Hollywood & Entertainment ‘Reacher’ Season 4 Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Score Marks Series Low By Tim Lammers ,

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I cover Hollywood and entertainment. Follow Author Aug 11, 2026, 01:29pm EDT Aug 11, 2026, 03:41pm EDT, :, /, :, This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary Alan Ritchson is back as Jack Reacher for "Reacher" Season 4, launching Aug. 12 on Prime Video with its first three episodes. This season, based on Lee Child s "Gone Tomorrow," plunges Reacher into a deadly government conspiracy after a chance subway encounter. While still earning a "fresh" 88% on Rotten Tomatoes from 16 reviews, this marks a notable drop from previous two seasons, which consistently scored in the high 90s. Critics are divided; many praise Ritchson s magnetic performance and the show s signature action, while others suggest the formula feels less bold or even suffers from weaker writing. New cast members join the series, including Chris Marquette and Kathleen Robertson, as Reacher faces his latest challenge.

Alan Ritchson in "Reacher" Season 4. Prime Video Alan Ritchson is back as Jack Reacher in Reacher Season 4 this week, but the show isn’t being met as warmly by Rotten Tomatoes critics as in seasons past.

Reacher , of course, is based on the best, selling book series by Lee Child . Reacher Season 4 is based on Gone Tomorrow , which is the 13th book in the series. In the new season, Reacher’s tragic encounter with a stranger on a subway draws him into a deadly conspiracy involving the highest levels of government that he is warned to walk away from. Reacher, not surprisingly, insists that he won’t.

Reacher Season 4 returns on Wednesday, Aug. 12 on Prime Video with its first three episodes. The new season introduces several new cast members to the Reacher TV franchise, including Chris Marquette, Sydelle Noel, AGNEZ MO, Anggun, Kevin Weisman, Marc Blucas, Kevin Corrigan and Kathleen Robertson.

The review embargo for Reacher Season 4 was lifted on Tuesday, and as of the publication of this article, the new episodes have earned an 88% “fresh” critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer based on 16 reviews.

By contrast, Reacher Season 1 (2022) earned a 92% “fresh” critics’ score on RT based on 74 reviews, while Season 2 (2023) earned a near, perfect 98% score based on 44 reviews, Season 3 , released in 2025, also earned a 98% “fresh” critics’ score based on 46 reviews, so Season 4’s score — while still “fresh” — seems to indicate that the series is showing signs of wear.

Note: This article will be updated with more RT reviews of “Reacher” Season 4 as they are posted, and the score will be adjusted accordingly.

Sherin Nicole of RogerEbert.com is among all critics on RT who give Reacher Season 4 a “fresh” critic score, writing, “It all comes down to whether you like twisty action, thrillers that are cold, blooded with warm hearts, and high on charm. If so, pop the corn, pour the beverages, and dodge the blood splatter.”

Also awarding Reacher Season 4 a “fresh” score is Dominic Baez of the Seattle Times, who writes in his RT review summary, “If you enjoyed previous seasons of Reacher , Season 4 offers more of the same. I keep waiting for that formula to start showing some cracks, for the familiarity to become less welcome, but it hasn’t happened yet.”

Nick Schager of The Daily Beast lauds Alan Ritchson in his “fresh” review on RT , writing, “As always, Reacher’s main attraction is its title character, whose no, nonsense bravery, intelligence, and muscle make him a magnetic force with which to be reckoned.”

Terry Terrones of Polygon also deems Reacher Season 4 “fresh,” writing on RT , “Four seasons in, the show has to find new ways to use him without losing what made him fun in the first place — and it’s achieved just that by getting him moving.”

Warren Cantrell of The Playlist is among the critics on RT who give Reacher Season 4 a “rotten” score. Cantrell writes in his RT review summary, “All the basic components for success are here in Season 4 ... It’s just not much fun, and the writing and acting are occasionally so bad that it can make a person almost embarrassed to watch.”

M.N. Miller of FandomWire notes that Reacher Season 4 still packs punch, but not much of anything. Miller writes in his RT review summary, “ Reacher s fourth season is less bold, less brash, and less fun, but still as brutal as ever.”

Reacher Season 4, Episodes 1, 3 debut on Prime Video on Wednesday.