Is Rotten Tomatoes Reliable for Finding a Good Movie?

Finding a good movie to watch can be tricky. Many people turn to Rotten Tomatoes for guidance. Rotten Tomatoes is a website where critics and audiences rate movies. A high score seems to suggest a great film, but is it that simple?

How Does Rotten Tomatoes Work?

Rotten Tomatoes combines two main scores. First, there is the Tomatometer. This reflects critics' reviews. A score of 60% or higher means the movie is "Fresh." Anything lower is "Rotten." Second, there is the Audience Score. This shows how regular viewers rate the movie. Both scores are expressed as percentages.

Why Critics' Scores May Be Misleading

Critics have specific tastes. They look for unique aspects in films. They often appreciate deep themes, creative direction, or technical excellence. This means they can favor certain types of movies more than others. For example:

• Art-house films often get high scores. These movies may not appeal to everyone.
• Blockbusters might get lower scores even if they are fun to watch.

Rotten Tomatoes aggregates many critics' opinions. While this can offer a wide view, it may not represent what the average viewer will enjoy.

Audience Scores: Reliable or Not?

Audience Scores come from regular movie-goers. They can give a sense of what most people think. But these scores can also be skewed. Some factors include:

• Fan voting: Fans of a franchise can inflate scores.
• Review-bombing: Groups may give low scores to express discontent for reasons unrelated to the film.

Moreover, some people write extreme reviews – either very positive or very negative. This can distort the overall score.

Should You Use Rotten Tomatoes?

Rotten Tomatoes can be a helpful tool, but use it wisely. Here are some tips:

• Check both scores: Look at both the Tomatometer and Audience Score. They can offer different perspectives.
• Read reviews: Look beyond the score. Read what critics and audience members are saying.
• Know your taste: Recognize that not all high-scoring movies will fit your preference.
• Compare sources: Use other review sites as well, such as Metacritic or IMDb.

Rotten Tomatoes is just one tool you can use. It has its strengths, like offering a quick snapshot of opinions. But remember, what matters most is your own taste. A movie with mixed reviews might be exactly what you’ll enjoy.