Prime Video's Critical Role Shows Outshine The Rings of P...

Prime Video's 10/10 Fantasy Franchise Is So Much Better Than The Rings Of Power I'm-Desperate-For-Lord-Of-The-Rings-The-Rings-Of-Power-To-Succeed-(But-Not-For-The-Reason-You-Think)

I'm-Desperate-For-Lord-Of-The-Rings-The-Rings-Of-Power-To-Succeed-(But-Not-For-The-Reason-You-Think)

By Rob Sperduto Published 3 minutes ago

Rob Sperduto is a Contributor for Screen Rant, covering Classiv TV. He's covered film, TV, and video games for 5 years, combining sharp editorial judgment with a storyteller’s eye. Known for his insightful analysis and clear voice, Rob helps audiences understand not just what’s trending, but why it matters. He is always looking for the next great story across all media. Rob is also a content strategist, and his work can be seen across The Direct, Attack of the Fanboy, We Got This Covered, and Pro Game Guides.

Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Critical Role's latest fantasy show The Mighty Nein has launched to strong reviews, and its debut forces a re-evaluation of exactly which property holds the crown in Prime Video's fantasy library. When Amazon originally acquired the rights to The Lord of the Rings, the expectation was that Middle-earth, starting with The Rings of Power, would define the streamer's identity for the next decade.

Wheel of Time, the latest fantasy show canceled too soon, certainly didn't. Yet more than a year after The Legend of Vox Machina wrapped its third season in 2024, it is becoming clear that the streamer's most consistent fantasy universe isn't the one costing upwards of a billion dollars.

While Apple TV dominates sci-fi television, Prime Video has quietly been building a suite of fantasy juggernauts, and The Mighty Nein is arguably superior to the Tolkien adaptation. It might sound unexpected given the massive disparity in production costs and marketing spend, but while Amazon paid for Middle-earth to drive subscriptions, their dominance in critical reception is coming from Exandria.

Prime Video's Critical Role Shows Are Better Than The Rings Of Power

Laura Bailey's Jester smiling and pulling her mouth open in a kaleidoscope in The Mighty Nein

It is getting harder to ignore the reality that Prime Video’s best-reviewed fantasy content isn't the live-action blockbuster. First, Critical Role's The Legend of Vox Machina achieved something rare: a perfect 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes for all three of its seasons. The Rings of Power has struggled to find that same universal acclaim.

While its second season saw an uptick in critical reception, The Rings of Power season 1's slow pacing criticisms were hard to stomach for audiences. The Rings of Power lost 60% of its viewership between seasons 1 and 2, and with three more obligated seasons to go—lest Amazon pay millions in Rings of Power kill fees—the show too often feels like it is buckling under the weight of its own legacy.

Critical Role shows, however, know exactly what they are. They lean into the strengths of their subgenre—adult animation and D&D mechanics—to deliver stronger pacing (The Mighty Nein doubled its runtime, too) matched against satisfying character arcs that feel earned.

By sticking to the source material that fans actually love, rather than trying to reinvent a wheel that didn't need fixing, the animated universe has cultivated a level of trust that The Rings of Power simply hasn't matched.

The Mighty Nein Proves That The Legend Of Vox Machina Wasn't An Accident

If The Legend of Vox Machina was the only success, it could have been written off as a lucky strike, but the early critical success of The Mighty Nein hints that this wasn't an accident. The Mighty Nein demonstrates that this franchise has legs beyond a single party of adventurers, proving that Prime Video can sustain a connected universe without the baggage of complex mythology.

The Mighty Nein isn't a retread of The Legend of Vox Machina, either. While still aimed at adult fantasy animation fans, The Mighty Nein shifts tone dramatically. The dialogue is still vulgar, but it noticeably tones down what might have felt excessive in Vox Machina, feeling more nuanced similar to shows like Invincible. The Mighty Nein, set 20 years after its predecessor—shifts to a darker, more politically complex narrative, centered around a ragtag found family of reluctant heroes.

If early reviews hint at anything, it's that Critical Role's consistency is what makes the franchise so vital to Amazon's library. While The Rings of Power is so focused on squeezing every bit of lore out of the Second Age and asks viewers to sit through hours of setup, the Critical Role universe offers an accessible, character-driven and exciting alternative that's two-for-two while Middle-earth feels trapped in its own history.

9.9/10

The Mighty Nein

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-MA Animation Sci-Fi & Fantasy Action Release Date November 19, 2025 Network Prime Video Writers Tasha Huo Franchise(s) Critical Role

Cast

See All

Laura Bailey Jester
Marisha Ray Beau

Genres Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action Powered by

Expand Collapse

Mighty Nein
The Rings of Power

Follow Followed Like Share Facebook X WhatsApp Threads Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Flipboard Copy link Email Close Thread Sign in to your ScreenRant account

We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.

Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.

Your comment has not been saved

Send confirmation email

This thread is open for discussion.

Be the first to post your thoughts.

Terms
Privacy
Feedback

Recommended Ted Danson as Charles, holding a newspaper with a cut-out article in Man on the Inside

7 hours ago

Ted Danson's A Man On The Inside Season 2 Perfected The Best TV Trend Of 2025

8 hours ago

Tim Allen Wraps Toy Story 5 With Emotional Response

Doctor Doom looks up to the camera in Marvel' Ultimate Alliance

5 hours ago

Doctor Doom’s Death Might Have Just Broken The Entire Marvel Universe

Kit Harington, Gemma Chan as Sersi looking up into the sky at the end of Eternals

5 hours ago

Eternals' Real Meaning & Chances For MCU Return Explained By Director 4 Years Later

The 25 Best Anime From The 90s, Ranked

Best Anime That Take Place In A Magic Academy

Best Anime Based On Manhwa, Ranked

The 45 Best Mecha Anime of All Time

Official image for the Critical Role Mighty Nein vs Vox Machina one-shot battle

Critical Role promises The Mighty Nein show will surprise die-hard and new fans alike

Caleb Widogast casting a fireball spell in the Mighty Nein Critical Role Amazon show

The Mighty Nein understands magic better than most D&D players

A close-up of a group of adventurers stand together with a parchment-like background behind them. From Critical Role’s The Mighty Nein Prime Video.

The Mighty Nein Amazon show will breathe new life into Critical Role's clunkiest romance

Trending Now Glinda dancing during

Why Wicked: For Good Changed "Wonderful" By Including Glinda Explained By Writer Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero looking over his shoulder near Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in Wicked For Good

Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero looking over his shoulder near Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in Wicked For Good

Cynthia Erivo Reveals Which Wicked: For Good Song Was Most Emotional To Record The Flash season 8 John Diggle

Diggle's Green Lantern Twist Being Abandoned By Arrowverse Came With A Secret Upside, Reveals Star

Prime Video's Critical Role Shows Outshine The Rings of Power