The last chapter of the fan-favorite Downton Abbey series, subtitled The Grand Finale, is finally here and it seems to be living up to viewers’ expectations. The third and last film in the long-running franchise premiered in New York City on September 8, ahead of its theatrical release, garnering rave reviews from viewers and has also earned a Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What critics are saying about Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale in reviews
Featuring several series veterans, including Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, and Brendan Coyle, among others, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale follows the misadventures of the Crawley family as they enter the 1930s era. After Mary’s divorce, the Crawleys encounter a mixed threat of financial troubles and social disgrace, forcing them to prepare for the changing times that lie ahead.
Joanne Soh of The Straits Times described The Grand Finale as a worthy conclusion to the franchise in her review, writing, “Downton Abbey fans will find this a fitting farewell to one of Britain’s most endearing period drama franchises.”
Daily Telegraph‘s Leigh Paatsch explains that even though the final Downton Abbey film is bloated with subplots, it still manages to deliver as “nothing matches the bittersweet emotion of The Grand Finale’s final minutes, in which the fondest of farewells is waved to one and all.”
Meanwhile, Courtney Howard of Fresh Fiction had a more endearing way to explain Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’s impact, stating in her review that the film “acts as a warm, cozy blanket to cuddle up with during current cynical times.”
How Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale reviews compare to last two movies
The aforementioned reactions from pundits align with The Grand Finale’s Rotten Tomatoes critic score, which stands at an excellent 91%. The movie also has a superlative audience score of 98%, which shows how much viewers have resonated with the final Downton Abbey feature.
As such, the third Downton Abbey film has comfortably beaten the ratings of its two predecessors. The first flick in the franchise, which came out in 2019, has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 84%, with its sequel, Downton Abbey: A New Era, boasting a slightly better rating of 86%.
