Samuel Goldwyn Films

'Red Sonja' Just Hit Theaters For 1 Day Only, With No Rotten Tomatoes Score

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Ryan Britt | Last updated Aug 13, 2025 11:27 AM ET

Back in 1973, Marvel Comics revealed a character that would change fantasy stories forever. Joining Conan the Barbarian in issue #23 of his own comic, the deadly Red Sonja, complete with her chainmail bikini armor, became the ultimate sex symbol in the sword and sorcery genre. Inspired by a character created by Robert E. Howard (who also created the Conan novels), Red Sonja takes no prisoners, and historically, has looked great while doing it. And now, after 40 years away from movie screens, she's back. But for a very, very limited time

The new film — titled Red Sonja — which stars Matilda Lutz in the title role, has just hit theaters, and, despite not getting a lot of buzz, looks like a classic, no-holds-barred fantasy adventure with a good helping of cheese. Red Sonja also doesn't have a Rotten Tomatoes score at all and will only be in theaters for exactly one day.

Red Sonja Release date, explained

Originally released in Russia on July 31, Red Sonja is in theaters in the U.S. for "one night only," according to Samuel Goldwyn Films, the movie's distributor.

Why is this? Red Sonja is a fairly low-budget, under-the-radar movie that doesn't have massive studio backing. It's also a relatively new take on the story, based on the Dynamite comics version of the character, which began in 2005 and depicted the death of the "original" Red Sonja in 2010.

Could there have been a larger audience for this movie? Who knows. But for now, it seems that Red Sonja will certainly make hardcore fans of the comics happy.

Red Sonja Rotten Tomatoes score, explained

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 29: Actress Matilda Lutz attends the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations Presents "Red Sonja" event at The Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists on July 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for SAG-AFTRA Foundation)Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

As of this writing, Red Sonja does not have a Rotten Tomatoes score at all, specifically because there are simply not enough reviews, either from critics or fans, to generate a number. The smattering of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes is, for the most part, generous. But time will tell how the public feels about the movie.

In general, Red Sonja feels like a throwback to a direct-to-video kind of fantasy adventure. And, for some viewers, maybe that's a good thing.

Red Sonja VOD streaming release date

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 21: Cosplayer Dominica Jordan as Red Sonja poses on Day 2 of Comic-Con International 2023 on July 21, 2023 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)Daniel Knighton/Getty Images

After its very brief theatrical run, the new Red Sonja will hit VOD on August 29. The original 1985 film, starring Brigitte Nielsen and Arnold Schwarzenegger, is available now to rent on Prime Video, YouTube, and elsewhere.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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