We're bringing MST3K: The RiffTrax Experiments to you in 2026! To celebrate, you can pre-order the episodes on DVD or Blu-ray, along with exclusive items such as our pins, backer shirt, a commemorative coin, and more!
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Thank You!
about 1 month ago
– Tue, Mar 17, 2026 at 10:01:05 AM
Even though this part of the campaign has "ended," this is really just the first step in a long and wonderful journey.
Feel free sit back and relax, but don't tune out, because we'll be sharing updates here on Kickstarter as we produce these four episodes of your favorite cow-town puppet show. And we'll be sharing updates the entire way with you, amazing Kickstarter backers, who have made this all possible.
We can't thank you enough, but we'll keep saying how appreciative we are every chance we get.
Like right now! Here's a special video message from Mike, Kevin, and Bill:
Suffice it to say, the whole RiffTrax team is beyond grateful. To all 22,000-and-change of you:
Thank you so, so much.
P.S. Due to popular demand, we've extended the pre-orders for the Launch Crew Shirts through 11:59PM PT tonight. This is a separate item from your Kickstarter shirt — we'll ask for your shirt size for that in the BackerKit survey — and will not be available for purchase later.
A quick recap before this Kickstarter ends.
about 2 months ago
– Mon, Mar 16, 2026 at 10:03:53 AM
Hello there, backers!
To say we’re over the moon about this Kickstarter campaign would not do real justice to how all of us at RiffTrax are feeling about it. While making new episodes of MST3K is a completely new venture for us, we're thrilled that so many of our past backers — and so many new ones! — are going on this journey with us.
We’re firmly in the writing and pre-production phase, but we are already excited about everything that’s ahead, and bits 'n pieces that have already been created (which we'll continue to reveal in the weeks to come) have us "hyped" as they say.
Your generous contributions through this Kickstarter will allow us to not only make four amazing episodes, but to build our sets, pay our talented crew, and to make sure the bots are in top working condition. We'll make sure every dollar gets put to good use, and that the resulting RiffTrax Experiments are as good as they can possibly be.
Here are some quick notes and FAQs before the end of this project.
Today’s the LAST DAY to make a pledge and be part of RiffTrax and MST3K history. And since there have been pretty much daily updates, some of which may have gotten lost in the shuffle, here’s a brief recap of everything notable:
All backers at the $75 ALL FOUR EXPERIMENTS level and higher get bonus Digital Videos from The Mads Are Back (Frank Conniff and Trace Beaulieu's online riffing project) as well as Dumb Industry’s Mary Jo Pehl show!
All backers at the $125 PIN SET reward level and higher will also get both Bumper Stickers and the Backer Club Card added to their rewards for free! You can still purchase extras as Add-Ons if you'd like.
The $100 Blu-ray Package now includes a DVD option (you will select your preference at BackerKit during the survey)
You will be able to select your Exclusive Shirt size at BackerKit during the survey as well.
Backers who purchase the DVD or Blu-ray will also receive digital access!
Mary Jo Pehl is returning as Pearl Forrester; and, of course, Bill and Kevin will play her henchmen, Brain Guy and Bobo.
Trace and Frank are returning as Dr. Forrester and TV’s Frank for the fourth and final episode of this run!
Collectible COins are only available as an add-on and are not included in any reward levels. Be sure to grab one!
PLEASE NOTE: You'll be charged for shipping later. More on that below.
A note about reward levels! (Make sure you have selected one.)
Some of have selected the "No Reward" level - possibly unintentionally! Choosing NO REWARD will result in a delay or, at worst, not receiving any digital OR physical rewards - even if you’ve pledged a dollar amount equal to a pledge reward level.
For instance, to receive the Pin Set and any bonuses from that level, you must at least pledge $125 and select the PIN SET reward (or higher levels); selecting No Reward while pledging $125 — if you actually wanted the pins or add-ons — will result in you NOT receiving your desired rewards. You will have a chance to correct this at BackerKit, of course, but fixing this right now will make things easier down the road.
To verify you’ve selected a pledge level, (or to change your selected pledge level), and purchase any Add-Ons, follow these steps before the campaign ends (on the Kickstarter website where the process is generally easier):
Click Manage your pledge at the top of this page (or in the mobile app menu)
Click Change your pledge
If things look good, you can click Continue (or just close the page).
OR, f you want to change your level, click, as an example “Pledge $125” for the Pin Set reward.
On the next page, select any Optional Add-Ons you would like.
Follow the steps to complete your pledge.
Remember, reward levels stack (up until the Autographed Script levels). Each level includes the items from the level before it.
The purpose of this reminder is to ask everyone to double check their rewards and give one final look before the close of this Kickstarter, to make sure there aren't any surprises later on.
Kevin talks the NEW Satellite of Love pre-production model!
With all of that out of the way, and to give you an idea of how things are already starting to ramp up, we wanted to bring you this video of Kevin telling you about what our pal Trace Beaulieu has been up to as our Art Director. Here's Kevin:
That's right, the Satellite of Love bridge set will include design elements like this - featuring "parts" that resemble the same spare parts that were used to build Mike's robot friends, just like the old show talked about. Pretty neat, right?
While this may be the "end" of this Kickstarter, it's really just the beginning. As Trace's amazing work above reveals, pre-production is now underway and the vision is beginning to take shape.
As backers, you're part of this journey. We'll continue to bring you updates throughout the process regularly, and we're thrilled to be on this adventure with you. Stay tuned!
