Malcolm in the Middle Reboot Gets Rotten Tomatoes Score

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Twenty years after it initially went off the air, Malcolm in the Middle is back with a four-episode revival on Hulu. Titled Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, the new series is getting mixed reactions from critics before it even begins streaming.

Early reviews of Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair give it a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This mixed response comes before the show even launches on Hulu on April 10th. While some critics loved the reboot, saying it fits well with the original series, others weren’t as impressed. The rating is expected to change as more reviews are published, and it could potentially improve over time.

The Malcolm in the Middle Reboot Debuts Strong

Reviewer Jeanine T. Abraham praised the new series, giving it a perfect score and calling it a flawless continuation of the original. She highlighted Bryan Cranston’s performance, noting his clear enjoyment and skill in reprising his role as Hal, which she described as central to the show’s success.

Viewers will probably finish the miniseries wishing there were more episodes, which, according to one reviewer, is actually a good sign. While another season seems unlikely, the show remains deserving of a larger audience. Ultimately, the final episode felt like a heartwarming visit with the characters, and leaving viewers wanting more proves the series was successful.

TV critic Kara Hedash gave the reboot a score of 5 out of 10, explaining that while nostalgia is important for any revived show, the actors couldn’t overcome the series’ weak and illogical starting point in just four episodes. She felt the Malcolm in the Middle revival had a rough beginning.

According to THR critic Daniel Fienberg, the show Life’s Still Unfair isn’t easy to watch. He describes it as strangely unsettling and even shockingly unpleasant.

The Gang Is (Mostly) Reunited for the Reboot

Linwood Boomer, who created the original Malcolm in the Middle, brought back most of the show’s main actors for Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair. This includes Bryan Cranston as Hal, Jane Kaczmarek as Lois, Christopher Masterson as Francis, and Justin Berfield as Reese, with a new actor playing the role of Dewey since Erik Per Sullivan has retired. However, this cast change hasn’t impacted how critics have received the show.

The new version of the show features Emy Coligado as Piama, Francis’ wife, and Kiana Madeira as Tristan, Malcolm’s girlfriend. Keeley Karsten returns as Leah, Malcolm’s daughter, while Anthony Timpano plays Jamie, Malcolm’s younger brother and one of Hal and Lois’ five children. Vaughan Murrae joins the cast as Kelly, the youngest of Hal and Lois’ six children.

The reboot of Malcolm in the Middle will feature several actors reprising their original roles, including David Anthony Higgins as Craig Feldspar, Craig Lamar Taylor as Stevie Kenarban, Gary Anthony Williams as Abe Kenarban, Eric Nenninger as Eric Hanson, and Arjay Smith as Ken Finley. Fans will be happy to see these familiar faces return.

The new season of Malcolm in the Middle, titled Life’s Still Unfair, will be available to stream on both Hulu and Disney+ starting . All four episodes will be released at the same time.

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2026-04-09 19:41