A newwrestling moviefeaturing stars fromFalloutandArrowhas debuted with a strong Rotten Tomatoes score.Arrow, which ran from 2012 through 2020, is a DC Comics adapation about a vigilante archer that launched an entire franchise of interconnected superhero series that includedSupergirl,The Flash, andBatwoman.Prime Video’sFallout, which is adapted from the post-apocalyptic video game of the same name, is even newer, having debuted in 2024. It already has a second season on the way.
Whilethere is not necessarily a single installment that stands out as the culturally definitive exampleof the genre, there have been quite a fewwrestling moviesproduced over the years. These titles embody a wide range of genres, including the biopicThe Iron Claw, the comedyFighting with My Family, the Darren Aronofsky dramaThe Wrestler, and the animated family movieRumble. As such, the subgenre is especially welcoming to new installments, including the new release featuring familiar faces from television.
Critics Are Enjoying Queen Of The Ring
The Movie Brings A True Story To Life
2025’sQueen of the Ringhas earned good reviews from critics. The new movie stars Emily Bett Rickards (who played IT expert Felicity Smoak inArrow) as Mildred Burke,a real-life wrestler who fought against restrictive rulesto become an iconic athlete. The project, which was directed by Ash Avildsen, also stars Walton Goggins (who plays the villain The Ghoul inFallout) as wrestling promoter Jack Pfefer alongside a star-studded ensemble that includes Josh Lucas, Tyler Posey, Francesca Eastwood, Deborah Ann Woll, Cara Buono, andKarate Kidalumnus Martin Kove.
Ash Avildsen is the son ofThe Karate KidandRocky Vdirector John G. Avildsen.
Now,Rotten Tomatoeshas calculated an official Tomatometer score for the movie out of 35 different critics reviews. Although the score could fluctuate as more reviews are added, at the time of writing,Queen of the Ringhas earned a solidly Fresh 71% scorewith an average rating of 6.4 out of 10. This consensus is reflected in the 7 out of 10 review penned byScreenRant’s ownNick Bythrow, who says that the movie is “the perfect primer for anyone who wants to learn about the history of women in pro wrestling.” Read a longer excerpt below:
With a gripping story that succeeds at highlighting Mildred’s life alongside the early history of women’s pro wrestling, Queen of the Ring is an important film that extends plenty of respect to its real-world history. Stellar performances capture its characters while strong writing is complimented by a clear directorial vision across the whole film. Its entertaining approach to the history it portrays works to make the movie memorable, resulting in a must-see biopic that’s perfect for those who want to learn about women’s wrestling history.
What This Means For Queen Of The Ring
It Could Make Its Mark On Cinema History
If thewrestling moviecan maintain this score as moreQueen of the Ringreviewsare added, it is entirely possible that the moviecould end up in Rotten Tomatoes' list of the 150 highest-rated sports movies of all time. That roster includes a number of movies with lower scores, includingThe Blind Side(66%),Rocky II(70%), andThe Sandlot(65%), showcasing how this movie’s strong critical reaction could help usher it into cinema history.
