Hugh Jackman’s The Death of Robin Hood finally seeks justice in adapting the outlaw’s story.

The lore of the legendary archer, which dates back to the 15th century, continues to be a popular source to adapt into movies and series. The outlaw is a champion of the common folk and makes him the perfect hero to depict on screen. However, the new A24 movie, The Death of Robin Hood, takes a gritty turn, where Jackman plays the aged icon haunted by his past crimes.

Now, the first 22 reviews are in for The Death of Robin Hood, which has set a Rotten Tomatoes record. The A24 thriller debuted to a solid 64%, which is currently the highest-rated Robin Hood movie adaptation since 1976’s Robin and Marian. This is based on English-language adaptations.

The Death of Robin Hood reviews noted a refreshing yet remorseful approach to the hero’s story, which makes his legacy more significant. However, some critics argued that director and writer Michael Sarnoski’s execution falls short in certain areas, with the film feeling tonally cynical, too violent, or slow-paced. Meanwhile, Jackman’s performance is the clear standout by showcasing the emotional weight of the outlaw’s dreary situation.

Many filmmakers and renowned actors, like Kevin Costner, Russell Crowe, and Taron Egerton, have braved the challenge of portraying Robin Hood, but each movie adaptation has endured mixed to poor receptions since 1991. In fact, there has been an ongoing 35-year streak of Rotten Tomatoes scores falling below 60%. If The Death of Robin Hood maintains the rating or improves, it would end that underwhelming trend.

On the other hand, The Death of Robin Hood is far from the best-rated adaptation. The Adventures of Robin Hood and 1922’s Robin Hood have a solid 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, whereas MGM+’s 2025 series is the highest-rated overall iteration in the last three decades with 77%. As a result of the critical and streaming success, Robin Hood was renewed for season 2.

Historically, most Robin Hood adaptations steer towards a light-hearted adventure or action, which is enough to earn a PG or PG-13 rating. The Death of Robin Hood is the rarest version to be certified rated-R due to the strong bloody violence, which was one of the few problems noted by critics. The MGM+ series is the only other adaptation to have an R-rated equivalent, as it was TV-MA.

The upcoming A24 thriller is based on the 17th-century ballad Robin Hood’s Death. The cast features Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, and Noah Jupe.

The Death of Robin Hood will release in theaters on June 19, 2026.

Release Date

June 19, 2026

Runtime

123 Minutes

Director

Michael Sarnoski