Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes
Critics list

Kristen Maldonado

Tomatometer-approved critic
Biography:

Kristen Maldonado is an entertainment journalist, critic, and on-camera host. She is the founder of the outlet Pop Culture Planet and hosts its inclusion-focused video podcast of the same name. You can find her binge-watching your next favorite TV show, interviewing talent, and championing representation in all forms. She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, a member of the Critics Choice Association, Latino Entertainment Journalists Association, and the Television Academy, and a 2x Shorty Award winner. She's also been featured on New York Live, NY1, The List TV, Den of Geek, Good Morning America, Insider, MTV, and Glamour.

Reviews

Movies TV Shows
The Saviors (2026) 65% EDIT “It’s a compelling premise that shows how easily fear can distort the truth and cost us everything.” – Pop Culture Planet May 5, 2026 Full Review Swapped (2026) 72% EDIT “It balances intimate, visually rich moments, like little Ollie (Camden Brooks) exploring his surroundings, with impactful reveals that expand the story in exciting ways. Tracy Morgan is a stand out in a remarkably layered role. ” – Pop Culture Planet May 5, 2026 Full Review Affection (2025) 90% EDIT “Affection tackles loss, identity, and family in deeply unsettling way that will leave viewers surprised. [It] leaves you with more questions than answers, for better or for worse.” – Pop Culture Planet May 5, 2026 Full Review Michael (2026) 39% EDIT “While Michael succeeds in recreating iconic moments from MJ’s career, it’s ultimately a serviceable but surface-level biopic. ” – Pop Culture Planet Apr 25, 2026 Full Review Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic (2026) EDIT “[Releasing] this behind-the-scenes look in Finding Harry: The Craft Behind The Magic now makes everything feel more familiar. It helps us start accepting these new actors as the characters we've grown up knowing and loving, even before the show premieres.” – Pop Culture Planet Apr 6, 2026 Full Review Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (2026) 90% EDIT “There’s stunning cinematography, jaw-dropping moments, and the booming rock soundtrack the Peaky Blinders franchise is known for. It really closes out this chapter with a bang.” – Pop Culture Planet Apr 2, 2026 Full Review The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) 42% EDIT “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a fun, fast-paced ride that teases intriguing lore and family dynamics, but pulls back before it can dig deeper. As a result, the story feels disjointed and lacks the emotional punch it’s building toward.” – Pop Culture Planet Mar 31, 2026 Full Review Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special (2026) 60% EDIT “Without the full cast, it didn't quite capture the magic of what made Hannah Montana such a cultural phenomenon.” – Pop Culture Planet Mar 24, 2026 Full Review Project Hail Mary (2026) 94% EDIT “The film mixes epic sci-fi voyage with heartfelt buddy-comedy in a way that truly works. There are stunning cinematic shots, genuinely quotable lines that will leave you cackling & a beautiful message about how connection gives us someone to be brave for.” – Pop Culture Planet Mar 20, 2026 Full Review Pretty Lethal (2026) 57% EDIT “Pretty Lethal either needed a tighter, more serious story or to lean into full-on campiness. It flirts with both ideas, but never goes far enough in either direction.‍ ” – Pop Culture Planet Mar 17, 2026 Full Review Pizza Movie (2026) 79% EDIT “[The college comedy's] gleefully weird energy is a welcome reminder of how fun the genre can be. With a cast committed to the absurdity and a script full of original, imaginative ideas, Pizza Movie has all the ingredients of a future cult classic.” – Pop Culture Planet Mar 14, 2026 Full Review K-Pops! (2024) 88% EDIT “Bright, goofy, and visually vibrant, the film pops with fun animated flourishes and a catchy original soundtrack. It creatively explores both Black and Korean cultures, highlighting the universal language of music and how it brings people together.” – Pop Culture Planet Mar 2, 2026 Full Review Scream 7 (2026) 31% EDIT “There is definitely fun to be had in Scream 7. I laughed, I jumped, I gasped. It understands its history and even builds on it. But nostalgia can only carry you so far without fully developed stakes or an ensemble worth investing in.” – Pop Culture Planet Feb 27, 2026 Full Review Eternity (2025) 77% EDIT “With a solid cast and surreal visuals, Eternity brings a captivating lore to the ideas of life and love after death. Miles Teller steals the show as the grumbly but comfortable Larry who is so endearing you can’t help but root for him.” – Pop Culture Planet Jan 3, 2026 Full Review Wicked: For Good (2025) 66% EDIT “From their vocals to their acting choices, Erivo and Grande prove once again that they were born to play these roles. [...] Jon M. Chu is a genius and we’re so lucky to have him bringing movie musicals to the screen at this level.” – Pop Culture Planet Nov 21, 2025 Full Review In Your Dreams (2025) 86% EDIT “Hilarious, heartfelt, and undeniably real. Everyone will see a bit of themselves in this story. A seemingly simple wish [...] takes our characters on a wild and vibrant adventure that shows us just how much beauty and love are in life’s messy parts.” – Pop Culture Planet Nov 16, 2025 Full Review HIM (2025) 31% EDIT “While HIM succeeds in delivering a trippy and disorienting atmosphere, the rest of the film feels muddled and hollow. [...] Ultimately, HIM is all style, no substance.” – Pop Culture Planet Sep 18, 2025 Full Review Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires (2025) EDIT “Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly pass the torch to Malachi Barton and Freya Skye, who shine as Victor and Nova. [...] The Zombies 4 soundtrack definitely delivers, mixing nostalgic throwbacks with new high-energy favorites. ” – Pop Culture Planet Jul 28, 2025 Full Review KPop Demon Hunters (2025) 91% EDIT “With a killer soundtrack, standout animation, and an incredible amount of heart, KPop Demon Hunters is easily one of the best animated films of the year.” – Pop Culture Planet Jul 28, 2025 Full Review Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado (2025) 92% EDIT “With high-stakes stunts and magical elements that go beyond the original animated series, Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado is a thrilling ride the whole family can enjoy.” – Pop Culture Planet Jul 28, 2025 Full Review Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025) 27% EDIT “Fear Street: Prom Queen drops us into what feels like a Temu Stranger Things version of the ‘80s, where the soundtrack is the most authentic thing about it. [...] A forgettable slasher that ultimately feels like a waste of time.” – Pop Culture Planet May 23, 2025 Full Review Another Simple Favor (2025) 58% EDIT “The fashion? Gorgeous. The locations? Stunning. But the plot? A total mess. It’s over-the-top, convoluted, and just plain weird. [...] You really have to suspend disbelief as they try to force it to work with cheap shock value. ” – Pop Culture Planet May 1, 2025 Full Review Summer of 69 (2025) 89% EDIT “This endearing directorial debut from Jillian Bell has a nostalgic element to it that feels like a cult classic in the making.” – Pop Culture Planet May 1, 2025 Full Review Susie Searches (2022) 51% EDIT “There are so many solid twists and turns as we follow this girl detective with a dark desire for recognition. [...] The mystery is pieced together really well and, if you go in without knowing anything, it’ll really surprise you.” – Pop Culture Planet May 1, 2025 Full Review Not Just a Goof (2025) 100% EDIT “The film really shines as it showcases never-before-seen footage and highlights its heartfelt influence on fans, especially within the Black community.” – Pop Culture Planet Apr 23, 2025 Full Review
No Reviews Yet
Load More