‘Anaconda’ Gets Brutal Rotten Tomatoes Score as Critics Tear It Apart
Sony’s upcoming action comedy Anaconda is already running into trouble before it reaches theaters. The meta-style reboot, led by Jack Black and Paul Rudd, has landed with critics, and the early response has not been kind.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a 35 percent score based on 43 reviews.
The low rating suggests that many critics feel the movie does not live up to its concept or cast. Anaconda is set for release on December 25, but its critical reception is shaping up to be a major hurdle.
The film is directed by Tom Gormican and written by Gormican and Kevin Etten. It reimagines the 1997 movie as a self-aware comedy. The story follows four friends who travel to the Amazon to remake Anaconda for fun, only to face a real giant snake. What starts as a joke quickly turns into a fight to survive.
Despite the playful setup, many reviewers say the execution falls flat. Zach Pope wrote that the movie “wants to be TROPIC THUNDER with its meta commentary on filmmaking,” but added that while there are a few laughs, “I never found the film to actually go all out with its concepts.” He rated it 2 out of 5.
Experience one of the best comedies of the year.
— Anaconda Movie (@Anaconda_Movie) December 23, 2025
Jack Black and Paul Rudd star in #AnacondaMovie – the comedy event of Christmas is in theatres Wednesday. Get tickets now. https://t.co/X2rSDj2ea6 pic.twitter.com/1MqQTZ71f9
Jeremy Jahns was even less impressed. He summed up his reaction by saying the film is “the epitome of… I’m not going to remember the movie.” Mike Massie from Gone With The Twins gave it a 3 out of 10 and called it “one of the most ineffective and dishonest horror-comedy hybrids of recent memory.”
Other critics echoed similar feelings. Dionar Hidalgo described it as “a self-aware remake that knows its jokes but never sharpens them,” adding that even Jack Black and Paul Rudd could not save “thin characters, flat satire, or toothless horror.” Another review compared it to a comedy classic but said it failed to live up to that goal, calling the movie “funny and surprisingly sweet yet ultimately as boneless as a snake.”
The cast also includes Steve Zahn, Thandiwe Newton, Daniela Melchior, and Selton Mello. Ice Cube, who starred in the original Anaconda, appears in a cameo as himself.
These reactions are based on early reviews shared through Rotten Tomatoes and individual critics’ platforms. While audiences will have their own say once the film opens, the critical response so far suggests Anaconda may struggle to shake off negative buzz.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!