper Van Dien, star of this and...well, some direct to video sequels of this,...

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  • 2014
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    RiffTrax Live: Godzilla

    RiffTrax Live: Godzilla

    9.333 2014 HD

    Sony Pictures, Fathom Events and RiffTrax are thrilled to be back in theaters nationwide this summer to riff the king of all giant lizard movies -...

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  • 2022
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    RiffTrax Live: The Return of Swamp Thing

    RiffTrax Live: The Return of Swamp Thing

    5.5 2022 HD

    He’s back! You probably didn’t know that he was gone, but he was and now he’s back! Swamp Thing, AKA Swampington Montgomery Thing,...

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  • 2019
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    RiffTrax Live: Octaman

    RiffTrax Live: Octaman

    6.4 2019 HD

    Deep in the Mexican jungle, a legendary creature lurks in a radioactive swamp. Is it a man? Is it an octopus? No, it’s OCTAMAN! Okay,...

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  • 1970
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    The Year of Laughing Dangerously

    The Year of Laughing Dangerously

    1 1970 HD

    After being laid off, Brandi enters the world of stand up comedy. Over a year, her comedy coach Tim teaches her the art of joke telling culminating...

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  • 2024
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    GrimTrax

    GrimTrax

    10 2024 HD

    For the first time ever, we’ve assembled five shorts about death, loneliness, and dismemberment into one big, old-fashioned yukfest. On their...

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  • 2024
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    RiffTrax Live: Point Break

    RiffTrax Live: Point Break

    9 2024 HD

    For our fifteenth year of RiffTrax Live, we've selected the 1990's cult classic about bank robbing, presidential masks, and surfing: Point Break! It...

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  • 2000
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    Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 3

    Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 3

    9 2000 HD

    Shorts, Volume 3 is a compilation release from Rhino Entertainment featuring seven popular shorts from Mystery Science Theater 3000. It was...

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  • 1999
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    Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 2

    Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 2

    8 1999 HD

    Shorts, Volume 2 is a compilation release featuring six popular shorts from Mystery Science Theater 3000, including Catching Trouble (Episode #315),...

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  • 1998
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    Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 1

    Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 1

    1 1998 HD

    Shorts, Volume 1 is a compilation release featuring seven popular shorts from Mystery Science Theater 3000. It was originally released on VHS by...

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  • 2013
    imgMovies

    Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

    Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

    7.5 2013 HD

    The nasty Martian villain Voldar (his face is coated in green oil and he has a huge mustache, therefore he’s evil) captures two Earth children,...

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  • 2015
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    RiffTrax Live: Miami Connection

    RiffTrax Live: Miami Connection

    8.1 2015 HD

    If you put everything about the 80s in a blender, then somehow ran the resulting smoothie through a translator that only speaks languages from...

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  • 2016
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    RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers

    RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers

    8.2 2016 HD

    Mike, Kevin and Bill riff the original cut of Time Chasers. Plus, a short of "Chimp the Fireman."

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  • 1970
    imgMovies

    This Is MST 3K

    This Is MST 3K

    1 1970 HD

    A documentary about the cult television favorite Mystery Science Theater 3000.

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  • 2015
    imgMovies

    Rifftrax Live: The Room

    Rifftrax Live: The Room

    8.8 2015 HD

    Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett of RiffTrax riff Tommy Wiseau's The Room LIVE onstage and broadcast to 100's of theaters across...

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  • 1995
    imgMovies

    Poopie!

    Poopie!

    8 1995 HD

    A selection of bloopers from cult TV favorite "Mystery Science Theater 3000", taken from seasons 2 through 6.

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  • 1964
    imgMovies

    Three Stooges: Greatest Routines

    Three Stooges: Greatest Routines

    9 1964 HD

    Join Moe, Larry and Curly Joe for 35 hilarious misadventures! Hosted by Mike Nelson of RiffTrax.

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  • 2013
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    Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Motion Picture Odyssey

    Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Motion Picture Odyssey

    1 2013 HD

    A retrospective look back on the making of 'Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie'.

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  • 2012
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    RiffTrax Live: Birdemic - Shock and Terror

    RiffTrax Live: Birdemic - Shock and Terror

    8.2 2012 HD

    Birdemic is one of our favorite bad movies of all time, and there’s no better way to watch it than RiffTrax Live. So grab a coat hanger, fire...

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  • 2014
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    RiffTrax Live: Sharknado

    RiffTrax Live: Sharknado

    6.3 2014 HD

    RiffTrax gives the classic riff treatment of the cult film 'Sharknado', a film about sharks - in a tornado.

