Movies and TV shows are so much fun! But how do you know which ones are good to watch? That’s where rotten tomatoes come in. Rotten Tomatoes is a special website that helps determine if a film or show is excellent. It’s like having a friend who knows all about movies! In this article, we’ll explain everything about rotten tomatoes, including how they work, why they’re helpful, and how to use them to pick your next movie night adventure. Let’s dive in!
What Is Rotten Tomatoes?
Rotten Tomatoes is a website that tells you what people think about movies and TV shows. It started in 1998, and now millions of people use it to find movie reviews and ratings. The name “rotten tomatoes” comes from a funny old tradition. A long time ago, if people didn’t like a play, they threw tomatoes on the stage! The website uses this idea to show if a movie is “fresh” (good) or “rotten” (not so good).
When you visit Rotten Tomatoes, you can read what movie critics say about a film. Critics are people who watch movies for their job and write about them. The site also shows what regular people, like you and me, think about a movie. It makes Rotten Tomatoes a super helpful place to find film recommendations.
Why Is Rotten Tomatoes So Popular?
Everyone loves rotten tomatoes because it makes choosing movies easy. Imagine you want to watch a new superhero film. You can check rotten tomatoes to see if it’s worth your time. The site gives you two essential scores: the Tomatometer and the Audience Score. These scores help you decide if a movie is fantastic or not.
Rotten Tomatoes is also popular because it covers all kinds of entertainment. You can find TV show reviews, cinema news, and even tips about what to watch next. Whether you love cartoons, scary movies, or funny shows, Rotten Tomatoes has something for you.
Understanding the Tomatometer
One of the most incredible things about rotten tomatoes is the Tomatometer. This special score shows how many movie critics liked a film. The score is shown as a percentage, like a score out of 100. For example, if a movie has a 90% Tomatometer score, 90 out of 100 critics thought it was good.
Here’s how it works:
- Fresh: A movie with a Tomatometer score of 60% or higher is called “Fresh.” It means most critics liked it, and it gets a red tomato icon.
- Certified Fresh: If a movie gets 75% or higher and meets some extra rules (like having many reviews), it’s “Certified Fresh.” It is like a gold star for really great movies!
- Rotten: If the score is below 60%, the movie is “Rotten,” it gets a green splat icon. It means most critics didn’t enjoy it.
The Tomatometer is a quick way to see if a movie is worth watching. For example, if you’re picking between two films on rotten tomatoes, you might choose the one with a higher Tomatometer score.
How Does Rotten Tomatoes Pick Critics?
You might wonder who these movie critics are. Rotten Tomatoes is very careful about choosing critics. They only pick people who write for newspapers, magazines, or trusted websites. These critics watch a lot of movies and know a lot about films. When they write movie reviews, Rotten Tomatoes collects their opinions to create the Tomatometer score.
It makes rotten tomatoes trustworthy. You know the film ratings come from experts who understand movies. Plus, Rotten Tomatoes includes critics from all over the world, so you get many different viewpoints.
The Audience Score Explained
Rotten Tomatoes isn’t just about critics—it’s about you, too! The Audience Score shows what people think about a movie or TV show. After you watch a film, you can go to Rotten Tomatoes and give it a rating. You can say if you loved, liked, or didn’t like it.
The Audience Score is shown as a percentage, just like the Tomatometer. For example, if a movie has an 80% Audience Score, it means 80 out of 100 people enjoyed it. The icon for a good Audience Score is a popcorn bucket, which means the movie is a hit with fans!
Sometimes, the Tomatometer and Audience Score are different. For example, critics might give a movie a low Tomatometer score, but fans might love it and give it a high Audience Score. It happens because critics and regular people sometimes like different things. Rotten Tomatoes shows both scores, so you can decide which one matters more.
Why the Audience Score Is Important
The Audience Score is super helpful because it shows what people like you think. If you’re a kid who loves funny movies, you might care more about the Audience Score than the Tomatometer. That’s because fans often rate movies based on how fun they are, not just how “perfect” they are.
Rotten Tomatoes lets anyone share their opinion, so the Audience Score feels like a big group chat about movies. It’s a great way to find film recommendations that match your interests.
How to Use Rotten Tomatoes
Using rotten tomatoes is as easy as pie! Here’s a simple guide to get started:
- Visit the Website: Go to the Rotten Tomatoes website or app. It’s free to use, and you don’t need to sign up to view movie reviews.
- Search for a Movie: Type the name of a movie or TV show in the search bar. For example, if you want to watch a new cartoon, type its name.
- Check the Scores: Look at the Tomatometer and Audience Score to see if the movie is good. A high score means it’s probably fun to watch!
- Read Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes has short movie reviews from critics and fans. These reviews tell you what people liked or didn’t like about the film.
- Find Recommendations: If you’re unsure what to watch, Rotten Tomatoes lists the top movies and film recommendations. It also offers ideas for family films, comedies, and TV show reviews.
Rotten Tomatoes also has a section called Cinema News, where you can read about upcoming movies. It’s like a treasure map for finding your next favourite film!
Exploring TV Show Reviews
Did you know rotten tomatoes aren’t just for movies? It also has TV show reviews! Whether you love cartoons, adventure shows, or funny programmes, rotten tomatoes can help you pick the best ones. Like movies, TV shows get a Tomatometer score and an Audience Score.
For example, if you’re looking for a new show to watch with your family, you can check Rotten Tomatoes to see what’s popular. The site even lists the best kids’ shows, so you can find something everyone will enjoy.
