Amazon's Sci-Fi Remake Earns Worst Movie of 2025 Title
Prime Video's latest adaptation of a century-old science fiction story has critics reaching for the lowest possible scores, making it the year's most critically panned film.
As 2025 draws to a close, entertainment critics are compiling their annual rankings of cinema's biggest triumphs and most spectacular failures. Leading the pack of disappointments is Amazon Prime Video's catastrophic modern adaptation of a science fiction tale that's been captivating readers for more than a century.
The streaming giant's latest venture has managed to achieve what many thought impossible - earning a Metacritic score of just six out of 100. This dismal rating places it firmly at the bottom of the year's theatrical releases, a distinction that speaks volumes about the film's reception among professional reviewers.
Critical Consensus Reaches New Lows
Metacritic's scoring system works similarly to other aggregation platforms, collecting reviews from established film critics and calculating a weighted average. The resulting number provides audiences with a quick snapshot of professional opinion, ranging from zero to one hundred points.
For context, most films that receive widespread critical acclaim typically score in the 70s, 80s, or 90s. Movies in the 40s and 50s are generally considered mediocre, while anything below 30 is usually deemed poor. A score of six represents an almost unprecedented level of critical rejection.
Amazon's Streaming Strategy Under Fire
This latest misstep adds to ongoing discussions about the quality control measures employed by major streaming services. Amazon Prime Video has invested heavily in original content over recent years, with mixed results that range from acclaimed series to projects that fail to connect with audiences or critics.
The platform's approach to adapting classic literature and vintage science fiction has produced varying outcomes. While some efforts have garnered praise for bringing beloved stories to new generations, others have struggled to capture the essence that made the original works endure for decades.
Year-End Rankings Take Shape
The emergence of definitive worst-of lists signals the entertainment industry's annual tradition of reflection and assessment. These rankings serve multiple purposes, helping audiences navigate the overwhelming volume of content while providing filmmakers and studios with feedback on their creative choices.
Professional critics play a crucial role in this ecosystem, offering informed perspectives based on extensive viewing experience and understanding of cinematic craft. When their collective judgment results in such an extraordinarily low score, it typically indicates fundamental problems with storytelling, production values, or creative execution.