The ‘Scary Movie,’ ‘Masters Of The Universe’ Rotten Tomatoes Scores Are In

The new 'Scary Movie' reboot has earned a higher Rotten Tomatoes score than 'Masters of the Universe,' yet box office analysts predict it will still lose this weekend. Who did what: The two films opened simultaneously on June 5, 2026, with 'Scary Movie' posting a certified fresh rating on the review aggregator while 'Masters of the Universe' settled for a rotten score. Why it matters now: The discrepancy highlights a growing split between critical reception and commercial appeal, particularly for franchise reboots. Context: The 'Scary Movie' franchise, a parody series that began in 2000, has long relied on low-budget humor and mixed reviews; its latest installment arrives after a 12-year hiatus. Meanwhile, 'Masters of the Universe' is a big-budget adaptation of the classic 1980s toy line and cartoon, carrying massive nostalgia but also recent franchise fatigue. Key details: According to Rotten Tomatoes, the new 'Scary Movie' holds a 68% approval rating from critics (based on 87 reviews), while 'Masters of the Universe' stands at 42% (from 112 reviews). Audience scores tell a similar story—Scary Movie at 74% versus Masters at 58%. However, pre-sales data from tracking firms like Quorum and NRG show 'Masters of the Universe' opening to $45–$55 million domestically, compared to just $20–$25 million for 'Scary Movie.' The production budgets differ sharply: Masters cost $180 million, while Scary Movie was made for $35 million. Analysis: Informed observers note that Rotten Tomatoes scores increasingly reflect niche critic tastes rather than mass-market enthusiasm. 'A low RT score doesn't kill a movie if the IP has deep enough roots,' said Jeff Bock, senior analyst at Exhibitor Relations. 'Masters of the Universe has generations of fans who will show up regardless of what critics say.' The pattern echoes recent releases like 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' (52% RT, $400M global) and 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' (59% RT, $1.36B global). Outlook: The weekend will test whether 'Masters of the Universe' can overcome negative reviews to justify its budget, while 'Scary Movie' may enjoy a longer theatrical run due to its lower break-even point. Investors are watching Monday's actuals to adjust forecasts for upcoming slate. If Masters underperforms its tracking, it could signal limits to nostalgia-driven reboots, whereas a strong hold for Scary Movie might revive the parody genre for a new generation.