Amazon Prime Video’s Hottest New Show Stuns with a Perfect 100% ‘Certified Fresh’ Rating
3 min read
Amazon Prime Video has delivered plenty of great content over the years, but few shows have achieved the level of success and fan devotion as its breakout action-crime drama. After a long wait, the show has finally returned for its highly anticipated third season— and it’s already making waves. Not only has it skyrocketed to the top of Prime Video’s rankings, but it has also accomplished an impressive feat: a perfect 100% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, officially earning its Certified Fresh status.
That show, of course, is Reacher. Alan Ritchson reprises his role as the unstoppable ex-MP, bringing his signature brand of brutal justice back to the screen in Season 3, which adapts Persuader, one of Lee Child’s bestselling novels. While the series has consistently received strong reviews, this is its best-rated season yet. The first season earned a solid 92%, while the second season, despite being divisive among fans, still managed to secure a 98% from critics. Now, with more than two dozen critic reviews in, Season 3 remains at a flawless 100%, officially crossing the threshold to be Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes— a rare achievement in television.
How Are Fans Reacting?
It’s still early days for audience scores, but the initial reactions present a mixed picture. On Rotten Tomatoes, viewer ratings currently sit at 76%, but with only 50 user reviews in, that number could shift significantly. Meanwhile, over on IMDb, where hundreds of reviews have already been posted, the new episodes are pulling in scores between 8.2 and 8.4— higher than any episode in Season 2. If those numbers hold, it’s a promising start for what could be Reacher’s most successful season yet.
Dominating Prime Video’s Top 10
Unsurprisingly, Reacher has shot straight to #1 on Amazon Prime Video’s Top 10, dethroning other high-profile series, including the critically acclaimed Invincible. Unlike many other Prime Video originals, Reacher has demonstrated remarkable staying power, remaining in Amazon’s Top 10 TV list for nearly two years straight, even during its hiatus. Few other shows— even big-budget productions like The Rings of Power— have been able to achieve that kind of long-term engagement. In contrast, reports indicate that The Rings of Power suffered a 50% drop in viewership between seasons, highlighting just how exceptional Reacher’s sustained popularity really is.
Is Reacher Worth Amazon’s Investment?
Despite being a grounded, character-driven action series, Reacher still commands a hefty budget of around $14 million per episode— a reflection of the soaring costs across the streaming industry (Severance, for example, reportedly costs $20 million per episode, despite featuring little more than sterile white hallways). However, Amazon appears to be getting incredible value from its investment in Reacher, as its continued dominance suggests this franchise isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
With a perfect critical score, strong early audience reception, and a commanding presence on Prime Video, Reacher’s third season is shaping up to be its most successful yet. And given its momentum, it’s safe to say Jack Reacher’s journey is far from over.
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