Ice Cube’s “War of the Worlds” Remake Hits 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, Sparks Viral Hate-Watch Craze

The 2025 remake of War of the Worlds has achieved a notorious milestone: a devastating 0% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet, instead of fading into obscurity, this Amazon Prime sci-fi film starring Ice Cube has become a viral sensation. Audiences are flooding social media with memes and disbelief, dubbing it the “worst movie of the year” while simultaneously driving viewership. The brutal reviews and unintentional comedy have transformed a critical disaster into a cultural curiosity, proving that cinematic failure can sometimes be its own reward.

Critical Panning and Audience Schadenfreude

Released on July 30, 2025, the film adapts H.G. Wells’ 1898 novel using “screenlife technology,” portraying most of the story through Ice Cube’s computer screen. Critics were merciless. Ed Power of the Daily Telegraph awarded it one star, calling it “silly, shoddy” and noting Cube “staring at a computer screen while looking as if he’s working through a reasonably urgent digestive ailment.” Other reviewers echoed the sentiment, cementing its 0% Rotten Tomatoes rating—a rarity for major studio releases.

Audience reactions diverged sharply, with the film earning a 20% “Popcornmeter” score. Some praised it ironically, like viewer Kirsten D., who joked, “My grandmother in a wheelchair found the strength to walk… snatched the remote, turned it off, then shot the TV three times.” This disconnect highlights a growing trend: viewers actively seeking out critically panned films for communal mockery. As social media user @Lons tweeted, “Dipping below like 5% on Rotten Tomatoes has basically the same appeal as breaking 90%. That’s some shit I need to experience.”

The Making of a Modern Flop

The film’s production began in 2020 amid pandemic restrictions, opting for screenlife tech to create a “commercial event film” on a “contained thriller” budget. Instead, the result felt disjointed and unintentionally hilarious. Clips circulated widely online, including one featuring a literal “that was easy” button pressed during an alien invasion. User @Browntable_Ent reacted: “THIS CAN’T BE A REAL MOVIE.”

This so-bad-it’s-good appeal fueled its viral rise. Many, like @noduckie4u, admitted watching ironically: “I won’t tell my wife it’s bad and just keep looking at her with her expectations set to god knows where.” Others endured it as a challenge; @pinknishii called it “pain and torment.” Amazon Prime has inadvertently benefited, with hate-watchers boosting streams to see if it lives down to its reputation.

Despite universal critical disdain, Ice Cube’s War of the Worlds remake has carved a perverse niche in pop culture, proving that infamy can drive engagement as effectively as acclaim. For those curious whether it truly earns its 0% Rotten Tomatoes score, the film is available to stream—and meme—on Amazon Prime.

Must Know

Q: What is the Rotten Tomatoes score for the 2025 War of the Worlds remake?
A: The film holds a 0% critics’ score based on reviews like the Daily Telegraph’s scathing assessment. Its audience score is 20%, with many viewers admitting they watched it ironically.

Q: Why is the War of the Worlds remake so controversial?
A: Critics panned its reliance on “screenlife” visuals, poor pacing, and unconvincing performances. However, its unintentional humor has made it a viral hate-watch phenomenon.

Q: Where can I stream the 2025 War of the Worlds film?
A: It’s exclusively available on Amazon Prime Video, released on July 30, 2025.

Q: Did the pandemic impact this War of the Worlds production?
A: Yes. The low-budget, screenlife approach was chosen during 2020 COVID-19 restrictions to avoid large-scale sets, contributing to its criticized aesthetic.

Q: Are audiences really watching this version of War of the Worlds?
A: Absolutely. Social media buzz suggests many are streaming it specifically to participate in viral mockery, driving unexpected viewership.