Cliff Notes – Netflix horror sequel soars to number 1 after viewers stay up to watch
- Fear Street: Prom Queen, released on May 23, has topped Netflix charts with over 10.7 million views in its first week, despite a low 27% Rotten Tomatoes score.
- Critics and audiences have heavily criticised the film, describing it as a disappointing addition to the Fear Street franchise, with many calling it a "snoozefest."
Netflix horror sequel soars to number 1 after viewers stay up to watch
A new horror movie sequel has dominated the global charts on Netflix, despite scathing reviews and a dismal Rotten Tomatoes score.
Fear Street: Prom Queen was released on the streaming service on May 23, becoming the fourth instalment of the terrifying franchise, based on RL Stine’s book series.
The latest slasher was set in 1988 and starred Ariana Greenblatt, Chris Klein, India Fowler, Ella Rubin, Suzanna Son and Fina Strazza, with Matt Palmer taking over as director from Leigh Janiak – who helmed the previous three.
It followed students at Shadyside High as they prepared for their prom, despite dead bodies piling up around town.
Fans clearly watched the new horror in their droves as it quickly topped Netflix’s most-watched chart, with more than 10.7million views in the last seven days, and over 16m hours watched.
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However, the success may be a surprise as the Prom Queen sequel has been panned by critics and viewers alike, and currently commands a 27% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Fear Street: Prom Queen has dominated Netflix charts over the last week (Picture: Netflix)
Sharing his thoughts on the platform, Chris P fumed: ‘It was like they took all the cool parts from a bunch of recent horror movies and put them all in one movie hoping it was pass as original. It didn’t.’
Christina B agreed: ‘It was terrible. Terrible. Just. Terrible. Has absolutely nothing to do with Fear Street, or the curse, or anything. Just a basic slasher… but even then it was poorly done.
‘Not even in a campy way. It was just bad. Cannot recommend, especially if you are a big fan of The Fear Street Triology [sic].’
‘This show is an absolute stain on the fear street trilogy,’ Alex B said.
Suzanna Son and India Fowler led the cast for the new slasher (Picture: Netflix)
Gregg C commented: ‘It’s impossible to understate how bad this is.’
Twitter users echoed similar sentiments, sharing their disappointment that they had stayed up for a ‘snoozefest’.
‘Stayed up to watch the new fear street and it was just mid,’ Jenna wrote.
Mika posted: ‘Fear street prom queen is the worst movie I stayed up late to watch.’
As Ria added: ‘Fear street prom queen was a waste of time. Literally stayed up for a snoozefest.’
The flick currently claims a 27% Rotten Tomatoes score (Picture: Netflix)
The first three Fear Street instalments hit our screens in July 2021, with part one – set in 1994 – focusing on a group of teenagers battling against an evil force after a series of slayings.
Part two was set in 1978, and returned to Shadyside as a killer began a murderous spree, while the third flick swapped between the 1600s and the 90s, showing the teens trying to save their town.
The official synopsis for Fear Street: Prom Queen reads: ‘Welcome back to Shadyside.
Could we get another instalment of the horror franchise? (Picture: Netflix)
‘In this next installment of the blood-soaked Fear Street franchise, prom season at Shadyside High is underway and the school’s wolfpack of It Girls is busy with its usual sweet and vicious campaigns for the crown.
‘But when a gutsy outsider puts herself in the running, and the other girls start mysteriously disappearing, the class of ’88 is suddenly in for one hell of a prom night.’
Fear Street: Prom Queen is available on Netflix now.