Yellowjackets remains one of the best streaming shows, even though season 3 sets its lowest Rotten Tomatoes score. The series has recently returned to streaming to focus on the group of surviving friends in the past and present. Yellowjackets‘ expansive cast of characters includes Shauna (Melanie Lynskey & Sophie Nélisse), Taissa (Tawny Cypress and Jasmin Savoy Brown), and Misty (Christina Ricci and Samantha Hanratty), but it will be the first without Juliette Lewis following her character’s tragic end in the season 2 finale. Despite losing a core cast member, the series is easily one of the most critically acclaimed on streaming, and it appears season 3 is no exception.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Yellowjackets season 3 has settled on an 88% score based on 34 reviews. In comparison, previous seasons have earned 100% and 94% Tomatometer scores. Despite season 3 being the lowest in the show’s history, an 88% score is enough to maintain its status as one of the best shows on streaming platforms.
What Yellowjackets Season 3’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Means
The Show Continues To Excel
After the divisiveness of Yellowjackets season 2’s ending, the audience is far more pleased with season 3 so far. There are still fewer than 50 ratings for the season, so this is subject to change. Still, the score is 36% higher than season 2 on the Popcornmeter. The critics have lost some interest, as every successive season has seen a 6% drop, but the audience recovery is a great sign for the show, which could very well help usher in anyone who fell off after season 2. Check out the chart below, which showcases each season’s reception:
| Yellowjackets Season | Tomatometer Score | Popcornmeter Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100% | 73% |
| 2 | 94% | 44% |
| 3 | 88% | 80% |
Many of the reviewers cite an appreciation for the performances and the setting, especially regarding Yellowjackets‘s earlier timeline. Reviewers have praised the narrative, the actors, and the absurdity of the show’s tone. The criticism, however, comes from critics who are tired of the show repeating the same arcs without providing answers. ScreenRant‘s Graeme Guttmann reviewed Yellowjackets season 3, saying:
The show finds a good balance between humor and horror, giving many of the plots that felt tightly wound in season 2 room to breathe. Anyone expecting a plethora of answers early on will find themselves disappointed again, but Yellowjackets is proving, like shows before it have often done, that answers aren’t the point. I’m even starting to suspect that creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson don’t have all the answers themselves.
Our Take On Yellowjackets’ Rotten Tomatoes Score
The Creators Should Heed The Reviews
The show has maintained an exceptional score, but these responses should serve as an early warning. The show has been content to retread old ground, which has worked so far. It can only hold on for so long before stumbling, however. Critics and audiences alike are looking for the show to offer a significant twist. The twists are no longer compelling, and the characters are losing their edges as the narrative becomes stagnant. Yellowjackets is still doing well, but it needs something new before it loses its momentum.
New episodes of Yellowjackets are released on Fridays on Paramount+ at 3 a.m. ET. They air on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Showtime.
