Rotten Tomatoes

Rotten Tomatoes is the world's most trusted recommendation resource for quality entertainment, serving as the premier aggregator of movie and television reviews from professional critics and audiences worldwide. Founded in 1998, the platform has become an essential tool for entertainment consumers, industry professionals, and content creators, providing the iconic Tomatometer score that measures critical consensus and the Audience Score that reflects viewer opinions. The site aggregates reviews from hundreds of approved critics and millions of verified audience members, offering a comprehensive snapshot of how films and TV shows are received across different demographics and perspectives.

The platform's influence on the entertainment industry has grown exponentially, with Tomatometer scores often impacting box office performance, streaming viewership, and marketing strategies. Studios and distributors closely monitor their projects' Rotten Tomatoes ratings, as a "Fresh" rating (60% or higher) or the coveted "Certified Fresh" designation (75% or higher with specific criteria) can significantly boost a production's commercial prospects. Conversely, a "Rotten" rating can affect opening weekend performance and long-term audience engagement, making the platform a critical factor in entertainment industry economics.

Rotten Tomatoes employs a rigorous methodology for calculating its scores, distinguishing between the Tomatometer (based on approved critics' reviews) and the Audience Score (derived from verified user ratings). The platform has implemented verification systems to combat review bombing and ensure authentic audience feedback, requiring users to prove ticket purchases for theatrical releases before rating films. This commitment to authenticity has strengthened the platform's credibility as both critics and general audiences rely on its aggregated data to make viewing decisions.

The site provides extensive coverage beyond simple numerical scores, offering consensus statements that summarize critical opinion, individual critic reviews, trailers, news articles, and editorial content about the entertainment industry. Users can explore films and shows by genre, release date, streaming platform, and various other filters, making it a comprehensive entertainment discovery tool. The platform also features special sections for awards season coverage, highlighting Oscar contenders and other prestigious recognition.

Rotten Tomatoes has expanded its influence through partnerships with major entertainment companies and streaming platforms, with scores now appearing directly on services like Peacock, Vudu, and Fandango. The platform's parent company, Fandango, has integrated ticketing services directly into the site, creating a seamless experience from discovery to purchase. This integration has made Rotten Tomatoes not just a review aggregator but a central hub in the entertainment consumption ecosystem.

The platform continues to evolve its features and policies to address industry changes and user needs, including enhanced coverage of streaming content, international films, and television series. As the entertainment landscape shifts toward streaming-first releases and global content distribution, Rotten Tomatoes remains at the forefront of helping audiences navigate an increasingly complex media environment, providing trusted guidance on what to watch across all platforms and formats.