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Tomatometer® Criteria
Thank you for your interest in applying for Tomatometer® approval.
Applications will reopen March 1, 2025.
Who are the Tomatometer-approved critics?
The Tomatometer® includes reviews from two different groups:
Individual professional film and TV critics who are Tomatometer-approved and whose reviews are included on the site regardless of where they are published.
Tomatometer-approved publications, such as websites, online video outlets, newspapers, consumer and trade magazines, alt-weeklies, podcasts, radio programs, and TV shows. If a publication is approved, its review of a movie or show is included on the Tomatometer® regardless of which individual critic produced it.
How do I become Tomatometer-approved?
Critics who wish to apply should first review our guidelines below. All candidates will go through a vetting process and be evaluated against our criteria. Applications are accepted yearly during the month of March.
Key Values
Insight: Criticism can be many things: a deep dive into the filmmaking craft, an analysis of subtext, a discussion on social commentary, an enthusiastic argument. We look for engaging content that has a distinct voice and offers perspective on a film or TV series, not just a plot summary.
Audience: Our intention is to reflect and represent the moviegoing and TV viewing audience with our Tomatometer-approved critics community. To cultivate a rich, varied, and inclusive space for engaging perspectives and debate, we seek critics who reach a wide audience, but also those whose film and TV coverage serves underrepresented groups.
Quality: Reviews should observe grammatical rules and demonstrate clarity and structure, whether approved by an editorial staff or self-published. In the same vein, video and podcast reviews should be well structured and have clear resolution and sound.
Dedication: Whether you’re a podcaster producing multiple shows per month or an alt-weekly contributor, we recognize that there are varying degrees of output among critics. Contribution minimums are outlined in the eligibility guidelines, but we also look for overall consistency and demonstrated commitment to the field. Additionally, memberships in critics organizations are recognized as a sign of merit, but are not essential for – nor do they guarantee – inclusion.
We expect both applicants and approved critics to honor journalistic integrity and observe ethical behavior. We do not tolerate plagiarism, harassment, obvious trolling, discrimination, or other breaches of conduct across all platforms.
Eligibility Guidelines
Individual Critics
Written
Consistent review output for a minimum of two years.
Demonstrated film/TV review coverage at a publication outside of a self-published website. However, we will consider critics who solely self-publish if their site and work reflect our key values.
Broadcast
A regular appearance providing reviews on a major and/or well-regarded local/national/international TV or radio outlet.
Video
Consistent review output for a minimum of two years.
A minimum of 30K subscribers on a video publishing platform qualifies for broad audience reach. Critics reaching underrepresented groups will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Publications
Written
Consistent review output for a minimum of two years.
A minimum of 2 million visits over 6 months as reported by SimilarWeb qualifies for broad audience reach. Publications reaching underrepresented groups will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
At least three individually approved critics contributing to the publication on a regular basis.
Demonstrated social media presence and engagement (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram).
Broadcast
Eligible TV and radio outlets and programs should be broadcasting reviews on a major and/or well-regarded local/national/international network or station.
Demonstrated social media presence and engagement (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram).
Video
Consistent review output for a minimum of two years.
A minimum of 200K subscribers on a video publishing platform qualifies for broad audience reach. Video channels reaching underrepresented groups will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The show should feature multiple critics.
Demonstrated social media presence and engagement (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram).
Podcasts
Consistent review output for a minimum of two years.
Publish at least four episodes per month.
At least 200 ratings on Apple Podcasts with a minimum score of 4 stars. Podcasts reaching underrepresented groups will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Demonstrated social media presence and engagement with audience (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram).
Critics exclusively reviewing at a podcast should apply on behalf of the entire podcast as a publication, not individually.
In some cases, even if a critic or publication does not meet the eligibility guidelines listed above, we may consider them for approval if we believe their inclusion will benefit the utility of the Tomatometer® and its audience.
In all cases, Rotten Tomatoes maintains the right to approve, reject, include, exclude and remove critics, reviews and publications on a case-by-case basis at any time.
From time to time we change our guidelines, and there may be critics or publications who are still included in the Tomatometer® that may not meet the current set of guidelines.
We cannot guarantee a response time on applications. If your application is declined, you may reapply after one year.
If you have other questions or a customer service issue, please visit our Help Section
