The Power of Rotten Tomatoes: In today’s digital age, information is always within reach, and we’re perpetually on the lookout for recommendations on movies to watch, games to play, or books to read. Making informed decisions in this sea of choices is where review aggregator platforms shine. Among the most popular and influential are Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.
Understanding the Review Aggregator Landscape
Before diving into Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, it’s essential to understand what review aggregator platforms are and why they matter. These platforms gather reviews and ratings from various sources, including professional critics and users, to offer a comprehensive overview of a product’s or content’s quality. They streamline the decision-making process for consumers and serve as invaluable resources for creators and businesses alike.
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings System
Rotten Tomatoes started in 2000 and quickly became the go-to source for movie reviews among film enthusiasts. After Fandango acquired the company, its influence grew even more, with the addition of the “Tomatometer” score next to every movie and ticket listing.
Critics argue that the relationship between a Rotten Tomatoes rating and ticket sales is complex and nuanced. While we won’t delve into that in this article, there is undoubtedly a psychological impact of seeing a rating right before making a choice.
How does the Tomatometer work?
The Rotten Tomatoes rating system is based on a scale known as “The Tomatometer,” which represents the percentage of positive reviews for a given film or show. The Tomatometer score is calculated once there are at least five reviews.
As reviews come in, the Tomatometer measures the positive reviews against the negative ones and assigns an overall score, resulting in a fresh or rotten rating for the film or television show.
A red tomato score, indicating fresh status, is designated when at least 60% of the reviews are positive. Conversely, a green splat, indicating rotten status, is displayed when less than 60% of the reviews are positive.
If there is no score available, it usually means the movie or show hasn’t been released yet or there aren’t enough reviews. Now that we understand how the scores are calculated, let’s delve into who’s doing the reviewing.
How is Rotten Tomatoes rated?
Rotten Tomatoes is meticulous in its critic curation, ensuring that not just any review makes the cut. It aggregates reviews from critics who have been regularly publishing movie reviews over the past two years and who are considered active by Rotten Tomatoes standards—meaning they’ve published a review within the last year. While there are about 3,000 Tomatometer-approved critics, typically only several hundred actively review any given film, and often the number is much smaller.
Top Critics are counted separately, providing an additional layer of insight. This means that while the Rotten Tomatoes rating system reflects a general consensus, you can also see scores from some of the more renowned critics in a dedicated space.
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
This feature of Rotten Tomatoes is valuable because it provides insights from everyday moviegoers while allowing you to compare their scores with those of the critics. This can help you determine whether a film is a must-see or a probable pass. Audience scores are calculated similarly to critic reviews.
The Audience Score is represented by a popcorn bucket. It shows the percentage of users who have rated the movie or show positively. Additionally, there is a section for Verified Ratings, which includes reviews from users who have actually purchased tickets.
A full popcorn bucket is awarded when at least 60% of users give a film or show a star rating of 3.5 or higher. Conversely, a tipped-over popcorn bucket indicates that less than 60% of users have given it a 3.5 or higher.
The most intriguing instances are when a film receives a green splat from critics but a full bucket of popcorn from the audience. While it’s less common, the opposite does happen, leading some to question the system’s effectiveness. Though reviews are inherently subjective, Rotten Tomatoes aims to bring more objectivity to the critique with its Certified Fresh designation.
What is Certified Fresh?
If a film or television show is awarded Certified Fresh status, it has met the following requirements:
- At least five reviews from Top Critics
- A consistent Tomatometer score of at least 75%
- TV shows are evaluated by season and must have at least 20 reviews per season
These stats can fluctuate, especially within the first few days or weeks of a film’s release. When these criteria are met, the film or show is automatically flagged for review.
If the Rotten Tomatoes staff determines that the movie or show is unlikely to fall below these numbers, it achieves its Certified Fresh status. Conversely, if the Tomatometer score ever falls below 70%, it loses this status.
The Certified Fresh designation adds a layer of objectivity and credibility to the Rotten Tomatoes rating system, making it more reliable for users seeking quality content.
Is Rotten Tomatoes good for movies?
So, what’s the bottom line? With the movie theater business constantly challenged by the rise of streaming services, audiences are increasingly selective about venturing out to the movies. When they do decide to leave the house, they’re likely to be extra picky about how they spend their money.
The answer is self-evident. On the surface, the Rotten Tomatoes rating system and Tomatometer appear to be legitimate resources for discerning consumers.
However, there is a valid concern for low-budget indie movies, which already face challenges in distribution. Without the marketing budget of Hollywood blockbusters, these indie films often rely heavily on the Tomatometer for visibility. These “little fish” movies live or die by this system, which is ultimately opinion-based and subjective.
Rotten Tomatoes: The Audience vs. Critics
Rotten Tomatoes is a household name for movie enthusiasts.in 1998. Here’s what sets it apart:
Tomatometer: Rotten Tomatoes boasts the unique “Tomatometer,” a signature feature that aggregates reviews from professional film critics and assigns a percentage score to movies, indicating the proportion of positive reviews. A higher percentage typically implies a better-reviewed film, simplifying the decision-making process for moviegoers.
Audience Score: In addition to the Tomatometer, Rotten Tomatoes includes an audience score reflecting user reviews and ratings. This dual-score system provides a holistic view that caters to both critical acclaim and audience satisfaction, offering a comprehensive snapshot of a movie’s reception.
Certified Fresh: Movies that receive a high percentage on the Tomatometer. Typically above 75%, earn the coveted title of “Certified Fresh.” This signifies that critics highly recommend a movie, giving it an additional badge of honor.
The Significance of Rotten Tomatoes vs Metacritic:
Both Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic have significantly impacted the entertainment industry. The scores and ratings provided by these platforms can heavily influence. The success or failure of a movie, TV show, or album.
A high score on Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic can generate significant buzz. Attract more viewers or listeners, serving as an endorsement that signals the entertainment is worth their time and money. Conversely, a low score can discourage potential consumers and lead to poor box office performance or lackluster sales.
Michel Harm
