New 'Jack Ryan: Ghost War' Movie Tanks on Rotten Tomatoes – Fans Stunned by Low Score
Jack Ryan, the character created by author Tom Clancy and popularized by John Krasinski in an Amazon Prime series, is back with a new movie.
But the Amazon Prime film isn't faring well on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics' score stood at 45% on May 20. "Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War mostly leaves one hoping they might get it right the next time," wrote critic Mark Dujsik.The movie ranked #4 on Amazon Prime's top movies on May 20.
"The clash between decent operatives and those who go too far gives the movie a patina of seriousness, but overall Ghost War feels like a formulaic, mildly serviceable wrap-up," wrote critic Robert Denerstein.
However, as with sometimes happens, audience members were more positive than some critics. "I see critics didn't like it, but I really enjoyed it! Admittedly, I enjoy about 90% of what I watch. Thank goodness I'm not a professional film critic, I'd be horrible at it! I'll stay in my amateur status & continue to enjoy my 90%!" wrote one woman on the Rotten Tomatoes site.
What's the Plot of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War?
In the new film, Jack Ryan "is reluctantly thrust back into the world of espionage when an international covert mission unravels a deadly conspiracy, forcing him to confront a rogue black-ops unit, and the clock is ticking," the blurb on Rotten Tomatoes says.
"Operating in real time with lives on the line and the threat escalating at every turn, Jack reunites with battle-tested CIA operative Mike November (Michael Kelly) and former CIA boss James Greer (Wendell Pierce), their combined experience the only edge they have against an enemy who knows their every move," the site says.
"Backed by an unlikely new partner -- razor-sharp MI6 officer Emma Marlowe (Sienna Miller) -- Jack and the team navigate a treacherous web of betrayal, facing a past they thought was long put to rest -- making this the most personal, high-stakes mission any of them have ever faced," it adds.
"In this new film, Jack Ryan is reluctantly thrust back into the world of espionage when an international covert mission unravels a deadly conspiracy, forcing him to confront a rogue black-ops unit, and the clock is ticking."
The Critics Called the Jack Ryan Movie 'Deeply Uninspired' & 'Painfully Safe'
"In a time of real-life surprise wars and dictator-snatching, what Jack Ryan has to say is deeply uninspired," wrote Monica Castillo on the AV Club.
However, other critics liked the movie. "The overall story in 'Ghost War' proves tepid. The action sequences acceptable. But what makes the film so enjoyable are the characters and their interplay," wrote George Thomas of the Akron Beacon-Journal.
"It is polished, watchable and occasionally thrilling, but also painfully safe," wrote Zinia Bandyopadhyayof First Post.
"In this new film, Jack Ryan is reluctantly pulled back into espionage when an international covert mission unravels a deadly conspiracy," the caption on Amazon Prime read. "Racing against time, he joins CIA allies Mike November and James Greer and sharp MI6 officer Emma Marlowe to battle a rogue black-ops unit in a high-stakes, deeply personal fight."
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 3:29 PM.