Fans of sci-fi remakes turned heads when Ice Cube‘s latest project, a fresh take on H.G. Wells’ classic, landed on Amazon Prime Video in early August 2025. The film quickly drew attention for its dismal reception, starting with a perfect 0% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on the first 12 reviews. Viewers echoed the sentiment, giving it low marks on IMDb around 2.5 out of 10. Now, with more reviews in, the score sits at 4%, but the damage is done. Ice Cube recently opened up about the backlash, blaming the quick shoot during tough times for the film’s flaws.
Behind the Screen: How the Movie Came Together
The 2025 version of War of the Worlds puts a modern spin on the alien invasion tale. Ice Cube plays a key role as an NSA analyst fighting back against extraterrestrials that feed on digital data. The story unfolds mostly through computer screens, showing news feeds, social media, and video calls. Directed by Rich Lee, it also features Eva Longoria as a NASA leader. But the format led to complaints about constant screen switches that felt jarring.
Production happened fast. Ice Cube shared details in a September 2025 chat with streamer Kai Cenat. The movie wrapped in just 15 days back in September 2020, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Crews worked under strict rules, and many scenes used green screens or remote setups.
“We shot it in 15 days during the pandemic,” Ice Cube said. “No director on set with me, no co-stars. It was just me and the camera most days.”
This setup saved time but skipped usual polish. Critics noted cheap effects, like basic CGI for the aliens, and too many Amazon plugs, from devices to delivery drones. One review called it “a screensaver gone wrong with product ads everywhere.” The tagline, “It’s worse than you think,” now feels spot on to many watchers.
Critics Weigh In on What Went Wrong
From day one, reviews poured in harsh. Sites like IGN pointed out the “inept” storytelling and “wall-to-wall product placement.” The AV Club listed reasons to skip it, from weak plot turns to mismatched casting. Even with Ice Cube‘s star power, his performance drew mixed words—some said he tried hard in a tough script, others felt it fell flat.
Rotten Tomatoes soon added the film to its list of the 100 worst movies ever, joining old flops like Jaws: The Revenge from 1987. Audience scores stayed low too, hovering near 20%. On social media, posts spread clips of odd moments, like Ice Cube yelling at aliens in a home office setup. One viral tweet joked, “This is what happens when you remake a classic on Zoom.”
But not everyone hated it fully. Some viewers tuned in for the campy fun, calling it “so bad it’s entertaining.” Prime Video charts showed strong early views, proving bad buzz can still pull crowds. By mid-August 2025, it hit top spots in the U.S. despite the scores.
Ice Cube Speaks Out on the Reviews
Ice Cube didn’t stay quiet. In interviews after the release, he suggested the hate might stem from more than just the movie. He told outlets like CinemaBlend that “somebody’s mad” at him, hinting at industry grudges or bias against his style.
“Look, we made it under crazy conditions,” Ice Cube explained. “Pandemic hit hard, but we got it done. If folks don’t like it, that’s cool— but I know what we put in.”
He defended the screen-heavy approach as a nod to today’s world, where news breaks online first. Still, he admitted the rush showed. No reshoots meant flaws stayed. His son even chimed in on social media, backing dad while poking fun at the low ratings.
Fans split on his take. Some agreed the COVID timing hurt quality, sharing stories of other rushed 2020 projects. Others focused on the script, saying the data-eating aliens felt forced. X posts from August 2025 showed debates, with one user writing, “Ice Cube deserves better than this mess—blame the studio.”
Viewer Reactions and Streaming Numbers
Word spread fast online. Reddit threads filled with breakdowns of the plot holes, like why aliens target data but ignore basics. YouTube reviews hit millions of views, with creators like AngryJoe calling it the “worst of 2025 so far.” Yet, that buzz helped views climb. By late August, The Hollywood Reporter noted solid streaming numbers for Prime Video.
On X, reactions ranged from laughs to real gripes. One post from September 2025 read, “Watched for Ice Cube, stayed for the chaos—2.5/10 feels right.” Another defended it: “Critics miss the point; it’s fun B-movie stuff.” Letterboxd logs added humor, with users rating it low but logging funny one-liners.
The film joined a club of remakes that bombed, like past War of the Worlds tries. But its quick rise on “worst ever” lists kept talk going. As of mid-September 2025, more reviews trickled in, but the score barely budged. Ice Cube‘s comments added fuel, showing he stands by the effort even if results fell short.
Also Read: Ice Cube Stars in New War of the Worlds Movie Now Streaming