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  • 2017
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    RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach Party

    RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach Party

    7.75 2017 HD

    Join Mike, Kevin and Bill, along with guests Bridget Nelson, Mary Jo Pehl, the Mads from MST3K Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff, and special guest...

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  • 2016
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    Rifftrax Live: Carnival of Souls

    Rifftrax Live: Carnival of Souls

    9 2016 HD

    Rifftrax Live: Carnival of Souls! Mike, Bill, and Kevin riffed this spooky midnight-movie cult classic live in Nashville, and now it's available for...

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  • 2017
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    Rifftrax Live: Samurai Cop

    Rifftrax Live: Samurai Cop

    6.5 2017 HD

    The Samurai Cop is here to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and he’s already infringed on enough movies and cliches so he’s just going to...

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  • 2015
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    RiffTrax Live: Sharknado 2

    RiffTrax Live: Sharknado 2

    7.6 2015 HD

    Watch as the amazing comedians from Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988) tear apart the awe-inspiring masterpiece that is Sharknado 2: The Second One...

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  • 1999
    imgMovies

    The Last Dance: RAW

    The Last Dance: RAW

    1 1999 HD

    A documentary about the making of Danger: Diabolik, the final episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000's original run.

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  • 2018
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: Space Mutiny

    RiffTrax Live: Space Mutiny

    8.5 2018 HD

    Blast off to the 80s with RiffTrax Live: Space Mutiny! Mike, Bill, and Kevin riffed this cult classic low-budget space opera live in Nashville. Now...

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  • 2016
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    RiffTrax Live: Mothra

    RiffTrax Live: Mothra

    4.7 2016 HD

    It’s the story of a group of explorers who travel to a remote island, kidnap two tiny women, thereby inciting the wrath of a giant (albeit...

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  • 2014
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    RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus

    RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus

    7 2014 HD

    From the strange and ridiculously colorful world of K. Gordon Murray comes the 1959 Holiday classic Santa Claus. Made in Mexico and dubbed into...

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  • 2019
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    RiffTrax Live: Star Raiders

    RiffTrax Live: Star Raiders

    10 2019 HD

    It’s the year 2762. The galaxy is plagued with warring factions using hokey special effects to destroy each other. Out of this chaos a hero...

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  • 2015
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    RiffTrax Live: Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny

    RiffTrax Live: Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny

    8.7 2015 HD

    Santa’s sleigh is stuck on the beach, and only one creature can help him: The Ice Cream Bunny! Unfortunately, the fire truck that the Ice Cream...

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  • 2010
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    RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hill

    RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hill

    8.5 2010 HD

    Is there any possible downside to accepting an invitation from Vincent Price to spend an evening in a creepy mansion that was built on something...

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  • 2019
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: Giant Spider Invasion

    RiffTrax Live: Giant Spider Invasion

    8 2019 HD

    The Giant Spider Invasion, one of the most popular MST3K movies ever, is coming to a Theater near you along with the mighty men of RiffTrax! ...

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  • 2009
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: Christmas Shorts-stravaganza!

    RiffTrax Live: Christmas Shorts-stravaganza!

    8.2 2009 HD

    What do ice-skating reindeer, pipe-smoking santas and a parade of aquatic champions have in common? You’ll see them all in the RiffTrax Live:...

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  • 2013
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    RiffTrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2013

    RiffTrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2013

    7 2013 HD

    Watch Mike, Bill, Kevin, and an all-star crew of hilarious guest riffers take on seven classic less-than-educational shorts, filmed LIVE onstage at...

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  • 2015
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    Rifftrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2015

    Rifftrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2015

    7.667 2015 HD

    Mike, Kevin, and Bill take on some of the funniest, most unbelievable vintage shorts we've ever found, live in the beautiful Castro Theatre with a...

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  • 2016
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    RiffTrax Live: MST3K Reunion

    RiffTrax Live: MST3K Reunion

    9 2016 HD

    Mike, Kevin and Bill were joined on stage by their MST3K colleagues at the State Theatre in Minneapolis to bring it back to their roots in an MST3K...

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  • 2016
    imgMovies

    Rifftrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2016

    Rifftrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2016

    7.667 2016 HD

    Mike, Kevin, and Bill were joined onstage at SF SKetchfest Live 2016 by very special guest riffers Bridget Nelson, Mary Jo Pehl, Cole Stratton, Janet...

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  • 2010
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    Rifftrax Live: Reefer Madness

    Rifftrax Live: Reefer Madness

    9 2010 HD

    In RiffTrax Live: Reefer Madness, Mike, Kevin and Bill deliver their trademark form of rapid fire comedy in front of a live audience! Lines could be...

