Overview
- Released in theaters on Christmas Day, the Tom Gormican–directed film stars Jack Black and Paul Rudd in a meta, not-a-reboot take on the 1997 creature feature.
- Initial critic scores landed at 49% on Rotten Tomatoes, with outlets noting likable leads and shaky tonal balance.
- The 49% Tomatometer currently tops the franchise’s theatrical entries, outscoring the 1997 original and the 2004 sequel.
- Gormican said Lopez’s cameo was shot late in production and that weather damage in Australia forced creative pivots that were folded into the final cut.
- Industry reporting projects a typical Sony window, with PVOD likely in late January to early February and a Netflix debut expected in late March 2026.