Netflix is trimming sci‑fi content — Power Rangers included
As streaming platforms rotate their catalogs, several notable sci‑fi titles are leaving Netflix in different regions. Among them is the 2017 theatrical reboot Power Rangers, the high‑profile attempt to relaunch the classic TV franchise on the big screen. According to current listings, the film will remain available on Netflix in the United States through March 6.
The film at a glance
Power Rangers (2017) was positioned as a modern, big‑budget adaptation of the decades‑old children’s television property. Key production and release details:
- Release date: March 24, 2017
- Runtime: 124 minutes
- Rating: PG‑13
- Director: Dean Israelite
- Writers (credited): John Gatins, Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Michele Mulroney, Kieran Mulroney, Haim Saban
- Producers: Brent O’Connor, Roberto Orci, Wyck Godfrey, Allison Shearmur, Marty Bowen, Brian Casentini
- Reported budget: more than $100 million
- Worldwide box office: roughly $140 million
Cast highlights
The film mixed emerging young actors with established names:
- Dacre Montgomery — Jason Lee Scott / Red Ranger
- R.J. Cyler — Billy Cranston / Blue Ranger
- Naomi Scott — Kimberly Hart / Pink Ranger
- Becky G. — Zack Taylor / Black Ranger
- Ludi Lin — Trini Kwan / Yellow Ranger
- Bryan Cranston — Zordon
- Elizabeth Banks — Rita Repulsa
- Bill Hader — voice of a robotic assistant (voice role)
Intended franchise — and how it fell short
Power Rangers arrived with studio hopes of launching a new film franchise. Those plans depended on a stronger box‑office showing than the film ultimately delivered. With global receipts near $140 million against a production budget north of $100 million — not accounting for marketing and distribution costs — the movie underperformed, and sequel momentum stalled. As a result, the theatrical universe the producers envisioned never materialized.
Critical reaction and fan response
Critical and audience reaction to Power Rangers was mixed:
- Rotten Tomatoes currently lists the film at 51% on the critics’ aggregator, accompanied by a consensus that it “has neither the campy fun of its TV predecessor nor the blockbuster action of its cinematic superhero competitors.”
- Fans have been kinder over time, and the movie has retained a modest cult following among viewers who appreciated its more grounded tonal approach and the cast’s performances.
It’s worth noting that the story contributors Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless have drawn criticism for other high‑profile genre projects, but Power Rangers rates higher on Rotten Tomatoes than several of those titles.
Where it landed, and where it goes from here
After its theatrical run, Power Rangers moved through the usual home‑entertainment windows and streaming deals but never fully regained the studio confidence required to greenlight sequels. Its presence on platforms like Netflix gives new viewers a chance to reassess the reboot, but as licensing agreements expire, availability will change—so check local Netflix listings if you want to watch before the noted removal date.
Legacy: more than a flop, but not a franchise starter
Though the film did not ignite a cinematic franchise, it remains a visible entry in the modern wave of nostalgic reboots. It introduced several cast members who have gone on to other projects and kept the Power Rangers IP in public conversation. For fans and curious newcomers, the movie offers a contemporary take on the original series’ core idea: a group of ordinary teenagers thrust into extraordinary roles as heroes.