Some final Frequently Asked Questions before end of campaign:
What happens next?
Once this Kickstarter campaign ends, Kickstarter will try to charge your payment on file. This process will take one week to allow for any failed payment attempts to be fixed (by fixing your payment method). Kickstarter will send reminders for any payment failures every 48 hours.
If all attempts fail at the end of this week, you may see that your pledge has been "dropped" or removed. But don’t worry! Once we open BackerKit Backer Surveys, everyone whose pledges failed will be able to try again and pay at that time.
Likewise, you’ll also be able to purchase extra add-ons, if you’d like, or even upgrade your pledge to another available level. Sold out levels will not be available.
Shipping will be charged later.
Unlike our previous campaigns, we didn't include shipping fees in Kickstarter. You will be asked to confirm your shipping address during the Backer Survey at BackerKit. We'll be doing our best to combine shipping in order to make shipping as economical as possible for you.
What is a Backer Survey?
In a couple of weeks, we’ll send a link in an email from BackerKit to your Backer Survey. These surveys are where you’ll be able to select your preferred format of Blu-ray or DVD, your shirt size(s), and provide places for other things for your specific reward - like “Thank You page” names, End Credit names, and a place to upload your photo for Your Face On Screen.
What if I used an Apple ID privacy settings’ secret email address?
Sometimes using Apple’s privacy tools to hide your email address from spammy senders results in things like Kickstarter having trouble getting in touch with you when the time comes to send your backer survey link. We’re working on a way to make sure anyone who used the Apple Privacy emails receives their links. Stay tuned for more information later on.
If I pledged at the $200 level, do I have to add Add-Ons as well?
Only if you want to! Our rewards "stack" — meaning, each reward level includes the items from the previous (lower priced) reward level. So at the $200 level you get everything from the $150 HOLIDAY ORNAMENT level, which also includes everything from the $125 PIN SET LEVEL, and so on, PLUS the exclusive Backer Shirt.
You would not need to add any Add-On Shirts unless you wanted to purchase extras for friends, family, your dog, etc.
What are Late Pledges?
This is Kickstarter’s way of allowing anyone who missed the deadline of the campaign to still participate. Unlike with regular pledges, backers of Late Pledges will be charged immediately and have their pledges locked, meaning they won’t be able to change it later — until the Backer Surveys open, at which point, we can help with this.
If you have any other questions or concerns, check out our FAQs first, or feel free to drop us a line and we’ll do our best to assist. Otherwise, stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to sending your surveys.
Thanks again for your support, folks. We'll be back with you again shortly!
-The RiffTrax Team
Coin and ornament design! And the shirt design is...
about 2 months ago
– Fri, Mar 13, 2026 at 12:25:24 PM
This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
End Theme Announcement!
about 2 months ago
– Thu, Mar 12, 2026 at 10:30:40 AM
Hi everyone, Bill here.
A few people have asked what we're doing with the traditional MST3K closing theme played at the end of each show — the instrumental piece known as "Mighty Science Theater," written by Charlie Erickson along with Joel.
First of all: I love this piece of music. It always felt like the perfect ending to the show, and I'm not even sure I can explain why. It's a bit solemn, a bit sad - unlike the show itself (I hope!). But in its final moments it's also kind of majestic, even pompous. Definitely church-y, pointedly so in its nickname. To younger fans for whom this might be ancient history, look up the kid's religious show DAVEY AND GOLIATH - created by Art Clokey, of Gumby fame - which used as its theme the hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."
Somehow this worked perfectly for the show, especially when followed by the opening theme's guitar twang and the very quick, silly stinger scenes from the episode's movie.
All that said! We now have an answer to the question:
Like the opening theme for MST3K: The RiffTrax Experiments, "Mighty Science Theater" will be covered by the great Jonathan Coulton - but this time along with his longtime partners (and also friends o' RiffTrax) Paul and Storm.
How will they do it? Stay tuned and see! And hear. Heck, use all your senses if you want to.
Thanks for all the support and kind words! We can't wait to start making these shows.
-Bill
P.S. Some quick housekeeping!
Those of you who pre-ordered the Launch Crew shirt, a sizing chart is now available! We will be printing those shirts on Gildan Softstyle (Men's 6000 and Women's 6000L) which is 100% pre-shrunk, ring spun cotton. It fits true to size and the men's style does not have side seams. Click here for a size chart (we are using "Classic T-shirt" garments), and contact us at [email protected] for any issues or if you need to change your size. We'll close pre-orders on Monday to place the actual order for shirts, so this is your last chance to get one!
(NOTE: Kickstarter Exclusive BACKER SHIRT recipients: you will be able to select your shirt size in the coming weeks via the Backer Survey we send you from BackerKit. Stay tuned!)
Lastly, the Dumb Industries VODs we added to the $100 Blu-ray package and higher will now ALSO be added to the $75 ALL FOUR EXPERIMENTS reward tier. Fans of digital bonuses who do not want physical items, rejoice!
As always, we truly appreciate the support and feedback. We read every comment - but if you have an important question or issue, please consult the FAQs first as most things are answered there. Otherwise, please send us a message on Kickstarter.
Back with more tomorrow!
-The RiffTrax Team
Hang out with RiffTrax today + The Mads Signed Scripts!
about 2 months ago
– Wed, Mar 11, 2026 at 09:49:24 AM
This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
