Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale has fallen just short of an all-time franchise record on Rotten Tomatoes. The third movie based on the popular TV series released in movie theaters on September 12, serving as the concluding chapter in this era of Downton. Critics and fans have responded well to the movie, as evidenced by its Rotten Tomatoes score.
Once again starring Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Laura Carmichael, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Jim Carter, Joanne Froggatt, Paul Giamatti, and more, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale sees the Crawley family attempting to navigate evolving societal norms in post-war Britain as Mary becomes the head of the family.
Critics, including ScreenRant’s Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale review, gave the new movie the highest marks of the franchise with a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans are equally enthused, but they score The Grand Finale behind Downton Abbey: A New Era on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter – a 96% score for The Grand Finale, but a 97% for A New Era.
What This Means For Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
A 96% Rotten Tomatoes score from fans is nothing to scoff at. The score could influence anyone who may have been on the fence about seeing The Grand Finale, boosting its potential box office. Though The Grand Finale is unlikely to top the Demon Slayer box office in its opening weekend.
Audiences are clearly loving The Grand Finale, though. As more see it, there’s still a chance it could tie or overtake A New Era on the Popcornmeter. If that doesn’t happen, The Grand Finale will likely maintain the franchise’s all-time record Rotten Tomatoes score from critics; 2019’s Downton Abbey earned an 84%, while A New Era scored an 86%.
When comparing it to other 2025 movies, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale‘s 96% Popcornmeter score is one of the highest of the year.
Our Take On Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Rotten Tomatoes Score
After six seasons and three movies, it’s of little surprise that there is a strong base of fans for Downton Abbey. Series creator Julian Fellows also knows how to craft a story they’ll enjoy. That’s clearly the case again with The Grand Finale.
If I can make a guess at any reason why The Grand Finale may have fallen just shy of A New Era on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter, perhaps it’s the absence of Maggie Smith.
Smith famously played the Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the series and first two movies. Her character was a fan-favorite, and Smith’s performance was awarded three Emmys over the course of the show’s run. However, the Dowager pᴀssed away at the end of A New Era. Smith then pᴀssed away in 2024.
Smith’s Violet is gone but not forgotten in The Grand Finale, but perhaps some fans missed her quick wit.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is playing exclusively in movie theaters worldwide.
