Why Matt Damon’s The Rip Nearly Broke Netflix’s Rotten Tomatoes Ceiling

Hook: Why your next Netflix click matters more than ever

If you’re deciding whether to stream or skip a new release, you’re not alone — that split-second choice is the same one film fans, critics and marketers now obsess over. In 2026, platforms like Netflix lean on critical buzz and star wattage to convert curiosity into massive viewing windows. The arrival of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in The Rip — a Netflix action-thriller that nearly cracked the platform’s Rotten Tomatoes ceiling — is a perfect case study in how streaming, critics and celebrity tentpoles interact in today’s market.

Topline: What happened with The Rip — and why it matters

On January 16, 2026, industry outlets reported that The Rip had come dangerously close to setting a new high-water mark for Netflix on Rotten Tomatoes. That near-record score isn’t just a headline: it’s a data point showing how Netflix’s strategy for high-profile releases has evolved. Behind the headline are deliberate choices — early critic access, festival positioning, a star-studded cast, and a platform-ready release model — that together changed how critics and audiences responded.

“Matt Damon’s ‘The Rip’ Nearly Sets A Netflix Rotten Tomatoes Record.” — Forbes, Jan 16, 2026

Quick takeaways (read first)

• The Rip’s near-record Rotten Tomatoes score validates Netflix’s pivot to prestige-driven streaming tentpoles in 2025–2026.
• Star power matters: A-list attachments (Damon, Affleck) bring critical attention and early screeners; that attention often translates into higher aggregate critic scores.
• Critic relations are strategic: Netflix’s more curated festival and critic-screening approach is paying off — but the effect is nuanced and short-lived without audience follow-through.
• How to use this as a viewer: Treat high Rotten Tomatoes scores as a directional signal; combine them with early reviews and your genre taste before hitting play.

The data story: Rotten Tomatoes scores vs. streaming strategy

Rotten Tomatoes remains the most visible quick metric for many viewers — it aggregates critic reviews into a single percentage that’s easy to scan. That simplicity is why studios and streamers chase high RT numbers: they help convert fence-sitters into viewers. But in 2026 the game has new rules. Netflix, observing the prestige arms race among streamers since the mid-2020s, has increasingly treated prominent releases like awards-era films: curated festival premieres, focused critic screenings, tailored publicity windows and, crucially, A-list fronting.

For The Rip, the combination of star cachet and a concentrated critic strategy produced a near-record Rotten Tomatoes outcome. That doesn’t mean critics were universally positive — aggregation smooths nuance — but the film collected enough favorable reviews quickly to push its percentage into rarefied Netflix territory.

What 'nearly set a record' really implies

• Rapid early positive takes: High RT percentages are built early. A film that secures strong notices from top outlets during opening week gains momentum.
• Top-critic amplification: Reviews from leading critics and outlets influence cultural conversations and downstream publications, creating a cascade effect.
• Visibility: PR, festival presence and star interviews increase the number of critics who review a film — often boosting the aggregate if early reviews are favorable.

Star-driven tentpoles: Why Damon + Affleck still move critical needles

Casting matters in both commercial and critical terms. Since the 2010s, star power was primarily a theatrical box office lever; by 2026, it’s equally a critical leverage point for streaming. A-list actors bring reviewers’ attention, festival invites and trade coverage — all of which increase the probability of a positive Rotten Tomatoes run.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck represent a specific dynamic: they’re not just stars, they’re a creative shorthand for a certain kind of prestige — past awards, high-profile collaborations and cultural curiosity. That gets critics to show up early, which increases the chances of positive momentum in aggregator models.

Practical pattern: What studios are doing differently in 2025–26

1. Curated critic access instead of open embargoes: select screenings for top critics to shape first narratives.
2. Festival-first positioning for certain titles, even if broad release is streaming-only.
3. Staggered publicity waves that align talent interviews with early reviews to maximize media pickup.

Netflix and critics: A relationship evolutions chart

Netflix’s early streaming years were defined by friction with cinemas and critics — theatrical windows were a sticking point, and some awards bodies resisted. By the mid-2020s, many of those battles eased. Netflix learned to package prestige into the streaming model: creating festival outings, timing releases to awards seasons, and courting critics with limited-run theatrical showings when necessary.

The Rip’s Rotten Tomatoes run shows how that playbook can produce near-record critical outcomes. But this is not a one-size-fits-all victory. Critical goodwill helps, but it must combine with platform mechanics (recommendation algorithms, homepage placement, localized promos) to convert review positivity into viewership.

