Playdate Panned by Critics as Clichéd and Unfunny Comedy

As of November 14th, 2025, the new comedy film Playdate has been met with a mixed reception from critics and audiences. The movie, which stars Alan Ritchson, known for his roles as Aquaman and Hawk in various DC projects, was seen as an opportunity for the actor to showcase his comedic skills.

However, according to reviews, the film falls short in delivering genuine laughs. Critic John Serba of Decider says the movie's references are aimed at 48-year-olds, while the comedy is more suited for 7-year-olds. Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter goes even further, describing Playdate as a "compendium of clichés in search of one," with the critic stating that the movie serves no purpose other than to have something playing in the background while doing chores.

Jim Vorel of Paste Magazine rates the film a dismal 2.0 out of 10, calling it "vastly irritating and downright embarrassing." AV Club's Matt Donato echoes these sentiments, giving Playdate a D- grade and stating that it epitomizes the "death of mainstream comedies."

Despite the overwhelmingly negative critical reception, the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes paints a more favorable picture, with a 52% rating. This suggests that while the film may not resonate with professional critics, it may still find an audience among those who enjoy buddy comedies and the work of actors like Alan Ritchson and Kevin James.