New ‘Animal Farm’ Adaptation Gets Rough Critical Response as Rotten Tomatoes Score Drops

A new animated version of “Animal Farm” is facing a strong wave of negative reviews after its release, with critics giving it a very low score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film, released in 2026, is an updated adaptation of George Orwell’s classic novella about power, control, and political corruption. It was directed by Andy Serkis and written by Nicholas Stoller. The voice cast includes well-known actors such as Seth Rogen, Steve Buscemi, Glenn Close, Woody Harrelson, Kieran Culkin, and others.

Early reactions from critics have been mostly negative. The movie currently holds a 24% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on around 50 reviews. Many reviewers say the film struggles with tone and storytelling, even though it tries to take a new approach to the well-known story.

Some critics were especially harsh in their comments. One review described the film as a poor viewing experience, saying it feels exhausting and poorly handled. Another critic said, “The problems here are not that Serkis and Stoller took Animal Farm in a different direction. It’s how badly miscalculated this becomes.” Others pointed to weak animation and humor that does not land well.

Not all feedback was negative, though. A few reviewers said the film could still spark conversations, especially for younger audiences watching it with parents. One positive review noted that it may lead to discussion, even if the execution is uneven.

The movie first premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2025 before its wider release in the United States and Canada in May 2026. Despite a long production process and years of development, it has struggled to impress critics upon release.

Outside of formal reviews, the film has also sparked debate online. Some viewers have questioned the changes made to Orwell’s original story. The adaptation reportedly shifts focus and introduces new characters and themes not found in the book. These changes have led to disagreement among audiences about whether the film stays true to the original message or moves too far away from it.

Social media reactions have also been mixed, with some people strongly criticizing the direction of the adaptation while others defend it as a modern reinterpretation.

The film is also part of a long history of “Animal Farm” adaptations. It follows earlier versions released in 1954 and 1999, both of which also faced criticism for different reasons.

Overall, the new version is now under pressure as audience and critic reactions continue to come in, with its low rating making it one of the more poorly received animated releases of the year.

This reaction shows how difficult it is to adapt a well-known story like “Animal Farm.” People already have strong expectations from the original book, so any big changes can divide audiences quickly. At the same time, filmmakers often try to bring something new to classic material. Do you think this kind of adaptation should stick closely to the original, or is it okay to change the story more freely? Share your thoughts in the comments.