How critics influence streaming records

• Discovery effect: A high RT score increases editorial visibility both on Netflix's UI and on external aggregators, which feeds discovery.
• Social proof: Positive reviews from named critics are shareable assets for PR and social campaigns.
• Algorithmic weight: Platforms increasingly use external signals as part of recommendation heuristics — but the exact blend varies by service and is closely held.

Interpreting Rotten Tomatoes: Practical advice for viewers and cinephiles

Rotten Tomatoes is helpful — but here’s how to make it actionable in 2026.

For viewers deciding whether to stream The Rip

• Use the RT score as an initial filter: high scores mean critics generally recommend the film, but read two or three full reviews to get genre and tone context.
• Check the critic consensus and look for mentions of style, pacing and performance — those will indicate whether Damon or Affleck’s turns are the reason to watch.
• Watch the trailer and the first 10 minutes (many streaming previews now offer extended clips). If the tone aligns with your taste, a high RT score is a good nudge to press play.

For cinephiles tracking industry trends

• Bookmark festival write-ups and early critical roundups — these predict which streaming releases will break through the noise.
• Follow critic roundtables and podcasts; depth pieces reveal whether high RT scores reflect substance or just star-fueled hype.

Lessons for filmmakers and distributors — turn critics into allies

The Rip shows that, in 2026, a strategic approach to critics is essential for streaming-era prestige. Here are practical, data-backed tactics creative teams can deploy.

Actionable playbook

1. Seed early access: Create a tiered critic plan. Give top national critics early screeners and reserve Q&A sessions with talent to deepen context.
2. Festival-first calibration: Use festivals not just for awards but to generate first-look pieces that shape the Rotten Tomatoes arc.
3. Leverage star-driven earned media: Book targeted interviews for talent that highlight the film’s critical elements (direction, performance challenges, unique production notes).
4. Measure and iterate: Track how early reviews affect pre-release search interest and adjust digital promos accordingly.

2026 trends and future predictions

As we move through 2026, several trends will shape how Rotten Tomatoes scores interact with streaming records.

What to expect

• More star-led streaming tentpoles: Platforms will continue to invest in projects anchored by A-list stars to secure both viewership and critical attention.
• Hybrid release playbooks: Expect more titles to combine limited theatrical runs, festival premieres and global streaming windows to optimize both awards positioning and algorithmic momentum.
• Critic ecosystem evolution: Critics will diversify across video essayists, podcast panels and long-form reviews; platforms will need to engage with these formats to build deeper contextual buzz.
• Data-driven PR: Studios will increasingly use sentiment analysis of early reviews to calibrate marketing spend in real time.

Limits and caveats: When Rotten Tomatoes can mislead

Aggregates flatten nuance. A film with a 90% RT score might be broadly liked but still polarizing in important ways for your tastes. Conversely, a mixed RT score sometimes hides standout elements — a single performance or a unique directorial choice — that could still make the film worth your time. Use these checks:

• Read a mix of positive and negative reviews to understand the debate.
• Check audience reactions and social clips for immediate viewer sentiment.
• Watch a sample before committing; streaming makes this low-friction.

How The Rip’s near-record run changes the conversation

The Rip represents a turning point in how Netflix approaches large-scale releases: it isn’t just about star power or big production budgets. It’s about staging the conversation so critics engage early and positively, and then ensuring the platform capitalizes on that momentum through algorithms, homepage placement, and social amplification.

For viewers, that means Rotten Tomatoes will continue to be a useful signal, but the best watch decisions will combine critic consensus, your personal tastes and a quick look at audience sentiment. For industry players — filmmakers, distributors and publicists — The Rip is a reminder that critic strategy must be baked into release planning, not tacked on after post-production.

Final, actionable checklist — what to do right now

• If you’re curious about The Rip: watch the trailer, scan the critic consensus on Rotten Tomatoes, then watch the first 20–30 minutes to test the tone.
• If you’re a filmmaker: plan a two-tier critic engagement — top critics and cultural tastemakers — and use festival placement to create first narratives.
• If you’re a marketer: align press waves with algorithm triggers (premiere weekend, talent interviews, curated clips) and monitor sentiment to pivot promotions.

Closing: Why this matters for streaming culture in 2026

The Rip’s near-record Rotten Tomatoes score isn’t just a stat — it’s a snapshot of a maturing streaming ecosystem where critical reception, star-driven casting and smart release strategies combine to shape cultural moments. As platforms continue to chase both eyeballs and prestige, understanding how critics and aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes influence discovery will be essential for anyone who writes about, makes, markets or watches movies.

Want the short version? Use Rotten Tomatoes as a starting signal, dig into a few full reviews, and don’t be afraid to press play — especially when Damon and Affleck are the reason critics are talking.

Call to action

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