Thescreescore – Sarah Michelle Gellar, a name synonymous with horror royalty, has made a triumphant return to the big screen, with her latest R-rated horror-comedy sequel, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, achieving unprecedented audience acclaim. The film has officially shattered a 27-year-old Rotten Tomatoes record, becoming the highest-rated movie starring Gellar based on audience scores, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career.
Released on March 20, 2026, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come has captivated viewers, earning an impressive 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This stellar reception eclipses the previous record held by the 1999 cult classic Cruel Intentions, which garnered an 80% Popcornmeter score. The sequel also boasts a strong 75% critic score, positioning it as a standout success. For context, the original Ready or Not (2019) held a 78% audience score, indicating a substantial leap in fan approval for this follow-up. Notably, Ready or Not 2 joins Scream 2 (1997), which has a 59% critic score, as one of only two films in Gellar’s extensive filmography to achieve a "fresh" designation from critics on the platform.
The highly anticipated sequel plunges audiences back into the deadly world of Grace (Samara Weaving), who survived a nightmarish game of hide-and-seek against her new in-laws. In this new chapter, Grace finds herself embroiled in another high-stakes game, facing off against formidable new adversaries, including Gellar’s character, who is depicted as vying for a powerful High Council seat that controls the world. Early reviews have lauded the film for its intensified gore and thrilling cat-and-mouse dynamic, further enhanced by the compelling, complicated sibling relationship between Weaving and Kathryn Newton’s characters. The creative forces behind the original, the Radio Silence duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, returned to direct, with Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy penning the story. The ensemble cast also features Elijah Wood, Shawn Hatosy, and David Cronenberg, with Kevin Durand and Newton reuniting with Radio Silence after their collaboration on Abigail.
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The 2020s have undeniably marked a significant career renaissance for Sarah Michelle Gellar. After years of primarily appearing in cameo roles, such as in I Know What You Did Last Summer and Do Revenge, Gellar has re-embraced her roots in the horror and thriller genres on television, with notable roles in Wolf Pack and Dexter: Resurrection. Her substantial role in Ready or Not 2, portraying a key antagonist, further solidifies this resurgence. While fans recently learned of the unfortunate cancellation of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival by Hulu, a project that would have seen Gellar reprise her iconic role alongside a new slayer, her focus remains on exciting new ventures, including a judging role on Star Search and a voice part in the upcoming TV series Breaking Bear.
As Ready or Not 2: Here I Come continues its theatrical run, its exceptional audience reception is expected to fuel strong word-of-mouth, potentially bolstering its box office performance against formidable competition like the sci-fi epic Project Hail Mary. Projections estimate an opening weekend gross of $10 million, a promising start given its reported budget of $6–10 million. The original Ready or Not proved to be a sleeper hit, raking in $57 million globally. With its critical and audience success, the sequel is poised to carve out its own legacy. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is now playing in theaters.
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