A new Prime Video action series has defeated Reacher.
Based on the Jack Reacher novels by Lee Child, the Alan Ritchson-led series has become a massive hit for Prime Video. Reacher season 4 debuts on August 12 and the show was renewed for season 5 earlier this year. It has also become a full-fledged franchise for the streamer, with the Neagley spinoff coming on September 16.
Ahead of these releases, Prime Video’s new action show Ride or Die has surpassed Reacher seasons 2 and 3 on Rotten Tomatoes. The new series blends action and comedy as assassin Judith Burton (Hannah Waddingham) and her best friend Debbie Claybourne (Octavia Spencer) are forced to go on the run from dangerous killers and law enforcement. Along the way, Debbie struggles to reconcile with the revelation of her best friend’s previously secret profession.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Ride or Die has debuted with an 80% audience score. This is a better score than Reacher season 2, which has a 77%, and Reacher season 3, which has a 73%. Since Ride or Die only debuted days ago on July 15, and there are fewer than 50 ratings on the site as of this writing, the score will likely fluctuate as more are added.
Ride or Die‘s audience reviews praise Waddingham and Spencer’s chemistry, the balance between exciting action and genuinely funny comedy, and express a desire for a second season. Beyond the chemistry, multiple reviews emphasize the richness of Judith and Debbie’s friendship.
The show has been received even more positively by critics, leading to a “Certified Fresh” 96% Tomatometer score based on 26 reviews. In ScreenRant‘s Ride or Die review, Dani Kessel Odom gives the series seven out of 10 stars and writes that “Prime Video’s Ride or Die is still an exhilarating watch, and much of that comes down to the action sequences and fight scenes, which unfold in captivating settings.”
While Ride or Die‘s audience score is higher than Reacher seasons 2 and 3, both have the same overall Popcornmeter score of 80%. Reacher‘s average is boosted by season 1’s 91%, which is by far the best that the series has achieved so far. Season 1 came out in 2022, though, meaning it has been four years since Ritchson’s show has had an audience score better than what Ride or Die has achieved.
With a strong critical and audience reception, being number one on Prime Video in the U.S. and third worldwide as of this writing, and two significant cliffhangers, there is definitely potential for Ride or Die to get another season. The early viewership has been strong, but any changes of a renewal will depend on if the streaming momentum can be maintained in the coming days and weeks.
Along with Judith and Debbie, the characters in Ride or Die include criminal Billy Donovan (Ed Skrein), Judith’s handler Sam (Calam Lynch), Judith’s boss known as the Director (Bill Nighy), Debbie’s husband and a Member of Parliament, David (Jamie Parker), Judith’s weapons and tech specialist, Mrs. Williams (Cathy Tyson), Mrs. Williams’ daughter and protégé, Queenie (Savannah Steyn), and the mysterious killer Ana (Sylvia Hoeks). The series was created by Tessa Coates, with Matt Miller serving as showrunner, and both executive producing alongside Waddingham and Spencer.
Ride or Die is now streaming on Prime Video.
- Release Date
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July 15, 2026
- Network
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Prime Video
- Showrunner
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Matt Miller