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  • 1995
    imgMovies

    MST3K Little Gold Statue Preview Special

    MST3K Little Gold Statue Preview Special

    1 1995 HD

    Tom and Crow preview the nominees for the 1995 Academy Awards and give their predictions.

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  • 1995
    imgMovies

    Poopie Parade of Values

    Poopie Parade of Values

    1 1995 HD

    Infomercial about two tapes the MST3K Info Club on sale: The "Poopie!" tape of bloopers and "The MST Scrapbook", a video diary from the early days on...

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  • 2018
    imgMovies

    The Rifftrax Yule Log

    The Rifftrax Yule Log

    1 2018 HD

    Holiday fireplace videos. We all love them, they bring comfort and cheer to our living rooms and family gatherings. But have they ever made you...

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  • 2013
    imgMovies

    Rifftrax Live: Starship Troopers

    Rifftrax Live: Starship Troopers

    10 2013 HD

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  • 2016
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: MST3K Reunion

    RiffTrax Live: MST3K Reunion

    9 2016 HD

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  • 2016
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: MST3K Reunion

    RiffTrax Live: MST3K Reunion

    9 2016 HD

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  • 2000
    imgMovies

    Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 3

    Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 3

    9 2000 HD

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  • 2012
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of Fate

    RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of Fate

    8.8 2012 HD

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  • 2012
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of Fate

    RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of Fate

    8.8 2012 HD

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  • 1996
    imgMovies

    Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

    Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

    6.6 1996 HD

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  • 2014
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus

    RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus

    7 2014 HD

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  • 2024
    imgMovies

    GrimTrax

    GrimTrax

    10 2024 HD

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  • 2024
    imgMovies

    GrimTrax

    GrimTrax

    10 2024 HD

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  • 2013
    imgMovies

    Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

    Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

    7.5 2013 HD

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  • 2024
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: Point Break

    RiffTrax Live: Point Break

    9 2024 HD

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  • 2017
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach Party

    RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach Party

    7.75 2017 HD

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  • 2010
    imgMovies

    Rifftrax Live: Reefer Madness

    Rifftrax Live: Reefer Madness

    9 2010 HD

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  • 2023
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: RAD

    RiffTrax Live: RAD

    8 2023 HD

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  • 2019
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: Star Raiders

    RiffTrax Live: Star Raiders

    10 2019 HD

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  • 2022
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: The Return of Swamp Thing

    RiffTrax Live: The Return of Swamp Thing

    5.5 2022 HD

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  • 2017
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who – The Five Doctors

    RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who – The Five Doctors

    9 2017 HD

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  • 2010
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hill

    RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hill

    8.5 2010 HD

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  • 2010
    imgMovies

    RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hill

    RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hill

    8.5 2010 HD

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  • 1991
    imgMovies

    Mystery Science Theater 3000: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

    Mystery Science Theater 3000: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

    1 1991 HD

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  • 1989
    imgS10 E13

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    7.693 1989 HD

    A stranded spaceship pilot captured by mad scientists survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals.

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  • 1989
    imgS10 E13

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    7.693 1989 HD

    A stranded spaceship pilot captured by mad scientists survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals.

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  • 2014
    imgS1 E6

    Total Riff Off

    Total Riff Off

    7 2014 HD

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  • 1989
    imgS10 E13

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    7.693 1989 HD

    A stranded spaceship pilot captured by mad scientists survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals.

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  • 1989
    imgS10 E13

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    7.693 1989 HD

    A stranded spaceship pilot captured by mad scientists survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals.

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  • 1989
    imgS10 E13

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    7.693 1989 HD

    A stranded spaceship pilot captured by mad scientists survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals.

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  • 1989
    imgS10 E13

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    7.693 1989 HD

    A stranded spaceship pilot captured by mad scientists survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals.

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  • 1989
    imgS10 E13

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    7.693 1989 HD

    A stranded spaceship pilot captured by mad scientists survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals.

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  • 2001
    imgS1 E13

    The Adventures of Edward the Less

    The Adventures of Edward the Less

    1 2001 HD

    The Adventures of Edward The Less was a short lived, animated web-series published on the SciFi Channel's website in 2001. It was written and...

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  • 1989
    imgS10 E13

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    7.693 1989 HD

    A stranded spaceship pilot captured by mad scientists survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals.

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  • 1970
    imgS10 E13

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    7.693 1970 HD

    A stranded spaceship pilot captured by mad scientists survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals.

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  • 1970
    imgS10 E13

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    Mystery Science Theater 3000

    7.693 1970 HD

    A stranded spaceship pilot captured by mad scientists survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals.

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