Why Rotten Tomatoes Is Trustworthy
Rotten Tomatoes follows strict rules to ensure fair film ratings. The website only uses reviews from trusted movie critics and checks that all the scores are correct. This makes Rotten Tomatoes a reliable place to find entertainment insights.
Another reason Rotten Tomatoes is trustworthy is that it’s honest about its scores. If a movie gets a low Tomatometer score, rotten tomatoes explain why critics didn’t like it. It helps you understand the ratings and make your own choices.
Who Owns Rotten Tomatoes?
Rotten Tomatoes is owned by Fandango, a company that sells movie tickets. Fandango works with big film companies to ensure that Rotten Tomatoes has the latest cinema news and movie reviews, so you always get up-to-date information when you visit the site.
Fun Features on Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is full of exciting features that make it fun to explore. Here are some of our favourites:
- Top Lists: Rotten Tomatoes has lists like “Best Family Movies” and “Top Superhero Films.” These lists are great for finding film recommendations.
- Trailers: You can watch movie trailers on Rotten Tomatoes to see if a film looks exciting.
- News and Interviews: The cinema news section has stories about actors, directors, and new films. You might even learn fun facts about your favourite movie!
- Kids’ Section: Rotten Tomatoes has a special area for kids’ movies and shows, so young fans can find safe and fun things to watch.
These features make Rotten Tomatoes more than just a review site—it’s a place to explore all kinds of entertainment insights.
Rotten Tomatoes and Kids
If you’re a kid (or a parent reading this), Rotten Tomatoes is perfect for finding family-friendly films. The site has a section for kids’ movies, with ratings showing if a film is okay for young viewers. For example, you can check if a cartoon has a high Tomatometer score before watching it.
Rotten Tomatoes also makes it easy to find TV show reviews for programmes like Paw Patrol or Bluey. This way, kids can pick shows that are fun and safe.
How Rotten Tomatoes Helps You Choose
Choosing a movie can be tricky. There are so many films out there! Rotten Tomatoes makes it simple by giving you all the information you need. For example, let’s say you want to watch a new animated movie. You can check rotten tomatoes to see their Tomatometer score, read movie reviews, and look at the Audience Score. It helps you decide if it’s the right film for you.
Rotten Tomatoes is also great for finding film recommendations. If you love a movie like Toy Story, Rotten Tomatoes can suggest other films you might enjoy. It’s like having a movie expert in your pocket!
Comparing Movies with Rotten Tomatoes
Sometimes, you should pick between two movies. Let’s say you’re choosing between funny and adventure films. Rotten Tomatoes lets you compare their film ratings side by side. You can look at the Tomatometer, Audience Score, and movie reviews to see which sounds better.
It makes rotten tomatoes a super tool for movie nights. You can even use it to settle arguments with your friends about the best film!
Rotten Tomatoes Around the World
Rotten tomatoes are used by people all over the world. Whether you live in London, New York, or Sydney, you can visit Rotten Tomatoes to find movie reviews. The site includes critics from many countries, so you get a mix of opinions. It makes Rotten Tomatoes a global guide to movies and TV shows.
The website is also available in different languages, which makes it easy for everyone to use. No matter where you are, rotten tomatoes can help you find entertainment insights.
Rotten Tomatoes and New Releases
One of the best things about Rotten Tomatoes is that it always has the latest cinema news. When a new movie comes out, Rotten Tomatoes posts movie reviews and film ratings right away. You can check if a new film is good before you go to the cinema.
For example, rotten tomatoes will tell you what critics and fans think if a new Spider-Man movie comes out. You can use this information to decide whether to see it on the big screen.
Tips for Using Rotten Tomatoes
Here are some quick tips to make the most of rotten tomatoes:
- Check Both Scores: Look at the Tomatometer and Audience Score for the whole picture. Sometimes, fans love a movie that critics don’t!
- Read Short Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes has quick movie reviews that are easy to understand. They tell you the best and worst parts of a film.
- Explore Lists: Use the film recommendations lists to find new movies or shows. There are lists for every type of film, from comedies to cartoons.
- Stay Updated: Learn about upcoming new films in the cinema news section.
With these tips, you’ll be a rotten tomatoes expert soon!
Why Rotten Tomatoes Matters
Rotten Tomatoes is more than just a website—it’s a way to improve movie-watching. You can avoid boring films and find ones you’ll love by checking film ratings and movie reviews. Rotten Tomatoes also helps you learn about movies, like why some films are called “classics” or what makes a good story.
For kids, rotten tomatoes are a fun way to explore entertainment. You can find TV show reviews, discover new films, and even share your opinions. It’s like being part of a big movie club!
The Future of Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is always getting better. The website adds new features, like more film recommendations and better ways to search for movies. In the future, Rotten Tomatoes might even have games or quizzes about films!
The site is also working to include more movie critics and fans from different places. This means Rotten Tomatoes will continue to provide the best entertainment insights for years to come.
Final Thoughts on Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is your go-to guide for movies and TV shows. Whether you’re looking for movie reviews, film ratings, or cinema news, Rotten Tomatoes has it all. With the Tomatometer and Audience Score, you can find perfectly perfect films. Plus, the site is easy to use, trustworthy, and full of fun features.
Next time you’re picking a movie, visit Rotten Tomatoes. It’s like having a movie expert to help you choose! Rotten tomatoes, from cartoons to action films, make every movie night a blast.
References
Rotten Tomatoes Official Website. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rottentomatoes.com
Fandango Media. (2025). About Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved from https://www.fandango.com/about-us
Common Sense Media. (2024). Guide to Family-Friendly Movies. Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org
BBC Entertainment. (2025). Understanding Movie Reviews. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/entertainment